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

ELEVEN COUNTIES in the northwestern and northeastern sections, representing 25 percent of the area of the State, have a population density of less than 10 persons per square mile. Total rural population has increased only slightly since 1900, and the actual farm population decreased between 1920-30. Larger urban centers have increased markedly.

The major urban requirements center around the Twin Cities area. Although exceptionally well supplied with municipal facilities, this great metropolitan population lacks readily accessible public parks and other recreational areas within 1 or 2 hours' driving time.

Needs of the populations of other cities require not only a greater amount of municipal facilities, but also well-distributed rural recreation areas.

The needs of rural districts fur the natural type of recreational area will be well solved when the State's announced policies are carried out. There remains the need for the gregarious variety of recreation other than that found in most State holdings or in national forests. The satisfaction of this need requires joint efforts by counties and municipalities to provide, in or quite near the latter, intensive recreational developments reasonably accessible to rural residents as well as to people in the municipalities.

Minnesota deservedly enjoys a high place in tourist recreation and continuous efforts should be made to conserve the natural and historic resources, for their inspirational and recreational value to residents of the State and to visitors from other States.

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¹ Area under Federal administration June 1938.

² Recreational area developed as part of larger project.

³ Statement March 1939.