Peto Ae DU BsOsNem BAU Lilt k TEN 5 
Under the supervision of Commissioner Spaulding the development of 
forested areas in the marginal lands began. By 1939 more than a half-mil- 
lion trees had been planted — mostly Scotch Pine and Norway Spruce. 
Spaulding stated that reforestation of the marginal lands would serve 
these major purposes: “Prevent erosion of the land and the resulting silt- 
ing of the lake and eventually serve as a means of preserving a convenient 
contact with nature in the wild, which is so precious in maintaining a bal- 
anced life in this mechanical age with its complex surroundings.” 
For approximately 25 years after its first posting as a Wildlife Sanctu- 
ary the area remained inviolate — the citizens of Springfield were com- 
fortable in the thought of the area being maintained for posterity. The 
thought was punctuated only by warnings by Dr. Arthur Buswell, Chief of 
Illinois Water Survey, in 1952, that unless conservation steps were taken 
and maintained the lake would furnish a water supply for only one hun- 
dred years; and again in 1956, when a University of Illinois Study recom- 
mended that no further leasing of city property fronting the lake be made. 
In the late summer of 1959 visitors to the Wildlife Sanctuary were 
greeted by posted signs, ““K. of C. Members Only,” in a portion of the sanc- 
tuary. And already the area was being denuded of trees to provide picnic 
areas, boat launching sites, ete. 
Separate protests to the City Council by the Springfield Nature League 
and a private citizen brought to light a weak ordinance in the city code 
which grants sole authority to the Mayor and the Public Property Com- 
missioner to lease public park lands for private use without bringing it to 
the public’s attention at a public meeting — and without the knowledge of 
the other City Council members. The protest brought to light an acknowl- 
edgment by a City Council member that the Masons were interested in a 
Similar area. 
To date the weakness in the city ordinance has not been corrected. How- 
ever, the City Council has since officially dedicated — set aside permanent- 
ly — five public park lands of 382 acres on Lake Springfield. The Council 
acted on the recommendation of the City and Regional Planning Commis- 
sion. It is interesting to note that the City Council did not include the Wild- 
life Sanctuary in the dedication, although it was included in the recom- 
mendation. 
To date our only consolation since our protestations of the Wildlife Sanc- 
tuary violation has been the erection of a new rustic sign at the entrance 
to the sanctuary. This appears to be at least a tacit acknowledgment of the 
existence of the Wildlife Sanctuary as such. During the recent controversy 
over the leasing, the Mayor, in executive session, publicly denied that the 
area had ever been designated as a Wildlife Sanctuary — though it had 
appeared on maps of Lake Springfield as early as 1936. 
Within one generation — from creation and preservation to destruction 
of natural areas! How safe are your parks? 
1808 Reed Avenue, Springfield, Ill. 
ft fi A 
