Henry Deihl

A Community Gets Invoved

by Henry Deihl, Commissioner

A few years ago, the question, "Who ever heard of Salt Creek Rural Park District?" was being asked by a number of new residents who found themselves living in the area.

Salt Creek was a small protective park district founded in 1959, encompassing approximately two square miles in three villages and, until urbanization engulfed it, serving a sparce amount of people.

The original founders of the park district jealously maintained that they wanted to be a separate entity and did not want to incorporate into any other park district, which may increase taxes.

In order to maintain their park identity and satisfy the increased demand for service the board of commissioners became active. In one year the park board, with total community support, has taken this non-viable rural protective and created a prosperous, dynamic little park district. Many factors were involved in this metamorphosis.

Park District uses hotel pool for swim lessons.

The first step was to secure the services of an attorney who had a good knowledge of park laws and codes, and to levy a 7-1/2¢ recreational tax. This gave funds to proceed with the new growth.

The second step was to hire a half-time professional. Seeing the great potential and need, within a year an experienced full-time professional director was hired.

The board's next step was to improve the image and make known the name of the Salt Creek Park District. Residents, known for their art ability and creativity, were contacted to design a new logo for Park District identity.

To maintain communications with the residents, the director published a newsletter every other month containing messages of interest concerning the park district, its development, and ways in which the residents could become actively involved.

A first class brochure explaining the activities of the future program was circulated in the district, on fringe areas of surrounding districts, and in other areas that were not in an existing park district, so that they too could be serviced.

Many different methods were used to supplement the limited facilities of the small park district. The board and the director worked closely with various business enterprises and agencies within the district.

An agreement with a local hotel and motor lodge to use their swimming facility during the off-times helped to create a very successful learn-to-swim and family night program. The usage of these pools afforded a unique opportunity to develop a year-round learn-to-swim program in a unique environment.

The Park District was able to use an area tennis, roller skating, and ice skating facility at a discount, and program skating lessons at a lesser rate in the off-times.

The district had a small functional building, previously used only by civic association meetings and local get-togethers. Since the building was empty 90% of the time, the park district instituted a pre-school program. This helped to make use of the building, provide a service, and generate additional revenues that could be used in other recreational programs.

A local business made space available at non-scheduled times for community special events, such as a Christmas party, a Halloween party, and a free film fest.

The district was able to use interns from the junior colleges outside their district to assist in their programs. They also worked with the Neighborhood Youth Commission to get additional assistance at a low cost.

Because of the ambitious development, the importance of money became more apparent to

EDITORS NOTE: Henry Clay Deihl, Jr. is a Commissioner of the Salt Creek Rural Park District and professor of recreation at Triton Junior College.

Illinois Parks and Recreation 6 May/June, 1973

Commissioner Dennis Schnell and wife help the park district with a summer special event.

the board of Commissioners. They set out aggressively to procur some assistance from larger enterprises within the district.

Since the tax rate was the lowest in the area, some of the enterprises were willing to help by donations to maintain a favorable tax position.

One organization agreed to purchase $20,000 of tax anticipation warrants for four years at the going interest rate and to reduce the debt by an equal dollar amount if any other organization or group within the district generated or donated any funds.

With that $20,000, two outdoor shelters were erected, water, lights and drainage tile installed, and landscaping and minor renovation of three parks were accomplished.

Within a short time, Salt Creek Rural Park District has come a long way. The board is aggressively looking forward to even more adventurous projects. These include recreational plans for a future water retention basin to be built within the district, plans for a small bond issue for additional improvement of the parks, application for a matching funds federal grant, and arrangements to work with neighboring park districts.

One of the most important steps to the success of Salt Creek's plans was the best utilization of the hidden talent that is available in the community.

One man spent countless hours researching the boundaries of

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Area park directors ond staff members of the Pekin Park District observe the presentation of a citation by the Illinois Association of Park Districts to Tim G. Soldwedel, veteran Pekin park board member for outstanding service to parks and recreation in Illinois. Shown l to r are Wes Dye, Memorial Arena manager; Virgil McGlothlin, Fonduloc Park District director; Gene Berghoff, Executive Vice President of IAPD; Bob Ems, Canton Park District director; Leon Peets, Pekin Park District recreation superintendent; Tim Soldwedel; Don Meinen, Pekin District director; Jack Fuller, Peoria Park District assistant director, and Ken Renfro, Pekin Park District business manager.

Illinois Parks and Recreation 7 May/June, 1973

A COMMUNITY GETS INVOLVED . . .

continued from page 7

the park district and the assessment within the boundaries. A local commercial artist developed the new logo. A local contractor assisted in the design and construction of the shelters. Local electricians and carpenters worked on the lights and park signs. Residents provided the labor for the installation of much of the playground equipment. The women's club helped with beautification of the parks. The list is endless.

During this project, the board became aware that most people concerned about their community are willing to give of their time, energy and skills to work with their park district. All that has to be done is to ask. If the idea is projected to them that this is their park district, and that they are very important members within the district, not only as consumers, but also as people with more than just taxes to give, they will respond willingly.

The avenues expressed in this article may not be available within all communities; however, each community, has unique resources of its own. It only takes an ambitious rise to the challenge.

Illinois Parks and Recreation 23 May/June, 1973