Dept. of Natural Resources, Division of Beaches and Parks

Agency History

The Dept. of Parks and Recreation was originally named the Dept. of Natural Resources when first created in 1927 by Chapter 128. The bill also allowed for a new Division of Parks to be established within the department. The Legislature introduced three more park-related bills that same year. Chapter 763 created the state's first State Park Commission with executive and administrative authority over the state park program. Chapter 764 provided for a survey of potential park areas for acquisition as state parks. Chapter 765 provided for the submission of a $6 million bond issue that would provide funds for state park acquisition purposes. According to Chapter 765, each dollar of state funds would have to be matched by funds or land from local or private sources before acquisition could proceed. Governor C. C. Young signed the bills in May 1927. The State Park Bond Act passed in the 1928 general election.

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