DOCUMENT RESUME

ED 057 968 RC 005 858

AUTHOR Bannon, Joseph J.; Storey, Edward H.TITLE Guidelines for Recreation and Park SystemsINSTITUTION Illinois Univ., Urbana.SPONS AGENCY Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C.REPORT NO Circ-1017PUB DATE Jun 70NOTE 26p.

EDFS PRIcE MF-$0.65 HC-$3.29DESCRIPTORS *City Planning; rommun ty Involvement; *Educational

Facilities; Government Role; Individual Needs: *LandUse; Needs; Park Design; *narks; *RecreationalFacilities; Regional Planning; Shared Services; StateLaws

ABSTRACTIn this publication, written for use in guiding

community recreation and park systems, the following topics arediscussed: why parks and recreational facilities should be developed,the need for governmental participation, and park-system development.Additionally, neighborhood parks, playlots, community parks,city-wide parks, regional parks and reservations, and specializedrecreation areas and facilities are examined in terms of desirablephysical characteristics and user populations. Principles applying todesign of park and recreation areas and cooperative facility usafe byschool and community are also reviewed. To provide examples of jointdevelopment of school-recreation facilities, 4 communities aredescribed: Topeka, Kansas; Mount Prospect, Illinois; Austin, Texas;and Elk Grove Village, Illinois. An outline of recommended communitypark and recreation practices discusses administration, communitycooperation, planning, facilities, programs, and personnel, and achart of selected Illinois laws is included. (MJB)

ContentsWhy Develop Parks and Recreation Facilities9 2The Need for Government Participation 4Guidelines for Park System Development 6Distribution in the Park System ......... . . . . 7

Neighborhood ParksPlaylots 8Community Parks 9City-Wide ParksRegional Parks and Reservations ....... . . . . 10Specialized Recreation Areas and Facilities 11

Designini Parks and Recreation Areas 11Using School F :militias in Park and Recreation Systems 12Examples of Joint Development ....... . . . . . . . . . . . ... 14

Topeka, Kansas 14Mount Prospect, Illinois 17Austin, Texas 18Elk Grove Village, Illinois . . . . . .............. . 19

Current Park and Recreation Practicps 19Administration 19Community Cooperation 20Planning 20Facilities 20Progr-ms 21Personnel 22

Outline of Illinois Park and Recreation Laws 23

This publicatio.: was prepared by the Office of Recreation andPark Resources, Department of Recreation and Park Administra-tion, College of Physical Education, and the Cooperative Ex-tension Service, College of Agrkulture. The authors are. JOSEPHJ. BANNON, chief, Office of Recreation and Park Resources, Uni-versity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and EDWARD H.STOREY, dean, College of Creative Communications, Universityof Wisconsin at Green Bay.

Urbana, Illinois June, 1970

Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension Work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, incooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. JOHN B. CLAAR, Director, CooperativeExtension Service, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

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Guidelines for Recreation and Park Systems110. What geographic arca will this community occupy in the future,

and what part of this area logically should be served by a park andrecreation system?

What will be the predictable size and distribution of populationwithin this area?

4* How can a park and recreation system best serve the prand future community and contribute todevelopment?

10" What predictable changes in our way of life will result in chang-ing demands upon public park and recreation services?

Such questions must be answered by those who have thc job ofplanning thc development of park and recreational facilities. Thiscircular will help planners make the best possible use of available andpotential park and recreational resources.

desirable growth and

Why Develop Parks andRecreation Facilities?

During the pat 25 years, while we have been depleting our recre-ational resources, the recreation needs and demands of most com-munities have increased greatly. People have more opportunity forrecreation than ever before.

Scientific and technological advances have reduced the work dayand the work week, prolonged life, produced labor-saying devices,and increased production per man-hour of work. Longer life, com-bined with compulsory retirement, has produced a new leisure groupof "senior citizens. Increased leisure provides small allotments of timeon weekdays, larger allotments on weekends and occasional holidays,and substantial blocks of time for vacations.

To enjoy this time and use it to make a positive contribution tothe growth of our culture, communities must provide suitable recre-ation opportunities. Park facilities, developed to facilitate recreationparticipation by all age groups, are essential to individual and com-munity well-being. Recreation is one of the keys to abundant living.

Because of its importance in society, recreation is more than apersonal responsibility. As ingenious and resourceful as man may be,his attempts to provide recreation for himself cannot be successfulunless he pools his resources with those of other individuals. Thoseasn,ects of our culture that have given us increased freedom and leisurehave also worked in some ways to our disadvantage. The rapid popu-lation increase and new leisure have created vast new economic mar-kets and helped promote financial affluence. But this, in turn, hasdepleted much of our fixed supply of resources. Changes in land-usepatterns failed to take into account the need for maintaining openlands for recreation, and in too many cases established park lands havebeen lost to other uses.

The average individual, acting on his own, cannot provide for allhis recreation needs or protect his interests in the face of the power-ful influences represented by rapid urban growth. Society must actthrough its institutions to develop and pl-otect the park resources andthe potentials for recreation that remain. At the same time, we mustprovide leadership that can manage these resources, direct their intelli-gent use, and guide people of all ages in learning and practicing avariety of recreation skills.

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The Need for Government ParticipationPrograms designed to serve basic recreation needs all through

the year are now provided by governments in many communities, andthe number of public recreation and park systems is increasing eachyear.

