Parks and Recreation Highlight
Illinois State Fair

The Illinois Association of Park Districts and the Illinois Park and Recreation Association were again participants in the Illinois State Fair. This year's fair opened on Saturday, August 15. Three major events, "Fitness Is Leading The Way," "Walk Illinois," and Local Officials Day, provided excellent opportunities for association members to promote parks and recreation.

Fitness Is Leading The Way

"Fitness Is Leading The Way." a project coordinated by the Illinois Association of Park Districts and the Illinois Park and Recreation Association Joint Public Awareness Committee, completed its twelfth year. The program began in 1980 as "Run in Springfield." in which ceremonial scissors used to open the State Fair were carried via relay teams. The program has now evolved into a full-fledged event co-sponsored by Country Companies and the Chicago Tribune.

On August 10, three teams of multi-talented athletes walked, ran, rollerbladed, and cycled a total of 660 miles to Springfield. The teams departed from Naperville, Rock Island, and Carmi, stopping in communities on their way to meet with local dignitaries, citizens, and the press to promote fitness, recreation, and the State Fair.

The purpose of the annual event is to encourage people of all ages to make staying mentally and physically fit an important part of their lives. The event promotes local park and recreation opportunities in Illinois and calls attention to the role parks and recreation play in improving both physical and mental fitness for healthier lifestyles.

The teams completed their journey to Springfield on the evening of August 12. Participants then returned to the August 15 opening ceremonies where Illinois Association of Park Districts President Ron Lehman addressed fair goers during a formal presentation. Governor Edgar, joined by Olympic speed skater Bonnie Blair who served as the fair's Grand Marshal, accepted the scissors from Lehman and cut the ribbon officially opening the fair.

Walk Illinois

"Walk Illinois," a statewide fitness program sponsored by Take Time For Fun® park districts and recreation agencies, was also promoted during the opening day of the fair. The program encourages family participation in the nation's top recreational activity — walking — while focusing attention on the Illinois outdoors.

Local walks were organized by 52 participating agencies between May 15 and July 15, 1992. The program culminated with a final walking event held during the fair in conjunction with the Illinois Department of Conservation.

Smokey Bear and Woodsy The Owl kicked off the State Fair Walk, with 525 individuals walking either a 1K or 5K course in Conservation World. Each participant received a "Walk Illinois" water bottle, nutrition pamphlet and certificate signed by the Governor, with one lucky participant receiving a weekend stay at the Inn at Eagle Creek in Findlay, which was given away in a grand prize drawing.

Local Officials Day

Local Officials Day was also held on August 15. More than 500 local officials attended a luncheon held on the Director' s lawn of the fairgrounds, which featured Governor Edgar as speaker.

During the luncheon. Governor Edgar signed Senate Bill 1556, legislation authorizing placement of a non-binding referendum on the November ballot. If passed, the referendum would urge the General Assembly to propose an amendment to the Illinois Constitution to prohibit enactment of unfunded mandates that impose additional costs to local governments.

"This legislation gives voters an opportunity to send a message to their elected representatives in the General Assembly and let them know how they feel about the state telling their local governments how to do their business without providing the necessaiy funds to implement those mandates," the Governor said.