This, the annual aquatics issue was bumped up from May/June to January/February on purpose because aquatic facility managers and other decision makers are thinking about the water business well before Memorial Day weekend.
"First it was zero depth, then water slides and drop slides and water play features," says Ray Morrill about trends in aquatic facility design.
"Lazy rivers are the latest craze."
Morrill is the superintendent of recreation for the Wheaton Park District and president-elect of the National Recreation and Park Association's Aquatic Section. He thought it would be a good idea for IP&R to ask experts in aquatic facility design a question on the minds of many: "What's Next?"
So we did, and we heard about kayaking, obstacle water courses, Olympic water fountain features, bubble couches and laminar flow, (See page 16.)
Therapy pools, too, are becoming more popular as the senior population grows and as aquatic therapy becomes more accessible for people with special needs. (See page 23.)
In this issue we also take a long look at inrernships, the starting point for young professionals—the future of the parks and recreation field.
Research reveals the number and quality of internships at Illinois park and recreation agencies (page 27);
Susan Balling, CLP, of the Northeast DuPage Special Recreation Association shares how to develop important professional skills through specific projects for interns (page 31); and, finally, we hear directly from students about their views on what makes a successful internship program (page 33).
And, the final answer to your grants-related questions can be found in IP&R's "Grants Outlook 2000," compiled by Ron Hallberg, CLP, of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (page 35). You could earn some of the millions of dollars available through programs such as OLT, OSLAD, C2000 and TEA-21 for your agency's important open space, trail and park projects.
Good luck and know that IP&R will do its part—in this deep freeze—to keep things warm with summer ideas. The golf issue is next!
ANN M. LONDRIGAN
Editor
4 | Illinois Parks and Recreation