State Park Programs and the Redwood Industry

Abstract Although concerned with a special case of public parks this article has wider implications because it touches on park problems faced in other forest regions. The author believes that the program of state redwood park acquisition and extension is no longer realistic; most of the superlative groves have been acquired and should be left, except for dangerous trees, in their primeval condition for their inspirational values; park areas not of a superlative character and less accessible should be cut selectively, but lightly, and thus opened for stand improvement and recreation and to make them pay their way. He recommends that the park proponents reveal their plans so that owners and operators will know which stands are desired for parks; he suggests further that the matching-money principle can no longer be depended upon for large gifts and that the state legislature should make one appropriation and complete the program before prices and inflation make it inordinately expensive or impossible.