Robert L. Murphy

A NEW STATE PLAN by Robert L. Murphy—Senior Planner State of Illinois Department of Business and Economic Development

Illinois is the fourth most populated state in the Nation, and ranks 24th in total area with 56,400 square miles. Perennially, Illinois ranks in the top two or three states in agriculture and industry, and its 140 colleges and universities produce more PhD's than any other state in the union. Chicago is a major rail, port and air center for world trade and travel. Known as "The Land of Lincoln," Illinois is steeped in history from Aboriginal Indians and French explorers to modern atomic scientists.

Illinois Department of Business and Economic Development Director, Ray C. Dickerson, hails Outdoor Recreation Plan as an integral step toward long-range program. "Results of the two year in-depth study should serve as a guide to local governments for solving their own problems, and to establih goals and objectives for the next fifty years," Mr. Dickerson said.

One could expound on the virtues of Illinois to great lengths, never ceasing to fail the reader with economic wonders, first rankings, and geographic phenomena. We must, however, come to the subject at hand— outdoor recreation. Illinois is traditionally ranked 44th or 45th among the 50 states regarding outdoor recreation development, or acreage per 1,000 population. This rating may or may not be valid on a gross basis, but is obviously severe when all socio-economic factors are considered. For example, Illinois hosts 192 persons per square mile, compared to 74 in Wisconsin, 42 in Minnesota, and 100 in California. Illinois has no National Parks or Recreation Areas, where as Michigan has one and California five. Although virtually an island, Illinois has less recreation water available for public use than does Kentucky—a state only 70% of the size of Illinois.

These are facts presented in the revised State Recreation Plan, "Action Plan for Outdoor Recreation in Illinois." The plan, prepared by the Department of Business and Economic Development, should be available for distribution by mid-April. There will be limited distribution of the full plan, and general distribution of the plan summary. Submitted in December, the plan has been reviewed by the Bureau of Outdoor Recreation for its conformity to the overall national policy on outdoor recreation planning. Two and one-half years of eligibility to receive the Land and Water Conservation Fund were awarded the state on the basis of this plan. State Departments of Agriculture, Conservation, Public Works and Buildings (Waterway and Highway Divisions), and Registration and Education assisted in the preparation of the plan. Lending advice and consultation were the Illinois Association of Park Districts, U. S. Corps of Engineers, U. S. Forest Service, Bureau of Sport Fisheries and Wildlife, and the

Illinois Parks 80 May/ June 1970

State Universities. A committee, consisting of representatives of these agencies, was formed to coordinate the state plan, and will remain in existence to supervise a proposed in-depth study of recreation needs in Illinois. This study will take two years and should involve all federal, state, local, and private agencies interested in recreation planning and development.

Essentially the recreation plan estimates the state-wide demand for facilities based on generally accepted standards, lists an inventory of existing facilities, and indicates current and projected needs.

For planning purposes the state was divided into four regions: Chicago Metropolitan, Northwestern, Central and Southern Illinois (see map). Existing data shows a net deficit of 187,022 acres for outdoor recreation throughout the state. A regional breakdown would indicate:

The enormous deficit in Region I may never be satisfied, and Region IV will probably continue to show a surplus through the 21st century. As long as 70% of the population remains in the Chicago area, and only 10% in Southern Illinois, with its vast reservoirs and National Forests, this disparity will continue. Realistically, Region I will have to live with a deficit while Region IV continues to enjoy a surplus. These figures, of course, deal only with raw acreage as applied to defined standards. What is more important is the fact that active urban areas present some real shortages throughout the state. For example, 710 swimming pools will be needed by 1985, as will 6,400 areas for court games, and 256,000 picnic areas. Such facilities, by and large, will have to be supplied by local agencies with technical and financial assistance from Federal and state agencies.

Policy and recommendations from the state recreation plan speak to the problems facing Illinois. An ambitious acquisition and development plan is to be undertaken by the State Conservation Department over the next five years.

Region	1968 Population	Recreational Acreage Demand	Existing Supply	— Deficit + Surplus
I	6,810,000	497,130	95,457	—401,673 Acres
II	1,200.000	87,000	87,267	+ 267 Acres
III	1,800,000	131,400	98,978	— 32,422 Acres
IV	1,220,000	89.060	335,866	+246,806 Acres

(Continued P. 96)

Illinois Parks 81 May/ June 1970

New State Plan

(From p. 81)

$37,950,000 will be spent to acquire 65,705 acres of recreation land and water, and $12,560,000 will be spent for the development of existing and new facilities. The state will upgrade and increase technical and professional personnel in an attempt to better plan state facilities and lend expertise to local governments. Attention will be focused on quality environment, with strict measures to control air, water, and land pollution. The federal Land and Water Conservation Fund, normally reduced by 60% to 70% for state projects, will be devoted almost entirely to local use. Withholding only that amount required to maintain the state plan, local governments will realize a minimum of 80% of this Fund over a five year period. Other advances include the encouragement of vest pocket parks, innovative design for dense urban areas, and the use of flood plain zoning for recreation development.

Illinois has made tremendous strides in the areas of agriculture, education, manufacturing, and transportation. While an industrial society provides leisure, convenience and prosperity, it also creates such social ills as overcrowding, pollution, and boredom. We must now turn to the solutions for these social ailments. It will take the combined efforts of all levels of government, and of each and every citizen. We cannot settle for anything less than the best. Local leadership must utilize stare and federal technology and financial assistance to put Illinois in front for recreation. This will take time, money, and effort. Our only alternative will be to remain 45th, or worse yet, become the 50th state.

Illinois Parks 96 May/ June 1970