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A STATE PARK PLAN

NEW YORK

WITH A PROPOSAL FOR THE NEW PARK BOND ISSUE

COMMITTEE ON STATE PARK PLAN
NEW YORK STATE ASSOCIATION

DECEMBER, 1922

FOREWORD

Several years ago, largely through the interest of the late
George W. Perkins, then President of the Palisades Interstate
Park, a committee was formed by the State Reconstruction
Commission to make a comprehensive study of the park needs
of New York State. Owing to Mr. Perkins’ death this study
was not completed. The present committee, which includes
almost all of the members of Mr. Perkins’ original committee,
has prepared the report which follows, looking toward the
development of a unified state park plan with the new park
bond issue as the immediate objective.

INDEX

A State Park Plan for New York.......... 0... ce eee eee

Present and Proposed State Park Developments:
I—A New Bond Issue for the State Forest Preserve
II—The Palisades Interstate Park................

IJI—Proposed Development of the Allegany State
Park. A New Forest and Stream Playground
for Western New York............ 00. eeee

IV—Plan to Enlarge the State Reservation at Ni-
agara and Hstablish the New York State
Memorial Riverways and Reserves..........

V—Letchworth Park and its Proposed Development
ViI—Proposed Finger Lakes Park System.........

VII—The Proposed Parkway from New York City to
Bear Mountain Park............00 cece eee

VIII—The Roosevelt Memorial Park and Parkway....

ITX—Other Proposed Park Developments...........
Extension of the Saratoga Springs Reserva-

BE SARIN stress Dette ae gateotie elle gavad Wun # Sari eat

The Proposed Taconic Forest—A Tri-State

PAT? specs cusmerens de wminns piu oa aneee dee

Appendix A—Chart Showing Onpeizaion and Custody of
Pe PAGE or eeramascoavrannnmemmead noes x

Appendix B—An act making provision for issuing bonds to
the amount of not to exceed fifteen million
dollars for the extension and improve-
ment of existing state parks and the estab-
lishment of new state parks and parkways
in order to create a comprehensive and
unified state park system for the promo-
tion of the recreation, instruction and
health of the people........ Nie teln ap ayededs

36
4]
49

60
68
74
74
Tf
79

A STATE PARK PLAN FOR NEW YORK

1916 Bond Issue Exhausted

The State Park bond issue of ten million dollars, which was
approved by the Legislature and by the people in 1916 (Chapter
569 of the Laws of 1916), is now exhausted by appropriations.
Of this bond issue $7,500,000 was applicable to the acquisi-
tion of lands for state park purposes within the Forest Pre-
serve counties and $2,500,000 was applicable to the acquisition
of lands for the extension of the Palisades Interstate Park.
The last $2,500,000 for the State Forest Preserve extension was
appropriated at the last session of the Legislature and this
sum will be expended within another year. It will be seen that
the Forest Preserve land has become available at the rate of
approximately $1,000,000 a year and that purchases for the
extension of the Palisades Interstate Park have been made
at the rate of approximately $500,000 a year. This calcula-
tion does not take into consideration the substantial gifts of
land and money to the Palisades Interstate Park from private
sources. As a matter of fact, the Palisades Interstate Park has
received more from private sources than from the states of
New York and New Jersey combined. In addition to the Forest -
Preserve and Palisades Interstate Park the state has also
provided by bond issue monies which are now exhausted, for
the development of the Saratoga State Reservation. _

New Bond Issue Gives Opportunity for Unified Plan

The most superficial consideration of this problem shows
the imperative need of extending the Forest Preserve upon
which the very life of the state depends and of adding to the
present area and recreational facilities of the Palisades Inter-
state Park which are already overtaxed. The state is now
definitely committed to the use of bond issue monies for the
development of the Forest Preserve, Palisades Interstate Park
and Saratoga Reservation. A new bond issue is now required
for this purpose. It is expected that these parks can be de-
veloped effectively during the next seven or eight years at a
somewhat reduced rate of progress as compared to the past
five years. Since no new issue could be approved before the
end of 1923, it is clear that we must plan for a period of at least
seven or eight years in advance. It is estimated that over such
a period approximately $5,000,000 will enable the state to carry

out its policy of Forest Preserve extension and that $3,500,000
will provide for the necessary extensions and permanent. im-
provements of the Palisades Interstate Park over and above
anticipated gifts from private sources.

In making further provision for these projects an opportunity
is presented to the state to take the first steps toward the devel-
opment of a really comprehensive and unified state park plan
which will take into consideration the anticipated growth of
the state’s population and more particularly the growth of the
larger cities. In the last five years there has been a great de-
velopment of interest in parks throughout the state. This is
due to the inadequacy of city parks, the increased interest in
conservation and recreation generally, the enormous increase in
motor cars, and in part, at least, to the remarkable success of the
Palisades Interstate Park. As a result, a number of communi-
ties neglected in the previous bond issues now justly demand
that their needs be considered in connection with the next parks
bond issue. This applies particularly to the western part of
New York State, to the Finger Lakes region, to Westchester
County and Long Island and the metropolitan district generally,
and to the so-called east central part of the state. These de-
velopments and extensions must be brought about in the course
of the next few years if at all. While the State of New York
has been one of the foremost states in the union in the number
and character of its state park developments, the assumption
of these activities did not come about as a result of any central
plan or policy. Our forty parks and places of scenic and his-
toric interest, ranging from the Forest Preserve to Spy Island,
have been established partly upon the initiative of the state
but largely on account of private initiative and gifts supple-
mented by state aid. No conscious effort has been made to
develop a unified state park program looking toward the future
recreational needs of a rapidly growing community and toward
the further development and unification of the existing state
parks. We believe that the time has now come to take the first
steps toward the development of a plan of this kind which will
insure, while there is still time, the further extension of the
Forest Preserve and recreational facilities for all the people
of the state, beyond those which any one community or group
of ao ethaning communities may be expected to provide for
itself.

Anticipated Growth of Cities

No intelligent state park plan can be made without reference
to the anticipated growth in population, particularly in the
population of cities. For purposes of graphic illustration we
have obtained through the courtesy of the New York Telephone
Company the following figures which the company is using
currently as a basis of its planning and extensions:

Actual Estimated

1910 1920 1930 1940

PODS asin sae wcace va 100,253 113,344 130,000 150,000
Binghamton ....... 48,443 66,800 90,000 120,000
ioc ie: le ee re 423,715 506,775 600,000 740,000
New York City..... 4,766,883 5,620,048 6,813,000 8,354,000
Niagara Falls ...... 30,445 50,760 78,000 115,000
Rochester .......... 218,149 295,750 375,000 470,000
Schenectady ....... 72,826 88,723 110,000 130,000
Syracuse .......... 137,249 171,717 210,000 250,000
TLOV 1p eegersesyas 76,813 72,013 85,000 95,000
NCR eee owas iw... 74,419 94,156 115,000 140,000
Yonkers civewisuwis 79,803 100,176 130,000 175,000
New York State

(whole state) ..... 9,113,614 10,385,227 12,000,000 13,920,000

$15,000,000 Bond Issue Required with Provision for Permanent
Improvements as Well as Acquisition of Land

After a most careful consideration, we have concluded that
a new, bond issue of fifteen million dollars would adequately
provide not only for the further developments of the Forest
Preserve and the Palisades Interstate Park, to which the State
is already committed, but also for the needs of the other parts
of the State for the coming seven or eight years.

An essential feature of the new bond issue bill should be an
authorization to the legislature to provide for permanent im-
provements as well as the acquisition of land in all cases save
that of the Forest Preserve. The modern park must provide
good roads, lakes, facilities for large outings and where pos-
sible camps and the other facilities which make a park acces-
oe and attractive to people who come from considerable dis-

ances.

Summary of Provisions of Proposed New Bond Issue Bill

The essential features of the proposed bond issue bill, which
are discussed at greater length in another part of this report,
may be summarized as follows:

The Committee recommends that

(1) A bill be submitted at the 1923 session of the legis-
lature calling for the issuing of fifty-year serial bonds to
an amount not to exceed $15,000,000. The purpose of the
bill is to establish new state parks and to provide for the

extension and improvement of existing state parks in order
to create a comprehensive and unified state park system
for the promotion of the recreation, instruction and health
of the people. The bonds shall be issued for the acquisi-
tion of lands for state park purposes, for permanent im-
provements and betterments within state parks and for
parkway and boulevard connections between state parks
and between state parks and neighboring centers of popu-
lation. This proposed law shall be submitted to the peo-
ple at the general election of 1923 and shall not take effect
unless it is approved by a majority of all the votes cast
for and against it.

(2) The proceeds of such bonds, after appropriation by
the Legislature, shall be applicable to the acquisition of
park lands and to the making of permanent improvements
thereon as follows, excepting that no part of the sum set
aside for the State Forest Preserve shall be used for any
other purpose than the acquisition of land:

For the State Forest Preserve... ccc cece cece cee ee ne neans $5,000,000
Por the Patisades Dvterstate PO Kies sncacarcuwaerwanersed ne 8,500,000
For the Allegany State Park... ccc ccc ccc c cece cee neees 2,000,000
For the Niagara State Reservation... ....ccccencacccceeee 1,000,000
For the Letchworth Park... cece cece eee e rene eee 500,000
For the Watkins Glen and Enfield Falls Parks and for other

parks and parkways in the Finger Lakes region........ 250,000

For parkway connections between the Bronx River Park-

way, and the Bridge from Peekskill to Bear Mountain

im Westchester County. ... cc ccccccccceece eset eeceeeees 1,000,000
For the extension and development of the Roosevelt Memo-

rial Park as a state park and for a parkway connection

between this park and the City of New York.......... 1,000,000
For the development and extension of other state parks

and the acquisition and development of additional parks,

including the further development of the State Reserva-

tion at Saratoga Springs. ...cccceccccvccereceveveccnce 750,000

POC <5 vice tua toed. Aves Cig ete Rae 24 RAED AMR T ERB A A ES $15,000,000

(3) It is provided that expenditures for land and other
purposes shall, in the case of each project, be made by the
commissioners in charge of the existing park which is to
be extended or improved. In the case of the Forest Pre-
serve and Saratoga Reservation the usual provision is of
course also made for the consent of the commissioners of
the land office. In the case of the Westchester, Finger’
Lakes and Roosevelt Memorial projects, the controlling
commissions are to be constituted by the legislature. There
is also a general provision that the legislature may make
changes in the administrative authorities to have charge
of the expenditures of funds.

Constitutionality of Proposed Bond Issue

Several important constitutional questions arise in connec-
tion with this bond issue proposal. The most important of these
questions are (1) Does the proposed bond issue provide for a
single object within the meaning of Article 3, Section 7 of
the Constitution? (2) Is the provision for permanent improve-
ments to be regarded as a logical and necessary feature in the
development of a unified state park plan? (3) May the proposal
if approved by the legislature of 1923 be submitted to the people
at the election in the fall of 1923?

The Committee has sought the benefit of the advice of dis-
tinguished constitutional authorities on these questions. These
authorities include Mr. Louis Marshall, Mr. George W. Wicker-
sham, former Attorney General of the United States, Judge
Samuel H. Ordway, Mr. Merton E. Lewis, former Attorney
General of New York State, and Senator Martin Saxe. These
gentlemen are all of the opinion that the proposed bill is con-
stitutional, that the provision for permanent improvements is
proper, and that the proposal may be submitted to the people
in 1923 if approved by the legislature. The committee wishes
to express its thanks to these gentlemen and to Mr. W. F. Mc-
Cormick, one of the state bill drafting commissioners, for their
assistance in the preparation of the bill.

Financial Aspects of the Plan

The bond issue bill calls for fifty-year serial bonds. The
bill is, of course, merely an authorization to the legislature.
and no monies from the bond issues may be spent excepting pur-
suant to legislative appropriations. It is anticipated that the
legislature will make appropriations from time to time as condi-
tions warrant in the course of the next seven years. No provision
need be made until 1925 for the retirement of such bonds or for
interest charges. The amount to be retired annually will not in
any one year exceed $280,000. Interest charges will run from a
minimum of two hundred eighty-five thousand dollars to a maxi-
mum of six hundred thousand dollars at the end of five or six
years, and will then be reduced gradually by approximately
one hundred fourteen thousand dollars per year as the bonds
are retired. In this connection it should be noted that previous
bond issues are being rapidly retired and that the new bond
issue will therefore impose only a very small additional burden.

Another financial question is that of upkeep. Close exami-
nation of the suggested park extension and developments will
show that the increased cost of maintenance need not be a seri-
ous consideration. The conservation commission is increas-
ingly self-supporting. Other parks will also produce more reve-
nue as they are developed, and will not in any event require
large additional appropriations.

No Interference with Agriculture or I ndustry

It should be noted that this park program does not involve
the withdrawal of land from agricultural development nor in-
terference with or encroachment upon other necessary activities
and industries. Because of their character and location, the
proposed park developments can be brought about with the
minimum of disturbance if they are brought about now. As
time goes on, these developments will involve more and more
serious difficulties and the time is not far off when they can not
be accomplished at all. The greater part of the land in ques-
tion is woodland, some of which at least can be used for grow-
ing timber. Even in the Adirondacks and Catskills, where state
lands must be kept wild and untouched under the constitution,
private holdings within the Forest Preserve counties are not
crowded out, except to the limited extent necessary for the pro-
tection of watersheds on which depend water supply, stream
flow and water power as well as recreation and wild life.