Experience has shown that local government organization is nsary to assure proper planning for and attention to recreation andpark services. Public provision of park and recreation services makesthem comparatively inexpensive, and provides the only practicalmeans of making recreation opportunities available to all the people.Only through government can park lands and recreation facilities bepurchased at minimum cost and in a way that assures continued publicownership. A well-designed and skillfully managed park system im-proves the appearance of the community nd helps protect and en-hance property values, while assuring that there are adequate areas,facilities, and opportunities to provide recreation participation forall the people.

If a community's park and recreatIon services are to be effectivefrom year to year, the following elements have been found throughexperience to be essential.

1. A public park and recreation managing authority that is estab-lished according to state enabling legislation.

2. A board of representative and interested citizens to whom_ theprovision of park and recreation services is a primary concern.

3. Competent, well-qualified professional leader hip and capable,well-tra.incd volunteers.

4. A dependable, continuous source of adequate funds to establish,operate, and maintain programs, services, and facilities.

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5_ A suitable variety of outdoor and indoor areas and facilities.6. Intelligent and comprehensive planning procedures_7. Cooperative interagency working relationships established at the

policy level in written agreements that are carried out in spirit as welles in letter by executive and leadership personnel.

Guidelines forPark System DeNfelopment

The development of a community's park and recreation systemshould be based on several important principles. The principles listedbelow reflect the previous experience of communities in the planningand development of park and recreation services. They are commonlyaccepted as authoritative guidelines for action.

1. Recreation cpportunities should be available to all the peoplein the community, regardless of age, sex, creed, race, or economicstatus.

2. Recreation and park facilities and services should be plannedon neighborhood, city-wide, and regional bases, as related parts of a

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unified, well-balanced system, to provide maximu opportunities forall the peoPle-

3_ Park and recreation lands should be acquired even if limitedfinancial resources of the park arid recreation agency oblige it to delaycomplete development_

4_ The park arid recreation plan must consider the requirementsfor management, leadership, and maintenance, and the costs of theserequirements, as well as the community's ability to pay for them.

5. Appearance and usefulness should complement each other inpark and recreation aveas and facilities.

Distribution in the Park SystemNeighborhood Parks

Service area- A neighborhood park, with suitable playgroundfacilities, should be within walking distance of every home. The areato bc served by a neighborhood park is determined by several factors,such as those listed below.

1_ Distance from homes to the park.2. Size of the park.3. Amount and type of recreation facilities.4. Attractiveness of the park.5. Opportunities for organized recreational activity, guided by

qualified leaders, and informal activity through individual or groupinitiative_

6. Effectiveness of behavior control within the park.7_ Efficiency of the park maintenance operation.8. Provision of personal conveniences, such as rest areas, public

toilets, water fountains, and so on_Generally, the effective service radius of a neighborhood park is

from one-quarter to one-half mile, unless there are restrictive traffichazards or other physical boundaries that rednce the park's servicearea.

Facilities- Neighborhood parks should include:A shelter building with a game room, meeting room, storage and

toilet facilities, and a small kitchen, or there should be access to com-parable facilities in the elementary sellout building in the area.

Grassed open area for informal games_Baseball and softball diamonds, or a dual-purpose diamond.Multi-Purpose, all-weather area with marked courts, game stan-

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dards, and basketball c,-oals; all these should be lighted for play of oldercnildren in the evenings.

Play lot for pre-school children and shaded rest area for mothers.Suitable play apparatus for older children.Spray basin or wading pool.Landscaped park area, for passive recreation, nature study, and

,.,_nhanced appearance of the area.Borders, buffer strips, and paths.Family picnic area.Off-street parking.Location. Neighborhood parks should be centrally located so chil-

dren. do not have to cross major streets, highways, or business areas toget to them. In some situations, where heavy traffic conditions orother hazards exist, it may be desirable to provide additional small playareas, called playlots, in sub-neighborhoods.

Acreage. One acre of park land for every 100 people in the com-munity should be the minimum allotment. Of this allotment, thereshould be a minimum of one acre of neighborhood park land for every500 peopie in the neighborhood, and the balance should be distributedby providing city-wide parks. A neighborhood park should have atleast five acres, so essential areas can be included with adequateseparation between th,-rn. for different age groups and funct ons.Plcrylats

Playlots, sometimes called totlots, are small play areas for childrens1 x. years and younger. Playlots may range up to 10,000 square feet.

Facilities. Pluylots should include:An open shelter building.Sandbox.Slides.Climbing apparatus.Wading pool.Various Cr eative play apparatus.Benches.Fences_Landscaping.Equip playlots to promote the imaginative and creative play of

pre-school children, and provide shaded rest areas for mothers.

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Community ParksService area. A community park is an area serving a group of

neighborhoods within a city. Community parks provide the largerand more costly facilities that cannot be provided in each neighbor-hood Provide at least two acres of community parks per 1,000 popu-lation. The service radius of a community park should be about onemile, and where possible it should relate to high school or junior highschool development.

Facilities_ Community pa park-school complex -s c uldinclude

Childr _n's playlot.Apparatus for older children.Paved multiple-use areas.Hard-surface, special games courts.Sports fields for men and women.Lawn games area.Archery range.Swimming pool.Amphitheater.Ice rink.Picnic area.Field house (or use of school buildin ).Nature center.Landscaping.Parking areas and service road.

