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Park district responds A unique program helps social service agencies supplement their summer recreational activities. By Steve Montez Have you ever been criticized for not supplying programs to certain areas of the city or district? Have you ever had a program cancelled because of low registration? If these situations sound familiar, perhaps you can benefit from the experiences of the Peoria Park District. Focusing on a need A few years ago the district was criticized by a number of social service agencies serving the residents of Peoria's inner city area. Their complaints charged that the services available in other locations were not provided in the inner city. In reviewing and comparing programs, some voids were found, particularly relating to summer playgrounds and classes in the fine arts. However, the park district did not previously offer these programs in the inner city because, historically, social service agencies there sponsored similar recreational activities. As the recession set in, though, these agencies sensed a need for expanded programming to offset high unemployment and the potential for youth gang problems. These factors, coupled with a decrease in agency budgets, made it essential for the park district to become more involved in recreational programming for the inner city. Devising a solution A series of community meetings were held at various locations. Community leaders and neighborhood residents were invited to help determine the wants and needs of the inner city population. These efforts resulted in the creation of the Recreation Assistance Program (RAP) to help inner city agencies supplement their summer programming. The original goal in 1983 was to provide instructors for art, dance, music and drama activities. During the first year, 567 individuals in 17 classes were served, far surpassing the 300 youth projection. Grants from the Peoria Area Arts and Sciences Council (PAASC) and the Illinois Arts Council (IAC) helped the program to expand in 1984. The instructor/student ratio was lowered to provide activities for 940 individuals in 31 classes. Additional funding from the Central Illinois Arts Consortium (CIAC), Peoria Housing Authority (PHA), PAASC and IAC allowed further program expansion during 1985. Approximately 1,423 individuals participated in 58 classes, which included sports activities. (The park district and PHA previously initiated a cooperative inter-agency agreement to make this possible.) Creating the structure Meetings with individual agencies are held on a regular basis to determine community needs. The park district then hires and supervises instructors for activities to meet these needs. The majority of the instructors have been previously employed by the district, but instructors are also solicited from the social service agencies. The agencies provide all supplies for the classes and additional staff if a class exceeds the identified staff/student ratios. Children and adults attending existing programs are referred to new ones. Illinois Parks and Recreation 7 September/October 1986 This solves the problem of continually creating and generating interest for new programs. Out of 97 classes offered, only one has been cancelled because of poor registration. Duplication of services is prevented, competition with the agencies' existing programs is minimized and problems related to finding appropriate facilities are eliminated. Special features Agencies which participate in RAP are offered a free, one-time use of the park district's facilities for the participants in their summer programs. These include the swimming pool, zoo, ice rink and outdoor roller rink. The district requires reservations to be made one week in advance. The district also offers its travelling programs to the social service agencies. Its Park Dancers, Great Expectations song and dance group. Park Players, the Zoomobile and Travelling Naturalist are made available to the agencies without cost. Other benefits The agencies' staff who are hired as instructors for the summer program can gain experience they may not otherwise have been able to acquire. They must attend staff training and orientation programs, which include activity brainstorming sessions, leadership and group activity workshops.
Agency instructors who have little formal training or background in the various activities are usually assigned to an experienced park district instructor. The new instructor is coached, supervised and placed in a number of teaching and learning situations. Agency staff are also encouraged to attend classes being taught to neighborhood residents. This allows them to later teach other classes offered by their agency and share their experience with park district employees. As a result, the district's instructors can concentrate on bringing new ideas to the agencies each year. Program specifications
RAP'S participating agencies are required to provide the summer programs without charge to all residents of the Peoria Park District. Initially, some agencies tied RAP classes with their fee-based programs, such as day care or day camp. However, the district now requires that activities which it supports be made accessible to all residents without any fees. Agencies are allowed to charge a nominal membership fee for facility usage. They are also required to include the park district as a supporting agency in their advertising for a given program. During the first year, some of the agencies viewed RAP as a space filler for their own recreational programs. Through the efforts of the park district's supervisory staff and instructors, the agencies were encouraged to expand the use of these programs. Now drama, music and dance classes are used to stage small productions, recitals, talent shows and dance routines for parents. Art class projects are the basis for art fairs. Craft classes are used to make items for competition in 4-H programs held in conjunction with the Peoria County Cooperative Extension Service. Keying on communication Communication has been the key to RAP'S success. Coordinating classes which range from art to aerobics, facilities and the district's travelling programs requires talking with the 13 agencies on a year-round basis. Planning begins in January for programs which start in June. The agencies' staff and park district instructors evaluate the program at its conclusion, and problem areas receive prompt attention. Flexibility is necessary Illinois Parks and Recreation 8 September/October 1986 to meet the ever changing needs and trends. The park district's liaison encourages the agencies to experiment with new activities. Cooperative brain-storming sessions result in new insights and activity options. It is essential for the district to be constantly aware of what is happening in the inner city areas and with the agencies that serve them. For example, reductions in federal, State and municipal government budgets affect the services which agencies in neighborhoods of high unemployment can provide. This type of monitoring helps to prevent a program void and also an unnecessary overlap of services. Conclusions There are many benefits from the Recreation Assistance Program. The Peoria Park District's services are expanded in the inner city areas. Social service agencies offer more complete recreational programs with activities that they might not have otherwise been able to because of budget and/or resource constraints. Moreover, relations and communications bewteen the park district and the agencies are improved. This prevents misunderstandings while clarifying responsibilities for the delivery of recreational services. Facilities and tax monies are used in the most efficient manner, providing programs where costs might normally prohibit or curtail the extent of the activitiy. In addition, RAP provides a basis for applying for grant monies from varied sources. But the big winners are the constituents. Activities are made available to all district residents at minimal cost to the taxpayer.
Illinois Parks and Recreation 9 September/October 1986 |
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