Details Left to Legislature

Only the essential outlines of the proposed state park plan
are indicated in the bond issue, all the details being left to the
legislature. This committee has, however, prepared a report
upon each of the main features of the plan in support of the
bond issue bill, merely to indicate the scope and character of
the developments regarded as desirable by those most familiar
with the local problems. The bond issue proposal simply gives
to the voters an opportunity to authorize a comprehensive park
program. The amount which is involved is small as compared
to the sums which have been and are being spent for other public
works. Appropriations for state parks are in the truest sense a
permanent investment not only in lands and improvements, but
in public health and better citizenship.

Acknowledgment of Assistance in Preparing the Descriptive
Report

In the preparation of the descriptive report which follows,
we have been fortunate in having the hearty cooperation of a
number of groups and individuals interested in state parks de-
velopment. We wish to acknowledge the assistance of the com-
missioners of almost all of the larger state parks. In particular,
we wish to express our thanks to Mr. Alexander MacDonald, the
present Conservation Commissioner, to Mr. George D. Pratt, a
former Conservation Commissioner, to Mr. Edward Hagaman
Hall, Secretary of the American Scenic and Historic Preser-
vation Society and of the Association for the Protection of the
Adirondacks, to Mr. J. Du Pratt White, President of the

Palisades Interstate Park, and to the several contributors to the
small fund which has made the printing of this report possible.

COMMITTEE ON Strate Park PLAN

MADISON Grant, New York, Chairman
A. T. Fancuer, Salamanca, Vice-Chairman
W. A. WeLcH, Haverstraw, Vice-Chairman
JOHN G. AGAR, New Rochelle

W. D. BaLpwin, Yorktown

ALBERT Britt, New York

Haroitp A. Caparn, New York

EpWIn J. Chappe, New York

ADDISON B. Couvin, Glens Falls
MELVIL Dewey, Lake Placid

Jay Downer, Bronxville

Henry R. FRANCIS, Syracuse

FReDK. S. GREENE, Sands Point
CHAUNCEY J. HAMLIN, Buffalo
Epwarp G. Hayes, Canandaigua
Wo.cott J. HUMPHREY, Warsaw
RayMOND V. INGERSOLL, New York
Ross W. Keixoee, Ithaca

E. H. LetcHwortuH, Buffalo

JOHN P. Myers, Plattsburg

Wm. CuHurcH Oszorn, Garrison

F. W. OumstesD, Mineola

H. pe B. Parsons, New York

Guo. F. Prapopy, Saratoga Springs
JOHN T. Pratt, Glen, Cove

CHARLES E. TRHMAN, Ithaca

WILLIAM J. WALLIN, Yonkers

ANSLEY WILCOX, Buffalo

FRANK B. WiLuiaAMs, New York
Rosert Moses, New York, Secretary

ADELBERT Moot, Buffalo, President,
New York State Association.

Dwicut Marvin, Troy, Chairman of the Board of Directors,
New York State Association.

A NEW BOND ISSUE FOR THE FOREST PRESERVE

With the appropriation by the Legislature of 1922 of the last
two and a half millions of the $7,500,000 bond issue authorized
in 1916 for the enlargement of the State Forest Preserve, the
question of providing for a continuance of the policy of Forest
Preserve extension now comes before the people.

The policy of the Conservation Commission in acquiring
forest lands which has been followed for a number of years is
as follows:

1. To protect steep slopes of forested mountains by
acquiring the land in order to prevent lumbering.

2. To acquire forests which might be lumbered where
consequent to such operations, there will be an unusual
fire risk.

3. To reduce administrative expenses and consolidate
ownership.

4. To maintain and increase the health, recreational and
game interests.

5. To reduce cost of litigation in protecting the state’s
title to land in dispute.

During the past few years land of various kinds and types
has been acquired. Large sums of money have been expended
in acquiring virgin forests on steep slopes, which are very ex-
pensive on account of the large amount of pulpwood which
could be taken therefrom; areas which are of particular use for
recreation purposes have been acquired at different elevations;
areas of burned land have been acquired at a nominal price
to consolidate ownership, save the expense of boundary line
surveys and solidify the state’s ownership. Some areas have
been acquired with rights to cut timber of merchantable size
and thus assured the state large areas of desirable land at a
low price.

Prior to the bond issue authorized in 1916, the state had
appropriated about $4,000,000 for land purchase for the Forest
Preserve. Funds became available under the bond issue in 1917.
Between that time and January 1, 1922, about $5,600,000 had
been expended or contracted to be expended under the bond
issue for land purchases, including cost of surveys. legal ex-
penses, etc. These figures are necessarily approximate, because
some of the estimated expenditures are for lands which are to

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ALVIS AHL YOd GAMINGDV ATLNXOTA ‘NadI0OD IMW1 GNNOUV AYOD AHL SSOMDV ADUVAN

40 dOL AHL WOU GUVMLSaM ININOOT

be taken by condemnation and the exact cost of which cannot
be foretold. They indicate, however, that the state has been
expending the bond issue money at the rate of about $1,100,000
a year, and that at the same rate the balance on hand will last
a little less than two years, or about the length of time needed
to secure legislation for a new bond issue, the necessary ref-
erendum to the voters, and the subsequent appropriation by
the legislature.

If, to the area acquired and the appropriations made for land
purchase for the Forest Preserve up to January 1, 1917, be
added the area and cost of the land thus far purchased or con-
tracted for under the bond issue, and if to that sum be added
the estimated area and cost of land which may be acquired with
the balance of the present bond issue money, we may forecast
the following approximate result upon the exhaustion of the
present bond issue as follows:

Acreage Appropriation

From 1883 to January 1, 1917....... 1,804,000 $4,000,000
January 1, 1917, to December 31, 1921,

purchased and contracted for..... 325,000 5,600,000
January 1, 1922, to December 31, 1923,

estimated at-foregoing rate....... 110,250 1,900,000

Approximate Total Adirondack and
Catskill Preserves ............... 2,239,250 $11,500,000

Has this investment been worth while and is it desirable to
enlarge it? Yes, decidedly yes. In the first place, the money
value justifies it. In the fall of 1916, when the state owned
approximately 1,800,000 acres, its holdings which had cost about
$4,000,000 were valued at $40,000,000. The state can afford to
spend many millions more for land purchase and still be ‘‘ ahead
of the game.’’ But that is not the main argument. The main
argument is that the forests must be preserved for the protec-
tion of the great public interests dependent upon them; and |
they can be effectively preserved under present conditions only
by bringing them under the protection of the state constitut-
tion by state ownership. Trees in the State Forest Preserve
cannot be cut. Trees on private land can be cut, and, accord-
ing to the Conservation Commission, are being cut from three
to five times faster than they are being grown. Forest owners
have figured out that under present conditions it does not pay
them to replant. Consequently they cut down their trees for
immediate needs, leaving the future to the chances of nature
or the providence of the government. But nature is not given
half a chance and the government must intervene in her be-
half. The forests are denuded faster than unaided nature can
replace them. If deer or any other game animals are slaugh-

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HOIH TVNOILIGGV ANVW SSFINK

SLANT ROCK CAMP ON THE JOHN’S BROOK TRAIL TO MT. MARCY

tered faster than they reproduce themselves, they are extermi-
nated. It is the same with trees; they are being killed faster
than they are being reproduced; they are being exterminated.
The softwood trees are taken off for lumber and pulpwood, and
then the hardwood men go in and remove every remaining stick
for woodenware of various kinds, acid, ete. The ground is
virtually stripped clean; often dangerous slashes are left; fire
ensues, and sometimes even the soil, the very source of tree life,
is destroyed. Until conditions change so that forest owners are
encouraged to replant, or until the state extends a guiding hand
over private forests, the only way to save the forests or to give
nature her chance, is for the state to extend the Forest Pre-
serve.
15

Lf Og
ue

A TYPE OF THE HEAVILY TIMBERED, STFEP MOUNTAIN SLOPES SURVEYED BY THE
CONSERVATION COMMISSION AS A FIRST STEP TOWARD PURCHASE

There is ample opportunity for such extension without
crowding out all private holdings. The area within the Blue
Line of the Adirondack Park is 3,313,564 acres, including both
state and private lands. The area within the Blue Line of the
Catskill Park is 576,120 acres. Here is a total of 3,889,684 acres,
of which the state, when it has completed its acquisitions under
the present bond issue, will probably own only about 2,070,000
acres.* The purchase of all the remaining 1,800,000 acres of
private land is not advocated. It would be too expensive in
the first place; and besides, private ownerships here and there

*The Forest Preserve includes about 170,000 acres outside the Blue Lines.

have a conservative value in forest protection. But a good
portion of it will be purchasable and should be purchased by
the state as occasion arises or as opportunity presents itself.
The Forest Preserve is not a luxury; it is the necessity of a
elvilized people. In New York State and at the present time,
its first value is that of a protection of the vitally important
watersheds of northern New York. Upon this protection de-
pend great industrial interests which use hydro-electric power,
the health and safety cf communities large and small along the
Hudson and other streams issuing from the Adirondacks; and
especially the welfare of the City of New York, which is look-
ing to the Adirondacks for the next increment of her water-
supply. Eventually, the Forest Preserve may become a source
of timber for commercial use; but that time has not yet come

WAS THAT THE CLICK OF A TRIGGER, OR ONLY A CAMERA?

and will not come until it can be demonstrated that the state
can do with her forests what private owners apparently cannot
yet do in this state, namely, cut down, replant and provide a
continuous forest growth profitably. Even in uses popularly
called recreative the Forest Preserve is more of a necessity
than a luxury in New York State. Here we have the greatest
concentration of population of any state in the Union; the great-
est strain of intensive application to work; and the greatest
need for places and facilities for relaxation from nerve-tension
and for health conservation. The state is investing capital in
the constitutions of her people by providing this great place
for tramping, camping, hunting, fishing and boating in the Adi-
rondacks and the Catskills.

aa;

BEAR MOUNTAIN PLAYGROUND

II.
THE PALISADES INTERSTATE PARK

The Palisades Interstate Park was created in 1900 by the
states of New York and New Jersey to stop the destruction of
the Palisades of the Hudson and preserve them for a park. In
1906 the reservation was extended to take in Hook Mountain
and in 1910 again extended north to Newburgh and westward to
include the Ramapo Mountains.

It is controlled by an unpaid commission appointed by the
governors of two states and supported by appropriations from
the states and gifts. To date, 1922, $15,376,038.49, including the
value of land donated, has been put into the park in acquiring
lands and general development work. Of this amount, New
York state supplied $6,866,552.05; New Jersey, $1,006,678.63,
and private contributors, $7,502,807.81.

There are 1,060 acres in New Jersey extending for twelve
miles along the Hudson River, 550 acres in the Blauvelt tract,
west of Nyack, 780 acres in the Hook Mountain-Rockland Lake
section, 33,950 acres in the Bear Mountain-Harriman section and
850 acres in the Storm King section.

The development work has all been done by the Commis-
sion’s own force and all the park activities are conducted ly this
force. It is organized into eight departments, operating under
a general manager, each department being in charge of a sala-
ried superintendent and directed by one of the commissioners.

BEAR MT. INN BEAR MT. LANDING

HIGHLAND LAKE

The park has been developed with the sole object of making
it accessible and usable for the people. Great care has been
taken to preserve and enhance its natural beauties and all arti-
ficial adornment has been avoided.

Only such buildings have been erected as were considered
necessary for the comfort of visitors and proper housing of the
organization.

Roads, paths, trails, lakes, docks, beaches, water and sani-
tary systems, playgrounds, picnic groves, boats, pavilions, shel-
ters, camps and ice houses have been built, and restaurants,
lunch rooms and steamer and automobile transportation pro-
vided.

Much forestry work has been done and from the dead timber
secured in this work has been sawed practically all the lumber
used in the buildings. More than 5,000,000 young trees and
many native shrubs have been planted, also nut trees and a
great variety of berry-bearing shrubs have been planted to in-
crease the food supply of the birds, and native wild flowers and
flowering shrubs are being planted and fostered.

Several of the lakes and streams have been stocked .,ith
game and pan fish and other varieties planted for their food
and for the control of mosquitoes.

There are few places in the world that offer more oppor-
tunity for biological study than this park. The Commission
procured a herd of elk from the Yellowstone and placed them
within the park under enclosure. The herd is doing well and

ORS. DG C aS :
SEVEN LAKES DRIVE SEVEN LAKES DRIVE

BEAR MOUNTAIN PLAYGROUND

increasing year by year. The native deer are increasing rapidly
and there are several hundred in the park. The Commission
also procured a number of beaver from the Adirondacks, which
are doing well and have made themselves very much at home
in the park. The black bears have returned and their tracks
are plainly marked upon the snow-laden ground during the
winter months.