City-Wiclo ParksA city-wide or general purpose park is a large area serving all the

residents of a communit-y. It should provide a beautiful, natural set-ting that invites enjoyment of both active and passive recreation inter-ests. Major recreation facilities not usually found in other parks shouldbe included in a city-wide park. These might include a golf course,woods, winter sports center, picnic areas, swimming pool, athleticstadium, ornamental gardens, outdoor theater, bandshell, library, andadequate off-street parking.

The standards for such parks are flexible and depend upon theneed for providing balance in the entire park and recreation system.If regional parks are inadequately developed, then city-wide parksmust have more generous provisions.

Regional Parks and ReservationsA regional park is a large land and fore -t reser ation, preferably

with unique scenic character. It serves one or more cities or perhapsa county or larger region. Usually it is located outside the corporateboundaries of cities, but may be located within a large urbanized area.

The purposes of regional parks include:1. Preserving a portion of the natural landscape of an area.2. Supplementing the recreational facilities available in urban

areas.3. Serving specialized outdoor recreation needs of rural and urban

people alike.4. Providing open greenbelt areas to serve as buffers between

urbanized areas.

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Specialized Recreation Areas and FacilitiesCertain areas and facilities are highly specialized. They may be

developed on special tracts of land or integrated into other park andrecreation areas. They provide major recreation opportunities andrequire large amounts of space. Such facilities include golf courses,swimming pools, athletic stadiums, tennis courts, baseball and softballdiamonds, and recreation buildings.

Designing Parks and Recreation AreasCareful design of parks and recreation areas for functional use and

attractive appearance is vital to efficient programming, operation, andmaintenance of the entire system. Each site will present its own spe-cific problems that must be considered in its development.

Some of the principles that apply to the design of any recreationarea are listed below.

Efficient use of space. Prepare a general site plan for each areabefore locating any equipment or developing the facility. Such a planhelps make best use of equipment and facilities in the space available.

Adequate space for each facility. It is important that enoughspace is provided whenever possible to permit standard dimensionsfor play areas. This will make participation safer and more satisfying.

Supervision. It may be necessary to have supervision of some ofthe activities in a park. Activities that require a good deal of super-vision should all be located in one area, so it will not be necessary tohave a different supervisor for each activity.

Location of activity areas. Closely related areas and facilities orthose used by the same age group should be placed near to one another.Place facilities involving spectator attendance or mass participationclose to approach streets and parking areas. Put facilities for smallchildren near the side of the park with the largest number of homesand close to an entrance.

Safety. Place apparatus areas away from lines of foot t affie.Arrange playing fields so fly balls and other equipment will not enterother activity areas. Locate parking areas and roads where they willnot interfere with activity areas and lines of foot traffic.

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Economy of construction and maintenance. Use of permanenttypes of conrt surfacing, durable building materials, arid hardy plantmaterials will lower maintenance costs. Careful location of specializedfacilities will reduce cests for grading, draining, plumbing, and paving.Good landscaping will reduce costs for such operations as mowing,fertilizing, and so on_

noblic accommodations_ For a park to be most usefill it musthave convenient toilet facilities, parking areas, walks, seating accom-modations, shade, and drinking fountains.

Use of natural features. Use level terrain for active game areasand courts. Adapt natural slopes for an ontdoor theater or wintersports. Save trees for their aesthetic value and for picnicking, hiking,and iiaturc study.

Aesthetic qnality. An attractive park provides the right env' n-ment for recreation enjoyment and enhances the economic value ofadjacent property- This quality can be achieved even on the smallestarea by the judicious and artistic use of trees, shrubs, vines, and lawnsurfaces, and hy good architectural design and building materials. Adreary, unattractive play area. is a detriment to the community andseldom attracts many participants.

Using School Fcmilitiesin Park rind Recreettion Systems

In recent years many communities have begun using school facil-ities far recreation and park purposes_ For instance, park systems andschool boards have cooperatively developed swimming pools for bothschool and public use. Another example is the increasing use of schoolauditoriums for public meetings.

Local officials responsible for school development now recognizethat school facilities not only serve an educational function, but mnstalso become social, civic, recreation, and cultural centers in the com-munity. Planning for each new school building must take into ac-count the community's social orgarr:zatiori and the availability of otherpublic facilities.

Cooperation between school boards and park boards has becomenecessary during the past decade because there has been an increasingdemand for improved public services_ Duplication of facilities must be

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reduced to a minimum if the taxpaycr is to receive efficient and effec-tive service for every tax dollar.

Impraved community living is the gaal cif all units of local gavern-merit, so the planning by both schaal and park-recreation afficials willaftert have similar objectives. A brief examinatian of the services pro-vided by both agencies suggests that cooperatian is nat anly desirable,but essential_ Many cases can be cited where the taxpayer has beencarrying the tax burden for facilities arid programs that cauld be moreproperly administered with joint development arid aperatian_

A survey af a number cif existing school and pa developmentsreveals that several pracedures are essential ta achieve coaperativeplanning. Three of the most important procedures in establishing jointdevelopment are;

1. Establishment of a joint committee that includes members ofthe school board, city council, recreation and parks authority, as wellas the superintendent of schools, director of parks and recreation, citymanager, and the planning director.

