CHAPTER IV 



ELEMENTS IN THE DESIGN OF PARK 

 AND RECREATION AREAS 



In the chapter on the General Planning of a Park System it was noted 

 that each type of property is intended to perform certain primary functions 

 in the life of the people. After the areas have been acquired, the next 

 step in planning is so to design or plan and develop these areas that they 

 will serve the people effectively in the ways intended. This is the proper 

 purpose and function of design. 



GENERAL SUGGESTIONS ON DESIGN 



There are two preliminary steps to actual designing of park and recrea- 

 tion properties that are of the highest importance. The first of these is the 

 accurate establishment of the boundaries of the areas. This should be done 

 previous to actual acquisition, but unfortunately this is not always the case. 

 The second step is to have a topographical survey made of every property. 

 Topographical surveys are of fundamental importance for the reason that 

 the work of the landscape architect, the construction engineer and the 

 recreation expert is based upon them. The services of the topographical 

 engineer is, in general, too greatly neglected in park and recreation systems 

 throughout the country with the result that much time, energy and money 

 have been wasted and poor designs have resulted. Usually these surveys 

 may be made by the city or county engineer's office or by the engineers 

 of the park department. 



With boundaries accurately established and the topographical surveys 

 in hand, the designing of the properties can be effectively undertaken. 

 The designing of the numerous types of areas now comprised in a modern 

 park system presents many different and difficult problems. While there 

 are general principles that may be followed each property will present its 

 own peculiar individual problem or problems. 



In most instances designing requires the services of several different 

 types of specialists -- the landscape architect, the recreation expert, the 

 building architect and lighting engineer. The advice of the construction 

 engineer and the sanitary expert may also be necessary. 



In making the original design the most important of these various 

 types of specialists is the landscape architect. The preservation and crea- 

 tion of beauty on all types of recreation areas should be accepted as an 

 axiom in designing any and all these types whether it be a children's play- 



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