FROM THE EDITOR

The cost to local businesses for creating 181 flower islands, planted and maintained by the Champaign Park District?

$95,000.

The pride felt by Champaign residents due to the 172,000 flowers that beautify their now-called "City of Flowers"?

Priceless.

Champaigns popular Flower Island program—the result of a public/private partnership—has gained the park district international recognition and many satisfied residents (see page 34). And it's just one good example found in this issue of Illinois Parks & Recreation of how park districts and forest preserves add vitality and beauty to their increasingly urban environments.

Seems that "sprawl" has taken the lead role of "bad- guy buzzword" these days, while the heroes of the moment are "livable communities" and "smart growth."

Polls and statistics used by popular media and soundbites delivered by high-ranking lawmakers reveal the vital importance of urban parks, open space and recreation to the health of our communities.

On "growing smart" by preserving open space. Vice President Al Gore is quoted: "In the future, livable communities will be the basis for our competitiveness and economic strength." (www.tpl.org/newsroom/reports/ econbenz/)

From a 1999 study by the American Institute of Architects: "Livable communities is a serious political issue and is considered by state and local policy makers as something that will grow in importance in the future.

"...factors that most define what makes a community liveable are air quality, educational facilities, parks/open spaces and housing."

Nearly all respondents (98%) to a 1999 Urban Parks Poll, conducted by the National Association of Counties and the U.S. Conference of Mayors, feel that parks and recreational activities are important to the quality of life in their communities, (www.pps.org/urbanparks/ sr_Urban%20Parks%20Poll.htm).

Sometimes what makes things livable is just a pretty place to enjoy as an escape from sprawl, like Chicago's Spirit of Music Garden featured on the cover of the magazine. Someplace very near those roses that we're supposed to stop and smell.

ANN LONDRIGAN
Editor

4 / Illinois Parks and Recreation