The Bear Mountain Inn, described as ‘‘ A heap of boulders
and huge chestnut logs assembled at the base of Bear Moun-
tain by the hand of man, yet following the lines of such naturai
proportions as to resemble the eternal hills themselves,’’ has
been established by the Commission with the idea of supply-
ing visitors to the park and camping parties with the best food
at reasonable prices. In this building are refrigerating plant,
bakery, bottling plant, ice cream plant, laundry and storerooms,
from which the several small lunch stands throughout the park
are also supplied.

The Commission operates two large river steamers, the
‘* Clermont,’’ which carries three thousand passengers, and the
‘* Onteora,’’ which carries two thousand. During the season
these steamers make daily trips between New York City, Jersey
City and Bear Mountain. The fares charged are as low as pos-
sible, with the idea of yielding only expenses of operation and
maintenance. These steamers have been especially refitted for
this service and in accommodation and comfort compare favor-
ably with the best river boats. Music and space for dancing

STORM KING SECTION, HENRY HUDSON DRIVE WINTER WOODS

PARK OMNIBUSES

is provided and the number carried so limited that there is no
crowding and all can move about with comfort.

Forty large sight-seeing motor omnibuses carry visitors at
lowest possible rates from the boat landings to the Inn and
playground and on longer trips over the park drives through
the mountains and valleys, along the beautiful streams and lake
shores, which make this section so charming. These trips are
so arranged that visitors may see as much of the park as pos-
sible and return in time for the steamers. Special arrangements
are made to care for the campers and their equipment, thou-
sands of them being transported each week from the city direct
to the camps.

One of the major activities of the Commission is to provide
camping facilities for social organizations, so that those with
little or no opportunity to get a wholesome vacation may be
brought under the most favorable auspices to the mountains
and lakes of the park. On the most pictureque lakes of the park,
standard mess and play pavilions, sleeping cabins, dependable
water and sanitary facilities, all constructed so as to harmonize
with their natural surroundings, are made available. These
camp plants are rented on an annual tenure to acceptable or-
ganizations at a rate dependent upon the size and accommo-
dation. A later development of the Commission has been the
building of camps for the use of employees of large industrial
organizations. The Commission thereby enables these organi-

BEAVER ELK
21

SWIMMING MEET

zations to take care of a greater number of their employees in
summer vacation welfare camps. Some of these camps are also
maintained throughout the year. Any acceptable organized
group of families is provided for in a like manner with com-
plete camps for each group.

Cooked food, based on a dietary formulated by experts on
child care, is sent in heat-retaining receptacles from Bear Moun-
tain Inn to the camps, making unnecessary a food manufac-
turing establishment at each camp. Food, of substantial quan-
tity and of uniform quality, is thereby made available at a cost
below that of cooking at camp.

Marked trails for hiking expeditions to points of historic
and natural interest are extensively used by all the outdoor
organizations and these organizations have rendered splendid
assistance in the clearing and marking of these trails. The
campers also use them for one-day and over-night hikes. Camps
for individuals and families are maintained at Alpine, in the
New Jersey section of the park; at Hook Mountain, in the New
York section of the park and at Queensboro, three miles inland
from Bear Mountain.

The attendance, during the season of 1922, shows an increase
of about 25 per cent. over the attendance of last season. A total

TYPICAL CAMPS TYPICAL CAMPS

AT SUMMIT LAKE

of 3,000,000 persons visited the New York section of the park
this season. In excess of the 50,000 group campers, which com-
prised 86 different groups, there were 3,000 individual campers
under canvas.

The park areas which the Commission have developed are
being so intensively used that it is imperative that other avail-
able areas be developed as rapidly as possible.

The number of daily visitors at Bear Mountain this season
so congested the docks, picnic groves, playfields, pavilions,
roads, parking spaces and other facilities that other develop-
ments of this kind must be made to meet the public demands
for this type of recreation.

The automobile traffic has grown so rapidly and the present
drives are so congested that much progress must be made to-
ward the completion of the road system of the park within a
very few years to relieve this condition.

The parking spaces along the present drives are inadequate
to meet the present demand and motor picnickers are compelled
to use these areas not yet provided with sanitary facilities o1
proper fire protection and so are greatly increasing the fire

a Ae

GIRL SCOUTS

BOY SCOUTS

WATER GYMKANA

hazard and endangering the health of all visitors and campers.
It is imperative that many more parking and picnic places be
provided each year and equipped with proper facilities.

The use of the trails by both trampers and campers has in-
creased until more trails must be built, marked and provided
with shelters and sanitary facilities.

The camping of both individual and group type has de-
veloped so rapidly that practically all the available lakes are
used to their capacity and the insistent and increasing demands
for more of these camps make it necessary to construct addi-
tional lakes for this purpose.

The forestry work already done shows such splendid results
that the Commission feels warranted in continuing the program
outlined for this work and recognizes the necessity of protect-
ing and improving the great young deciduous forests which
cover so much of the park as well as continuing the planting
of conifers.

The great increase in visitors to all sections of the park and
particularly the overflow of these visitors into the undeveloped
sections make it necessary to provide greatly increased sanitary
facilities and careful protection of the many water supplies.

The opening this year of a new section of the Henry Hudson
Drive, the spectacular Storm King Road, and the tremendous
motor travel which has developed over it, make it necessary
to develop the section of the park north of West Point which
has recently been presented to the Commission.

The Hook Mountain section, which embraces that portion of
the Palisades Ridge lying between Nyack and Haverstraw, is
undeveloped, save for one small area near Nyack. This is one
of the most beautiful sections of the entire park and the Com-
mission has worked out extensive and careful plans for open-
ing up this area.

The Hook Mountain section of the Henry Hudson Drive will
traverse this entire section and complete that magnificent drive-
way. There are opportunities for the development of many
playfields, picnic groves, bathing beaches and large camping

AT LAKE STATHATLE

areas, and these developments will relieve the increasing con-
gestion at Bear Mountain from the one-day excursionists.

The plans for the above outlined developments have been
worked out very carefully by the Commission, and within the
period of seven years beginning in 1924, will require the follow-
ing expenditures:

For the construction of drives and trails... .... 0... cece eee $930,000.00
For the construction of seven new lakes...... 0. cece eee 465,000.00
For the construction of new docks in the undeveloped sections

of the park along the river front and the improvement of this

PONE SAHOO tareiepesenh ak Cen oem ies ERT eee HOTT enc em we ear ale 175,000.00
For the construction of shelters and bath houses in these present

WAOCVEIONED VW UTCER Face ns Gao a anaes as Pee RAW e ORES EE 233,000.00
For the construction of the necessary sanitary facilities and

water supplies of the new areas and the new lakes......... 110,000 .00

For the clearing, development and construction of new playfields,
camp sites, picnic spaces and parking spaces along the old

and the proposed drives and around the new lakes........ 160,000.00
For forestry work, fish and game conservation in present undc-

WCLON EU UNEWUS ex mea wiart rentin weenie eo LAN SUA NIE Mian wineahe Wace 114,000.00
EOF WOU, DOTRING DEOCKES 3 cx esc. 2k oe cae e een new cn eaeweed 10,000.00
For the clearing and restoration of the historic fort sites within

TIUCHO EPICS ravers stores: da 8 Sc ej persia ee tee tae ew Ise wal eea wens ya ite 10,000.00
For the acquisition of @ number of parcels of land within the

PECSENTIT OULUILO Sra tere she Meee e Fe OL Ai Sea aise re Oe as 747,000.00
For the completion and paving of 39 miles of drives already con-

SLISUCLE intean reracrorhanetoteneyeeiecerse terete cet enc caeetotic ations sate teineine naan Siceee 960,000.00

In addition to these sums much must be spent in the construe-
tion of new camp buildings, restaurants and other structures
used by the operating department, which will be erected by con-
tributed and operating funds, as such structures have been
financed in the past.

It is impossible to convey in this limited space a definite idea
of either the development or use of this park. The attendance
in the park has increased from a few thousand in 1914 to one
which it is impractical to count, save at a few points. This year
such a partial count showed more than 4,000,000 before October
1st. The fact that there are more than ten million people who
can reach the park within two hours’ motor or boat ride, will
convey an even better idea of its value to the great mass of
humanity in the metropolitan district.

Til.

PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT OF THE ALLEGANY STATE
PARK—A NEW FOREST AND STREAM PLAY-
GROUND FOR WESTERN NEW YORK

SUBMITTED BY THE COMMISSIONERS OF THE ALLEGANY STATE PARK
Present Conditions in the Allegany State Park

Until the creation of the Allegany State Park purchase area
by legislative act of 1921, there was lacking in western New York
an immediate future prospect of a large public forest recrea-
tional area such as had been provided the people of eastern
New York. That the state by its act was meeting a tremendously
popular demand for a wilderness playground for the 1,700,000
people who reside within 100 miles of the new park, has been
demonstrated by the crowds of people who have swarmed into
the park the past two seasons. While the state has made a be-
ginning in providing a large forest park for the people of west-
ern New York, it is merely a beginning. For the legislative act
set aside an area in which land may be purchased. Thus far,
however, small appropriations have limited land acquisitions,”
while meager funds for development work have permitted only
inadequate facilities. Consequently we have thousands of peo-
ple going into the park area who can not yet be accommodated
by public provisions for their health and happiness. They are,
therefore, forced in some cases to trespass upon private lands,
and in other cases to use the park under great handicaps.

This New Wilderness Playground Greatly Needed by Western
New York

The vast importance to the public welfare of having a large
park of forests, hills and streams in western New York is
brought out by the fact that the Allegany State Park was the
only new conservation project recognized by the legislature in
1921 in a year of strict economy. The state may be excused,
while on a program of economy, for not providing out of current
revenues for more than a beginning in its new western play-
ground, but it cannot fail to recognize the public need of pro-
viding by a bond issue for the thousands of people from all
parts of western New York who have gone to the park in search
of wholesome recreation and opportunities for nature study.

THE PARK IS ONE OF HILLS, FORESTS AND STREAMS

A Scenic Region Serving as New York’s Gateway to a Large
National Forest

The character of the area set aside for acquisition for the
future park is wonderfully well suited to the purposes of pub-
lic use. It is about 65,000 acres in extent. It is made up of
ridges and valleys. The slopes and tops of these ridges are
covered with a luxuriant forest, the valleys contain fast-flowing
streams where trout are in abundance. The land is well drained.
There are countless springs of pure, cold water through the
region. The climate is very mild and attractive, both in sum-
mer and winter. The region is one of great scenic beauty. The
highest points overlook the surrounding region for nearly 100
miles. Excellent highways lead to the area from all directions.
The present roads in the park, however, are narrow and of
small extent, having been old logging roads. One of the most
valuable attributes of the park area is its fortunate location
with reference to the new Allegheny National Forest. This
Federal forest preserve is in the section of Pennsylvania just
south of the park. It will be the largest government preserve
in the East. The Allegheny National Forest Purchase tract has
an area of 1,000,000 acres authorized by Federal agencies. The
Allegany State Park will be New York State’s gateway to this
magnificent national forest. Already arrangements have been
made to have the road and trail system of the park tie into the
road and trail system of the national forest.

The value to the people of the entire State of New York in

TENT CAMPS ARE LOCATED AT FREQUENT INTERVALS

having a gateway park to this extensive national forest cannot
be overemphasized. It will permit of large opportunities for
hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, automobiling and al! other
forms of recreation for which the forest preserves of the west
have become justly famous. The people of New York can
at present go into the Allegany State Park only for a short dis-
tance over a dusty, hazardous road and must turn about and
retrace their steps to the main public highways after visiting
the limited area the commission has thus far been permitted to
develop.
Extensive Uses Overtar the Present Facilities

The present condition of the park is regrettable because
multitudes of people have to congregate in masses in the re-
stricted area which has been provided for them. They do not
secure the opportunity for a relief from the congested surround-
ings which they have come to the park to avoid. These coz.di-
tions would have been more deplorable if the Commissioners
of the park had not secured some help from the national govern-
ment which recognized the value of the undertaking by donat-
ing nearly $500,000 worth of surplus war material. This equip-
ment has been used to a small extent for temporary camps and.
all of it is available for use m permanent betterments as soon
as funds for this purpose can be secured.

This Park Area Has Large Economic Possibilities

This park area is a valuable asset not only for recreational
service to the public, but also because of its vast economie value

to the entire state. The property within the purchase area is
now nearly wholly owned by private interests. These owners
are in many cases cutting the timber for chemical wood pur-
poses. This sort of cutting leaves the land completely denuded.
The soil left in this condition rapidly erodes after rains and the
melting of snow in the springtime. The ground dries out
quickly during summer and autumn. The streams are affected
and sometimes completely dry up. The region is subjected to a
very great fire hazard. All of this needs changing through
public ownership. When this is effected the region will be
capable of producing an income through the use of its resources
which will make the park self-supporting.

