For site planning work, it is best to have a qualified and experienced park planner to carry through the study. However, there is also much to be gained by making use of the abilities of the local people who are available and interested in recreation. County judges, commissioners, engineers, assessors, and others who have lived in the area for a long time may have valuable knowledge regarding the site or opinions to offer from their varied professional experiences. A visit to the site by a group of several persons can usually bring out new ideas or verify opinions most helpful to the planning study of any recreation area.

How much study is required? This, of course, depends on the character of the site itself, the previous experience of the investigator, and the number of factors needed to arrive at a good decision. It is too easy for the inexperienced person to make a quick judgment of a few values of the area and base a decision on these alone. Usually there are more factors to good site planning than first impressions. A site may be a rundown slum or a desolate piece of desert in appearance today but have excellent potentials for the future with a little development or water. The same is true of areas which at first look good because of a few existing recreation features but may actually be poor areas to develop for general public use.

In looking for the best sites available that meet the requirements, you need information to compare the site with others. You need answers to four important questions.