§tat£ of (Cmmrrtiritt PUBLIC DOCUMENT NO. 60 TWELFTH BIENNIAL REPORT OF THE CONNECTICUT STATE PARKS AND FORESTS For the Fiscal Years July 1, 1934 to June 30, 1936 VISTA ON THE GBEENWOODS ROAD, PEOPLES FOREST §tat£ of Camrerifcixt PUBLIC DOCUMENT NO. 60 TWELFTH BIENNIAL REPORT OF THE STATE PARK AND FOREST COMMISSION TO THE GOVERNOR For the Fiscal Term ended June 30, 1936 PRINTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH STATUTE HARTFORD PUBLISHED BY THE STATE 1936 PUBLICATION APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF FINANCE AND CONTROL THE PEIPER PRESS, INC. WALLINGFORD, CONN Hartford, Connecticut, December 24, 1936 To His Excellency, WILBUR L. CROSS, Governor of the State of Connecticut. In accordance with Chapter 114, Revised Statutes of 1930, and on behalf of the Commissioners appointed under such statute, I have the honor to submit for your consideration the biennial report of the State Park and Forest Commission for the two years ended June 30, 1936, including the report of the State Forester for the same period. LUCIUS F. ROBINSON, Chairman of the Commission. CONNECTICUT STATE PARK AND FOREST COMMISSIONERS Appointed by the Governor Lucius F. Robinson, Hartford, Term ends Sept. 1, 1937 Harris Whittemore, Naugatuck Term ends Sept. 1, 1937 Arthur L. Peale, Norwich, Term ends Sept. 1, 1939 Dwight C. Wheeler, Bridgeport, Term ends Sept. 1, 1939 Herman H. Chapman, New Haven, Term ends Sept. 1, 1941 Edward H. Wilkins, Cobalt, Term ends Sept. 1, 1941 Ex-officio Walter 0. Filley, New Haven, Forester, C.A.E. Station Officers, June 30, 1936 Chairman, Lucius F. Robinson Vice-Chairman, Edward H. Wilkins Treasurer, Walter 0. Filley Secretary, Albert M. Turner Office, 165 Capitol Ave., P. 0. Drawer 1558, Hartford, Conn. CONTENTS Page Report of the Commissioners 8 State Parks Field Secretary 11 General Superintendent 22 Treasurer 34 Shade Tree Inspector 32 Indian Tribes " 29 Statutes concerning State Parks and the State Park and Forest Commission 41 Report of the State' Forester Introduction and Forests and Economic Conditions 50 Personnel and Educational Work 53 Control and Prevention of Forest Fires 55 Federal Aid to Forestry 61 Acquisition and Survey of State Forests 67 State Forest Improvement 69 Forest Research .79 Forests and Scenic Beauty of Connecticut and Forest Recrea- tion 83 Private Forestry and Forest Taxation 87 Financial Statements 89 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS To His Excellency, WILBUR L. CROSS, Governor of the State of Connecticut. This is the twelfth biennial report of the Park and Forest Commisson. The period covered adds two more years to an amazing record of state park use. For the calendar year 1929, the record shows 1,091,000 visitors- for 1932, the figure is 2,071,000; and for 1936, it is 2,480,000. This is an increase of over 125 per cent in seven depression years. Can these figures be interpreted otherwise than as indicating popular support for the state park program? We think not. This increased attendance may be partly attributed to the opening up of new parks at Rocky Neck and Sherwood Island in 1932 but in neither case has the Commission been able to provide more than absolutely necessary facilities. In fact, the attendance figures for other parks have continued to grow in spite of inadequate facilities, insufficient maintenance, and general depreciation in buildings and equipment. Frequent criticism and dissatisfaction by the public could only be met with a plain statement of the fact that no funds-were available for further development or more adequate maintenance. During the entire period, funds for recurring expenses have been quite inadequate to meet the needs of increasing park use. In each of the past four fiscal years it has been necessary to request the transfer of sorely needed equipment funds for maintenance use. The General Assembly of 1935 also granted a deficiency appropriation of $23,000 to meet maintenance needs for that current fiscal year, and the Board of Finance and Control added $16,000 for the same purpose in the following fiscal year. For the year ending June 30, 1937, we have made all possible economies, even to laying off regular employees during the winter months and leaving undone much regular maintenance and repair work, but we are now facing an accumulated deficit of $40,000 which must be laid before the General Assembly for action early in its session. Nearly $7,000 of this amount represents the replacement of water mains at Hammonasset Beach which was authorized by the Board of Finance and Control as an emergency measure. Our proposed budget of $283,290 per year for recurring expenses during the fiscal period 1937-1939 is based on, and we believe justified by, an increasing use of the state parks which has not yet reached its peak. As to capital outlay, the state park program has been at a virtual standstill for a period of four years except for such development projects as could be carried on entirely with Federal funds. Many proposed projects were refused Federal aid because state funds were not available for necessary acquisition of land or purchase of materials. Since 1932, the Commission has foregone many opportunities for advantageous purchase of land owing to lack of appropriation for the purpose. 