A primary purpose of our forests, our parks and our recreation
areas of course is to provide our Maryland citizens with the facilities
they need for health-giving recreation and enjoyment. There is another
reason for stimulating interest in recreation, a reason which is im-
portant both socially and economically. Maryland during the past
few years has developed an acute awareness of the importance of
tourism in its economy. Each year more and more tourists visit our
State, spending their money with us and helping to increase the income
of our people.

An example of the popularity of our State with out-of-state mo-
torists is to be found in the record that was kept last year for the
recreation area in Cedarville State Forest, situated on U. S. Route 301
in Southern Maryland. This area has become a favorite stopping point
for tourists throughout the country, and throughout the world, who
visit our nation's capital. Last year, Cedarville had campers from 43
states and the District of Columbia, along with tourists from four
foreign countries—Canada, Germany, Sweden and England.

The increase in tourism and the heightened awareness on the part
of our own citizens in the State's recreational facilities are most en-
couraging. During the 12 years which have passed since the first
Governor's Conference on Recreation and Parks was held, Maryland
has done its utmost to provide adequate parks and outdoor areas to
fill the needs of its citizens and its visitors. We have tried—and I think
we have been successful—to improve existing facilities and to acquire
new ones. We have given whatever practical assistance we could to all
phases of our park and recreational program.

Government at the country and local level has joined with your
State government in an effort to improve these recreational services.
A recreation specialist in the Department of Forests and Parks spends
his full time in assisting the political subdivisions to establish recrea-
tional areas. Dorchester County, which has been trying with great
success to improve its economy at attracting new industrial plants.

As most of you know, I have reappointed a committee which is study-
ing and preparing a master plan for the acquisition and development
of parks and recreational areas. It is on the basis of its recommenda-
tions that state parks and recreational areas are being expanded and
improved. The budget which I submitted, and which the General
Assembly approved at its recent session, provided substantial allot-

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