2. Periodic conferences between city and sehaal officials, both atthe palicy and administrative levas.

3. Establishment af a contract that spells ant haw the facilitiesof the agencies involved in joint planning can be used eaaperatively.

Exomples of Joint DevelopmentInfarmation about four communities in which joint development

school-recreation facilities has taken place is included belaw_Tapieka, Kansas

Topeka is a camrmanity that made an all-ont effart to bring aboutcooperative effarts in joint planning and development. In 1964 a. jointcommittee was appointed with representatives from the school board,recreation commission, and city park department. The superintendentof schools, superintendent of recreation, and superintendent of parksserved as ex-afficio naembeis of this cammittee.

Though this cammittee had ria power to take o icial actian, itpravided an oppartunity for the discussion of mutually related projects.Representatives conld then refer these discnssions to their respectiveboards. As a result of many meetings with department staffs and boardmembers, a resalntion was drafted and adapted by the three agencies,thus afficially setting the stage for firtnre cooperative develcipments.

a-he resolution follows'This joint resolutioa is an effort between three piihle boards to increase theservices provided by each, to heighten the efficiency or operation of each,arid to fulfill their specific obligations to the citizens of the community withthe lowest cost to the taxpayer."The following statements of this resolution shall constitute a basis for actionsof the Board of Education, the Park Department, and Recreation Commis-sion in the execution of their plan of cooperation for joint acquisition, plan-ning, and respective use of school-park sites in the City of 'Topeka.'The Board of Education, the Park Llepartment, and the Recreation Com-mission, mutually agree that in the acquisition and planning of school-parksites, whether acquired jointly or independently, each will inform the other,as far in advance as is practicable, of its plans for acquisition and develop-ment of sites which may become mutual resources.With a mutual desire to better serve the citizens of 'Topeka, the Park De-partment, Recreation Commission, and Board of Education support andencourage the development of school-park sites within the community. Bycombining a school arid a park on one land area, portions of the schoolbuilding may serve community needs and indoor recreation requirements;portions of the park may provide facilities for the school recreation andeducational program, as well as for community needs.It is recognized that cooperation in acquisition, planning, and constructionof school-park properties results in certain economies in capital expendituresby the three bodies, reduces the cost of maintenance, and increases the effec-tiveness of maintenance and use.In the following months an elementary school was jointly de-

veloped. It is presently being used by the 'Topeka Recreation Commis-sion as a neighborhood recreation center. Naturally, as a result of thisdevelopment, a mare detailed contract was required tcl define theresponsibility of each of the agencies. Again, this contract was devel-oped as a result of meetings between the agencies' staffs and the jointplanning committee.

Below is a. copy of the contract appmved by the three boards.Mils AGREEMENT , made and entered into, in triplicate, thisday of , 1965, by and between "The Board of Educationof the City of 'Topeka of the State of Kansas, a quasi-municipal corporation,hereinafter called the Board," and the `Topeka Recreation Commission, acorporation, hereinafter called the "Recreation Commission."RECIT'ALS:A. "The Board Is the owner of public school grounds and facilities locatedwithin the City of 'Topeka, Kansas, school district; and the Recreation Com-mission has recreation giounds and facilities under its operation and controllocated within the City of 'Topeka, Kansas.B. T'he Board and Recreation Commission desIre to provide opportunitiesfor recreational and/or physical fitness programs and to offer the 'Topeka

community the maximum benefits from joint and mutual use of the respec-tive grounds and facilities for such purposes, upon the terms and conditionshereinafter set forth.NOW, THEREFORE, it is mutually agreed as follows;1. The school grounds and facilities, including buildings located at thepublic elementary and junior high schools in the City of Topeka, Kansas,shall be made available to the Recreation Commissioii so long as this doesnot interfere with the public school progrmn.2. For each school building used in its recreational program, the RecreationCommission shall pay to the Board the sum of One dollar ($1.00) per hourof such tise for heat, light, and other utility services, except that such chargeshall not apply to the use by the Recreation Commission of school buildingson the cooperative and planned sites or during the Recreation Commission'ssummer program. The term "cooperative and planned sites" as used hereinmeans the jointly planned and developed school and recreation sites andfacilities such as the one located at 31st and Arnold, Topeka, Kansas.3. Any facilities at the cooperative and planned sites under the control ofthe Recreation Commission shall be available to the Board so long as thisdoes not interfere with the Recreation Commission's planned prorams-4. There shall be no charge to the Board when using any facilities of tleRecreation Commission.5. At least annually, the representatives of the Board and the Re ationCommission wilt inspect the facilities of the Board which are to be used bythe Recreation Commission; and the Recreation Commission will be liableto and reimburse the Board for any damage, beyond normal wear and tear,resulting to the Board's facilities during the use of such facilities by theRecreation Commission during the reKular school year.6. The Recreation Commission will be liable to and reimburse the Boardfor any damage, beyond "normal wear and tear," resulting to the Board'sfacilities during the use thereof in the Recreation Commission's summerrecreation program except in ease of window breakage; and in such case, theRecreation Commission will pay sixty percent (60%) of replacement costsand the Board will pay forty percent (40%) of replacement costs.7. The policy of the Board is to require a custodian to be in attendance atits school buildings when in use during the school year and otherwise; andfor the services of the custodian in excess of the normal 40-hour week at anyschool facility for the purposes of the Recreation Commission during theschool year, the Recreation Commission, shall reimburse the Board for suchservices, sixty percent (60%) of the excess costs incurred by the Board toprovide the sen:ices of the custodian, it being understood that the normalweek of the custodian is from Monday to Friday, inclusive, of each week,and between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., inclusive of each day_ Theservices of a custodian on holidays, as specified by the Board, shall be con-strued as services in excess of his normal work week.8. There shall be no charge to the Recreation Commission for custodialservice at all cooperative and planned sites. During its summer recreationprogram, the Recreation Commission will provide and pay for the custodialservice Wirhich is reasonabiy necessary and proper to kecp and maintaM in

