

State Parks of Wisconsin 



Letter from John M. Olin 



President Madison Park and Pleasure Drive Association 



January 12, 1909. 



Dear Mr. Nolen: — For many years, I have felt that Wisconsin 

 could make no better investment than the securing of properly selected 

 lands in different parts of the state for state park reservations. Ac- 

 tion should not be delayed in this matter. Such places are rapidly 

 being picked up by private interests. Already it is quite impossible 

 for the people of the state to get to the shores of many of our most 

 beautiful inland lakes, except by trespassing upon private owner- 

 ship. But these lakes belong to the people. Our supreme court has 

 wisely decided in a number of cases that they are held in trust by the 

 state for its people, and that not even the legislature has the power to 

 dispose of, or authorize the disposition of, the bed of any one of these 

 lakes for any private use or purpose. 



But it is not enough that the surface of these lakes or the ground 

 covered by their waters, should belong to the people. To make these 

 possessions available there must be secured to the public at various 

 points the lands bordering on these waters, and in area sufficiently 

 large to furnish to the people an opportunity for outdoor life and re- 

 creation. This is a duty which the state owes both to the present and 



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