FROM THE EDITOR

It was fascinating to learn—while researching LAPD's 75-year history— that the early leaders in parks and recreation were dealing with the very same issues we are today.

Believe it. Just read a few excerpts here from the early decades of the IAPD publications.

"Parks and playgrounds are fully as essential to the upbuilding of a city as paved streets, lights, transportation lines and public water supplies. A commodious playground, teeming with youngsters every day of the year, is evidence of a city's greatness quite as impressive as smoking factory chimneys."

—Park Board Section of the Illinois Municipal Review. 1929

"Where should our parks and playgrounds be located? How must they be equipped to best serve? How policed to conserve our property and protect it from vandalism? How are we to secure the necessary revenue with which to establish and maintain them? — Illinois Park Board Bulletin, 1938

"The cost and maintenance of parks is indeed small as compared with the cost of crime." —Illinois Park Board Bulletin, 1941

"The phenomenal increase in the birth rate, the increasing span of life of adults, the increased leisure for people in all walks of life, the rapidly expanding residential, industrial and shopping areas in the cities and—here is the greatest challenge of them all—the proportionate decrease in the amount of acreage available for park and recreation purposes.

—Illinois Parks, 1955

"Few of us can hope to leave a work of art, or a poem, to posterity; but together—if we act before it is too late—we can set aside a few more great parks, and round out our system of refuges for the wildlife. Or, working at other levels, we can reserve a marsh or meadow or an avenue of open space as a green legacy for other generations. — Illinois Parks, 1962

Work together. Take action before it's too late. Create a green legacy for other generations.

ANN M. LONDRIGAN

Editor

Illinois Parks and Recreation

(SSN 0019-2155) is published bimonthly at 211 E.Monroe Street, Springfield, Illinois, by the Illinois Associotion of Park Districts and the Illinois Park and Recreation Association. Annual subscription rates: $6 for IAPO/IPRA members; $25 for non-members; $30 foreign; $20 educational institutions. Single copies: $2 members; $5 nonmembers. Periodicals postage paid at Springfield, Illinois. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Illinois Parks & Recreation, 211 E. Monroe Street, Springfield, IL62701-1186. Opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily express the official views of the IAPD/IPRA, Likewise, the publication of any advertisement is not to be construed as an endorsement of the product or services offered. Members of the IAPD and the IPRA and other interested persons are encouraged to submit articles and illustrative photos for possible publication in the magazine. Send for manuscript guidelines and deadline dates: Editor, Illinois Parks & Recreation, 211 E. Monroe Street, Springfield, IL 62701 -1186,217.523.4554, alondrigan@ILparks,org, www.lLparks.org

Copyright by the Illinois Association of Park Districts and the Illinois Pork and Recreation Association. All rights reserved. Reprints of articles in whole or in part without prior written permission are prohibited.

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4 Illinois Parks and Recreation