National Park Service A Study of the Park and Recreation Problem of the United States

THE POPULATION was 79.4 percent rural in 1930 and rather evenly distributed, with the major concentration occurring in the Arkansas River Valley between Little Rock and Pine Bluff. One-fourth of the population is Negro and they comprise the majority of the inhabitants in the lowland counties along the Mississippi and White Rivers.

The Ozark and Ouachita Mountains in the northwest half of the State divided by the scenic Arkansas River Valley form the major recreation section of the State. The beautiful wooded mountains, fine streams and large springs, combined with a favorable climate, attract vacationists from within and without the State.

The Arkansas State Park Board has made considerable progress in the development of a State park system. However, a strip of territory running from north to south through the center of the State is still unprovided with recreational areas. This territory includes the State's major population center of Little Rock and 16 smaller urban communities.

There is need for certain additional State parks and for local day-use areas for the white and Negro rural population.

Consideration should be given preservation and improvement of scenic recreational travel routes through the State and the provision of wayside areas for the enjoyment of tourists.

Congress has authorized the construction of seven large reservoirs in Arkansas and the State should consider the planning and development of recreational areas adjacent to those reservoirs.

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¹ Area under Federal administration June 1938.

² Acreages given are portions of large projects being developed for recreation, March 1939.