Proposed Developments in the Allegany State Park
In carrying out the provisions of the Allegany State Park
law the commissioners have been confronted with an interest-
ing problem. In substance, the state has asked the park com-
missioners to acquire, in the name of the state, an area of 65,000
acres. While doing this facilities must be provided for the
use and enjoyment of the public. :

A Carefully Made Program Prepared for Park Development

In order to have a well-considered program in executing the
public charge that had been entrusted to them, the commission-
ers secured the co-operation of the New York State College of
Forestry in the preparation of a preliminary plan for the de-
velopment of the resources of the park area. This plan has
furnished the working basis for the activities of the Commis-
sion. It embraces the essential requirements in making the
park of the utmost use to the public. These needs may be gen-
erally stated, in addition to land acquisition, as consisting of
the following: roads and trails, fire protection, administrative
sites, camping sites, water supply and sanitation, water areas
for fish propagation and recreation uses, shelters and observa-
tion towers.

General Needs of the Park

The experience of the Commission has shown that the funds
required for the four outstanding needs in developing the park
are as follows:

1. Acquisition of additional lands............. $1,200,000
2, Construction of roads and trails as a system
throughout the park area................ 600,000
3. Development of water areas for fishing, canoe-
ing, boating, swimming and camping...... 100,000
4. Provision of other permanent betterments,

such as administrative buildings, camps,
fire protection, water supply and sanitation 100,000

MG ikem barat weenie Geo ale Rk oe $2,000,000

Ye IE

CAMPS ARE PROVIDED FOR PUBLIC USE SENECA INDIANS FROM NEIGHBORING
RESERVATION IN WAR DANCE

Detailed Statement of Needs

We may emphasize these needs by an outline of their im-
portance.

1. Acquisition of Additional Lands. It has been the ex-
perience of all state park projects in New York that the acquisi-
tion of land is the most pressing, important duty of the state.
This is especially true of the Allegany State Park. Little land
has thus far been acquired within the park boundaries. With-
out extensive space made available to the public the park will
fail to satisfy the purposes for which it has been created. The
Allegany State Park is well suited to serve the large population
of western New York as a wilderness playground. No other
similar area is available. In order to fulfill its purposes, land
acquisition by the state must be speedily pushed forward. The
land is of greater value for public park purposes than for any
other use. If land is acquired at present market prices the state
will make an excellent investment. It has been carefully esti-
mated that the sum of $1,200,000 made available to the com-
mission for land acquisition over a period of seven years will
purchase at present prices about 40,000 acres of land. It is
conservative to estimate that the same program of land acquisi-
tion ten years hence would cost the state at least twice this
amount. The reasons for land acquisition in the Allegany State
Park may be stated summarily as follows:

a. The present area acquired is very small.

b. Present land prices are low.

ec. People are demanding extensive space for public use.

d. The park purchase area is the only available territory

for a forest and stream playground for western New
York.

2. A Road and Trail System for the Park Area. After land
is acquired by the state in the park purchase area the people
must be permitted to circulate freely through it in order to en-
joy its use. The Commission has already graded some narrow,
rough dirt roads through the public property and, by permis-
sion, over some of the privately owned lands. There are no im-
proved roads at the present time in the park area. The public

BENEFITING POopuLATION
= ALLEGANY STATE Park

s Rochester

EACH DOT REPRESENTS ONE THOUSAND PEOPLE

must, therefore, use hazardous, dusty roads in reaching the
developed section of the park.

A complete road system has been planned for the park. This
system will open the entire resources of the park area to the
pe It consists of one main road and several secondary
roads.

The main road will direct the bulk of the travel along a line
which extends through as great a variety of conditions in the
park as possible. Along this main road will naturally be de-
veloped the intensive uses of the park. After careful study
it has been decided that the best location for this principal
thoroughfare is along the line shown on the plan for the park.
This road approaches the park from the two logical points of
entrance—Salamanca and Quaker Bridge. From the former
point the road soon reaches the northern end of the chief ridge
in the park, the top of which it follows. At frequent points
along the route of this proposed road fascinating, extensive
views of the surrounding country appear. At two points along
this route observation stations are suggested. One of these
will be a roadside observatory, the other will be a fire lookout,
which is suggested for the highest known point in the park and
which will be attainable from the main road by short travel on
a side trail. At a section along the southern boundary of the
park this proposed road arrives at a broad, level highland.

‘ aspyIandg 2
Padojanap uaaqg aapy $a430 QOS InOgD PUD pasnbov Uaag aany Sa4ID YOY'R YI1ym fo ‘sa1Iv QOQ‘SG St Sasogind yang sof apis jas Da4sD Yyrandg i L

“Wav Ig
ANVDATTY’

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OUNOW) egg
Nv Id x cnr qyo] VW EVOVIN

This proposed main thoroughfare in the park is named the
** Ridge Run Road.’’ It will be located for a distance of about
ten miles along the crest of a ridge. Also for about ten miles
the road will be in an open valley or ‘‘ run,’’ the local name for
a valley. In both the ridge region and the open valley country
the road will possess great scenic attractiveness. Along the
ridge there is no point where the roadway drops to an elevation
of less than 2,200 feet above sea level. The roadway will wind
from one side of the crest to the other with constantly chang-
ing vistas of the surrounding country. It will be the longest
scenic, high elevation road in the eastern United States.

The secondary roads will in most cases be developed by
using the present rough logging roads in the park area. There
will be a few sections which will require new roads to make
available the regions that otherwise would be beyond reach.

The distance which the proposed main road covers is approx-
mately 25 miles. The extent of the proposed secondary roads is
about 60 miles. The cost of construction of these roads which
are at present required for the use of the park and the extension
of the system that will be demanded the next few years has
been estimated at $600,000.

3. Development of Water Areas. The recreational activi-
ties which are made available through water areas of fair size
within a park are always popular with park users. The total
absence of lakes and ponds within the Allegany State Park pur-
chase area necessitates the creating of a few artificial bodies of
water. There is one location shown on the plan where the
largest artificial lake could be created with the least cost. A
survey for this project has been made for the Commission by
the Department of State Engineer and Surveyor. The results of
this survey show that the proposed lake, one and one-half miles
long, can be created by dam construction and relocation of
roadways at comparatively low costs. The development of
water areas within the park for the propagation of fish and for
recreational uses demands immediate attention and requires at
least $100,000.

4. Provision of Other Permanent Bettcrments. In the de-
velopment of the park for the largest use of the public several
permanent buildings for administrative purposes are greatly
needed. These administrative centers should have buildings for
the housing, storage and repair of the equipment and supplies of
the park. These are absolutely essential to the welfare of the
state’s property, including upwards of a half million dollars’
worth of surplus war stores. In addition to the administrative
buildings there are now in demand a number of group camps
similar to the present camps for the use of the public. The de-
mands on the park by organized groups, such as the Boy Scouts
and the Girl Scouts, Jamestown Health Camp, Y. M. C. A., ete.,

ELKO MOUNTAIN AND THE ALLEGHANY RIVER, A VIEW FROM THE HIGHWAY
NEAR QUAKER BRIDGE

for camps, is far beyond the present resources of the Commission.
It has been found that complete camp units, each providing
accommodations for shelter, food and social life for 200 peo-
ple at one time are in increasing demand. At the present rate
of increase in the use of the park for group camping it is fair
to predict a need by the public of at least 40 of these camps
within the next seven years.

Like every other forest area into which large numbers of
34

people go for hunting, fishing and camping, the Allegany State
Park needs adequate protection from fire and the means of
combating fire successfully. There is no provision for these
needs at the present time. The area already acquired by the
state within the park must be safeguarded in this respect.

Temporary, inadequate means of supplying pure drinking
water to the thousands who use the park have been installed.
These means must be replaced by more permanent and ade-
quate methods. The sanitation of the park is at present only
of a temporary character. This problem of protecting the
public against disease and the protection of streams from pollu-
tion is one to which the Commission has given great concern.
A well-considered plan for both water supply and sanitation for
the park area has been devised which should be installed at the
earliest possible moment,

From all of the above it is plain that the Allegany State
Park should have a much larger amount of state-owned land,
a road and trail system and other permanent betterments if it
is to serve the large population of the western end of the state
(see table below) who are already making greater demands
on the park than it has been possible to supply.

Benefiting Counties in New York State

Counties Population 1920
Hie conteus te coe saseuseseanseee ee 634,688
WH MIROR. ssn ie os. ace fe ah paras ouNeen wea Armes 352,034
Niggata: c.cissenrrv ater sires xanceens 118,705
HAMTANOUA oso yeaeeersayea teed hak ens 115,348
SlCUNOM, 4 cia awanes Gods sae nee ls 80,627
Chemnner 5 pave cteger ew edatenes 71,323
OUtaIlO: : cascenndagee cow sone Soe a eee 65,872
GONCHOR: «ins lsasewe nies she hase Knee 37,976
Allegany ........ blah ies eae tia wears Siok saad 36,842 -
Tannen oe ro sd ea tousineesaty aoe eewe 36,830
W VOM son ass aGaw vasa ee yee ee 30,314
Orleans .cicwcns neces x areeR urea we 28,619
Nie eecsudpuans euss Setheseetees cuss 16,641
Sel vler uci ecachcanon sa tew sesame ey 13,098
WiMial s.caicekees cuMboa shears 1,691,569

Submitted by
ALBERT T. FANCHER, Chairman.
CHAUNCEY J. HAMLIN
Frep G. KAISER
GrorGE C. DIEHL
HAMILTON WARD
Commissioners of the Allegany State Park.

Henry R. Francis, Hvecutive Secretary.
35

IV.

PLAN TO ENLARGE THE STATE RESERVATION AT
NIAGARA AND ESTABLISH THE NEW YORK STATE
MEMORIAL RIVERWAYS AND RESERVES

A wonderful opportunity is presented by the plan for ex-
tending the New York State Reservation at Niagara from its
present limits to Fort Niagara and Lake Ontario in one direct-
tion, and to the city of Buffalo and Lake Erie in the other direc-
tion. This would take in the whole of the river roads on the
American side, as similar roads have been incorporated in the
Canadian Reservation, and by the creation of occasional small
parks or reserves and lookout points along the river, it would
afford unlimited opportunities for the erection of special me-
morials to our soldiers and sailors of the World War.

This is a project which interests not only the people of west-
ern New York but the whole state and indeed the nation, and
our Canadian neighbors and foreign visitors as well. Niagara
Falls is probably the most widely known place in the United
States, and more generally visited by tourists than any other
single attraction.

The movement for the rescue of Niagara Falls from the
hands of those who were spoiling its natural beauties began
over 40 years ago. As a result of an international impulse, it
was taken up and advocated by leading men from all over this
country and from Canada. The movement took concrete form
on the two sides of the river almost simultaneously, but the
Canadians had an easier job and more favorable conditions, and
they have already carried their Queen Victoria Park and the
improved highways leading out of it to the limits of the river
in each direction.

On the New York side the first move was more difficult and
far more expensive, and the New York State Reservation at
Niagara has never been extended beyond its first limits. It
includes Goat Island with Green Island and the other small
isles surrounding it; also Prospect Park at the brink of the
American Falls, and from that point extends in a narrow strip
along the upper rapids to the intake of the Hydraulic Power
Canal. This property originally cost the state of New York in
1885 about $1,433,000, a very large sum for those days. Ob-
stacles apparently insurperable have always prevented the fur-
ther extension of the reservation either down or up the river.
But plans are now presented through which much may be ac-
complished.

A memorial to our soldiers and sailors of this charactez
would attain world wide fame; and if, following this, the two
reservations along the Niagara river, American and Canadian,
can be united by a great memorial bridge, the grand project
would seem to be complete.

The principal features of this plan, so far as developed by
the Commissioners of the State Reservation at Niagara are
shown in an act introduced in the legislature in 1921 and pre-
viously. This act provided for the financing of the project by
means of an annual charge or rental imposed on new water power

NIAGARA FALLS

developed at Niagara Falls since 1918. The same objects could
be attained more rapidly by means of a bond issue, followed by
direct appropriations.

The plan in brief is to enlarge the State Reservation at
Niagara and to create and add to it a system of memorial river-
ways and reserves, extending along the Niagara river from
Lake Erie to Lake Ontario, and connecting Port Porter with
Fort Niagara, consisting of parks and public places reserved
because of their beauty and commanding position for the free
use of the public, connected by north and south memorial river-
ways and with suitable structures thereon, all of which shal!

Proposed Enlargment of State Reservation at Magara
and Establishment OF New York State Memorial River Ways and Réserves

LAKE ONTAR/O

FT. NIAGARA
UNGSTOW

, a

LEWISTON

IAGARY FALLS _

N.Y. STATE
RESERVATION,

NORTH
ONAWANDA
BUFFALO
[—~
@ 3
ae

LAKE FRILE

Proposed extensions of State Reservation Indicated in fed.

constitute a permanent and fitting memorial. The proposed ex-
tension of the state reservation is to be known as the New York
State Memorial Riverways and Reserves, the road northerly to
Fort Niagara being ‘‘ North Memorial Riverway,’’ and the road
southerly towards Buffalo, ‘‘ South Memorial Riverway.’’

The commissioners of the state reservation at Niagara would
be authorized and directed to make plans and procure surveys
and to take necessary steps to extend the state reservation as
described, excepting lands in the cities of Tonawanda and North
Tonawanda, it being the idea that the connecting roadway
through those cities should be handled by the cities themselves
under plans agreed upon.

