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

A VAST bulk of this State's people are concentrated along the three major rivers (Adroscoggin, Kennebec, and Penobscot), in the south western portion of the State, and along the boundary of New Brunswick in the northeast. There are vast unpopulated areas in the northern section. It has a relatively small foreign-born population. Trend indicate a small increase in population during the next few decades. It has a large seasonal influx of summer residents, vacationists, and tourists.

The State's principal recreational resources are its mountains, its 2,500 miles of seashore (which includes 1,300 islands along the coast), its 1,400 miles of rivers and streams, and 2,222 lakes and ponds. Its abundance of fish and game annually attracts thousands of fishermen and hunters. Its climate is suitable for both summer and winter recreational activities. It has many important historic forts and sites. Most of the State's public recreational lands are located in inaccessible sections. Its immediate needs, therefore, include the acquisition and development of areas near its population centers. At least two of these areas should he seashore parks. Further consideration should also be given to the acquisition and preservation of its important historic sites.

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¹ Area under Federal administration June 1938.

² Soil Conservation Service areas transferred to State park commission for administration.

³ State owns 12,000 acres surrounding this park.

⁴ Soil Conservation Service area transferred to State to be administered by University of Maine.