9 REPORT OF STATE PARK AND FOREST COMMISSION In view of the evident popularity of the state parks and the possi- bilities for increasing their usefulness by extension and development, the Commission has submitted a capital outlay budget of $490,000 per year for the ensuing fiscal period. This is based on a four year program for the development of existing parks which would require two million dollars to complete. Through this program, the much discussed shore park at Sherwood Island could be established on a scale adequate to meet the needs of Fairfield County and the western part of the state. About one-half of the entire amount would be required for this purpose. However, judging by our past experience in securing appropriations for capital outlay, such a program could not be undertaken and carried to completion unless funds for the entire four year period were assured. We are, therefore, again suggesting a bond issue as the most practical method of providing adequate funds for acquisition and development of state parks. If the State is justified in issuing bonds for any purpose, it surely is when the preservation of recreational areas for the use of future genera- tions is involved. The land is a permanent acquisition, the value of which will become greater as the population of the state increases. It is no more than right, therefore, that the cost should be spread over a period of years. Following is a summary of our budget for 1937-1939 as submitted to the Board of Finance and Control: State Forester $159,440 State Forest Fire Warden 116,000 State Park Maintenance 566,580 State Park Capital Outlay 980,000 Total $1,822,020 The biennial report of the state forester is submitted herewith. It tells an interesting story of accomplishments on the state forests with the aid of the Civilian Conservation Corps. It also sets forth in some detail the desirability of acquiring more land for state forest purposes. Such permanent acquisitions will also benefit future generations and may well be provided for through a bond issue. Much information regarding the park activities of the biennium will be found in the reports of the secretary, general superintendent and shade tree inspector. Especially noteworthy are the recent gifts of land at Sleeping Giant, Lamentation Mountain and Talcott Mountain; also the acquisition of a considerable tract at Dennis Hill, Norfolk, as a legacy from the late Dr. F. S. Dennis. The acceptance of these gifts involves a moral obligation to make them available for public use. In the case of Dennis Hill, a considerable sum for development will be required. The new enclosed shelter at Rocky Neck, built by Federal aid and presented to the State, is another type of gift. The sales service for which it is equipped will eventually reduce the record cost per capita 10 REPORT OF STATE PARK AND FOREST COMMISSION of park operation for this unit of the system. It will as a matter of course increase the demand on the revolving fund set up by the General Assembly of 1931 for financing sales and service activities on the State Parks. This amount has been sufficient to carry those already in operation, but should be increased to $50,000 by the present Assembly in view of the expansion in prospect entailed by this building. It is with sincere regret that we record the resignation of John E. Calhoun as a member of this Commission in January 1935. He was first appointed by Governor Baldwin for a term of two years from September 1, 1913 in accordance with the act creating the State Park Commission, and was reappointed four times for a total continuous service of more than twenty-one years. His active participation in meetings and keen interest in the growth of the state park system has been a source of inspiration to his fellow commissioners throughout the years. As an emeritus member, his advice and counsel will still be available to the cause he has served so long and well. Your Excellency's appointment of Dwight C. Wheeler to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Commissioner Calhoun was approved by the Senate and Commissioner Wheeler met with us for the first time in May, 1935. Bespectfully submitted, LUCIUS F. ROBINSON, Chairman Herman H. Chapman Dwight C. Wheeler Edward H. Wilkins Arthur L. Peale Harris Whittemore Walter O. Filley State Park and Forest Commissioners REPORT OF THE FIELD SECRETARY To the State Park and Forest Commission, Gentlemen: Your work for the past four years has been almost halted, not only in capital outlay but in reduced allowance for maintenance in proportion to increasing use of the active parks.