PRESERVATION OF NATURAL BEAUTY
by
Robert Coates.

The preservation of the works of nature is one of the rules to be observed in all construction work in the National Parks. Mesa Verde was set aside as a National Park to preserve the antiquities of man. Its natural beauties, however, cannot be overlooked. The scenic entrance drive and the drives to the various ruins have been constructed to display this beauty as well as the cliff dwellings. Graceful curves and easy grades on the drives permit full enjoyment of the scenery for all occupants of the cars. When new roads are located, they are not cut ruthlessly through the timber. Such an act would leave ugly scars and blemishes on the landscape. Wherever possible every tree and bush is preserved.

New road construction necessarily leaves the old route quite plainly marked. A log or a few boulders across these old roads would close them to traffic. Such a scheme does not fit into the main objective. A more aesthetic plan is being followed at Mesa Verde. Using native plant materials such as the pinon, juniper, serviceberry, mountain mahogony, sage brush, yucca, cactus and numerous other native woody and herbaceous plants, these old roads are screened from the new drives. All material used is obtained from the site of the new road. If it were not for this usage it would be destroyed. When this screen planting is completed, it will be somewhat difficult for the uninitiated to distinguish between the work of man and that of nature.

Dry walls used for retaining purposes along the drives take on somewhat the character of the boulders that one finds strewn around the mesa. Walls of the above type in themselves have a rugged beauty. Work does not stop however on completion of the wall, scrubby growth is always found making a struggle for existance in the crevices among the boulders. This again furnishes a model and we find planting being done in the crevices of the walls. The landscape work is not only done along the trail and drives, but around the buildings too.

The administration buildings are of an architecture quite in keeping with the cliff dwellings. These are further enhanced by giving them a setting among the trees and the addition of foundation planting. Interesting vistas of the buildings are created from all angles by this careful handling and framing with native plant materials.

All work is done under the supervision of a corps of skilled men, keeping ever foremost in their minds the preservation of natural beauty. This beauty is so apparent and gripping that visitors leave with a keener admiration for the works of nature and the most unique of all National Parks, the Mesa Verde.