ORPR spells Service in Illinois

by Robert Humke

Teaching, research and service are the three major roles assigned to a tax-supported university. Each role takes many forms, both on and off campus. But of the three, service is the aspect of most immediate consequence to people of all ages, as they try to cope with the challenge of leisure in their communities.

The service role at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign is personified by ORPR, the Office of Recreation and Park Resources. Formed in 1969, when the Rural Recreation Section of the Cooperative Extension Service merged with the Field Service, Department of Recreation and Park Administration, ORPR has responded to literally thousands of requests for information and aid. The work of its specialists ranges from supplying county and community representatives with basic information and educational materials, to conducting major studies and research for professional and service organizations, and spearheading pilot projects with funds from federal grants.

Coordinating ORPR staff efforts is D. James Brademas. Formerly, President of City Planning Associates, Inc., Mishawaka, Ind., Brademas was named Chief of ORPR in mid— 1974.

The essence of ORPR's services is its person-to-person consulting work, based on responding to requests rather than actively soliciting "clients." Over 200 such travel visits are made each year, to virtually every county and corner of Illinois:

Organization framework—ORPR is the key link between the Cooperative Extension Service's network of field advisers, serving people in all 102 counties of Illinois, and the faculty of the Department of Recreation and Park Administration, with its professional expertise, experience and research ability. ORPR staff specialists often respond directly to a request from one of these county extension advisers. Staff Experience—ORPR staff members bring varied experiences to what some people believe is a sheltered life, the university "ivory tower." Their earlier field positions range from direct leadership in a variety of activities and municipal recreation supervision to hospital activity therapy, and from park district administrative positions to private planning work.

Professional involvement—All of the ORPR consultants are deeply involved in local, state and national efforts to upgrade the recreation and park field. In recent years, numerous positions of leadership in professional organizations have been held by various staff members. Specifically in Illinois, ORPR maintains a close working relationship with the Illinois Park and Recreation Society, Illinois Association of Park Districts, Illinois Therapeutic Recreation Society, other professional and service organizations, and private planning firms serving Illinois communities.

The types of consultation and visitation requests made of the ORPR staff vary widely, but tend to fall in a number of categories. Thus, it's possible to basically list the services each specialist can help provide:

Outdoor Recreation Specialist, Robert D. Espeseth.

Management consultation for outdoor recreation and environmental education.
Watershed and impoundedwater suitability studies.
Campground and commercial outdoor recreation development.
Organization of county conservation, forest preserve, and river conservancy districts.
County and regional recreational planning.

Community Recreation Specialist, Robert P. Humke.

Organization of recreation and park agencies.
Management consultation for parks and recreation.
Recreation program and facility planning.
Agency and program appraisals.
Attitude and interest surveys.

Personnel Development Specialist, George A. Lowrey.

Workshops and seminars.
Supervision techniques.
Development of professional

Illinois Parks and Recreation 14 May/June, 1975

and lay personnel.
Educational services in county and state extension programs.
Liaison with county and area extension personnel.
Professional recruitment and job placement.

Therapeutic Recreational Specialist, Jerry D. Kelley

Management consultation for ill and handicapped services.
Program establishment and planning.
Staff development programs.
Professional recruitment and job placement.
Information retrieval and resource development.

For further information about ORPR's services, write to 312 Armory Building, Champaign, Illinois 61820. A card or letter request will be promptly answered by telephone on the University WATS line, or by letter. The telephone number for the Office of Recreation and Park Resources is (217) 333-1824.

Illinois Parks and Recreation 15 May/June, 1975