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