PARTNERSHIPS

PARK DISTRICTS, FOREST PRESERVES AND RECREATION DEPARTMENTS WORKING TOGETHER WITH CIVIC AND BUSINESS LEADERS TO BUILD OUR COMMUNITIES

KATHLEENM. ANDREWS
is the head of the Educational Services Section, Division of Education, Office of Land Management and Education, Illinois Department or Natura! Resources. She may he reached at 217.524. 4126 or kandrews@dnrmail.state. il. us. Photographs by Terry Beard, staff photographer for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

Urban Dwellers Go Wild

Intergovernmental cooperation that introduces city kids to outdoor wonders

BY KATHLEEN M. ANDREWS

Illinois' population is mobile. People are moving to the cities from rural areas and moving out of central urban locations to the metropolitan fringe. With migration to urban areas most people tend to lose their connections to the outdoors.

By the year 2000,90 percent of the United States' 300 million inhabitants will live in and around urban areas. Children raised in urban and suburban areas will be familiar with apartment buildings, rapid transit systems, expressways, elevators and small community parks. But, will these children, tomorrow's leaders, have any direct experience with the environment?

"Under Illinois Skies," a joint program of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), Chicago Park District and Illinois Conservation Foundation was established this year. Building upon the IDNR's efforts to find innovative ways to serve nontraditional audiences and the Chicago Park District's successes with their award-winning Urban Campers program, this cooperative effort takes the outdoor experience one step further. It takes urban youth to a state park to experience a new environment of starry skies and quiet woodlands.

Under Illinois Skies is a unique partnership that blends the strengths of two of Illinois' largest outdoor recreation providers and provides a model program for others to develop similar urban outreach programs.

What's it all about?

The Chicago Park District offers a variety of programs designed to enrich the physical, social, intellectual and emotional well-being of youth through positive outdoor experiences. This multi-level system offer progressive learning experiences, from a day camp setting for children ages 6 to 12 to a mentoring and internship program that exposes young adults to natural resource and recreation career opportunities. Besides start-up funds provided by the partner agencies, resources for Under Illinois Skies were provided by a generous donation by former IDNR deputy director John W. Comerio and his wife, Judy. At his retirement party this past May, Comerio—now development director for the Illinois Association of Park Districts—challenged friends of natural resources to support mis new endeavor. These generous contributions funded a significant portion of the program.

Kankakee River State Park was selected to host the premier program because of its proximity to the city, the presence of a secure youth camp, and facilities for fishing and canoeing. Over a three-week period, 72 children participated in the event.

How valuable Was the Experience?

Under Illinois Skies provides a fun-filled and hands-on learning experience for participants. These children gain:

• memories of camping under a star-filled sky;

• the knowledge that an entirely different world exists beyond pavement and skyscrapers;

• the experience of sitting under a tree and hearing nothing more than the wind blowing through the leaves and the droning of insects;

• new friends;

• the confidence in knowing they can pitch a tent, cook over a campfire and navigate a canoe down a river;

10/ Illinois Parks and Recreation

• learned accountability and respect for themselves and others;

• the knowledge that harmless and fascinating creatures are out and about under the cover of dark; and,

• an understanding that looking under rocks in the river can tell you how healthy the water is.

Ultimately, through the program, youth gain a greater understanding and appreciation for the urban environment and their responsibility for urban natural resources. They have an awareness of the value of outdoor activities and that these activities may bring them relaxation, personal satisfaction or perhaps even a career. From experiences like these, youth develop the ecological conscience that helps them become informed environmental decision makers. Participating youth are not the only audience reached through this program. By design of Chicago Park District programs, parents and guardians of participating youth attend an orientation session and are invited to a closing ceremony in the neighborhood park. Information provided during these sessions aids in the development of a broader appreciation of Illinois' natural resources.

Why Does the Partnership Work? • Both agencies have a strong commitment to providing quality programs to reconnect youth to natural resources. • Between the two agencies, staff have expertise (in youth programs, urban programs, natural resources, recreational activities, etc.) to complement each other. Similarly, both agencies have summer programs that hire college students and educators to lead natural resource interpretive, educational and recreational programs. • The give-and-take aspects of the partnership were handled very easily as there were so many programming options available. If there was an activity that planners were not comfortable with, we simply went with another that all agreed on. • We actually had a few hurdles to overcome as support for the program was driven from the top down. Agency administrators from both organizations supported the program and directed educational staff to make the program work. It did take time to plan and implement the program, but division of duties between staff of both agencies made the job much easier.

What does the future hold?

Upon evaluation of the first year, the agencies plan to expand the program in 2000 and 2001. In 2000, five weeks of programming will be offered with additional neighborhood parks recruiting the more than 140 participating children. An advanced phase is under development for 2001 for participants from the first two Under Illinois Skies seasons in a true week-long wilderness experience in the Shawnee National Forest.

The future is bright for participants.By design, the park district's multilevel program provides urban youth with years of experiences that increase in depth and exposure.Participation in this program increases the potential youth have for leadership within their school and community and provides them information and contacts beneficial for those choosing to pursue a career in the natural
resources. 

Campers' Comments

"I thought the best parts of the week were learning how animals get around and communicate at night." " Our counselor taught us about morning courtesy. This is important when we're camping but also when we are at home." "I was excited for the chance to go camping. Learning the names of trees and types of canoe strokes were the best parts for me." Cooking over the fire with foil was amazing! I'd do anything outdoors as long as it is as fun as this. "

November/December 1999 /11