COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, Richmond, June 18, 1964. Hon. GAYLORD NELSON, U.S. Senate, Washington, D.C. DEAR SENATOR NELSON: In response to your inquiry of May 29, I am giving you an estimate of the labor that might constructively be employed in (1) State forests (2) State parks (3) Private lands in seven economically depressed counties of southwest Virginia. These are the combined estimates of State Forester George W. Dean and Park Commissioner Ben H. Bolen who received inquiries similar to the one you directed to me. Obviously these are very crude estimates that would be subject to wide variation depending upon the administrative policies under which the program might operate. Sincerely yours, M. M. SUTHERLAND. FAIRFAX COUNTY PARK AUTHORITY, Senator GAYLORD NELSON, Washington, D.C. DEAR SENATOR NELSON: I was pleased to receive your letter of May 29, 1964, requesting information pertaining to the possibility of funds being provided to utilize unemployed workers for conservation projects. The Fairfax County Park Authority and the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority both are young organizations with very limited budgets; however, we have been acquiring land over the past 2 years for parks and could provide a great deal of work in the area of clearing and cleaning wooded sites for picnic facilities, etc. This type of work would not require extensive new preparation but would be very beneficial to northern Virginia, making some of our presently owned lands available to the public. Specific problems would be: (a) Land clearing; (b) Landscaping, such as grading and seeding; (c) Minor constructions, small shelters, camp areas, picnic tables, etc. ; (d) Construction of trails and park roads; and (e) Miscellaneous work needed to maintain areas that are already being used by the public. All of the items listed above would require a certain amount of planning and engineering but could be kept to a minimum. With the reference to the number of man-years that might be usefully undertaken in the immediate future, it is difficult at this time to break it down this fine, but I do feel that both the Fairfax County Park Authority and the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority could keep 25 to 50 men gainfully employed in worthwhile projects. The problem of supervision would be the most critical in that the market for trained park personnel is very limited. Although I represent a small organization, I am sure that the rest of my colleageus in the park profession would find a source of funds such as you are proposing most welcome as we are all trying to provide more recreational facilities to meet the growing needs and demands of the citizens. Yours sincerely, Hon. GAYLORD NELSON, U.S. Senator, Washington, D.C. JOE BROWN, Director of Parks. CITY OF NORFOLK, Virginia, July 20, 1964. DEAR SENATOR NELSON: In reply to your letter of June 12, 1964, regarding the utilization of unemployed workers on conservation projects such as park development, I am attaching letters from the superintendents of parks and forestry and cemeteries, giving the information requested. Also attached is a copy of a letter written to you by the director of our Norfolk Botanical Gardens, Mr. Frederic Heutte, which you have already received. Yours very truly, D. PAUL DECKER, Director, Department of Parks and Recreation. CITY OF NORFOLK, July 13, 1964. To: Mr. D. Paul Decker, director department of parks and recreation. Subject: Federal funds for unemployed to develop parks; U.S. Senator Gaylord There is one area that could be considered for this program. Stumpy Lake area of approximately 1,100 acres. To develop 500 acres of this property into a complete recreation area would give work to approximately 75 men for 5 years. This, of course, would vary with the kind and amount of equipment made available for the project. I believe this area could be developed into one of the finest parks we have for recreation, with tennis courts, picnic areas, ball fields, camping sites, buildings for indoor recreation, concession stand, and rest rooms. There, of course, would have to be a fee paid by the users so the park would be self supporting when completed. If a large ditch or canal is cut on the south side of the golf course to drain water to the east and west, it would improve the drainage problem on the course. NOTE. Number of man-years indicated above is 375. Respectfully, OCIE A. BARNES, Superintendent, Bureau of Parks and Forestry. CITY OF NORFOLK, July 17, 1964. To: Mr. D. Paul Decker, director of parks and recreation. DEAR SIR: As mentioned in a previous letter concerning the Youth Corps we have about 20 acres of scrub woods that could be cleared of underbrush and the old stumps removed. To clear this woods it is estimated it would take five men 1 year. Respectfully