The commissioners would be authorized to take over in whole
or in part the present river road extending from end to end of
the Niagara river and generally close to the bank thereof, and
they would have power to widen said roads and change the loca-
tion thereof, or to provide an additional road or roads nearer
to the river bank, where necessary or desirable, and for this
purpose they would seek and obtain the co-operation of the cities
and villages through which said roads pass. The present roads
so included, except within these cities, would become part of
the State Reservation at Niagara, and would be designated as
state highways and constructed and maintained as other state
highways are constructed and maintained, but the commissioners
would have authority to protect and beautify these roads and to
preserve them in all parts as beautiful parkways or riverways.

The commissioners would also have the power to acquire
tracts of land, of greater or less extent, of natural beauty and
commanding position, lying between the main river roads and
the bank of the Niagara River, or adjacent to river roads on
either side, to be used as public parks and reserves, to be planted
with trees and shrubs where this is necessary and restored to a
state of natural beauty, with interior roads furnishing access to
the bank: of the river and to viewpoints over the waters of the
river. They would select for this purpose suitable tracts of
reasonable size, where the land can be acquired without cost

“on-redsonable terms. The interior roads through such re-
serves-would be built, maintained and controlled entirely by
the Gommissioners of the State Reservation at Niagara.
=: Sd=far..as-yet planned, it is the intention of the commis-
stoners tobe modest-in-acquiring land for these purposes, and
not to be hurried, but to pick up suitable tracts of lands as they
can advantageously be acquired and developed. Ideas at this
moment do not go beyond one or two locations for reserves be-
tween Buffalo and Niagara Falls, probably two reserves be
tween Prospect Park in Niagara Falls and Lewiston, and about
two more between Lewiston and Fort Niagara.

Under the plan the commissioners would be authorized to
acquire land for all such purposes, including changes in the

THE FALLS IN WINTER

main roads, where necessary or desirable, either by gifts or
grants or by conveyances, or by leases in perpetuity or for a
term of years, or by licenses and also to acquire by condemna-
tion any land not devoted to railroad or power uses, and not
held or intended for such uses. All titles to such land, and all
leases and licenses, would be taken in the name of the State of
New York.

In the original plan presented to the legislature, it was hoped
to obtain not exceeding $500,000 from the state by direct ap-
propriations over several years, and a sum of about $80,000 a
year through a charge on water power. In the bill as last
amended, there was provision for a very small initial appropria-
tion, only to cover surveys and some preliminary expenses, and
a pledge of additional sums up to $200,000 from the state, in
addition to the annual charge on water power. It is anticipated
that the project would require approximately $1,000,000 avail-
able over a period of about seven to ten years, for extensions and
permanent betterments.

There is reason to hope that the measure in its essential form
will commend itself to the people of the state in the near future,
with proper provision for the gradual improvement of this fron-
tier; and thus will be started a great plan of regional develop-
ment along the Niagara River of which we shall all be proud,
and an imperishable memorial to our soldiers and sailors will

be created.
40

LETCHWORTH PARK AND ITS PROPOSED DEVELOP
MENT

The Present Park

Letchworth Park is a tract of 1,000 acres on the Genesee
river, about fifty miles south of Rochester, which was given tc
the state in 1907 by the late Dr. William Pryor Letchworth,
the philanthropist, and is by law in the custody of the Amer-
ican Scenic and Historic Preservation Society. It lies on both
sides of the river for the distance of about three miles and in-
cludes a picturesque eroded gorge and the three famous Portage
Falls. The scenery ranks second only to that of Niagara Falls
in its class in the state of New York. The remarkable rock ex-
posures in the gorge have given the name of the Portage Group
to this geological formation wherever found.

When Dr. Letchworth, then living in Buffalo, began in, 1858
his acquisitions of property at Portage, an old saw-mill and the
debris of its operations disfigured the vicinity of the Middle
Fall, and the adjacent forests had been robbed of their best
trees. He removed the saw-mill, cleaned up the debris and re-
planted the trees, meanwhile gradually increasing his acquisi-
tions until he had the beautiful rural estate which, near the
close of his life, he gave to the state. On one of his first visits
to this place a rainbow spanned the gorge and led him to call
the place ‘‘ Glen Iris.’’ After the state decided to call the park
Letchworth Park, the use of the name Glen Iris has been re-
stricted to the residence which he occupied and which is now
used for the accommodation of the public. The Glen Iris house
is on a plateau overlooking the Middle Fall, in the midst of ex-
tensive lawns adorned with majestic trees planted by Dr. Letch-
worth about sixty years ago. A miniature lake and a jet foun-
tain in its midst are fed from a reservoir on the hillside.

In 1912-13 the American Scenic and Historic Preservation
Society, with funds left by Dr. Letchworth, built near the Glen
Tris mansion a stone library and museum building. It contains
Dr. Letchworth’s valuable collection of works relating to ckari-
ties; and several thousand specimens illustrative of the primi-
tive arts of the North American Indian.

On another elevation in the rear of these buildings is a forest
encircled plateau called the Council House Grounds, on which
stand two log buildings—one being an ancient Council Iouse
of the Seneca Nation, and the other being the cabin in which

gee
xX

eee i a
« os s
FROM [NSPIRATION POIN

SCENES IN ALONG THE
LETCHWORTH GENESEE
PARK RIVER

MIDDLE FALLS

the daughter of Mary Jemison, the ‘* white captive of the Gene-
see ’’ once lived. The former was brought from Caneadea and
the latter from Gardeau. Near them is buried Mary Jemison,
whose career among the Indians is a classic of the pioneer his-
tory of western New York. In 1758 she was captured by In-
dians at her home in Adams County, Penn., was taken first to
Fort DuQuesne (Pittsburgh) and later farther down the Ohio.
She was adopted by the Indians, married among them, and bore
children. Before she was twenty years old she journeyed with
her Indian relatives to the Seneca Village of Little Beard’s Town,
near Cuylerville on the Genesee river. At the Big Tree Council
in Geneseo in 1797 she was granted nearly 18,000 acres in the
Genesee Valley, known as the Gardeau tract. She died in 1833
and was first buried at Buffalo. When her grave was threat-
ened by civic improvements in 1874 her remains were taken to
their present resting place. Over her grave is a beautiful bronze
statue, by H. K. Bush-Brown, representing the captive in Indian
garb, with infant on her back, as she tramped with her captors
from the valley of the Ohio to the valley of the Genesee.

At the intersection of the road from Castile with the main
road through the park stands the monument of the First New
York Dragoons, originally erected on the right bank of the river,
but moved recently to its present location at the request of the
surviving veterans.

Various parts of the park were used by Dr. Letchworth as
farms and pastures, but these uses have been discontinued since
Dr. Letchworth’s death; and part of the eligible ground has
been used for an arboretum which was begun under the direc-
tion of the late Dr. Charles M. Dow of Jamestown, when he was
Director of the park.

Besides the buildings previously mentioned, there are several
others erected before the park was given to the state, notably
those called Lauterbrunnen, now the superintendent’s home;
Prospect Home, now the Labor Center; and Chestnut Lawn.

There are many remarkable viewpoints in the park, accessible
by roadways and paths. From the foot-path on the Hrie rail-
road bridge, which spans the river just above the Upper Falls,
one has a superb panorama both upstream and downstream.
Almost directly below him, at a dizzy distance, is the crest of
the Upper Falls which plunges 71 feet more to the next reach
of the river. Leaving the bridge by long stairways, the visitor
can see the Upper Falls from below, as one used to view the
Canadian Fall at Niagara near the Rock of Ages. Strolling
downstream half a mile he comes to the Middle Fall, with a
drop of 107 feet. Continuing downstream to a jutting point
near the entrance to the Glen Iris grounds, he has a superb view
of the walls of the gorge. Half a mile farther down are Inspira-
tion Point, commanding a fine view upstream; and Cole’s Cliff,

from which Thomas Cole painted the picture of the gorge and
falls which was presented to Governor Seward. A mile farther
down are the Lower Falls, with Table Rock, Cathedral Rock
and other interesting features.

Letchworth Park offers many attractions to students of nat-
ural phenomena. As an example of a gorge eroded by stream
action, and following a post-glacial channel different from its
pre-glacial channel, it is as interesting and typical as the Ni-
agara gorge. The rock exposures have been studied by Dr.
James Hall, Dr. John M. Clarke, Prof. Henry L. Fairchild, Dr.
Amadeus W. Grabau, and other scientists who have made valu-
able contributions to geological knowledge. The great variety
of birds and wild flowers in the park is equally attractive to
ornithologists and botanists. The great diversity of the topo-
graphy of the estate thus acquired has made it the habitat of
a remarkable variety of flora and fauna. Beginning with the
earliest anemones and bloodroots, and, as the season advances,
running on through the houstonias, violets, columbines, trinity
flower, mandrakes, azaleas, laurel, golden rods and countless
others, the flowers of Glen Iris range through a spectrum of col-
ors that rivals the rainbow which gave the glen its name. The
Hon. George W. Clinton, formerly President of the Society of
Natural Sciences of Buffalo, who spent much time at Portage,
says that a greater variety of plant life can be found there than
in any other locality of which he has knowledge. And Mr.
Eldredge E. Fish, the author and naturalist, says: ‘‘ In many
respects this charming retreat surpasses any other in its attrac-
tions for the naturalist. The flora is more abundant and varied,
while the song-birds are here in greater numbers than in any
other locality in the state.’’

Proposed Developments

Before Dr. Letchworth gave the park to the state he admitted
the public to share its beauties, but there were necessary limita:
tions to the public enjoyment while it was still private prop-
erty. Since it has become the property of the people, however,
it has been thronged with visitors in constantly increasing num-
bers; and the experience of fifteen years since Dr. Letchworth
gave it to the state, and of twelve years since his death, has
shown the need for certain additional facilities in order ade-
quately to meet public requirements. These facilities are of
three main classes—buildings, roads and bridges.

In the first place, there is an increasing demand for the ac-
commodation of visitors who desire to spend more than half a
day in the park. At present, the Glen Iris Mansion is used as
an inn from May until October, but with its limited accommada-
tions it can lodge only about 1,600 persons and serve about 8,000
meals a season; and it is now necessary to deny the large num-

MuYVd HIYOMHILAT LV NNI FaUL ANId GasoOdoudd

(

ber of applications beyond these numbers. It is therefore pro-
posed to build an inn in a grove on the left bank of the river
half a mile in an air-line northeast of Glen Iris at the place
called Cole’s Cliff. This point is about one-third of the distance
from the Middle Fall to the Lower Fall, on the rim of the deep
Portage gorge, and at such a bend in the river that it commands
beautiful prospects up-stream (southwestward) and down-
stream (eastward), the view expanding in a superb panorama to
the distant hills. This inn has now become a pressing necessity.
Unlike Niagara Falls Reservation, Letchworth Park has no
hotels close by its borders. In land area, the park is about
eight times as large as the Niagara reservation, and the nearest
hotels outside its border are at Castile, three miles to the north-
ward, and Portageville, two miles to the southwestward by a
circuitous and inconvenient route, and these are small and in-
adequate.

The plan for the inn includes as minor adjuncts a garage and
a swimming pool. The latter is to be made by damming a
neighboring brook after the manner of the artificial lakes in
the Palisades Park, thus supplying a healthful form of recrea-
Ae not otherwise to be had safely within a radius of several
miles.

The second improvement provides for two new entrances to
the park and an additional road within the park. The main
approach to the park is now by the road from Castile. There
is no entrance from the region lying east and south of the river,
and only an inconvenient and roundabout approach from the
west. The great automobile-using public demands better facili-
ties for getting into the park and for bridging the moat between
Livingston and Wyoming counties. Even with present ob-
stacles, the park is a favorite resort for tourists, and the pro-
vision of the new approaches will not only bring the benefit of
the park within the reach of a vastly increased number of mo-
torists, but will also immensely facilitate cross-country travel.
It is therefor proposed:

(a) To construct an approach to the western end of the park
by means of a road branching off from the Portageville-Castile
highway* at the top of the Portageville hill, and running thence
in a generally northeasterly direction into the park, passing
under the northwesterly end of the Erie railroad bridge on the
left bank of the river, and thence crossing the gulley of De-ge-
wa-nus-Oreek by means of a new bridge having its foundation
on solid rock.

(b) To construct an approach from the southeastward by
means of a road leaving the Portage-Nunda-Rochester state
highway at Portage station of the Erie railroad, and running
thence a few hundred feet westward near the Erie railroad track,

* The Portageville-Castile highway is to be improved by the State.
46

Muvd

HLIYOMHOLAT LV AIdlud Gasodoud

Wtv4 35
Odd adda dacode

thence passing northeastward under the southeastern end of the
Erie railroad viaduct and continuing northeastward gradually
down the steep right bank to the level of the Pennsylvania rail-
road, thence turning northwestward and crossing the Genesee
River just above the Middle Fall by means of the proposed
bridge mentioned hereafter. This route connecting the Portage-
Nunda-Rochester highway with the Letchworth Park-Castile
highway will be of immense public convenience, quite irrespec-
tive of the park.

