Features
New Business on the Board Agenda    17
A new ruling affects the Open Meetings Act
— by Timothy A. Stratton
Bike Trail Finance   19
A bikeways insider compares the top three trail grant programs
— by Craig Williams
"Give Us Your Best Shot" Photo Contest Winners    32
Check out IP&R's annual contest and spectacular winners
Special Focus
Taming the Difficult Employee   22
Techniques for supervisors and advice coworkers
- by Nancy Aldrich. M.A.
Customer Service    27
The key to the success of the leisure service organization
- by Joseph J. Bannon, Ph.D.
Managing for Positive Work Environments    34
Simple ways to recognize and praise staff
- by Jamie Sabbach, CPRP and Barbara Elwood Schlatter, Ph.D.
Lifeguards May Look, but They Don't Always See     38
Results of a study on lifeguard vigilance and how to assess your risk
- by Jeff Ellis
The Non-dominant Voice    42
A study looks at perceptions of equity among minorities in the park and recreation field
- by Dan K. Hibbler, Ph.D., CPRP and Kimberly J. Shinew, Ph.D. CPRP

In one rapid-fire shot, Chicago Park District photographer Brook Collins captured for us a fantastic glimpse into the art and drama of Dale Chihuly, world renown glass sculptor whose works are on display in the Garfield Park Conservatory. Using her Nikon D1 digital camera using a zoom lens ¦80-200¦ and ambient light, Collins says,"It was a scene I came across abruptly realizing that my window of opportunity was extremely short before the koi swam away from the float." Due to its popularity—more than 50,000 visitors since the show opened on November 23, 2001 — "Chihuly in the Park: A Garden of Glass" has been extended through September 8, 2002. See www.chicagoparkdistrict.com.

Departments

From the Editor 4

Are You on Board? 6
Keys to the success of the Prospect Heights park board

Eye on the Profession 8
It's not your father's park district anymore, plus The Last Word

Partnerships 10
Partnering with special interest groups works in Quincy

Statehouse Insider 12
Bill Watch and March 19 referendum results

Mixed Media 45
Anniversary Hoo-ha with marketing punch

Our Natural Resources 47
Just add water, plus newsbriefs

People and Places 53
Gold Medal finalists and 2001 Literary Award winners