Show STATE PARK COMMISSION SEEKS FOR BROADER UTAH PARK EFFORT Utah's State Park and Recreation Commission will submit a budget request for tor 1967 1965 in a broadened effort to meet recreation pressures it was announced today Such a thoughtful investment in an expanded state park program can be 0 of of major importance to Utah the Commission report said addin adding g that state out visitors attracted by out outstanding out out- standing parks parka will bring fresh dollars to many communities Funds from the new Federal Bureau of Outdoor Recreation can be obtained on a matching basis to meet some of Utah's recreation growth needs the report stressed State Falling Behind While Utah has such advantages as a crossroads location location lakes mountains canyons and climate to make it a major year- year round vacationland the state will fall fail further and further behind behind behind be be- hind in the state multi-state competition for dollars unless fullest development of parklands is hastened the tho Commission statement declared Expenditures from July 1 1959 to June 30 1965 for purchase of parklands parkland parklands will have totalled with the major portion of the sum going for Wasatch Mountain State Park Just was spent for structures parking areas picnic fireplaces boating boating boating boat boat- ing facilities sanitary facilities and other developments in five years yean the noted Boating Funds Cited Of this sum was spent for boating areas since by law all aU funds accrued from boating boatin fees licenses and gasoline tax I rebates rebate must be spent solely on water recreation areas Expenditures for park development development development devel devel- other than boating areas totalled Total visits to all state parks for the 1962 1964 period were The State Park Commission has acquired 29 park areas through purchase or gift since the State Park System was established established es est in 1957 Major developments developments developments de- de were reported completed completed completed com com- or well under way in 21 of these areas Since the inception inception inception tion of the State Parks Park's Boating Division in 1959 1959 ten water recreation recreation recreation rec- rec t r areas have have been ac ac- acquired acquired with launching ramps marinas and facilities more than doubling their use Matching Funds Fund Available Pointing to the Federal Bureau Bureau Bureau Bur Bur- eau of Outdoor Recreation Land and Water Conservation Fund established during the past Congressional Congressional Congressional Con Con- gressional session the State Park and Recreation Commission Commission Commission Commis Commis- sion expressed ho hope e Utah will join other seeing far-seeing states in speedily availing availing f itself of these matching funds Most Moat other states state have well- well developed plans plana to utilize such funds while seventeen states have voted bond issues illustrating illustrating illustrating illus their willingness to foater foster foster fos fos- ter recreational development at atthe atthe atthe the price of indebtedness the report added As a result Utah has reached a crossroads in the field of recreation The recreation recreation recreation industry is the third largest largest largest larg larg- est in the nation and benefits each citizen directly or indirectly indirectly indirectly indi indi- so 80 thoughtful investment invest invest- ment state park in a program must be expanded the report urged The The Commission expressed thanks for vital assistance given r by the State Road Commission State Land Board many Coun Coun- County County County Coun- Coun ty Commissions and private citizens citizens citizens citi citi- zens in don donating ting time effort eUort and J funds to develop many park areas real J |