Peoria draws praise as conference site

It did "play in Peoria," and the 2,298 delegates, speakers, exhibitors and guests who attended "Park-ticipate Peoria '86" rated the Illinois Park and Recreation Conference an overall success.

In addition to 12 pre-conference workshops and 85 educational sessions, last year's conference featured a unique exhibit hall highlighted by a Japanese Tea House and 121 exhibit booths. These exhibitors included several advertisers in the Illinois Parks and Recreation magazine. They were Gold Medal Products Co., Recreation Concepts, Halogen Supply Co. Inc., American Locker Security Systems, Pilot Rock, S&S Arts and Crafts, Miracle Recreation Co., Restroom Facilities Products, and Bayly, Martin and Fay, Inc.

Various individuals, agencies, and organizations were honored during a special joint awards luncheon for serving the goals of the Illinois Park and Recreation Association (IPRA) and the Illinois Association of Park Districts (IAPD) during 1986. Several of the awards were presented at the conference; others will be presented in local communities. A complete list of award winners is published on pages 22 and 23.

Were you sighted in Peoria? See page 21.

Arlene Mulder, president of the Arlington Heights Park District, and Steve Persinger, director of the Geneva Park District, co-chaired the Joint Conference Committee. Joint Committee members were Daniel Fitz-Simmons, Wheaton Park District; Ed McLaughlin, Alsip Park District; John Peterson, Palatine Park District; Lewis Smith, Elk Grove Park District; Janet Swanson, Oak Lawn Park District; Linda Wander, Downers Grove Park District; John Wilson, Chicago Ridge Park District; Bill Geihsler, Palatine Park District; Vince Merenda, Schaumburg Park District; Ray Morrill, Wheaton Park District, and Cathy Puchalski, Northern Suburban Special Recreation Association.

The 1986 IPR Conference marked the first time the event was held outside the Chicago area since 1978, when it was in St. Louis, MO. Peoria also hosted the conference in 1962.

Illinois Parks and Recreation 6 January/February 1987