Enthusiastic HARD HATS Revitalize Parks

By Phyllis Stevenson

Junior Hard Hats of the Waukegan Park District painted fences, bleachers, and buildings inside and out. (Credit: The Herald, Paddock Papers)

Waukegan's Junior Hard Hats are the teenage summer work force of the Waukegan Park District.

"They've certainly surprised the District with the pace they've set," Supt. of Parks Jack Mundstock said.

They painted the Belvidere Pool and the pool complex, cleaned out the ravine and brush areas, playgrounds and ball diamonds, and several of the parks.

Begun last year by the park district to provide a working and learning experience for Waukegan's young adults, the program provides training in work skills for park district residents ages 14 through 16.

The program has been a great success, and the parents are just as enthusiastic as their children. They all know they're doing something worthwhile.

The Park District makes it clear to the participants that they must be self reliant and able to accept responsibility. Parental participation in their employment is strictly discouraged.

Applicants are required to pick up and fill out their own forms, attend an interview without a parent, complete their own forms when they are hired, obtain their own work permits from the Board of Education, and attend the orientation by themselves.

It's strictly the kids' own thing. The Park District is trying to prepare them for the time when they'll be going out to look for a job.

At the orientation, the park district bookkeeper explains the W-2 and Illinois State forms and why they are necessary, and they learn about Workmen's Compensation and the objectives of the Hard Hat program.

Few parents object to the no-parent rule; parents are, in fact, the program's strongest supporters.

JUNIOR HARD HATS do not operate machinery, but they do operate paint brushes, sickle whips, hedge clippers, bush trimmers and shears with-an efficiency that would doubtless astound their parents.

Each worker is issued a hard hat, work gloves,

Hard Hats worked so hard that they finished half of their 10 week project in only 4 weeks. (Credit: Waukegan News-Sun)

Illinois Parks and Recreation 4 November/December. 1973

and whatever equipment their day's assignment requires. Each is responsible for the return of his or her gear. They do, however, keep their two orange T-shirts.

Workers are paid 50 cents an hour for a 20-hour week; assistant supervisors, 10 members chosen from last year's crew, are paid $1 an hour and work 40 hours a week. They are identified by their red T-shirts.

They are responsible for time cards and job supervision, and a number of other tasks assigned by the two adult supervisors, Vic Lopez and Sandra Davis.

THERE were 87 workers in the program this year; almost twice the 1972 figure, and about evenly divided between boys and girls. No on-the-job distinction is made; boys and girls do the same work. By working as Hard Hats, the teens get the feel of the Park District and many will in future years take a job as playground leader or with the maintenance force.

THE RULES of behavior for the Hard Hats are simple: no smoking, no horse-play on the job, come to work clean, neat, and on time. Workers are expected to conduct themselves "as public servants" while they are on the job.

Jack Mundstock, Supt. of Parks, is delighted that the Hard Hats have freed his regular staff for other work. His full-time crew of 18 and nine season college student workers are kept busy with mowing and maintenance chores.

There have been few discipline problems since the program began, none at all this year. There are plenty of recreational activities as part of their program, and the kids understand why the rules are enforced

FRINGE BENEFITS include a White Sox and Cubs game in Chicago with transportation furnished by the district.

Even the best workers need a break. (Credit: Waukegan News-Sun)

There is also a trip to the Milwaukee Zoo, or Adventureland. In addition, each worker receives a pool pass and free golf privileges, is taken on tours of local industries and plants, and participates in the group's own ball games.

There is a barbeque, a picnic, a pool party and at the end of the season a softball championship game between the morning and afternoon shifts, in which everyone participates.

The Hard Hats come from all backgrounds, economic and ethnic and there have been no problems, fights, or arguments.

In addition to benefitting the Waukegan Park District, the participants of the Junior Hard Hat's make a little money and learn what it's like to be a responsible citizen.

Illinois Parks and Recreation 5 November/December, 1973