WHAT IS RECREATION'S NEXT STEP? 



597" 



In those professions named are found the principal 

 ones which have to do with the planning and development 

 of the areas which are adapted to recreation. There is 

 another group that should have ample representation. 

 They are the commercial men, who, after a scheme is 

 worked out by competent artists and engineers, take hold 

 of the running of the organization which is to make the 

 plan function. 



The executive phase of this work should be repre- 

 sented by men that have had experience in the work. 

 Hotel men, transportation men, advertising men and those 

 pioneer spirits who have been in charge of the first 

 "tourist bureaus" of the country should be heard in this 

 national recreation organization. 



One is as necessary as the other of these two groups. 

 If the professional men would not turn out a good work- 

 ing plan there would be little use of the commercial group 

 taking charge of it. And if there were not the men to 

 take over the organization and running of a scheme so 

 that it would properly function there would be little use 

 of making a scheme. 



The discussion of the organization of our recreational 

 resources could go on and take up the developments 

 which some states have been able to accomplish in their 

 parks and forests. This system within the states, sec- 

 ondary in magnitude only to the great areas of the nation 



and equal or surpassing them in use is as potent a factor 

 in national life as those great systems mentioned earlier. 

 And more than ever is there needed here some guiding 

 light for the men who are trying in the several common- 

 wealths to organize the best recreational territory there 

 is in the state for the use of their citizens. A national 

 commission would serve as an inspiration and model for 

 the state organizations and the good council of the 

 national advisory body could be extended to aid the states. 



Of equal importance although of lesser size are the 

 county parks. So far the county system has been estab- 

 lished in but few localities but where such has been the 

 case the development has justified its existence. This 

 group of public grounds rounds out what might be 

 termed the national recreation system. 



Today what is needed most is good sound judgment 

 and true artistry in planning and, an organization which 

 will back up that judgment and artistry so that it becomes 

 living facts. The general recreational use of the great 

 outdoors is upon us and the first wave has but touched 

 the great areas of nation, state and county. Far in 

 the future may come a time when there will be no place 

 which will offer the type of recreation we can now offer 

 in our national system. Are we then truly facing a 

 future famine in recreation? The answer lies in what 

 happens in this field within the next decade. With 



?.S ROADS AND A UNIFIED TRAFFIC SYSTEM ARE NEEDED IN ANY RECREATION SCHEME. ROADS BUILT FOR 

 REATION ALSO SERVE IN OPENING NEW TIMBERED AREAS, REACHING ISOLATED HOMESTEADS IN THE FORESTS AND 

 ALLOWING FIRE PATROLS READY ACCESS TO REACH REMOTE SPOTS QUICKLY AND EASILY. THIS ROAD OVER COCHETOPA 

 PASS IN COLORADO IS A GOOD EXAMPLE 