e _an condition the portion of any school facility used by the RecreationCommission in such program_9. The Recreation Commission and the Board shall each appoint personnelto meet with designated representatives of the other to discuss, clarify, andestablish all details concerning the operation and maintenance of the useof the facilities owned by the Board and under the control of the RecreationCommission.10. Mhe Board will submit periodic itemized statements as the Board maydetermine to the Recreation Commission covering such items as may bepayable to the Board hereunder.11_ Mhis Agreement is a continuing one but it may be terminated by eitherof the parties hereto by serving written notice of termination nport the otherparty at least 90 days prior to the effective date of termination as specifiedin thc notice_12. No assignment_ of this Agreement or any rights thereunder by eitherparty shall bc valid without the written consent of the other party.

Mount Prospect, IllinoisIn 1963 Movrit Prospect Park District approved an agreement

with Consolidated School District 59 for joint use of facilities. In June,1966, the Park District opened a swimming pool located next to ajunior high school. It was reported by the director of parks and recre-ation that physical education classes were scheduled soon after thepool was filled in the spring and again in the fall -until C>ctober. 'Theboard of education has agreed to share in the cost of maintaining theswimming pool on a. 50-50 basis, up to a maximum cost of $10,000per year_

'The 1963 contract between the park board and board of educationprovides the following conditions for facilities in joint use:

1. Mhe School Board agiees:A. 'To grade and provide drainage of all areas included in the agreement.B. Not to restrict public use of the properties after school hours.C. Mc) provide space within theschool buildings, including classrooms,

kitchen, and lavatory facilities, for after-school program activities.J-c provide permanent outdoor facilities, such as drives, parking lots,

and surfaced play areas, as required for normal school use.E. a-c, pay for all water and electricity nsed for the maintenance of the

facilities, with the exception of water and electricity required for the swim-ming pool and ballfields-

F_ 'To provide the facilities listed in the contract for a fee of $1 per year.2. -The Park Board agrees:

A. 'To provide and plant all trees arid shrubs on sites.B. To plan, purchase, and install outdoor play eqnipment, including ap-

paratus, ballfields, goals, ovens, and so forth.

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G. To maintain grounds owned by the board of education at sites in-cluded in the agreement. This maintenance is to include alio wing, trimming,and pruning, but is not to include snow removal.

13. To provide trained, qualified leadership for park district sponsoredprograms in school buildings and grounds_

E. To provide outdoor facilities needed for- normal community use.Austin, Texas

Austin is another community that has done an outstanding jobin school-community development. The policy adopted by the cityadministration and the board of education recognizes the need forrecreation as a contributing factor to a, more wholesome life. Thepolicy further recognizes the responsibility of these two governmentalunits to offer the community the greatest possible benefits from its in-vestments of public expenditures.

It is acknowledged that the board of education must acquire landhat primarily will meet the educational needs of the district. I-low-

ever, park and recreation needs receive high priority in land acqui-sition. After sites have been selected tentatively, the superintendentof schools notifies the city manager, planning director, and the directorof recreation and parks. After these parties have had a chance toreview the project, u meeting of everyone concerned is held to deter-mine a course of action. The cost of jointly acquired and developedareas is based upon the length of time they are used by each agency.Under the present plan this time ratio is nine months for school useand three months for recreation and park use. Under this plan theCity of Austin reimburses the school district 25 percent of the cost ofacquiring and developing the outdoor area.

Te Austin authorities have done an excellent job of working outagreements for joint use of facilities. WoLl'ing Gut details of joint useis often quite difficult. Whether a janitor is present in the building andwho shall pay for heat and lights would seem to be minor questionsthat can be easily answered, but these questions often create majorproblems in finalizing agreements.

Phe Austin authorities have agreed on the following policies:1. A school custodian will be present in all buildings used by the rec-

reation and park department when more than a specific part of the schoolbuilding is open. A school custodian will n ot be required when only aspecific part of the building is being used.

2. When the recreation program is in progress and the custodian is stillbeing paid by the school, there will be no charge to the recreation and parkdepartment.

3. The maintenance and repair of the school building will, be assumedby the school authorities, except when damage to the facility is unusual andis a result of the recreation program.

4. The heat for the building is furnished by the board of education.5, To compensate the school district for electricity and water consumed

by the recreation and park department, the city assumes the responsibilityfor the school districts' utility bills durinp- the months of July and August.

6. The watering and mowing of areas used for recreation purposes byboth agencies is done by the city. However, Cie trimming, watering, andhand mowing of areas immediately adjacent to the school facility is done bythe school district.

