park acquisition and development. We are employing a consultant
of national reputation to prepare the plan for submission to the Leg-
islative Council next fall. It is our hope that the plan will embrace
a program setting forth the needs for the next decade or so and will
give us a basis on which to build an extensive park and recreation
program.

Maryland is very fortunate in being situated geographically in the
center of the great population belt, with an abundance of opportun-
ity for industrial development. With the economic growth that may
be expected in these circumstances will arise a growing need for the
acquisition and development of more parks and recreational areas.
There is every reason to believe that the population of Maryland will
continue to grow by leaps and bounds for the next several years. This
will create many problems for us, particularly in the metropolitan
areas surrounding Baltimore and Washington. Moreover, new metro-
politan areas undoubtedly will develop around such cities as Freder-
ick, Hagerstown and Salisbury, requiring many day-use facilities for
the recreational needs of families.

Recognition of our responsibilities in this area is to be noted in
the capital improvement budget approved at the recent session of the
General Assembly. Capital appropriations totaling $2, 325, 400 are pro-
vided in that budget for land acquisition and for development of the
land already acquired. Included in this capital program are $1, 375, -
400 additional funds for land acquisition in the Gunpowder River
struction of roads in Elk Neck State Park; $150, 000 to acquire land
Valley State Park; $146, 000 for the purchase of land and the con-
in Seneca Creek State Park; $160, 000 to buy land in the Susquehanna
State Park, and smaller sums for numerous other projects. It was a
pleasure to me to recommend these increased appropriations for a
service so vital to the lives of our people now and to future genera-
tions.

I congratulate all of you here for the interest you are displaying in
promoting a sound recreational program for the health and enjoy-
ment of the people of our State. I hope all of you will leave this
conference with renewed inspiration to continue your good work of
improving the quantity of outdoor recreational resources to the spir-
itual, cultural and physical betterment of all of us.

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