yours, W. L. BRADSHAW. NORFOLK BOTANICAL GARDEN, Hon. GAYLORD NELSON, DEAR MR. NELSON: As director of the Norfolk Botanical Garden, I am definitely interested in your proposed legislation to provide funds to Federal, State, county, and municipal agencies to utilize unemployed workers on the various phases indicated in your letter. My direct responsibility here in the developing of the Norfolk Botanical Gardens is spread over no less than 500 acres, of which we have developed to date about 150. The kind of land improvement we envision is mainly along horticultural endeavors, including a wildlife and flower preserve-most of which can utilize hand labor and skills. I would estimate that, given the opportunity, we could use at least 50 men over the next 10 years, or 500 man-years. We are well equipped to carry on an educational program along those lines simultaneously, and I am enclosing brochures and information that may help to emphasize this fact. We have applied to date for a practical gardening 2-year training school program under the U.S. Vocational Educational Act, awaiting the pending appropriations. So we will be delighted to provide a means to further your wonderful program. Sincerely, FREDERIC HEUTTE, Director. CITY OF DANVILLE, VA., July 1, 1964. Re utilization of unemployed workers on conservation projects. U.S. Senate, Washington, D.C.: If funds were available, the City of Danville Parks & Recreation Department would be able to utilize a number of workers in our program. At the present time, I have several tracts of park land that nothing has been done to because we do not have sufficient funds to employ additional laborers to clear underbrush, thin timber, and other manual tasks that must be accomplished prior to development. Any timber that has to be cut is sawed into lumber. These workers could build bridges over streams and ravines for our nature trails and bridle paths. We could use these workers in roadside beautification and improvement. We have several areas we are presently working on; however, we do not have enough man-hours to do the job. We could work these men in our regular schedule. Most of the planning has been done for many of our pending projects-three park sites, 134 acres, and six roadside parks. I am currently working on these projects when we can pull a crew from routine maintenance. Most of the work must be done during the winter months this way. I would have sufficient equipment and supervising personnel to utilize 25 to 30 man-years of work at this time. The City of Danville Parks & Recreation Department would like to have the opportunity to participate in such a program. W. H. LUTHER, Director, Parks & Recreation Department. Hon. GAYLORD NELSON, DEPARTMENT OF RECREATION & PARKS, DEAR SENATOR NELSON: I regret to inform you that I am not in a position to speak for the city of Newport News concerning use of unemployed workers on various projects. Speaking strictly for myself, however, I would say that I am sure that many cities, counties, etc., would be interested in this type program, especially where development of parks and recreation areas could be accomplished. We are currently trying to develop an 8,000-acre watershed area for parks and recreation in Newport News, through the use of city prison farm laborers and public works crews, whenever they are available. A project with this scope would take a number of years to accomplish with our present forces. As a comment, I would say that the immediate reaction of many local authorities to the word "unemployed" workers means "riffraff" and I am certain that this should be carefully handled in order to keep these authorities from being afraid of this program. The economy of our locality has been very good and, consequently, most of the unemployed in this area are not interested in work. Again speaking strictly for myself, I think there would be a sufficient number of projects within the city of Newport News to utilize a large group of these workers over a period of from 3 to 5 years, just in recreation park and beach development. I, also, feel that this work could be done without etensive new preparation. Our biggest problem would be in providing supervisors who would be well enough acquainted with the proposed plans that they could direct these crews. I hope that this information will prove to be of some value to you and, if it is at all possible, would you please keep me informed as to the progress of this program? Please feel free to call upon me again. Hon. GAYLORD NELSON, U.S. Senate, Washington, D.C. HARRY D. KNIGHT, Director. DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION, DEAR SENATOR: This will acknowledge your letter of June 12, 1964. I operate the parks and recreation department for the city of Winchester, Va. We have approximately 221 acres of land that is being utilized quite extensively in the