(c) To construct a highway on the left bank from Inspira-
tion Point along the existing foot-path to the Lower Fall. The
present road from Glen Iris eastward to the Lower Fall is
mostly remote from the river and terminates at.the Lower Fall
at a very: considerable elevation above Table Rock. The new
road will open up a mile of superb scenery along the gorge
and take the visitor by an easy grade down to the picnic ground
almost on the level of able Rock.

The third important improvement is the proposed bridge
across the Genesee River just above the Middle Fall approxi-
mately on the site of the private bridge which once spanned the
river at that point. The river here is shallow; the bed suitable
and easily built over; the terminal on the left bank is near the
present picnic. grounds; and the terminal on the bluff of the right
bank is favorable for an easy gradient of approach from the
connecting road. It is proposed that in form the bridge have
a long central arch framing the view of the Upper Falls and
flanked at each end by a smaller arch, and that in material it
be either entirely of native stone or of reinforced concrete, faced
with stone, so as to blend with the natural surroundings. At
present there is no public passage across the Genesee river be-
tween Portageville and St. Helena, a distance of about seven
miles by nearest road in Livingston county and ten miles by
nearest road in Wyoming county. The new bridge will therefore
be of very great convenience and of general public value to a
considerable section of western New York, in addition to form-
ing a portal to Letchworth Park.

idea aS
RAINBOW FALLS—WATKINS GLEN STATE RESERVATION

VI.
THE PROPOSED FINGER LAKES PARK SYSTEM

The state of New York owns two parks in the Finger Lakes
Region—Watkins Glen Reservation and the Enfield Falls Res-
ervation. Watkins Glen was purchased by the state in 1906 at
the instance of the American Scenic and Historical Society.
Enfield Falls Reservation was given to the state in 1920 by Mr.
and Mrs. Robert H. Treman of Ithaca.

The Finger Lakes Association, a federation of the chambers

49
»

of commerce and community organizations of 24 cities and
villages in central New York, believes the state should first
give attention to the completion of the existing state parks.
The Watkins Glen Reservation is in very good condition but
much work remains to be done on the Enfield Falls Reservation.
The state has thus far appropriated no money for permanent
improvements. In three years it has given the commission
$4,000 for maintenance. This has proved inadequate for the
work which the commission has in mind. The Enfield Falls
Reservation Commission has drafted tentative plans calling for
an expenditure of $100,000 for the developmerit of the park.
This will provide for the opening up of both the lower and upper
ends of the reservation, construction of roads, rest houses and-
other facilities which are needed for the complete utilization of
the park.
Proposed New State Parks

The Finger Lakes Association considers Taughannock Falls
with its beautiful gorges, both above and below the main fells,
as the most important scenic spot in the Finger Lakes which
has not yet been given attention. If after the state acquires this
property and provides for making it entirely accessible to the
residents of the state and tourists, it is still able to continue the
work of opening up beauty spots, the Association calls attention
to Bare Hill on Canadaigua Lake, Bluff Point on Lake Keuka,
Chequaga Falls and Montour Glen near the village of Montour
Falls,.Buttermilk Falls and Glen near Ithaca, Fillmore Glen snd
the birthplace of Millard Fillmore near Moravia. For secondary
consideration the Finger Lakes Association presents Connecticut
‘Hill between Ithaca and Watkins, Great Gully between Union
Springs and Aurora, Red Jacket’s birthplace on Cayuga Lake
near Canoga and the glens along the western shore of Owasco
Lake. The Finger Lakes Association has not yet drafted plans
sufficiently definite to present figures as to acreage, cost of ac-
quiring lands and cost of development. The Association will
use its best offices to secure for the state a donation of property
needed for these parks. In the case of Buttermilk Falls, the
Association is assured by the owners, Mr. and Mrs. Robert H.
Treman of Ithaca, that this property will be placed at the dis-
posal of the state whenever the state is ready to agree to a plan
of development suitable to the owners. The Fillmore birthplace
is now owned by the Cayuga County Historical Society which is
holding the property until such time as the state is ready to take
it over. The Association believes that it will be able to supply
the funds for the purchase of each of the properties suggested in
this report.

Watkins Glen State Reservation

Watkins Glen has long been classed with Niagara Falls, the

Mammoth Cave, the Natural Bridge of Virginia, and the Na-

CAVERN CASCADE—WATKINS GLEN BRIDAL VEIL FALLS—-MONTOUR GLEN

tional Parks of the west as one of the scenic wonders of America.
It is the objective of thousands of automobile tourists every
year. Itis the best known show place in the entire Finger Lakes
Region.

From the main street of the village of Watkins, the gorge ex-
tends back into the hillside for a distance of two miles. The
state controls 103 acres, embracing the gorge and its wooded
banks. Through the reservation, a stream drops nearly 700
feet in a series of waterfalls, cascades and rapids.

Watkins Glen is particularly pleasing because of its variety.

LUCIFER FALLS, 200 FEET—ENFIELD FALLS STATE RESERVATION

There is no single cataract which awes the visitor but a succes-
sion of falls, cascades, pools and rapids. The walls of the glen
tower 150 to 180 feet above the water of the stream.

Enfield Falls State Reservation
After being in the possession of Mr. and Mrs. Robert H.
Treman of Ithaca for a number of years, during which time the
owners spent several thousand dollars in making the property
accessible to the public, Enfield Falls Reservation was given
to the State of New York in 1920. The property comprises 400
acres and stretches from the Ithaca-Elmira highway westward

BLUFF POINT, LAKE KEUKA, NEAR PENN YAN
for approximately two and one-half miles into the hillside. The
gorge has been cut by Butternut Lake which drains a large
area in the western part of Tompkins County. One of the most
satisfactory things about the Enfield Falls Reservation is that
the stream maintains a good flow throughout the year. In this
respect the gorge differs from a number of others in the region.
The ultimate development of the Reservation by the State Com-
mission provides for picnic grounds at both the upper and lower
entrances with rest pavilions and other facilities which will
make it possible for the public to enjoy the beauties of the glen.
At small expense it is possible to provide swimming pools at
both ends of the Reservation.

The main falls in Enfield is known as Lucifer Falls. It is
210 feet high and of considerable width. There are a number
of small falls throughout the gorge. The rock formation is
of particular interest to students of nature as are the trees and
other flora. The glen has been preserved in its natural state
and it is the policy of the Commission to maintain it in this con-
dition.

Taughannock Falls

Taughannock Falls, known throughout the Hast as the great-
est single waterfall east of the Rocky Mountains, deserves the
first attention of the state in the opinion of the Finger Lakes
Association. In a sheer drop of 215 feet, Taughannock Creek
falls over a ledge of rock from a deep gorge into a deeper gorge

i, tpl ey z =
BARE HILL, CANANDAIGUA LAKE, NEAR CANANDAIGUA

me, ee: 28 Ri,

TAUGHANNOCK FALLS, 215 FEET, 50 FEET HIGHER THAN NIAGARA

below. Second only to the fall itself in general interest is the
gorge, the cliffs of which rise to a height of nearly 400 feet at
the fall.

Unfortunately, Taughannock Falls is two miles removed
from the main state highway connecting Ithaca with Geneva
and the roads leading to it are not in good condition for much
of the year. This condition makes it difficult for many resi-
dents of the state and tourists to visit this wonder of nature.
Those who do take the trouble are well repaid, however, and
since the Finger Lakes Association has given the fall such wide
publicity it is being visited annually by thousands of motorists.

Taughannock Falls has the distinction of being the only
great fall and gorge in the region easily accessible by water.
The main fall is within a mile of Cayuga Lake where a large
delta provides adequate picnic and camping space. Being con-
nected with the barge canal system of the state, a park at Taug-
hannock Falls would be accessible by water to a great portion
of the state. ;

Bare Hill

The Finger Lakes Association believes that the state should
take over Bare Hill, ‘‘ the Garden of Eden of the Iroquois,’’ as
a state park. This hill, which is just as bare as its name implies,
rises to an altitude of 1,540 feet above the eastern shore of
Canandaigua Lake, a few miles south of the village of Canan-
daigua. The Iroquois called the hill Nun-do-wa-o-no and be-
lieved that from this hill sprang the Senecas or Sonontowans,
the Great Hill people. The Senecas were the most powerful of
the Six Nations. They were the guardians of the western door
of the Iroquois Long House. Until very recent years the Seneca
Indians made annual pilgrimages to Bare Hill and performed
sacred rites on the spot where, according to their traditions.
their race was born. Bluff Point

Bluff Point would furnish the location for another of the
Finger Lakes parks. This lofty promontory which divides Lake
Keuka into its branches rises 720 feet above the surface of the
lake. It is particularly desirable for two reasons: the wonder-
ful view which the tourist obtains from its summit and its ac-
cessibility by automobile road. Very little expense would be
involved in laying out the top of this promontory as a tourist

vee Chequaga Falls and Montour Glen

Chequaga Falls and Montour Glen, the former in the village
of Montour Falls and the latter just south of the village, are
both worthy of preservation by the state, not only because of
their scenic beauty but also because of their historical associa-
tions. The glen is near the Indian village of Catherine Montour,
the renowned Queen Catherine of the Seneca Indians. General
Sullivan, acting under orders of General Washington to crush
forever the power of the Iroquois League, destroyed Catherine’s
Town in 1779.

Buttermilk Falls and Glen

Buttermilk Falls and Glen, two miles south of Ithaca on the
highway between Ithaca and Watkins, has been opened to the
public for a number of years. The owners, Mr. and Mrs. Robert
H. Treman of Ithaca, have gone to much expense to erect stairs
and guard rails and provide paths for the convenience of per-
sons wishing to explore the glen. In the distance of a mile,
Buttermilk Creek falls more than 500 feet in a series of cascades,
rapids and waterfalls. The gorge is of much interest to the na-
ture lover. At the foot of the falls an ample parking space ad-

LOWER FALLS—ENFIELD FALLS, STATE
RESERVATION

IN BUTTERMILK GLEN, NEAR ITHACA

joins the state highway. There is a natural swimming pool
which can be very much enlarged if the state takes over the
property. One of the most beautiful camp sites in the Finger
Lakes Region is found at the foot of Buttermilk Falls.

Fillmore Birthplace and Glen
Millard Fillmore, thirteenth President of the United States.
was born in the Finger Lakes Region near the village of Mo-
ravia. The officers of the Finger Lakes Association believe that
his birthplace should be preserved as a national shrine. With
this in view they have already secured title to the property

BUTTERMILK FALLS, FROM ITHACA—WATKINS’ HIGHWAY

lesatlisbiiat

CASCADE GLEN, NEAR MORAVIA FILLMORE GLEN, NEAR MORAVIA

which is now being held by the Cayuga County Historical So-
ciety. Near the village of Moravia there is a large and interest-
ing glen which has been christened Fillmore Glen. As a boy
Millard Fillmore roamed the hills and valleys in the vicinity of
Fillmore Glen and the Association believes it would be wise to
place the glen and his birthplace in one park.
Connecticut Hill

Connecticut Hill, which is located midway between Ithaca
and Watkins, is the highest point in the Finger Lakes Region.
The hill is 2,095 feet above sea level. Several hundred acres of
land could be purchased at small expense and reforested. The
hill is part of the watershed of Butternut Creek which passes
through Enfield Glen.

Red Jacket State Park

If the state wishes to perpetuate the inhabitation of the
Finger Lakes Region by the Iroquois, provisions should be made
for a park in the vicinity of Canoga on Cayuga Lake, near the
birthplace of Red Jacket, known to the Indians as Sa-go-ye-wat-
ha. A park for tourists could be provided on the shores of
Cayuga Lake near the handsome monument erected to Red
Jacket. The remains of this famous Indian Chief and orator
were brought from Buffalo a number of years ago and placed
under the monument. Red Jacket was of great assistance to
President Washington and other leaders of the nation in its

CHEQUAGA FALLS—MONTOUR FALLS

early days in bringing about a better feeling between the Iro-
quois and the new government.

Great Gully

Great Gully, which is located on the shore of Cayuga Lake
between Union Springs and Aurora, is the center of some of
the earliest activities of the Jesuit missionaries in central New
York. The Jesuits erected a church in 1656. A state park in
the vicinity of Great Gully would be accessible to Auburn, the
largest city in the Finger Lakes Region.

Several of the glens along the west shore of Owasco Lake
between Auburn and Moravia should be included in the genera}
plan of development of the Finger Lakes Region.

