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ARE YOU ON BOARD? Moments to Reflect and Celebrate An Appreciation of 75 Years of the Illinois Association of Park Districts
Sometimes it's important to stop, to reflect, and to take time to celebrate success. After all, what's the point of doing good work and serving good people if we don't—every once in a while—take a moment to enjoy our accomplishments? For all of us associated with the Illinois Association of Park Districts, our 75th anniversary year has provided us with a reason to seize upon those moments. This past year, whether I've been at the conference, the IAPD commissioners' seminar, parks day at the Capitol, the summer golf tour, or the 75th Anniversary Gala, I've taken a moment to appreciate being among friends and colleagues who have worked so hard to preserve this state's natural resources and provide high-quality, life-enhancing recreational opportunities for all Illinoisans. The Illinois Association of Park Districts is the oldest state association in the country, and the only association for citizen board members and friends of the Illinois parks.
Illinois leads the nation in the local delivery of parks, recreation and conservation services. And almost everyone who reads this magazine has had a hand in developing the nearly 500 park districts, forest preserves, conservation districts, special recreation associations and city recreation agencies for the people of this state. Thanks to the vision of those who came before us, and our willingness to build on their vision, Illinois citizens are free to enjoy 337,000 acres of open space. For 75 years, the IAPD helped create opportunities for people to swim, sail, fish, play ball, learn new skills, hike wooded trails, climb hills, rest and relax, as well as dream. The parks, the playgrounds, the recreation centers and natural areas that we created and preserved are our gifts... gifts of beauty and quality of life to the people of Illinois, our children and our children's children. We should all be proud of what we have done—the impact that we have made across Illinois-as professionals and citizens and board members.
As an association we've come a long way since 1928. Literally we rose from the basement to get where we are today. In the late 1920s and early '30s the IAPD offices were in the basement of the Urbana Public Library. In 1933, the association moved to Springfield. But guess what? We were still in the basement: This time in a building on Fifth and Capitol streets. By the 3 mid-1940s, the organization had seen the light. We rented different spaces in Springfield for the next 48 years. Then, in 1988, after 60 years of operation, we decided never to be in the basement again. So we bought our headquarters at 211 East Monroe-where you'll find us today-right across the street from the Illinois State Capitol building: a football field away from the governor's office and the General Assembly. But, wherever we've been located, we have worked hard to help board members fulfill their role as citizen advocates for parks, forest preserves and recreation agencies. 6 | Illinois Parks and Recreation MOMENTS TO REFLECT AND CELEBRATE
We've provided training for new commissioners, developed educational programs and published materials to give board members and executives the skills and tools they need to direct their agencies effectively. We've done this for 75 years with an admirable record of accomplishments. Together, we are citizen advocates for public parks, conservation areas, and recreation agencies. You have helped us tell the parks, conservation and recreation story to our political leaders in Springfield and in the nation's capital. And you've helped us tell it well. Since 1980, legislation endorsed by the IAPD passed 92 percent of the time. Our major successes as citizen advocates go back to 1941 when agencies first won the right to levy a .05 percent recreation tax. We've worked for measures for increased annexation authority and for preservation of our natural wonders. Our efforts got the Open Space Land Acquisition and Development grant started in 1986, and it was only through the efforts of the IAPD and its members that this program escaped the budget ax in 2002. Legislators are hearing our story and they are seeing the wisdom of what we do. As State Senator Edward Petka recently wrote to remind us, "our park districts are a great buy for our tax dollars, returning $3 to our communities in economic impact for every taxpayer dollar they receive." Just this spring, our membership and our friends in the Illinois General Assembly pulled together to help pass significant legislation that relieves Special Recreation Associations and some park districts from certain constraints of the tax cap. Although the governor vetoed these measures this summer, our association will continue to push these initiatives. We worked with the Secretary of State's office to establish the Park District Youth License Plate with proceeds going to after-school programs for kids. And we obtained nearly one million dollars in grant funding from the Illinois Attorney General's office to benefit youth after-school programs. Can you think of a better way than that to demonstrate our 75th anniversary slogan: "The Power of Citizen Advocacy?" At the risk of sounding boastful, the IAPD is the nation's model for citizen advocacy. We are involved. We are professional. And we are a force for improving the well-being of our fellow citizens.
This has been a year for celebrating all that we have been, all that we are, and all that we will be.
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September/October/November 2003 | 7
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