The recent efforts of the National Park Service to assess the quality of their design programs through a comprehensive evaluation of twelve visitor centers are detailed. Overall findings provide strong support for the design programs employed by the National Park Service. (BT)

Current National Parks Service's design policy is summarized and the manner in which this policy produces national park transportation, planning, visitor center siting, architecture, preservation, and exhibits, is detailed. Organizations lobbying for better parks are listed. (BT)

Increased crowding in wilderness areas and in the National Parks is discussed. Wilderness management, patterns of use, use density related to crowding, and possible solutions are detailed. (BT)

Current problems within the national parks are detailed and the author determines the crux of the problems to be the inability of the National Park Service to control concessionnaires and resist pressure from natural resource developers. Changes in future national parks policy stressing more planning are advocated. (BT)

For years, American riverfronts have been shaped by the shippers and merchants who used them. Now, when more, easily accessible space is needed for living and leisure activities, developers in Memphis, Austin, and Los Angeles are beginning to look once again to the riverfront for a solution. (MA)