In 1940, the Department of Parks and Boulevards was merged with the Department of Recreation to aid “economy and efficiency.” The new Department inherited 4,162 acres  of land in 138 locations:

• 38 parks
• 56 parkways, boulevards, etc.
• 25 plagrounds
• 10 playfields
• 3 community centers
• 2 utility sites
• 1 summer camp

In 1946, the new Department added an additional 1,005 acres with plans for an additional 269 acres at 41 sites to bring the grand total by 1950 to 5,521 acres.