IX 



OTHER PROPOSED PARK DEVELOPMENTS 



It is proposed that there be set aside a sum of not less than 

 $750 000 for the further development and connection of state 

 park's other than those provided for in the preceding chapters 

 and for new state parks where population needs require and 

 the appropriate forest lands are available. The committee has 

 not thought it desirable to attempt to recommend every project 

 which should be undertaken through the use of this fund. 

 There are, however, three projects of outstanding importance 

 which should certainly be considered in this connection in ad- 

 vance of other projects, though not to the exclusion of them. 

 One of these projects calls for the extension and development 

 of the Saratoga State Reservation which has enjoyed enormous 

 popularity in spite of inadequate facilities. Another is the pro- 

 posed new tri-state park which will ultimately involve the co- 

 operation of the states of New York, Massachusetts and Con- 

 necticut in the establishment of a park or forest in the Taconic 

 mountain region. A third is the further development of the 

 beautiful John Boyd Thacher Park in the neighborhood of 

 Albany. These projects are briefly described below. 



EXTENSION OF THE' SARATOGA SPRINGS RESERVATION 



The first white man to use the waters of Saratoga Springs 

 for medicinal purposes was Sir William Johnson. Severely 

 wounded in 1767, he was brought to the Springs by the Mohawk 

 Indians whom he had befriended. From then on the Springs 

 grew in popularity. 



In 1909 the State appropriated $600,000 for the purchase or 

 condemnation of all the natural medicinal springs of Saratoga 

 Springs and vicinity. An additional $350,000 was appropriated 

 in 1911. In 1915 $99,000 was appropriated for the sanie purpose. 

 In addition to this, there was appropriated at various times 

 and in different amounts $376,000 which was spent by the Reser- 

 vation Commission for expenses and development previous to 

 the taking over of the Reservation by the Conservation Com- 

 mission in 1916. A considerable part of these monies has been 

 appropriated from a special Saratoga Springs Reservation bond 

 issue. 



The purchase and restoration of the springs by the state 

 caused a renewed interest in the springs and since then they 

 have grown more and more popular until now 1,500 baths and 

 treatments are given daily during the summer months. 



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