Clawson

• A resource is a concept

– it reflects modification to reflect the needs and wants of society

– we fit the eventual resource to our needs and wants (social image)

– The resource may not change necessarily but the vision surrounding it could

• (image of cemeteries over time)

• Natural Base Resources– Left, as much as possible, as is

– Changes for observation and/or preservation

– not market oriented in sense of location unless mobile - (dinosaur remnants)

• Human-Base Resources– Cultural significance, possible enhanced by the natural

environment

– Could be mobile - possibility of market orientation

• Synthetic Resources– No ‘distinctive’ properties

– Major factors are market considerations

• All this possible linked to our park system

– National parks oriented to resources

– Parks oriented to historical/cultural developments

– Urban parks that are synthetic (Eglinton and Duplex)

ClawsonPark Classification

1 Resource-Based Parks

– Emphasis is normally on the natural qualities of the environment than on activities (Gunn)

– Location (to an extent) is not a consideration

– These parks tend to be fairly large (protection aspect)

– Normally associated with the National System

– Have (because of past history) unique, natural characteristics (Yellowstone, Banff)

– Vacation (tourist) oriented

2 Intermediate Parks

– A combination of resource base and market considerations

– normally a maximum of 2 hrs. drive from the major market (150 K)

– Parks still fairly large and the emphasis is still on the natural qualities of the site

– But - greater degree of facility development (because of the market)

– General link to the Provincial Park system

– Stress on general outdoor activity - therefore high modification

– Water-based activities are the most popular in the province so as would be expected - developed beach sites and swimming and boating facilities

• Link to Human and Synthetic Base - (‘nature trails can be cut through old farmers fields)

• User-oriented Parks

– Typified by local municipal or conservation parks

– Emphasis on user and access (one-half hour travel)

– Variance ins size (parkettes at the lower end) and the landscape is less important

– Find exceptions and combinations - High Park is a good example• Local users and travellers• Environment important but high facility development• Ice rinks for example

– Concentration on human-created facilities and supervised activities

– Intensive usage, level, sculpted, well-drained land and synthetic development

• Gunn - consideration of environmental content but concerns for human and synthetic resources

• Clawson - factor or location though exceptions abound (Stanley Park in Vancouver)

• Link to

– Purposes of a park system

– Satisfaction of varying demands (seminar)

Why Parks?1 Population Change and Demand

• Early in our history - no demand for wilderness. It was next door– highly rural population, smaller urban areas

• Problem is the growth of cities (in-migration and natural increase)– Proof in the records (1840’s, 50’s) where open space

(cemeteries) are utilized for outings

• Emphasis on urban parks– commons, parks, plazas

• Need for larger ‘green’ areas - regional parks– picnic sites then the protection (display) of species

• Concept of Reserves– Yosemite is the 1st in California (1862) - purpose of

protection (giant sequoias)– Emphasis on vista (image) - non-urban

El Capitan

Forests of Yosemite

2 Economic Values

• Railways as they pushed west ran lines through areas with very low population– one way traffic (provision of goods)

– The attraction of mountains, rivers - and hot springsSolution - Tourists

• 1883 - hot Springs were discovered near Banff

• 1884 - ownership squabbles between railway workers and the Railways

• 1885 - The Canadian Government declares Banff as a Reserve– About 26 Sq. K (now 6,641 sq. K)

Hot Springs as they are today (44 C)

Need for access, hotels and ancillary services

Advantage of tourism, employment (though seasonal), land taxes

• Protection Aspect

• Again an American concept imported into Canada– Link to the concept of the Frontier

• Based on romantic and aesthetic grounds rather than any scientific basis or exploration of environmental systems– Base for future problems

• Link to Marsh Physical Geography as Modified by Human Action– Massive changes in environments based on human action

• Practical aspect in that game animals were becoming scarcer– Teddy Roosevelt a hunter– Disappearance of Passenger Pigeon and Buffalo

• Reports of unique environments

• Yellowstone– Roosevelt persuaded to visit and hunt

• 1872 establishment of the first national park in the world - Yellowstone– still allow for hunting and trapping– illusion of preservation of frontier

• Parks - – Preservation vs Economic Gains– services for an Urban Population