A Legislator's Viewpoint...

The issue of parks and recreation was first considered and permitted by the creation of park districts in 1893. The existing park district laws were codified in 1947. This initial code applied only to park districts with less than 500,000 inhabitants and is found in the Illinois Revised Statutes, Chapter 105, Sec. 1-1. In 1933 the legislature created the Chicago Park District—laws governing this district are found in the existing Illinois Revised Statutes, Chapter 105, Section 333.

The local government articles of the 1970 Illinois Constitution and the Illinois Statutes limited the park district taxing and bonding powers. In my estimation, this discouraged the issuance of bonds for the acquisition, improvement, and development of recreational facilities in the State of Illinois. I take this position because the park districts which are now in operation in the State of Illinois receive very little, if any, revenue sharing money, and very little tax dollars for support of all the people in the State of Illinois who live in the vicinity of an existing park district.

In financial terms, park districts levied over $180 million in taxes in 1977. Though the same park districts represent 6.2% of all Illinois local governments, they collect only 4.8% of local property taxes. Only the counties of Cook, Macon, Clark, and Peoria levied more than the statewide average of 4.9%. The majority of counties have no park district levies or levy less than 1%, which means that those particular areas are in dire need of state and/or federal funding for their continuation of services.

A 1978 survey found that if funds are not increased, almost half the districts would opt for reduced recreational programs and facilities. About a fourth of those surveyed would reduce personnel, and the remaining fourth would delay developing facilities. The additional costs that must be borne by these same park districts without state or federal help fall in the category of lighting and police protection. In this regard, I find that the vandalism which occurs in the park districts is extremely costly, and should receive financial support from the State Department of Conservation as well as federal programs for additional police protection and road maintenance.

The U.S. Department of Interior, Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service, provides grant money for preparing outdoor recreation plans, and for the purchasing and developing of recreation areas and facilities. At the state level, the Department of Conservation allocates most of these funds through local government. Since 1965, this particular program has funded 300 projects and the national funding level until fiscal year 1989 is now at about $900 million. Under the previous federal laws, Illinois counties received only $80 million in federal assistance through fiscal year 1978. This amount helped fund 400 state and local projects and it helped acquire over 42,000 acres of public recreation land. Illinois has consistently remained one of the top five states receiving the most funding. I have certain reservations concerning the allocation of the grant programs as they are now authorized by the Urban Park and Recreation Recovery Grants Program—these grants institute funding for the urban areas and to improve neighborhood parks and solve urban problems, probably at the detriment of rural park districts.

There was a study completed in January of 1980 on the future of Illinois. The recommendation was that Illinois policymakers need to focus decision-making on preserving high priority natural areas, improving management of existing areas, and acquiring land in areas of greatest need in developing the tourist potential of open lands in this state. We will be faced with the decision of how much of the state's natural areas we are to preserve and which lands will be top priority for acquisition and development. My personal opinion in this regard is that the development should start in early 1981 with the existing lands now under the auspices of park districts and the Department of Conservation for general outdoor conservation and recreation.

See Mautino . . . Page 32

May/June, 1980 Illinois Parks and Recreation 7

Mautino . . . From Page 7

The other recommendation is for additional funding for recreational and acquisition development and a suggestion that the state try raising the level of development at recreational facilities to levels found in similar states. That is because about 80% of the demand for Illinois facilities come from northeastern residents of the state, but only 20% of the state's facilities are within a two-hour drive of this particular region. There were suggestions as well that the Department of Conservation solicit citizens' input concerning land use, and a greater consideration be given to the types of people and activities involved with those facilities. The recommendation also included that more water-based lands be acquired and access to Lake Michigan be increased.

Trends are the important factors in decision-making as it pertains to recreational facilities, and of course the changes in American society affects the use of these facilities. The major factors having impact on the use of leisure time and recreational facilities in the future include increased acceptance of flexible working hours, more working women, more two-income households with more time for recreation, but increased schedule conflicts. Energy shortages are reducing recreational travel, and requires that more facilities be developed within one to two hours' driving time from citizens' homes. Land shortages, decreasing the number of single family homes with large yards, and a slow down in population increases will result in more older Americans with much more free time. A major issue for parks in 1980 will be the conflicts between groups using recreational areas. For example, the horsemen, the archers, the hikers, the bikers and the snowmobilers will all be competing for a limited amount of space and facilities.

I think it is a well known fact that state park attendance has increased nationally by approximately 15% between 1975 and 1977. During this time the nation has added almost 600 new recreational areas and over a million acres of land for public use. Illinois was noted as a leading state with such increases as 181 new areas and over 100,000 acres of recreational facilities during the same period. Historically, however, Illinois has ranked very low in park acreage per capita. In 1977, Illinois had 271 recreational areas covering almost 200,000 acres. More than 30 million people visited these facilities. I believe we must develop all of the existing properties to their fullest potential in order to acommodate the increased number of citizens using our parks and recreation areas.

FOR SALE: USED LOCKERS

American Locker Co. Coin-LOK Model LC Deluxe. Each compartment measures 12" x 18" x 12". Owner can adjust for use of nickel, dime, quarter or token. Will take best offer. Call the Urbana Park District at (217) 367-1544 or (217) 367-1536 weekdays until 5:00 p.m.

Illinois Parks and Recreation 32 May/June, 1980