New Beginnings

This issue of Illinois Parks and Recreation marks a new beginning on several fronts for the Illinois Association of Park Districts and the Illinois Park and Recreation Association.

The magazine's operational site has been changed to Springfield — to the offices of the IAPD. And in appropriate keeping with that change our front cover features a photo of the state capitol building, which is only a block from IAPD headquarters.

Appropriately also, not only in connection with the move to Springfield but in consort with the times, this issue of IPR stresses the reality of politics as it affects the park and recreation field. We were fortunate to obtain an exclusive written interview with gubernatorial candidates Adlai Stevenson and James Thompson, and we invite you to read their responses to the questions we asked. We believe you will find their views revealing.

Politics, of course, doesn't emanate only from the statehouse. When Interior Secretary James Watt visited Illinois earlier this summer, we taped an interview of a news conference he held and thus obtained firsthand — but not the unknown — views of the national administration on parks, recreation, and conservation. Again, for your edification, we invite your readership.

An analysis of what all this means —on the local, state and national levels — is contained in NRPA Executive Director John Davis' hard-hitting article on page 14. You may not agree with some of Mr. Davis' views. He doesn't duck controversy. But no one can fault him for calling attention to the facts of life in Washington, D.C.

All of the developments in the national and state arenas are bound to color our Annual Conference to be held November 18-21 at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare in Rosemont. How do we hold down expenses? How can we keep programs going with less money and possibly reduced manpower? All these and many other questions will come up.

This year's Annual Conference is going to be an exciting and rewarding meeting from several aspects — educational, social, entertainment, and much more — so don't miss it.

Although this issue of IPR emphasizes the realities of developments in Washington and in Springfield, we also stress innovative programming in two articles from the park districts of Wilmette and Rockford.

How Illinois has acquired a reputation as a leader in the park and recreation areas in comparison to other states is explored in an article written by two University of Oregon professors. This thoughtful article will give you insight in planning and implementing goals for your agency. Future issues of IPR will go into more depth on programming, procedures, policy, planning, etc.

Lastly, as a part of our new beginnings, you have noticed that this issue of IPR is dressed up in a new format. We have acquired the services of Virgil E. Tipton, Jr. of Springfield, a magazine editor for 22 years with the Illinois State Bar Association. We welcome him aboard. The Board of Editors and the Boards of Directors extend their thanks and appreciation to retiring editor, Len Cleary, for his years of service to the IAPD/IPRA.

Beginning with this issue also, we are striving to increase the readership and the communication value of the magazine. This is your magazine and we want your input. If your agency or organization has discovered new and improved ways of managing your park or your programs or other activities, write an article about it. Send for a manuscript guidesheet which will tell you how to prepare the article. We also welcome letters to the editor. To help finance the IPR, we also appeal to you to contact prospective advertisers. Write for our ad rate card.

Beginning with this issue of IPR, we hope to make the magazine more interesting, easier to read, and more practical. We welcome your support.

— Ted Flickinger

Illinois Parks and Recreation 4 September/October 1982