playing of all types of ball, picnic areas, picnic shelters, small swimming facilities, scouting, utilized by senior citizens and teenage club, outdoor play courts and a National Guard armory located in our park as well as war memorial building, that serves as a community center. There are areas in our park that are undeveloped, where extra workers would certainly be welcomed to speed up development so that areas could be utilized more readily. One area I have in mind would serve greatly in scouting locally and for Scout troops passing through. I am familiar with the need of park development in Frederick County, Va., and I certainly feel that funds to take care of unemployed workers in the development of wholesome recreation and park facilities would be money well spent. It would be quite difficult to estimate the man-years of work needed to develop well-rounded facilities, without some sort of survey. I have been in park and recreation work for 12 years and from actual experience I believe the field of recreation and development of park facilities (to be used by the general public) is one of our greatest ways for preparing youth to handle many situations for the future, and to satisfy young adults, adults, and senior citizens, and to make their lives a little more enjoyable. I sincerely hope that I have been of some help with this letter. If I can be of any further help I would be more than glad to do so. DEAR SENATOR NELSON: I am indeed glad to learn that you are drafting legislation to provide funds to Federal, State, county, and municipal agencies for unemployed workers to be working on park development and roadside improvement. If funds were available, we in the Department of Parks and Recreation of the City of Harrisonburg, Va., could put a number of workers on a new park site which is in development. This park site consists of approximately 100 acres and probably will be 5 man-years of work. Please keep in touch with me as the State of Virginia has just appointed a 15-man study commission to study recreation and park sites in the State of Virginia and I have had the privilege of being asked to serve on this commission. Sincerely, CECIL F. GILKERSON, Director. WASHINGTON RESPONSES WASHINGTON STATE POLLUTION CONTROL COMMISSION, Hon. GAYLORD NELSON, Washington, D.C. DEAR SENATOR NELSON: I have given considerable thought to your letter of June 3 regarding utilization of unemployed workers, and at the present time am unable to visualize where this agency could utilize to any advantage any substantial number of unemployed people. We could use a limited number, not to exceed 10, provided they had sufficient technical background to fit into our program. We do not have any on our field staff who are not engineers, biologists, or chemists, nor do we have any substantial requirement for people who are not technically trained. Usually technically trained people are not numerous among the unemployed workers. Your plan to provide Federal funds to utilize unemployed workers on park development and other conservation projects is, I believe, highly desirable and I wish you success in developing this idea. Very truly yours, ROY M. HARRIS, Director. WASHINGTON STATE PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION, Mr. GAYLORD NELSON, Washington, D.C. DEAR SENATOR NELSON: In regard to your request for information on the possible utilization of unemployed workers, please be advised that since 1962 we have been engaged in a program utilizing welfare recipients. As of this date we have used a total of 49,398 man-hours. We find the program highly successful and have accomplished many worthwhile projects that ordinarily would not be accomplished with our present limited budget. An agreement has been reached with the State department of public assistance whereas we will adhere to the following regulations: 1. All welfare recipients working on projects will be under immediate park personnel supervision. 2. Adequate first aid equipment will be on hand at all times. 3. Welfare recipients working on projects will do only projects that ordinarily would not be done by contract or by park personnel. 4. Welfare recipients will only be used on projects during the off season when they can be given adequate supervision by permanent park personnel. Problem areas: 1. Lack of transportation for the welfare recipient from nearby cities to the park project. 2. Lack of finances to furnish proper work gear such as boots and rain gear, and many of the workers normally do not have such gear. 3. A continuous turnover of welfare workers; the average recipient worked no more than 6 days per month, making it almost impossible to set up any training program for them. This last season, ending May 1964, we utilized 28,312 man-hours. It is estimated that we could use an addition 70,000 hours in areas where there is a dire |