IAPD Organizer Dies

Alfred Dewey McLarty, organizer in 1928 of the Illinois Association of Park Districts and its executive secretary from 1928-1943, died in Urbana, Illinois, May 15, 1973.

Mr. McLarty was born, August 24, 1898, in Harvey, Illinois, where he completed his elementary and high school education. He was awarded a Bachelor's degree in 1922 and a Master's in 1927 in Political Science from the University of Illinois. He resigned from the Secretaryship of the IAPD on July 1, 1943, to enter the U.S. Navy Service. Simultaneously he also resigned from the Secretaryship of the Illinois Municipal League and the Illinois Association of School Boards. Mr. McLarty retired in December, 1968, from the Education and Man-Power Division of Chanute Air Force Base, Rantoul, after more than twenty-five years of service.

At the Annual Business Session of the IAPD Conference at the Arlington Park Towers in Arlington Heights, Illinois, on November 19, 1973, members stood in silence in memory of Mr. McLarty and in appreciation for his foresight in organizing the Association in 1928, as a section of the Illinois Municipal League. The IAPD became a separate organization in 1931 in order to concentrate more effectively on the problems of park commissioners and park districts.

The 1962 edition of the IAPD History states, that "on March 9, 1928, Mr. McLarty, then serving as executive secretary of the IML and IASB, sent letters and questionnaires to the 50 park districts in the State concerning the possible creation of an organization of park districts on a statewide basis to function as a Section of the IML. As a result of the questionnaire summary and apparent need for a state-wide voice, park officials were invited to attend an organizational meeting in the Rose Room of the Sherman Hotel in Chicago, May 17 and 18, 1928. At the same time, a letter of invitation was also sent out by Judge Charles F. McKinley, then President of the Small Parks Association of Cook County.

On May 18th, the organization was consumated and Mr. McLarty was elected the first executive secretary. He served continuously until, July 1, 1943. He was a man of high ideals, trained in political science, who gave faithful and conscientious service to the Association during his tenure."

Following Mr. McLarty's resignation, Marjorie M. Dickinson, who had been his assistant from 1928, was elected executive secretary and carried on the Association's work evenings from the office of the Springfield Park Board for several years; later as a half-time position. On June 1, 1953, she became the first full-time executive and continued until, December 31, 1966. Upon her retirement, Arthur L. Schultz served as executive vice president for two years, and Eugene Berghoff, the present executive vice president followed him in 1971.

The IAPD budget was $1,500 in 1928. In 1953, the budget totalled $12,000; in 1972 $138,840. The number of member districts increased to more than 200. The Illinois Park District Code was enacted into law in 1951, under the leadership of the Association's legal counsel, Lawrence Hoff, who died in 1954. This greatly facilitated the organization of new park districts, until there are now 320 park districts in the State.

A devastating set-back occurred in 1933, when 18 members were lost through the consolidation, into one park district, of 22 park districts in the City of Chicago, all organized under the 1895 Act. Total annual revenue lost to the IAPD was $861.00. However, the new Chicago Park District organized under a special act, soon became a member of the Association, and has contributed both financially and through leadership. The Association gradually absorbed the loss caused by the 1933 consolidation.

Robert A. Stuart followed Lawrence Hoff, as legal-legislative consultant, and the Association's legal-legislative service has continued to expand and be very helpful.

The IAPD has enjoyed a steady and encouraging growth in members, resources, and services, including educational, legal and legislative. It is the only organization in the world of park districts as corporate units. Illinois Park commissioners can well be proud of the stature their organization has attained, and grateful to the vision of a man who had a dream and saw it walking. Guard well this heritage.

Illinois Parks and Recreation 23 March/April, 1974