ANNUAL REPORT OF ILLINOIS ASSOCIATION OF PARK DISTRICTS

By
Eugene Berghoff

The immediate future of members represented by this Association presents some interesting prospects for a united effort in resolving our greatest problem — the need for additional revenues.

This was demonstrated in 1973 when your Association enrolled 220 member districts and boards, which surpasses the previous high of 205. We must not look backwards nor rest on these laurels, but continue to put forth a concerned effort to enroll all 320 districts in Illinois.

With our nation facing its greatest energy crisis and with our population continuing to increase, more leisure-time will be available to every family and a concerted effort will be required to improve and develop leisure-time activities.

A new day is dawning for parks and recreation in Illinois. It is now apparent that Federal, State and local officials have recognized the importance of good park and recreation systems in their communities. This places a great burden on all of us to respond and provide the activities required by citizens of your area.

We pledge our continued efforts to promote legislation and programs at Federal and State levels which should provide the necessary revenues to reach future goals.

The jobs of Commissioners and Board Members has not changed, but, the conditions under which they must do those jobs certainly have. With social changes, public reaction and the greater involvement of Federal and State agencies require members to join forces with their Association and to work toward resolving these problems.

During 1973 we published a revised Park District Code, Directory, Commissioners Manual, informational pamphlet describing the history and services of the Association.

We conducted six regional meetings for commissioners and staff personnel in addition to the Annual Conference. Your Executive Vice President traveled over 20,000 miles throughout Illinois in promoting and improving your organization and giving assistance to its membership.

Recently, the following communities have organized new districts: Berkeley Park District — Cook; Elackhawk Park District—Jo Daviess; Bradfordford

Illinois Parks and Recreation 12 January/February, 1974

Park District — Stark; Kingsbury Park District—Bond; Long Grove Park District — Lake; New Athens Park District—St. Clair; Walnut — Bureau; West Chicago—DuPage.

In addition to these new districts twenty communities are in various stages of developing their own park districts. This indicates a citizens reaction throughout Illinois in acquiring and developing remaining open space for leisure-time activities.

In many of these areas they investigated the various types of local Government units to determine which one could provide the best park and recreation programs. In every case the citizens committee agreed that the creation of a park district best satisfied their needs.

This reaction should prove to those individuals and organizations that recommend the abolishment of park districts, that a good park system can only be accomplished by the creation of new park districts.

A number of member districts are participating in the Association's Group Health Insurance Program and we will have an Open Enrollment for new members from January 1 through March 31, 1974. For information concerning enrollment contact the Association office.

I want to express my appreciation to Past President, Michael J. Cassidy, Board of Directors, Committee Members, Robert A. Stuart, Marjorie M. Dickinson, Marilyn I.Walters and Bill G. Bodine for their dedication and great assistance during 1973.

With your continued support we can continue to improve the Association and its services to our members.

Illinois Parks and Recreation 13 January/February, 1974