NX Finger lakes Y
Farks and Hi§hways

Present and Proposed Developments

END
EXISTING STATE PARKS @
PROPOSED STATE PARKS wv SCALE of MLES

SYRACUSE

\ Sci ioe

wy
xX )Sherwood
a

W Fillrhare Glen

PENN YAN
Keuka Par,

Birthplace of
Naples () Keuka Callegg Fillmore Homer.)
BranchportQ)

O) UKA. 5

CORTLAND@ J
GROTON [)
North Cohocton sere =f

eorge Junior Republic

Pulteney)

Bluff Point e
Kg Cohocton "a QHector ya
@ Hector Falls (4 OU Dryden
Urban A
i= Cornell Omversity
A : HAMMONDSPORY DN blthace Falls
baie Enfield Glengy MPAA, Buttermilk “ 5
+ Eh arins AYU TA RAKE Falls eee: Springs
Kanona o gy hegunga els) ., e Newfield
~~ e (J Connecticut, N
7o,,, Bath MONTOUR FALLS COdessa Ai i7
AMES 7, Montour Glen
Wy
Spence:
Painted Post Sg Horseheads
pf, f
nae Addi. WPS
roam Es oun Cee eta (eyenina

MAP OF PRESENT AND PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT OF FINGER LAKES PARKS

THE BRONX RIVER PARKWAY AT SCARSDALE

VII.

THE PROPOSED PARKWAY FROM NEW YORK CITY TO
BEAR MOUNTAIN PARK

This project will provide the remaining link necessary to
complete a grand circuit from New York City through what is
destined to be the world’s greatest outer park system.

The parks and boulevards in Manhattan and The Bronx con-
nect with The Bronx River Parkway, which, in 1924, will be
completed to the Kensico Dam and Reservoir in Westchester
County. From the dam it is 22 miles past lakes and reservoirs
to Mohansic Park and another 12 miles to Anthony’s Nose,
where the new bridge will span the Hudson to Bear Mountain
Park. Already on heavy traffic days the many excellent high-
ways in Westchester County are filled to capacity with an ever-
increasing volume of pleasure vehicles surging out from New
York City. With the completion of The Bronx River Parkway,
the first objective will be the Kensico Dam—25 miles from the
Plaza at 59th street. The second objective will be Mohansiec
Park—22 miles farther north. Thence another 13 miles, to Bear
Mountain and the Palisades Interstate Park System of 36,000
acres to be made directly accessible by the new bridge. From
Bear Mountain down through the Palisades system to the new
vehicular tunnel or Hudson River ferries to Manhattan com-
pletes a splendid circuit of approximately 125 miles, which will
be directly available for the seven million people residing iu
this part of the State of New York.

VIEW ON THE BRONX RIVER PARKWAY

Scope of the Project

The $1,000,000 set down for this project is needed for ac-
quiring and improving lands between the Kensico Dam and
the approaches to the Bear Mountain Bridge. Advantage will
be taken of existing main highways and cheap lands along ad-
jacent water courses, including ponds or small lakes available
for park features along this connecting route. It is the purpose
to acquire many of the choicest bits of landscape and at the
same time provide for widening existing rights-of-way and
eliminating dangerous curves. In some locations considerable
areas of picturesque woodlands are available at low cost, which
will provide liberal spaces for picnicking and other recreation
areas. There is urgent demand for such picnicking spaces,
where motor parties can park safely and avoid obstructing
traffic and the dangers incident to picnicking at the roadside.

Details of the Grand Circuit

Starting at 59th Street Plaza, go through Central Park to
110th street and 7th avenue. Thence through 7th Avenue Boule-
vard to 145th street and across the Harlem River to the Grand
Boulevard and Concourse. Thence along the Concourse to

MOHANSIC LAKE

Mosholu Parkway. Turn east on Mosholu Parkway to Botanical
Gardens and Bronx Park, going northerly through the upper
end of Bronx Park to the southerly terminus of The Bronx River
Parkway. Follow The Bronx River Parkway Drive 151% miles
to the Kensico Dam and Reservoir. Thence over the proposed
new connecting parkway crossing Croton Reservoir at Pines
Bridge and through Yorktown Heights to Mohansic Park. Pass-
ing through Mohansic Park and continuing along the proposed
new parkway to Peekskill, the route leads to Roa Hook and
over the proposed new approach roads to be built by the Bridge
Company, to the east bank of the Hudson River at Anthony’s
Nose. Thence over the new Hudson River bridge to Bear Moun-
tain Park. From this point it is but a few miles northerly to
West Point and the Storm King Highway.

Returning from Bear Mountain Park there is a choice of
routes through different sections of the Palisades Interstate
Park system. The first route follows along the west side of the
Hudson River through the park areas of Rockland Lake, Blau-
velt Rifle Range and the upper Palisades to Alpine and thence
on the new road at the foot of the Palisades to Dyckman Street
ferry.

The second or alternative route returning from Bear Moun-
tain lies through the Harriman Park to Tuxedo and thence via
Suffern to connect with the first route at Nyack. Arriving by
either route at the west side of the Hudson opposite Dyekman
street, take Dyckman street or Fort Lee ferry to Manhattan;

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SHOWING PROPOSED.

PARKWAY CONNECTIONS
BETWEEN THE

BRONX RIVER PARKWAY
BEAR MOUNTAIN PARK
aig
MOHANSIC PARK
BEAR MOUNTAIN-HUDSON RIVER BRIDGE

Oatober 1922 Scale of Miles
‘ .

thence from either ferry south along Riverside Drive to 72d
street and east on 72d street to Central Park. Thence through
Central Park to the starting point at 59th Street Plaza. In lieu
of crossing on Dyckman street or Fort Lee ferries, one can con-
tinue south along Hudson Boulevard to 42d street or 34th street
ferry or to the vehicular tunnel now in course of construction.

Features of the Grand Cirewt

The opportunity to connect in the manner described above
so many noted parks and parkways is perhaps unparalleled in
the history of such developments. From the 59th Street Plaza
the Queensboro Bridge provides a direct connection to the pro-

posed Roosevelt Parkway and Park on the north shore of Long - - -

Island and to the great Queens Boulevard, which is about to
be improved to Jamaica, where it will connect with the main
traffic arteries of Long Island. In The Bronx the circuit will
have direct connections with Van Cortlandt Park, Crotona Park,
Pelham Bay Park, Pelham Parkway and the New York Zoologi-
cal Park.

Bronzg Riwer Parkway

The Bronx River Parkway follows along both sides of the
Bronx River through Mount Vernon and White Plains, forming a
direct route between Bronx Park and the Kensico Dam and
Reservoir. The Parkway Reservation varies in width from 200
to 1,200 feet with an average width of about 600 feet. The drive-
way is being paved 40 feet in width and two sections aggregat-
ing six miles in length are now open for traffic. The grading
for the remainder of the driveway is finished and it is expected
to-complete the paving in 1923. The Bronx River is the chief
landscape feature and, by natural treatment throughout, the
valley is being restored to its former beautiful condition.

Kensico Dain and Reservoir

The Kensico Dam is architecturally the finest of the great
dams of the world. It impounds a reservoir with water surface
of 2,000 acres, protected by a marginal area of 2,500 acres, mak-
ing a total of 4,500 acress acquired by the City of New York for
water supply purposes. Approximately $10,000,000 has been ex-
pended by the city in this area which constitutes a most beautiful
outer park with good highway around the lake and with hun-
dreds of thousands of evergreen trees rapidly developing on the
protective areas. Crossing over the top of the dam and following
along the west side of the lake about three-fourths of a mile,
one finds a group of 1,800 aeration fountains, a magnificent
spectacle in constant play. From the Kensico Dam and Reser-
voir the proposed connecting parkway passes through the
beautiful upper Westchester hill country, and follows along

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the shores of the Croton Reservoir to the road leading north to
Yorktown Heights and Mohansic Park.

Mohansic Park

Mohansic Park has an area of approximately 1,100 acres and
includes Mohansic Lake, over one mile in length. The park
area was acquired by the State of New York for institutional
purposes, which institutions were objected to because of the
situation on New York City‘s watershed. Last year by authori-
zation of the legislature this area was turned over to the West-
chester County Park Commission, upon condition that it be
developed and maintained as a park for the use of all of the
people of the state. First attention is being given to the de-
velopment of picnicking and camping facilities. Mohansic
Park will be a convenient and popular tarrying place along the
Grand Circuit.

Bear Mountain Hudson River Bridge

The Bear Mountain Hudson River Bridge Company was
granted a charter by the Legislature in 1922. The bridge will
cross the Hudson from Anthony’s Nose to Bear Mountain Park
near Bear Mountain Inn and both the bridge and its approaches
leading from the Albany Post Road will be built by private
capital.

Bear Mountain Park

The Palisades Interstate Park system is too well known to
require extended mention here and is also referred to elsewhere
in this report. Its vast areas and facilities will be made more
easily accessible upon the completion of the improvements herein
described.

ON THE AXIS OF THE MAIN APPROACH, STANDING OUT IN FIRM SILHOUETTE AGAINST THE
BACKGROUND OF THE BAY AND THE DISTANT HILLS OF CENTRE ISLAND, SHOULD BE
A GREAT FLAG-POLE WITH A MONUMENTAL BASE

VIL.
THE ROOSEVELT MEMORIAL PARK AND PARKWAY

Oyster Bay, on the north shore of Long Island, has become
an historical spot enshrined in the hearts of patriotic Ameri-
cans. Here, on Sagamore Hill, lived Theodore Roosevelt. Here,
on the shady hill overlooking the beautiful waters of Oyster
Bay and Long Island Sound, that great American rests for-
ever.

Each week, towards Oyster Bay, thousands from near and
distant parts of the Empire State crowd the roads beyond the

SCENES

ALONG PROPOSED
PARKWAY

danger point. At Oyster Bay no special provision has been
made to care for visitors and no memorial has been created in
recognition of our former great Governor who later became
President of the United States.

The Oyster Bay Memorial Association, composed of Theo-
dore Roosevelt’s friends and neighbors, has been formed to
establish a Memorial Park on the shore of the Bay, and the Na-
tional Roosevelt Association, Inc., has pledged aid to develop
and maintain the park which will ultimately contain at least
53 acres of waterfront property.

In order to hasten the construction of this Roosevelt Me-
morial Park and permit the state to share in this memorial

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to its great citizen, it is now proposed to add to the sum already
raised by private contributions sufficient money from the state
to complete the park at once. In order to provide an adequate
and dignified approach the Roosevelt Memorial Parkway is
proposed, which will follow existing roads from Oyster Bay
to the New York City line, some sixteen miles distant.

Each week thousands of automobilists throng the route ot
the proposed parkway endeavoring to visit Oyster Bay and
reach the beautiful open country extending for many miles to
the eastward, and at this time it is difficult for them to do so
because the road congestion is so great that it becomes very
difficult to reach either Oyster Bay or the country beyond
quickly enough to allow sufficient time for recreation.

Perhaps the best way to describe the Roosevelt Memorial
Park and Parkway scenically is to follow the route from the
New York City line where it will connect with a boulevard al-
ready partially completed in and by New York City.

Travelling east one drives past the Great Neck Peninsula
over a tree-lined road through open country and then drops
swiftly into Manhasset at the head of Manhasset Bay, thence
climbing rapidly after passing a small and attractive lake to
the highlands of Manhasset Neck, from which an extended view
18 ones northward to Hempstead Harbor and Long Island

ound.

Hugging the side of an almost clifflike hill the route is fol-
lowed down to the headwaters of Hempstead Harbor and
through the beautiful village of Roslyn with its three lakes
and the well-preserved home of William Cullen Bryant, and
then, after a climb of 200 feet to a plateau, through Brookville
to East Norwich. This section is high and a broad view of
wooded and open country is obtained. From East Norwich it
is possible to leave the parkway and continue directly east
for many miles along the north shore of Long Island with its
numerous and beautiful harbors and recreational spots.

At East Norwich a turn to the left opens up a beautiful
descending road which suddenly terminates at the edge of
Oyster Bay, at the site of the Memorial Park, from which a
panorama extends in three directions from Bayville on the
Sound, past Centre Island to Sagamore Hill and the simple
cemetery where Roosevelt sleeps.

The thousands from New York City and the rest of the state
who make this pilgrimage often pass along the route just de-
scribed at the rate of 800 to 1,000 automobiles per hour.

It is necessary to provide the park not only as a memoria!
but to care for the thousands of visitors who already throng
the vicinity and who are rapidly increasing in number.

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The primary expenditures would, of course, be for the com-
pletion of the Memorial Park. In addition it will be necessary
to acquire land at various points along the route to Oyster Bay
to create a fairly broad parkway with larger park tracts at ap-
propriate places. The roadway itself will be taken into the
state highway system and widened where necessary, leaving
the roadside lands to be developed through the Roosevelt Me-
morial Park and Parkway plan.

There can be no criticism of the Memorial Park, and the
fact that the roads leading to the park are not even state high-
ways indicates the necessity for adequate approach.

It has been proposed that the trees lining the parkway be
each named in memory of one who has died in the military or
naval service of our country.

It is proposed that the monies for the Roosevelt Memorial
Park and Parkway shall be expended by a Commission con-
stituted by the legislature to be known as the Roosevelt Me-
morial Park Commission, and it is estimated that the million
dollars asked for this project will complete the necessary im-
provements.

A fitting memorial to a great man which also provides means
for many thousands to enjoy the wonderful country and beauti-
ful waters which he so greatly loved; this is the purpose of the
Roosevelt Memorial Park and Parkway.

COLONEL ROOSEVELT’S GRAVE

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
parks 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 same 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.

The number of treatments from 1915 to 1920 increased from
11,292 to 53,000.

