Swimming, walking get high marks Recent survey results show Americans' favorite outdoor leisure activities are swimming and walking, according to the National Park Service. More than half (53 percent) of those interviewed indicated they had been swimming or walking for pleasure as outdoor leisure activities during the preceding year. Picnicking and driving for pleasure ran close seconds, listed by 48 percent. The survey, conducted during 1982 and 1983 to help the federal government collect recreational data needed for planning, showed great changes in America's outdoor lifestyle since 1960. The most striking change involved jogging, which was listed by 26 percent of the people in the 1982-83 survey. When the Park Service conducted its first survey in 1960, jogging was so insignificant it was not even mentioned in the questions. Bicycling, which was listed by 28 percent of those participating in the recent survey, has actually tripled in popularity since 1960. At that time, it was mentioned by only 9 percent of the participants. Other survey results included: • camping, listed by 19 percent, up from 8 percent in 1960; • canoeing and kayaking, listed at 8 percent, up from 2 percent in 1960; • sailing, listed at 4 percent, up from 2 percent in 1960. Fishing has apparently been one of the most consistently popular activities. In 1960, 29 percent of those surveyed fished in their leisure hours. The new survey showed that figure remaining constant at 30 percent. Other outdoor activities listed by significant numbers of people were: • camping (24 percent); • outdoor sports team (23 percent); • snow skiing (19 percent); • tennis (17 percent); • golf (13 percent); and • hunting (12 percent).

IPRA introduces
resource center
You have just been given a research project by your supervisor. You pick up the telephone, it rings, someone answers it and says, "Hold please" Several minutes later a voice says, "I'll connect you to Mr. X now." After talking to Mr. X for a few minutes, you determine that the information he has given you has nothing to do with your question. Mr. X refers you to Ms. Y and so on and on ...

By Richard Grodsky

Sound familiar? If your answer is "Yes," the Illinois Park and Recreation Association (IPRA) Technical Assistance Committee has some good news for you!

The Committee, created several years ago, was designed to help professionals obtain pertinent information or referrals. In turn, the information would improve managerial skills. This assistance was a direct outgrowth of a membership survey in which a majority of IPRA members thought the concept was a needed service. After the committee's formation, a survey was sent throughout the State so leisure service delivery agencies would submit or share their studies, surveys, etc. with the IPRA. The types of information available at the Illinois Park and Recreation Association office include facility operations manuals, agency operational procedures, fees and charge guidelines, inventory/control programs and marketing programs.

Also available are school/park agreements, program budgeting guidelines, vehicle maintenance programs, concession/vending agreements, energy consumption audits, athletic field lighting reports, contractual service agreements, lease coop agreements, qualitative program analysis, athletic league rules and annual reports.

It is very easy to get the material you need by following one of these steps:

• Stop in at the IPRA office and ask to review the materials as assembled by the Technical Assistance Committee.

• Call the IPRA at (312) 991-2820 and ask that a packet of information be checked out and sent to your agency. You will be billed for mailing costs.

• Call the IPRA office and ask for a listing of those agencies willing to share the types of information that you need. You can contact those agencies to make the necessary arrangements for pickup or delivery of the applicable materials.

All agencies are encouraged to use the service as well as contribute pertinent information to the Technical Assistance Committee so files can be kept current.

By taking advantage of this information and referral service, professionals can enhance efficiency, effectiveness and productivity. In today's high-tech world, we are becoming an information society. Keep in touch with the futurel

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Richard Grodsky is the superintendent of recreation for the Dundee Township Park District.

Illinois Parks and Recreation      29    November/December 1984