7. Tin-ie of custodial services begins at the opening of the building andextends a sufficient period of time beyond tl e closing of the activity toallow for proper clean-up.

Elk Grove Village, IllinoisThe Elk Grove Park District is in the beginning stages of its school-

community development. Already in operation is the Grant WoodElementary School, which serves as a youth center. This facility wasjointly developed and paid for by the Elk Grove Village and SchoolDistrict 59. 'The name of this building, "Grant Wood ElementarySchool and Youth Center," readily identifies it as a community facility_At the present time park district offices are also housed there_ After-school and weekend programs are conducted at this location. Duringthe day the youth center portion of the building is used for physicaleducation classes and lunchroom activities.

Elk Grove Village has added a swimming pool to the 'ThomasLivey Junior High School. As in Tvlount Prospect, Illinois, this swim-ming pool would serve not only as an educational facility but also asa community facility.

Current Park and Recreation PracticesThe following list of park and recreation practices includes most

of tht_)se recommended for communities that want to have a completepar': and recreation program. People interested in park and recreationdevelopment can use this list to determine what improvements areneeded in their own communities.Administration

1_ A public authority establish d for recreation and p rk purposes.A separate public authority may serve each purpose.

2. An annual appropriation made by the agencies involv d.

3. Records on individual and group participation kept in a formthat provides information about ( a ) the proport on of constitutentsreceiving services; (b) the number of individuals registered, numberof group sessions, and the attendance; and (e) the composition charac-teristics of the participants and the constituency ( age, sex, culturalbackground, education level, and so on ) .

Community Cooperation1- Each school building and site available for community re r -

ation.2. At least one multi-purpose athletic field available for community

recreation after school hours and during vacations.3_ Fairgrounds available for use in recreation programs_4. Church buildings and properties generally available for recre-

ation activities.5. Civic and service clubs sponsor (help finance or conduct ) spe-

ciai recreation events.Planning

1- A master plan for recreation, park land, and water areas pre-pared by the city planning commission and adopted by the city council,school board, and park district.

2. All buildings used by the public should be made accessible toand easily used by the physically handicapped.

3. Representatives of public recreation and park agencies activelyparticipate in an overall community planning council.

4. Land set aside for recreation and parks in subdivisions andannexed territories.

5. One playground available in each neighborhood with super-vision. when_ possible during after-school hours and vacations.Facilities

1. All park areas easily accessible and attractively maintained.2. All school sites attractively landscaped.3_ Public swimming pools accessible and attractively designed_4. Beaches and shoreline areas easily accessible, with lifeguards

on duty at specified periods, and with boating facilities.5- At least one community recreation building.6 . Softball and baseball fields lighted for night play.

7. At least one gvninasium available for usc in the recreationprogram.

8 At least two tennis courts available and well maintained.9. Golf courses open to the public.

10. Commercial enterprises, such as the following, are available:boat rental concessions; bowling alleys; community concert series; golfdriving ranges; motion picture theaters; riding stables; skating rinks;and swimming pools.

11. Use of public facilities throughout the year for men andwomen 20 years and older and especially for retired people.

Programs1. Recreation activities conducted outside of school hours for chil-

dren 5 to 19 years old, as well as for the chronically ill and handi-capped.

[21 ]

2. Programs macgrams are preferablebut specialized programswith health agencies, - c

ailal3le to the handicapped. Integrated pro-rtieipation with other chil _en or adults),are acceptable. Programs are coordinatedwhere groups are large enough, a specially

trained leader (a recreation therapist ) is employed. Transportationis provided for the handicapped.

3. Community-wide celebra ions for fa nilies planned for mostholidays.

4. Playground program and the community center program com-posed of the following diversified activities which are available to eachparticipant at some time during the year: arts and crafts; natureactivities; individual and team sports; music ; social events (dancing,excursions, parties) ; storytelling and dramatics; and swimming andwater sports.

5. Day camps held for all children, including the mentally retardedand physically handicapped.

6. Special social events arranged for teenage boys and girls.7. The following opportunities to participate in the fine and per-

forming arts should be available to all age groups through the publicpark and recreation agencies or in cooperation with them: live theater,band, orchestra, lessons on musical instruments, concerts, recordlibrary, browsing library, debates, forums, museums, dance lessons,painting and drawing, sculpture, ceramics, woodcraft, and flowerarranging.

8. A comprehensive plan of leisichication conducted for peopleof all ages in the area. Schools arid other agencies should cooperate.

PersonnelI. A director of parks and recreation employed all year.2. A qualified recreation superintendent employed year around.3. Volunteers help the recreation director conduct a program.

Out

line

of S

elec

ted

Illin

ois

Law

s R

elat

ed to

Par

ks a

nd R

ecre

atio

n

Rev

ised

Citi

es a

d V

illag

es A

ct, R

ecre

atio

n C

omm

is-

sion

and

Rec

reat

ion

Cen

ters

, Cha

pter

24,

Art

icle

1.1

,D

ivis

ion

95

The

Par

k D

istr

ict C

ode,

Cha

pter

195

Des

crip

tion

of p

urpo

seT

o au

thor

ize

the

corp

orat

e au

thor

ities

of

cert

ain

mu-

nici

palit

ies

to p

rovi

de f

or th

e es

tabl

ishm

ent,

mai

nte-

nanc

e, a

nd o

pera

tion

of a

sup

ervi

sed

recr

eatio

n sy

stem

.(9

5-2)

To

prov

ide

for

the

inco

rpor

atio

n, e

stab

lishm

ent,

mai

n-te

nanc

e, a

nd o

pera

tion

of p

ark

dist

rict

s.

