GENERAL PLANNING OF A PARK SYSTEM 67 



improvement associations and citizens. Many valuable suggestions as to 

 suitable properties for the contemplated park and boulevard system were 

 secured. The members of the commission visited every suggested site, 

 studied the territory thoroughly and inspected independently all possible 

 land. The commission employed four different park planning and landscape 

 architect firms to make a study of the county and rendered a report inde- 

 pendent of each other. After several weeks of study each of the architects 

 filed an exhaustive report covering the results of his study and accom- 

 panied by a plan for a system of parks connecting boulevards. All this was 

 done in a year's time. 



The next step was the formulation of the needs suggested by the vari- 

 ous surveys and reports into a suitable park act. This was presented to the 

 next legislature and without serious modification was enacted. The law 

 was applicable to all counties of the state above a given population. 



Soon afterward a permanent commission was appointed under the new 

 law. At the very outset the commission employed an eminent firm of land- 

 scape architects, one of the four firms which had worked upon the prelim- 

 inary studies, to act as expert advisors and planners, and to map out a 

 comprehensive plan for the county. With the money secured from a bond 

 issue asked for from the board of county commissioners soon after the 

 organization of the park commission, the commission set about the acqui- 

 sition of properties. From that day to this the gradual extension and 

 improvement and the maintenance of the system at a high degree of effi- 

 ciency has gone on uninterruptedly. A notable fact to be remembered is 

 that through all the history of this development the commission has had 

 the wisdom to secure the ablest expert advice obtainable. 



A FEW OF THE NATIONAL AGENCIES FROM WHICH LOCAL COMMUNITIES 

 MAY SECURE AID IN CAMPAIGNS 



/. American Institute of Park Executives, Rockford, be glad to advise in matters relating to the provision 



///. From this organization may be secured photo- of recreational facilities and activities, and to supply 



graphs of many different types of recreation areas, literature. Under certain conditions the field secretaries 



facilities and activities, plans of parks and statistical of the Association may sometimes be secured to assist 



data. Occasionally it may be possible to secure the in organizing and conducting campaigns, 



services of some one of the members of the institute j. Recreation Department, Russell Sage Foundation, 



for consultation and for speaking in connection with /jo East 2sd Street, New York City. The Department 



the campaigns. is prepared to supply photographs, lantern slides and 



2. Playground and Recreation Association of America, statistical data. 



5/5 Fourth Avenue, New York City, N. Y. The Asso- 4. National Child Welfare Association, Inc., 70 Fifth 



ciation is prepared to supply photographs of various Avenue, New York City, N. Y. A series of posters, 



types of recreation areas and activities, plans of parks showing the value of recreation for children and young 



and playgrounds, posters, charts and lantern slides. people which may be used with effect in educational 



The Association has also issued pamphlets and booklets campaigns. 



of various kinds such as Layout and Equipment of Play- 5. States Relation Service, United States Department 



grounds, and survey material. Through its Bureau of of Agriculture, Washington, D. C. Interesting publica- 



Correspondence and Consultation, the Association will tions showing what rural communities have done in, 



