IOWA ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 
91 
COUNTY PARKS. 
BY T. H. MACBRIDE. 
The title of this paper would seem to require little definition. 
By county parks are meant simply open grounds available for 
public use in rural districts, as are city parks in towns. There 
is nothing new in the idea; it is simply an effort to call back 
into public favor the once familiar public “common.” Tnis 
does not, however, refer simply to public land such as govern- 
ment land, to be claimed and plundered by the first comer, 
nor, indeed, to land, to be used by the public indiscriminately 
at all, but to land devoted to public enjoyment, purely to the 
public happiness, a holiday ground for country- and city-folk 
alike. 
The general fealm.es which should characterize such public 
play- ground as is here discussed will also quickly suggest 
themselves to any one who chooses at all to consider the mat- 
ter. In the first place the county park should be wooded, that 
it may afford suitable shade and shelter for those who frequent 
it; it should be well watered to meet other patent needs; it 
should be romantic, in order by its attractiveness to be as far 
as possible efficient. Above all it must be under wise control, 
be at all times suitably warded and kept, that its utility be 
transmitted from generation to generation. Ail this is plain 
enough and will be disputed by nobody. It is my purpose here 
to show that such parks are needed, that they are needed now, 
that they should have the highest scientific value, and that in 
Iowa they are everywhere practicable. 
The necessity for such parks in Iowa seems to me to be 
threefold: 
First . — As directly affecting public health and happiness. 
Second . — For proper education. 
Third . — To preserve to other times and men something of 
primeval nature. 
Let us consider these points briefly in the order named 