App

licab

le,

toE

very

mun

icip

ality

with

a p

opul

atio

n of

less

than

500,

000.

(95

-2)

Any

"on

e co

nnec

ted

area

.'''

(1)

No

part

of

whi

ch is

incl

uded

in a

n ex

istin

g in

cor-

pora

ted

park

dis

tric

t.'2

) H

avin

g le

ss th

an 5

001,

000

popu

latio

n.(2

-1)

Ado

ptio

npr

oced

ure

Rek

-ren

d u

m r

e qu

i re

d :

(1)

Petit

ion

sign

ed b

y 10

per

cent

of

the

elec

tors

.(9

5-7)

(2)

Cor

pora

te a

utho

ritie

s sh

all h

ave

the

ques

tion

sub-

mitt

ed to

the

elec

tors

.(9

5-7)

(3)

Cor

pora

te a

utho

ritie

s m

ay p

rovi

de f

or th

e es

tab-

lishm

ent

.of

a r

ecre

atio

n bo

ard

by r

esol

utio

n or

ordi

nanc

e. (

95-2

)

(1)

Petit

ion

by n

ot le

ss th

an 1

00 le

gal v

oter

s in

the

pro-

pose

d di

stri

ct, a

ddre

ssed

to C

ircu

it ju

dge

and

file

d w

ithC

ount

y C

lerk

. (2-

2 an

d 2-

3)(2

) E

lect

ion

Cir

cuit

judg

e "s

hall"

ord

er e

lect

ion

tode

cide

on

ques

tion

and

to e

kct 5

com

mis

sion

ers.

(2-

4)(3

) E

lect

ion

retu

rns

canv

asse

d by

a C

ircu

it, ju

dge,

lfa,

maj

ority

of

the

vote

s ca

st u

pon

the

ques

tion

.,.

shal

lhe

in f

avor

of

the

esta

blis

hmen

t of

such

dis

tric

t, sa

iddi

stri

ct s

hall

then

be

deem

ed o

rgan

ized

.(2

-6 a

nd 2

-7)

Ope

ratin

gau

thor

izat

ion

Cor

pora

te a

utho

rity

or

boar

d:(I

) M

ay d

edic

ate

and

set a

part

for

use

as

play

grou

nds

or r

ecre

atio

n ce

nter

s an

y la

nd o

r bu

ildin

gs w

hich

are

owne

d or

leas

ed b

y th

e m

unic

ipal

ity a

nd a

re n

ot d

edi-

cate

d or

dev

oted

to a

noth

er a

nd in

cons

iste

nt p

ublic

use

; (95

-1)

(2)

May

pro

vide

, mai

ntai

n, e

quip

, and

ope

rate

pla

y-gr

ound

s an

d re

crea

tion

cent

ers

and

the

build

ings

ther

e-on

; (95

-2)

(3)

May

pro

vide

, mai

ntai

n, e

quip

, and

ope

rate

sw

im-

min

g po

ols

as a

par

t of

such

a r

ecre

atio

n sy

stem

, and

may

cha

rge

and

colle

ct r

easo

nabl

e fe

es; a

nd(4

) M

ay e

mpl

oy r

ecre

atio

n le

ader

s, c

ente

r di

rect

ors,

supe

rvis

ors,

rec

reat

ion

supe

rint

ende

nts,

or

othe

r su

chof

fice

rs c

em

ploy

ees

as th

ey d

eem

pro

per.

(95

-2)

A P

ark

dist

rict

may

pro

vide

:.(1

) R

ecre

atio

n pr

ogra

ms

(2)

Mus

ical

con

cert

s(3

) A

irpo

rts,

(4)

Arm

orie

s;(5

) Sw

imm

ing

pool

s(6

)!!

'ecr

eatio

n bu

ildin

gs a

nd a

reas

(7)

in g

ener

al..

any

othe

r fa

cilit

ies

or e

quip

men

tw

hich

may

be

appr

opri

ate

for

park

purp

oses

in a

ny p

ark

of s

aid

dist

rict

..."

(8-

10)

(See

als

o 8-

3, 4

, 5.)

Out

line

of S

elec

ted

Illin

ois

Law

s R

elat

ed to

Par

ks a

nd R

ecre

atio

n

Cov

e.in

gbo

dy(1

) C

orpo

rate

aut

hori

ty, o

r(2

) Sc

hool

boa

rd, p

ark

boar

d, o

r ot

her

exis

ting

body

.(3

) Pl

aygr

ound

or

recr

eatio

n bo

ard

(app

oint

ed),

3 o

r5

mem

bers

. (95

-2)

Boa

rd o

f 5

elec

ted

com

mis

sion

ers.

(2-9

)R

egul

ar te

rm o

f of

fice

is 6

ye:

ars.

(2-

10)

Acq

uisi

tion

pow

er(1

) M

ay a

cqui

re o

r le

ase

land

or

build

ings

or

both

,w

ithin

or

beyo

nd th

e co

rpor

ate

limits

of

the

mun

ic-

ipal

ity.

