POINT...                                     

Many public opinion polls have listed environmental issues as leading concerns among Americans today. Yet, as park and recreation professionals, I believe we are not doing our jobs in making sure our most important assets, land, air and water, are protected from pollution and overuse.

Park and recreation departments have been entrusted as the public custodians to provide and protect open space and, in many cases, our wetlands.

Here are some reasons why I believe we need to re-focus our resources — money and staff — to protect and create a better environment for tomorrow.

Environmental issues can best be solved on a local basis through grass roots approaches such as recycling, conservation, reforestation and providing more open spaces.

Park and recreation departments have the ability to educate the public through their brochures, classes, and influence people within their communities. We must take the lead in changing people's attitudes and behaviors towards the environment.

The suburban dream home is quickly becoming part of the"urban sprawl" which has created shopping malls, massive parking lots and unbelievable traffic jams and congestion. Pro-active park and recreation departments can make a difference by insuring there is more open space than asphalt in their community and promoting walkways and bike paths over roads. They can lead the way with tree planting programs which not only make your community look better, but also help improve the quality of the air we breathe.

Park boards are in the position to foster and develop environmental policies in their communities.

How many park districts currently have environmental policies for their own departments?

Park districts need to re-evaluate their mission and focus on what is important. There is no doubt that current economic times will be changing the way many departments operate. Parks and recreation departments should take this opportunity to reflect on their real mission in the community and determine how they will contribute to solving some of our environmental problems. The least that should be done is that each agency should participate in recycling and begin reducing the use of hazardous chemicals in our parks.

In conclusion, I believe park and recreation professionals must lead the fight in the legislature to assure future generations a healthy world tomorrow. Environmental issues need to be debated at park board meetings and at our conferences. In addition, ongoing education in this area needs to be directed towards professionals as well as our constituents. I believe if we can affect positive changes in our communities on environmental issues, we can make tremendous gains in the real value of our profession.

As one of IPRA's representatives on the Northern Illinois Planning Commission Environmental Quality Task Force, I can assure you that there are many critical environmental challenges facing this region in the future. It is your choice to be part of the solution or the problem.

                       ....COUNTERPOINT

The environment is an important issue, but is it the responsibility of park and recreation departments to participate in this campaign to save the Earth? Certainly, park district and recreation department staff can do their part in recycling office paper and soda cans, but how much is enough? Is it necessary to enforce environmental programs at the park and recreation level?

The following issues are some reasons for taking a conservative stand on environmental issues.

Decrease in tax revenue
Budgets are being slashed drastically for many departments.This pinch will effect many budgets. Is it more important to spend tax revenues on environmental issues and programs rather than recreation programs? It will be difficult to compensate for revenue losses, so where will environmental issues stand?

Utilization of recycled or recyclable paper
Is it fair to the taxpayer to spend additional tax dollars on recycled paper? The rising cost of recycled paper may not fit into a very limited printing budget.

Understaffed departments
With decreasing staffs as a result of budget cuts, how can departments take full responsibility in supplying manpower to care for recycled debris, park beautification and continued planting of new vegetation? Many departments will be forced to forego projects as a result of lost revenue.

Competing with city and state programs
Many state and city programs have been implemented to improve the environment. Park and recreation departments can assist to supplement these programs, rather than running the entire project. Park and recreation departments will be able to work together with other groups toward one common goal.

Environmental experts can do the job
Can we afford to hire expert consultants in environmental issues and retain our personnel in parks and recreation to become experts in environmental issues? With budgets being revamped and cost containment being the word of the '90s, developing a major environmental program would not be prudent at this time.

It is important to help the environment on a conservative level. Is it necessary to run an aggressive environmental campaign? Each and every one of us is responsible for preserving the Earth. It is possible for park and recreation departments to play a role but at a very limited capacity. It is important to keep in mind the main objective of park and recreation departments — to create leisure services and maintain park lands.

About the Authors
Chuck Balling is the Administrative Manager of the Elmhurst Park District. Colleen Callahan is the Manager of Marketing and Revenue Development at the Elmhurst Park District.