Treasures of the Nation 



547 



her. Thus are preserved some outstand- 

 ing redwoods, Douglas-firs, white and 

 southern pines, and other native trees 

 of species that elsewhere have been so 

 relentlessly cut to fill the needs of in- 

 dustry. Many other State parks are 

 notable for some natural attraction, 

 such as an exceptional waterfall, gorge, 

 beach, or mountain, but usually it has 

 also been possible to preserve or restore 

 the forest cover. 



One of the strongest contrasts be- 

 tween national and State parks is in 

 the forms of recreation provided. 

 State parks and recreation areas, be- 

 ing intimately associated with the lo- 

 cality, are heavily used by those bent 

 on a day's outing or at least a visit of 

 short duration. Depending on the 

 character of the reservation and prox- 

 imity to concentrations of population, 

 they have facilities for swimming, 

 boating, fishing, camping, picnicking, 

 organizational camps, vacation cab- 

 ins, horseback riding, hiking, small 

 games ( such as volley ball, badminton, 

 horseshoe pitching) , dancing, and win- 

 ter sports. Frequently there are outdoor 

 theaters, that are used for various cele- 

 brations or festivals, and sometimes 

 golf courses, tennis courts, and polo 

 fields have been provided. It is being 

 increasingly recognized that nature 

 study in State parks is of interest to 

 many visitors, and the employment of 

 naturalists and the establishment of 

 museums for this activity is becoming 

 common. 



Overnight accommodations vary so 

 greatly that it is possible only to men- 

 tion some of the types here. One of the 

 most popular features of many State 

 parks is the vacation cabin, which can 

 usually be rented at a reasonable rate, 

 either completely equipped for house- 

 keeping or lacking only linens and table 

 silver. In regions where tent camping 

 is favored, camp sites are available 

 usually with individual outdoor cook- 

 ing arrangements as well as community 

 bathing and sanitary facilities. Closely 

 related are areas set aside for parking 

 trailers, where it is possible usually to 

 plug into an electric outlet and connect 



to a running water system. Such con- 

 veniences, however, are not uniformly 

 to be found in all cases. In the effort to 

 provide for all classes and conditions of 

 visitors, hotels and lodges have been 

 erected in some parks where they seem 

 warranted. Accommodations in those, 

 while comfortable, are generally simple 

 in character and moderate in price. 

 Some of them are suitable for use in 

 winter. For those who do not desire to 

 do their own cooking and for casual 

 visitors, many State parks have refec- 

 tories or restaurants. 



Where the acreage is large enough 

 and where sufficient privacy can be 

 had, together with an adequate swim- 

 ming place, State parks and recreation 

 areas lend themselves readily to group 

 or organizational camping. Not infre- 

 quently the group camps are partly or 

 wholly subsidized by one or more 

 branches of the State Government in 

 order to provide camping experience 

 for crippled children or for those from 

 families in the lower income groups. 

 In the main, however, such groups as 

 churches, Scouts, Y. M. C. A. or 

 Y. W. G. A., 4-H Clubs, and Future 

 Farmers of America are the main 

 users of the camps. The applications of 

 all worthy organizations receive sym- 

 pathetic consideration. 



The group camps are planned to 

 take advantage of site and topography 

 so that economy of operation and ease 

 of control can be achieved by centraliz- 

 ing dining facilities, wash houses, in- 

 firmaries, and such necessities, while 

 segregating the sleeping cabins into 

 small, separated groups. Thus re- 

 motely located, the cabins, that ordi- 

 narily are the simplest sort of shelter 

 for about four children each, convey 

 the impression of being out in the 

 woods actually camping. 



The administrators of State park and 

 recreation areas are anxious for their 

 visitors to enjoy themselves with a 

 minimum of regulatory interference. 

 However, it is always necessary to 

 adopt a few simple rules for the pro- 

 tection of the areas and for the peace, 

 comfort, and health of the visitors. The 



