STATE PARKS 
ance of park lands for a state there will be no probability as 
matters are now going, that any state will ever get too much. If 
any state should ever, by any inconceivable chance, set aside more 
park lands than could be wisely used, then such surplus lands could 
most certainly be disposed of to advantage at any time. 
Desirable Lands 
It is of great importance that lands for parks, forests and all 
similar purposes be set aside at the earliest possible moment. As 
population grows the need for such properties increases precisely as 
the difficulty of buying them increases. Very frequently it happens 
that by the time the need is really felt the possibility of acquiring 
the desired lands has disappeared, never to return. This law does 
not spare the most treasured items of landscape nor the most sacred 
historic relics. 
One of the most important points in state park policy, there- 
fore, is to make plans many years ahead — the further into the future 
the better, — and to acquire all desirable lands just as rapidly as 
possible. 
Some of the things which should be especially regarded in making 
up a program of state parks are the following: 
1. Seashores. Any state which is so fortunate as to border 
upon the ocean should certainly save some miles of good beaches 
for the perpetual enjoyment of all its citizens. 
2. Lakes and lake shores. These should be reserved with 
special care in states like Kansas or Oklahoma where such scenery is 
rare. 
3. Rivers — certain sections of special scenic charm or recrea- 
tion value. 
4. Wild mountain lands. Such territory is usually best ad- 
apted to forestry. 
5. Non-agricultural swamp lands are also often best adapted 
to forestry. 
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