Niagara Falls post-1905

In 1905 Frederick Law Olmsted Jr. received an urgent letter from the American Civic Association requesting support in saving Niagara Falls from the encroaching power companies. He replied “The large and complex question as to what treatment of Niagara would serve the highest interests of the people I do not pretend to answer…I am inclined to the belief that it would call neither for the entire disuse of the water power nor for its maximum economic use.” [FLO Jr. to William H. Taft_09-11-1906_ LOC-OAR-B_03330-im.26] The Olmsted Brothers prepared plans in 1906 and 1916 for the Niagara Falls Park Commission, none of which were followed, proposing ornamental squares, playground parks, large parks, reservations, and parkways.