Parks for America

Cover

Contents

Foreword

Summary

Findings and Recommendations

Planning Elements

Parks for America

Lake Metigoshe and the Turtle Mountains area form an important recreation resource for North Dakota. (W. P. SEBENS. NORTH DAKOTA STATE SOIL CONSERVATION COMMITTEE.)

NORTH DAKOTA

NORTH DAKOTA is a land of broad vistas and majestic sunsets. To the north and east are numerous potholes and shallow lakes ideal for production of waterfowl; to the west, the Badlands of the Little Missouri.

The population is expected to increase modestly from 632,000 in 1960 to 695,000 by 1976. The 1960 population averaged nine per square mile, with 35 percent of the people living in urban areas. Agriculture is the chief industry. The parks and recreation areas have not been developed to attract tourists.

The State is served by a good highway system that provides access to all existing recreation areas. Interstate 94, east-west, and Interstate 29, north-south, will facilitate travel to recreation areas, which are long distances from centers of population.

Outstanding natural attractions are the Badlands, Turtle Mountains, Killdeer Mountains, and Pembina and Sheyenne River Valleys. Garrison, Oahe, Lake Ashtabula, Heart Butte, Dickenson, and other smaller reservoirs are important new recreation resources. Excellent duck and goose hunting is available during favorable years. Upland game birds, including native grouse, Hungarian partridge, and ring-necked pheasant, are common in many localities. The climate is typical of the Great Plains—long, cold winters and rather hot summers.

There are many archeologic and historic sites associated with Indian prehistory, the Lewis and Clark expedition, the fur trade, and military posts of the 1857-80 period. Fort Union possesses exceptional value and is eligible for Registered National Historic Landmark status.

Pronghorns race across North Dakota's plains. (SHIN KOGAMA, NORTH DAKOTA GAME AND FISH DEPARTMENT.)

EXISTING PUBLIC AREAS

NATIONAL: The National Park Service administers the Theodore Roosevelt National Memorial Park of 70,374 acres which had an attendance of 223,188 in 1960. The Forest Service administers a monument area of 60 acres, plus additional land utilization lands. The Corps of Engineers administers one reservoir of 483,000 acres, There are 63 national wildlife and game refuges administered by the Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife and totaling 276,449 acres.

STATE: The North Dakota State Historical Society administers 6 parks, with a total of 3,573 acres; 7 recreation areas, 462 acres; and 53 monuments, 1,102 acres. The 1960 attendance was 375,000. The North Dakota Game and Fish Department administers 53 areas totaling 44,269 acres. One is a recreation area of 10,750 acres. There are 21 rest stops and 21 picnic areas under the North Dakota Highway Department.

LOCAL: There are five major local recreation areas totaling 16,279 acres.

PRIVATE ENTERPRISE: Private enterprise plays a minor role in providing recreation opportunities. Devils Lake and Garrison Reservoir provide opportunities for private investment in recreational facilities.

PARK AND RELATED NEEDS

The present State park system needs further development and expansion to include more natural areas. Potential State areas identified in this plan would meet this need. The larger cities require expanded park systems to compensate for the lack of nearby natural recreation resources.

Ducks in flight, a glimpse of North Dakota's recreational hunting resources. (NORTH DAKOTA GAME & FISH DEPARTMENT.)

RECOMMENDATIONS

Existing recreation resources and many potential areas are shown on the accompanying tabulation and map. The following recommendations are offered to help provide needed outdoor recreation opportunity in North Dakota. Their success will depend in large measure on prompt and effective action by the agencies concerned.

STATE: Expansion of the State park system to protect valuable resources in four potential parks and one recreation area, and further consideration of adding one other park and five historic monuments. Designation and protection for one scenic road and further study of another. Consideration of designating and protecting two canoe trails.

Supporting recommendations include—

1. An effort through various means to preserve the remaining forest resource of the Turtle Mountains. Fifteen thousand to 20,000 acres are suggested for inclusion in a cooperatively managed scenic pre serve in both public and private ownership.

2. Development and expansion of city park systems to the fullest extent possible.

3. Additional funds are needed for capital improvements and maintenance of the International Peace Garden.

4. There is a need to resolve the conflict between preservation and drainage of potholes and wetlands.

(Table omitted from online edition)

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Last Modified: Mon, Sep 6 2004 10:00:00 pm PDT
parks_america/north_dakota.htm