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A CLOSER LOOK AT TRENDS AND ISSUES IN THE PARK AND RECREATION PROFESSION

Cultivating "Park Rats"

Look for future professionals among your summer help

William J. M. Wald, CPRP IPRA Executive Director

"Park rats," "gym rats," you know who they are. They're kids who practically live at your facilities, usually in the gym in the winter and the pool in the summer. Maybe you were one yourself.

Eventually these kids get a job as a locker-room attendant or gym attendant and then become a lifeguard, T-ball instructor or camp counselor. You watch them grow and develop their leadership skills, expand their creativity, and begin to inspire and motivate younger "gym rats" just as you influenced them.

Then what happens? Where do they go? They undoubtedly are replaced, but many times not forgotten.

I'm sure you've kept in touch with a few of these kids who went on to successful careers in business or education or some other noble profession. But, did you ever think these "park rats" might make great park and recreation professionals? In talking with professionals throughout our field—many who are former park rats themselves—they fondly recall their own memories of swimming at the pool, making potholders and lanyards in camp, learning how to play basketball or baseball, or performing at the annual dance recital. They admit that their early childhood experiences at their local recreation agencies shaped their future career plans.

I think it's extremely important that professionals and elected board members take an active role in promoting the profession of recreation in the public sector as a viable career opportunity." — Donna McCauley, assistant professor, Recreation Management and Therapeutic Recreation, Moraine Valley Community College

"One of the main challenges currently facing our profession is the decreasing number of young people who are earning degrees in parks and recreation and pursuing careers in the public sector," says Mike Clark, director of the Batavia Park District and president of the Illinois Park and Recreation Association (IPRA).

"While visiting the state universities this year as IPRA president, I can attest firsthand that the desire for future professionals to enter into the public sector is shrinking at an alarming rate."

Amy Charlesworth, superintendent of recreation at the Rolling Meadows Park District, received three applications for three positions in her department after advertising through the IPRA Job Opportunities Bulletin and at all the state colleges and universities.

Wonders Charlesworth: "Is it the pay? The hours? Or the fact that jobs were hard to come by a few years ago?

"And what's going to happen when this upcoming surge in retirements begins?"

Terry Keigher, assistant superintendent of recreation for the Joliet Park District, also experienced a disappointing response to a recent position opening. Only four of the eight applicants who responded held degrees in parks and recreation.

Yet, professors Tony Zito and Dr. Ann Zito report a steady increase in enrollment in the Department of Recreation Administration at the University of St. Francis. More encouraging, Ann says, is the fact that "more students elect public recreation than any other venue."

Tony considers two main factors for the increased popularity of a park and recreation degree. He says that many of his students are attracted to this field due to fond childhood memories at their local park district or recreation department. More importantly, however, is the word-of-mouth promotion of the department among students. A number of students have joined the department after learning about a degree in parks and recreation from a friend or fellow student.

Dr. Nick DiGrino, chairman of the Department of Recreation, Parks and Tourism Administration at Western Illinois University, reports that enrollment has remained steady for the past seven or eight years.

"We have seen a marked improvement in opportunities and levels of compensation for careers in local government parks and recreation," says DiGrino.

"We push these careers aggressively. However, we remind our students that the leisure service industry is expansive and that there are great opportunities in the commercial and private nonprofit sectors as well. In fact, we are seeing the private nonprofit sector as a fast growing area of opportunity, especially for students interested in impacting the growth and development of youth and families."

The enrollment of students pursuing recreation degrees at Moraine Valley Community College has been decreasing in the last five years, according to Donna McCauley, assistant professor for Recreation Management and Therapeutic Recreation.

Says McCauley: "In my opinion, the reasons for decreasing enrollment in our department are the fact that many students are totally unaware that public recreation is

8 | Illinois Parks and Recreation

C U L T I V A T I N G    "P A R K    R A T S"

a profession and that there are many opportunities this profession can afford them. I think it's extremely important that professionals and elected board members take an active role in promoting the profession of recreation in the public sector as a viable career opportunity."

