Anatomy Of A Park

This book is of interest to all in the parks and recreation field. The author, Albert J. Rutledge, is Associate Professor of Landscape Architecture, University of Illinois. McGraw-Hill published the book.

One million acres, approximately the equivalent of the state of Rhode Island, are bulldozed each year in the United States, according to Albert J. Rutledge, author of "Anatomy of a Park," recently published by McGraw-Hill Book Company.

"We are witnessing a competition for land unparalleled in history: land for the subdivision, factory, school, shopping center, golf course, bridle trail and an infinite number of other needs. In the search for acreage, vested interests are militantly striving to outfox others in order to gather in their required land area."

While land is rapidly becoming scarcer, the nation's demand for recreation areas and activities has boomed. Millions swarm through the nation's parks, and their numbers grow each year.

Wise land-use judgments and good design are critically needed at such a time, Rutledge says. The responsibility for planning and developing play and leisure areas has traditionally fallen upon three different groups of people: professional landscape designers, park or recreation administrators, and the taxpaying public.

Unfortunately, these three groups have seldom communicated or collaborated with one another, Rutledge says. "Anatomy of a Park," which the author describes as a "non-technical technical book," is designed to bridge the gap between these groups who cooperatively could bring about a much-needed improvement in our environment for leisure.

The book is addressed to "lay members of park boards, park directors and superintendents, recreation leaders, faculty and students in university park management programs, and the citizenry at large.

"You are all the ones directly affected by what a designer proposes for development of your park lands: you live with the results.

"As a taxpayer, should you not expect highest quality in your parks? Yet how often have you accepted dull playgrounds, unsafe swimming pools, or forested areas which have the intrigue trampled out of them the week they are opened?" Rutledge asks.

Much of this can be traced to design—or lack of it, Rutledge says. Good design can produce a park that is physically, mentally and aesthetically satisfying. Proper design can eliminate maintenance problems such as erosion, poor drainage, and endless trimming of little corners and overgrown areas. Good design can even minimize the possibility of vandalism.

Above all, a park must be for people, Rutledge says. The success of a design should not be measured by how well it meets the demands of machines and equipment or how it simplifies administrative paperwork, but how well it fits the needs of the different people who will use it, whether they are passive spectators or active participants.

Rutledge has been a member of the U. of I. faculty since 1962. Before that, he served six years as landscape architect with the National Park Service, Washington, D. C.

Illustrations for "Anatomy of a Park" are by Donald J. Molnar, landscape architect with the office of campus planning at the U. of I.

Illinois Parks and Recreation 21 November/December, 1971