Potpourri

Evanston cuts costs

The Evanston Parks Department has found a way to cut park maintenance costs and get local residents actively involved in park upkeep. It now contracts with individual residents or organizations to mow grass in some of the city's smaller parks.

Evanston boasts 84 parks, 55 of which are less than three acres. Travel time between parks and the large amounts of trim mowing they require had made them very cost inefficient for the city. Mowing rotation sometimes took as long as two weeks, but because of budget cuts, the city preferred not to hire extra workers or purchase additional equipment.

Currently, 30 parks (about 34 acres) are under contract to be mowed weekly by Evanston residents, who range from housewives to Boy Scout troops to college students. Mowers use their own equipment. While the Parks Department does not provide on-the-spot supervision, the Parks Inspector checks the work every week during his regular rounds to make sure the job has been completed properly.

Estimating the average costs of gas, oil, service, and mower depreciation, the Parks Department arrived at a wage of 35 cents per 1000 square feet mowed. They tacked on a five dollar bonus as an added incentive, because some of the parks are so small that at the first rate alone, a mower couldn't even earn more than $1.50. Few people would be willing to drag at their lawn mowers for that price.

Four seasons ago, when the Parks Department first implemented the program, they sought their grounds keepers by contacting neighborhood groups. Since then, the program has expanded to include more parks.

National publicity in McCall's Magazine prompted inquiries from park departments as far away as Arizona and Missouri. In a time of shrinking dollars, this type of effort helps and promotes community spirit and involvement.

The above posters are Riveredge Hospital's (Forest Park, IL) winning poster contest entries by patients honoring National Parks and Recreation Month. The Activity Therapy sponsored event promoted the June celebration throughout the 204-bed hospital. Poster contest judges were officials from local park and recreation programs, They included: Terry Fitzman, Parks and Recreation of Oak Park; Dave Novak of the Park District of Forest Park and John McGovern, West Suburban Special Recreation Assoc.

Illinois Parks and Recreation 30 September/October 1981

SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM ANNOUNCED

The Great Lakes Park Institute announces the Garrett G. Eppley Honors Award, a scholarship program for professionals actively employed in parks and recreation. The scholarship, valued at more than $600, entitles the recipient to attend the five day Great Lakes Park Institute February 21-25, 1982 and the Executive Development Program for park and recreation administrators, March, 1983. Both programs are conducted by Indiana University.

The scholarship is awarded for outstanding involvement in professional associations, growth in job responsibilities and managerial performance, and administrative potential. Applications are available by contacting Dr. Richard Lawson, Department of Recreation and Park Administration, HPER, Rm. 133, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana 47405. Phone 812-337-4711.

An art fair, an Octoberfest, and a dance performance are a few of the events being planned by park districts for Arts Week, 1981. October 3-11 has been proclaimed Arts Week by Governor James R. Thompson, a time to focus special attention on the wealth of arts activity in Illinois.

Although Arts Week is not far away, there is still time to plan something special for this week. Hold an open house of art classes, offer demonstrations by art teachers, or host a workshop in dance and movement. Events can be as simple or as elaborate as time allows. The Illinois Arts Council, which sponsors the celebration, encourages park districts and agencies to participate in any way that benefits their own plans and goals in the arts.

Some of the specific events being planned by parks for Arts Week are:

•A folk jam and a dance performance by the Downers Grove Park District,
•A community children's theatre performance by the Peoria Park District,
•The Blackberry Creek Arts Festival, sponsored jointly by the Fox Valley Park District and the United Arts Board of Aurora,
•An all-day extravaganza of demonstrations and special art events, plus on September 19, an afternoon event featuring body painting and mural making by the Western DuPage Special Recreation Association,
•An Octoberfest by the Maine-Niles Association of Special Recreation,
•Lunch hour demonstrations by Homewood-Flossmoor Park District Art instructors; performances at the Homewood-Flossmoor Public Libraries of the Homewood-Flossmoor Park District summer traveling theatre; and on September 27, an Autumn Festival and Art Fair,
•Puppet performances, craft workshops, and a mime performance by the Glenview Park District.

If you have not already received information about Arts Week or would like additional information and materials, contact Nancy Evans, Arts Week Coordinator, Illinois Arts Council, 111 N. Wabash Avenue, Chicago, IL, (312) 793-6750. All IPRA districts and agencies will be receiving Arts Week posters in mid-September.

Illinois Parks and Recreation 31September/October 1981