The following table of receipts from 1914 to 1920 is in-
teresting:

1914, by State Reservation ............... $1,085 .33
1915, by State Reservation ............... 14,891.22
1916, by Conservation Commission ....... 59,518 .05
1917, by Conservation Commission ....... 63,495 .67
1918, by Conservation Commission ....... 81,773.50
1919, by Conservation Commission ....... 103,542.3
1920, by Conservation Commission ....... 68,555.92

(July 1 to December 31—6 months only.)

The reservation now comprises about 550 acres of land, 122
wells and springs, and three modern bathhouses, as well as two
bottling plants equipped with special bottling machinery.

In its report to the Legislature in 1918 the Conservation Com-
mission recommended that ‘* an appropriation is requested with
which to at least begin construction of a suitable bath house
and drinking hall upon the State Reservation at Saratoga
Springs.’’ This was renewed in 1919 and 1920.

The increased business has proved conclusively that there is
a great demand for the therapeutic treatment available there
and the people are waiting only for the time when the state
will make adequate provision.

About 355 acres of land lying south of the Lincoln Park and
west of Geyser Park and adjacent to the state properties have

AERIAL VIEW OF SARATOGA BATHHOUSES
75

been acquired by private purchase at a cost of about $300,000.
This property is now being held for acquisition by the state at
the actual cost price plus interest.

Preliminary plans were prepared by the State Architect, in
co-operation with the Conservation Commission, after a care-
ful study of the systems in Europe and a personal visit to some
of the spas in the United States. It was found that two things
were necessary—a proper bathhouse should be provided for
every hydrotherapeutic treatment which the wonderful waters
of Saratoga make possible. Secondly, in connection with the
treatment, proper hotel accommodations should ultimately he
provided where the necessary diet could be furnished for prop-
erly administering the treatments. The erection of golf links
and tennis courts adjacent to the hotel property is planned to
provide the exercise so necessary in therapeutic treatments.
Walks through the beautiful reservation furnish the required
exercise for those with cardiac trouble. Winter sports are pro-
vided in the plan by the erection of a dam in Coesa Creek with a
guarantee of sufficient water for skating in winter and with a

PROPOSED EXTENSION OF
SARATOGA STATE RESERVATION

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proposed toboggan slide, snow shoeing and skiing, there would
be furnished as much exercise during the winter months as
during the summer.

Their geographical situation adjacent to the Adirondacks
and the dry climate make Saratoga Springs an ideal location
for the cultivation of the finest spa in the world. There is no
state in the union that compares with the Empire State, and
New York should awaken to its opportunity to make use of these
natural springs whose recognized curative and medicinal prop-
erties would attract people from all over the world.

As a first step toward this development the state should pur-
chase the necessary land and should begin the construction of
a new bath house and drink hall.

THE PROPOSED TACONIC FOREST—A TRI-STATE PARK

There is a splendid opportunity for the development in the
Taconic Forest of a Tri-State Park involving the co-operation
of the states of New York, Massachusetts and Connecticut, and
some aid from private sources. While this project has not yet
reached the point for immediate action, it is one which should
be considered in connection with the New York plans, so that
funds may be available when the proper time for action comes.

The official commissions in both Massachusetts and Con-
necticut have seriously discussed the Taconic Forest project for
several years. The Connecticut Commission has proposed the
Tri-State project as a vitally important feature in the Connecti-
cut system, since it includes the highest point in the state and
the finest mountain scenery.

The tract is a total of about 40,000 acres, shown plainly
enough by the mountain contours on sheets of the United States
topographical survey—Milbrook and Copake in New York, Shef-
field and Cornwall in Massachusetts and Connecticut. It is im-
possible to put these four sheets together and escape the signifi-
cance of this mountain mass. [See map opposite page 6.]

The area is divided into 20,000 acres in Massachusetts, 11,000
in Connecticut, and 9,000 in New York. The New York area
is not of any value by itself, but the western slopes are neces-
sary to afford adequate fire protection, and it is plainly impos-
sible for one of the three states alone to realize the potential
value of its share in the whole.

The location of the proposed reservation makes the problem
somewhat difficult, because it is obvious that the greater part
of the public to use such a park will come from New York, while
the greater cost of acquisition and development must fall on
Connecticut and Massachusetts. There are at present no funds
available in Connecticut, either private or public, for land pur-
chase. Massachusetts has a forest purchase program, but will
normally proceed with more central areas first, and is limited
to $5. Connecticut has power, if the funds are available to
acquire forest land at $8 or less and parks at any figure re-
quired, plus the power of domain for park purposes. It is not
at all unlikely that Massachusetts and Connecticut will appro-
priate special funds for the Taconic Forest project, but neither
state is ready to appropriate large sums for use in another state,
or within its own borders for the use of the people of another
state. It is therefore necessary that private initiative supply
at least part of the funds necessary to insure the co-operation
of the three states.

There is another superficial obstacle to complete co-opera-
tion by the three states in the varying policies to date of each
state. Massachusetts has no state parks—the Mt. Everett State
Reservation (800 acres within the Taconic tract) is actually a
state park, but is not so termed. Connecticut distinguishes
sharply between park and forest, and conceives the primary
purpose of the forest to be economic, including the growing and
harvesting of timber crops, while in New York the park and
forest theories are combined in such a way that the park use
predominates. The Taconic Forest, lying in three states, might
well be developed in such a way that each state would handle
its own product in timber, but with close co-operation in the
recreational features, and with certain areas reserved for park
purposes purely—including all the brooks, lakes and lookonts.
Eventually there should be a development of parkways con-
necting the park areas.

JOHN BOYD THACHER PARK

John Boyd Thacher Park,
comprising 400 acres on the Hel-
derberg escarpment and border-
ing on Thompson’s Lake, is the
only state park in Albany coun-
ty. It is only about fifteen or
twenty miles from the capitol.
Nothing has been spent on it for
permanent improvement since it
was given to the state. It needs
about $25,000 for a suitable ad-
ministration building and about
$25,000 more for public conven-
iences, roads, paths, bridges, cliff-
trails and guard rails. There is
not a habitable building in the
park and the superintendent
lives in a rented cottage outside
of the park boundaries.

MINE LOT FALL

RIM OF ESCARPMENT, JOHN BOYD THACHER PARK

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APPENDIX B

AN ACT making provision for issuing bonds to the amount of not to
exceed fifteen million dollars for the extension and improvement of existing
state parks and the establishment of new state parks and parkways in order
to create a comprehensive and unified state park system for the promotion of
the recreation, instruction and health of the people, and providing for a sub-
mission of the same to the people to be voted upon at the general election to
be held in the year nineteen hundred and twenty-three.

The People ef the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do
enact as follows.

Section I—There shall be issued, in the manner and at the times hereinafter
recited, bonds of the state in an amount not to exceed fifteen million dollars, which
bonds shall be sold by the state and the proceeds thereof paid into the state treasury,
and so much thereof as may be necessary expended for the acquisition and improve-
ment of lands for state park purposes and the establishment of a unified state park
system as hereinafter provided Such bonds when issued shall be exempt from
taxation.

Section II—The comptroller is hereby directed to cause to be prepared the
bonds of this state to an amount not to exceed $15,000,000, such bonds to bear interest
at the rate of not in excess of five per centum (5%) per annum, which interest shall
be payable semi-annually in the city of New York. Such bonds, or such portion
thereof as may be issued, shall be serial bonds payable in equal annual instalments,
the first of which shall be payable one year after the date of issue and the last of
which shall be payable fifty years after the contracting of the debt. Such bonds
shall be sold for not less than par. The comptroller is hereby charged with the
duty of selling stich bonds to the highest bidder after advertising for a period of
twenty consecutive days, Sundays excepted, in at least two daily newspapers printed
in the city of New York and one in the city of Albany. Advertisements shall contain
a provision to the effect that the comptroller, in his discretion, may reject any or all
bids made in pursuance of such advertisements, and, in the event of such rejection,
the comptroller is authorized to re-advertise for bids in the form and manner above
described as many times as in his judgment may be necessary to effect a satisfactory
sale. Said bonds shall be sold in such lots and at such times as may be required for
the purpose of making partial or final payments in accordance with the provisions
of this act. The principal and interest on such bonds as the same accrue, shall be
paid out of appropriations made therefor pursuant to law.

Section III—The proceeds of such bonds, after appropriation or appropriations
therefrom by the legislature, shall be applicable to the acquisition of lands for state
park purposes within the state of New York and to the making of permanent im-
provements thereon as follows, provided that no part of the sum set aside for the
State Forest Preserve shall be used for any other purpose than the acquisition of
lands within the forest preserve counties, which lands if now owned by the state
under existing law, would be part of the Forest Preserve:

For the State Forest Preserve......... ccc cece cee cece sees eect eeeeenes $5,000,000
For the Palisades Interstate Park.......... ccc cece e cece cece cence eeees 3,500,000
For the Allegany State Park....... 0... cc ccc ccc ence eee eee cen en eens 2,000,000
For the New York State Reservation at Niagara...................005- 1,000,000
For the: Letchworth Park. 6.1 .occcmamseenway deawanaw avg anya ne pawns ere 500,000
For the Watkins Glen and Enfield Falls Parks and for other parks and

parkways in the Finger Lakes region...............c ccc ceueuceuees 250,000
For parkway connections between the Bronx River Parkway and the bridge

from Peekskill to Bear Mountain in Westchester County............ 1,000,000

For the extension and development of the Roosevelt Memorial Park as a
state park and for a parkway connection between this park and the
City of New Yotkiccieaimgi +85 é.qsndnaciwide obasnvivedesinietes enum wuss 1,000,000

For the development and extension of other state parks and the acquisition
and development of additional parks, including the further develop-
ment of the State Reservation at Saratoga Springs and of the John
Boyd: Thacher Park's «os soca sacmennee saa 4 saeerewn Ws Foe. Fs sap ueuenasaiers 750,000

Section IV.—The monies for the State Forest Preserve shall be expended and
lands acquired under the direction of the conservation commissioner by and with the
advice and consent of the commissioners of the land office. The monies for the
extension and improvement of the Palisades Interstate Park shall be expended by the
commissioners of the Palisades Interstate Park. Lands shall be acquired by the
commissioners of the Palisades Interstate Park under the provisions of chapter one
hundred and seventy of the laws of nineteen hundred, as amended. The monies for
the extension and improvement of the Allegany State Park shall be expended by the
commissioners of the Allegany State Park. Lands shall be acquired by the com-
missioners of the Allegany State Park under the provisions of chapter four hundred
and sixty-eight of the laws of 1921, as amended. The monies for the extension and
improvement of the New York State Reservation at Niagara shall be expended by

' the commissioners of that Reservation. The monies for the Bronx Parkway exten-
sions and connections shall be expended by the Bronx Parkway Commission or other-
wise as the legislature may determine. The monies for the Roosevelt Memorial
Park and Parkway shall be expended by a commission constituted by the legislature,
to be known as the Roosevelt Memorial Park Commission. The monies for the
extension and improvement of the Letchworth Park shall be expended by the
American Scenic and Historic Preservation Society; the monies for the extension

' and improvement of state parks in the Finger Lakes region shall be expended by a
commission to be constituted as the legislature may determine and the remaining
monies for other park extensions and for new parks, including the further develop-
ment of the State Reservation at Saratoga Springs, shall be expended under the
direction of the conservation commission by and with the advice and consent of the
commissioners of the land office, or otherwise as the legislature may determine.
The legislature may at any time hereafter provide that the monies as to which it is
hereinbefore provided that the expenditure shall be made under the direction of the
respective commissions or societies in this section specified, may be expended by any
other commissioners that it may designate. :

Section V.—The monies appropriated for the acquisition of lands under this act
shall be available for the payment of the purchase price where lands are acquired
by contract or for payments of judgments and awards in case of purchase by con-
demnation. Monies appropriated for the acquisition of forest preserve lands shall
also be available for the payment of judgments and awards in case of proceedings
by entry and appropriation.

Section VI.—The term “lands” as used in this act includes the improvements
thereon, if any. All lands acquired under and the state park system contemplated by
this act shall be for the use of all the people.

Section VII.—Submission of law to people. This law shall not take effect until
it shall at a general election have been submitted to the people and have received a
majority of all the votes cast for and against it at such election; and the same shall
be submitted to the people of this state at the general election to be held in November,
nineteen hundred and twenty-three. The ballots to be furnished for the use of the
voters upon the submission of this law shall be in the form prescribed by the election
law and the proposition or question to be submitted shall be printed thereon in sub-
stantially the following form, namely: “Shall chapter (here insert the number of
the chapter) of the laws of nineteen hundred and twenty-three entitled ‘An Act
making provision for issuing bonds to the amount of not to exceed fifteen million
dollars for the extension and improvement of existing state parks and the establish-
ment of new state parks and parkways in order to create a comprehensive and unified
state park system for the promotion of the recreation, instruction and health of the
people, and providing for a submission of the same to the people to be voted upon
at the general election to be held in the year nineteen hundred and twenty-three, be

approved?’”.

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Full text of "A state park plan for New York, with a proposal for the new park bond issue"

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