Sandy Gbur, executive director of the West Suburban Special Recreation Association, is concerned that there are fewer young people choosing parks and recreation and therapeutic recreation as their field of study. She is not struggling at the moment to fill an entry-level position. In fact, recently she received 16 applications for one advertised position. However, a year ago was a different story. She received only six applications for two positions last September.

Carol Keithly, superintendent of human resources for the Peoria Park District reported the same experience. Last year she had very few applications for entry-level positions but this year she has had a much better response.

From my eye on the profession, I cannot state definitively that there is a problem with the number of people pursuing careers in public parks and recreation. Each agency and institution of higher education has its own facts and figures. However, I do know that it can only benefit our entire profession if each one of us considers our role in recruiting young people to join our field.

Think about some of your "gym rats" who are transforming before your eyes into responsible young adults. Look around as you stop by your ballfields or visit your summer camps or check out what's happening at the pool. Do you see some young staff members who you think would have a bright career in parks and recreation: people who have the enthusiasm and organizational skills necessary to be successful in our field and who sincerely enjoy working with all types of people in a variety of situations?

If the answer is yes—and I would be surprised if it wasn't—why not tell them about the benefits of a career in public parks and recreation. Tell them that by choosing a career in parks and recreation they are choosing a fun, rewarding and exciting profession that provides life-changing experiences and contributes to the quality of life for the residents of Illinois. Build it into your summer staff orientations. Have a special park and recreation day or bring in a young professional as a guest speaker who can inform, inspire and motivate your young staff.

The IPRA College and University Relations Committee has developed a recruitment video, accompanied by brochure handouts, to inform high school and college students working at local agencies this summer about careers available in our field. For information, call IPRA.

I believe it is the responsibility of all park and recreation professionals to actively promote our profession. Not only does our livelihood depend on it, but the residents of Illinois are depending on us, too. •

The Last Word The first in a series of reflections from retiring park and recreation professionals Connie M. Newport, director of the Park District of Highland Park since 1981, retires from that post in August and moves with her husband, Dan Newport, to Bend, Oregon, that same month. Connie has been with the park district since 1973. It is incomprehensible to me that 28 years have passed since I first arrived in Highland Park as a recreation supervisor with a map in my hand so I wouldn't get lost! I can only hope that retirement lasts as long. I was asked to write down some finals thoughts about being in parks and recreation and what it feels like to leave. So, in no particular order and strictly off the top of my head... • I will be eternally grateful to IMRF for being fully funded and for offering an early retirement option. • I'm even more grateful to park board members who adopted the early retirement resolution, kept me employed, tolerated my prolonged adolescence and gave me the freedom to be creative, independent and to even make mistakes. • My job was fun. I enjoyed going to work every day and being around capable people who made me look good and laughed at my jokes. • Working with the public was not always fun but it made me a better manager and more accountable. • I can actually put together a PowerPoint presentation but I'd rather talk to a group without notes. • I can't believe I'll have to pay to play golf. • Night meetings weren't all that bad. • Being active in professional associations pays dividends. • I'll never apologize for being a parks and recreation major. • I never should have complained about how much money was deducted from my paycheck for retirement. • The drive to Springfield never gets any shorter. • I love voicemail, cell phones, faxes, and e-mail, but I still answer my own phone. • I'll never be able to thank all the people who helped me get to this point. But most of all I'll miss my friends. Many of us literally grew up together, professionally and socially. We worked, played and traveled together. We never had to explain what we did for a living and always called on one another for help, advice, gossip, stock rips and tee times. My best friends are my colleagues or are my colleagues my best friends? I know they'll show up in Bend, Oregon, and we'll be happy to see them. I'm not inclined to give advice but I highly recommend that those new to the profession get to know each other. Somebody at another agency has already been through what you're experiencing—good or bad. They are happy to share their thoughts but you need to know them. You might even find a spouse! And two IMRF incomes aren't bad. I leave with a great deal of satisfaction. I never could have imagined that parks and recreation and the Park District of Highland Park, in particular, could have provided me with such a great life. I wouldn't trade places with anyone. As hard as it is to leave, I'm anxious to start my next adventure which, for Dan and I will be skiing, fishing, hunting, golfing, mountain biking, hiking, etcetera. Recreation. I've heard the benefits are endless. •

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