(95-

1)(2

) M

ay a

ccep

t any

gra

nt o

r de

vise

or

real

est

ate

oran

y gi

ft o

r be

ques

t of

mon

ey o

r ot

her

pers

onal

don

a-tio

n.

.if

the

acce

ptan

ce th

ereo

f sh

all s

ubje

ct th

em

unic

ipal

ity to

exp

ense

for

impr

ovem

ent,

mai

nten

ance

,or

ren

ewal

, the

acc

epta

nce

shal

l be

subj

ect t

o th

e ap

-pr

oval

of

the

corp

orat

e au

thor

ities

. (95

-5)

A p

ark

dist

rict

may

acq

uire

:(1

) L

ands

with

in th

e di

stri

ct b

y an

y m

eans

. (8-

1)(2

) L

ands

with

out t

he d

istr

ict b

y an

y m

eans

exc

ept c

on-

dem

natio

n (n

ote:

(4)

bel

ow).

(8-

1)(3

) Pe

rson

al p

rope

rty

nece

ssar

y fo

r co

rpor

ate

purp

oses

.(8

-1)

(4)

Lan

ds b

y an

y m

eans

for

air

port

pur

pose

s.(9

-2)

Tax

ing

pow

er(1

) if

the

syst

em is

app

rove

d in

ori

gina

l ref

eren

dum

s,it

may

levy

a ta

x, n

ot to

exc

eed

0.09

per

cent

of

the

asse

ssed

val

ue o

f al

i tax

able

pro

pert

y w

ithin

the

mun

ie-

htal

ity; t

his

may

be

incr

ease

d to

0.2

0 pe

rcen

t by

an-

othe

r re

fere

ndum

. (95

-8)

(2)

Min

imum

tax

to b

e le

vied

sha

ll be

des

igna

ted

in,

orig

inal

ref

eren

dum

s,. (

95-7

)(3

) T

his

tax

shal

l be

in a

dditi

on to

the

taxe

s fo

r ge

n-er

al p

urpo

ses

auth

oriz

ed b

y se

ctio

n 8-

3-1.

(95-

8)

.) W

ith f

avor

able

org

aniz

atio

n re

fere

ndum

a d

istr

ict

may

levy

a g

ener

al o

pera

ting

tax

"for

all

corp

orat

e pu

r-os

es"

not t

o ex

ceed

0.1

0 pe

rcen

t.(5

-1)

111 (2

) Su

bjec

t to

spec

ific

ref

eren

dum

app

rova

l :a

di:s

tric

tm

ay le

vy a

n ad

ditio

nal o

pera

ting

tax

"for

all

corp

orat

epu

rpos

es"

not t

o ex

ceed

0.0

5 pe

rcen

t. (5

-3)

(3)

Upo

n or

gani

zatio

n a

dist

rict

may

levy

a ta

x fo

rre

crea

tion

prog

ram

s no

t to

exce

ed 0

.375

per

cent

per

dolla

r of

val

uatio

n. (

5-2)

(4)

Subj

ect t

o sp

ecif

ic r

efer

endu

m a

ppro

val t

he r

ecre

a-tio

n pr

ogra

m ta

x m

ay b

e in

crea

sed

to 0

.09

perc

ent.

(5-2

)

Bei

-row

ing

pow

erT

he c

orpo

rate

aut

hori

ties

may

issu

e bo

nds

for

purp

oses

of a

cqui

ring

land

or

build

ings

for

rec

reat

ion

:are

:as

and

for

the

equi

pmen

t the

reof

in th

e m

anne

r pr

ovid

ed b

yla

w f

or th

e is

suan

ce o

f bu

ilds

for

othe

r pu

rpos

es. (

95-6

)

May

issu

e ge

nera

l obl

igat

ion

bond

s on

the

cred

it of

the

dist

rict

for

par

k, b

oule

vard

, and

arm

ory

purp

oses

:(I

) O

rigi

nal r

ate

limit

is 2

1/2

perc

ent o

f va

luat

ion.

(2)

Rat

e lim

it m

ay b

e ra

ised

to 5

per

cent

by

refe

ren-

dum

. (6-

2)(3

) A

ny is

suan

ce w

hich

wou

ld r

aise

the

"agg

rega

te o

ut-

stan

ding

unp

aid

bala

nce

to m

ore

than

0.5

per

cent

mus

t be

sepa

rate

ly a

ppro

ved

in a

ref

eren

dum

. Thi

s co

uld

be b

y a

sepa

r te

bal

lot i

n th

e sa

me

refe

rend

um a

utho

rizi

ng a

rat

elim

it in

crea

se. (

6-4)

Rev

ised

Citi

es a

nd V

illag

es A

ct, S

peci

al P

ower

sPa

rks

Cha

pter

24,

Art

iCle

11,

Div

isio

i98

Rev

ised

Citi

es a

nd V

illag

es A

ct, S

peci

al P

ower

sC

omm

unity

Bui

ldin

gs, C

hapt

er 2

4, A

rtic

le 1

1, D

ivi,

sion

63

Des

crip

tion

of p

urpo

se

App

licab

leto A

dopt

ion

proc

edur

e

To

auth

oriz

e ce

rtai

n ci

ties

and

villa

ges

to p

urch

ase,

esta

blis

h, a

nd m

aint

ain

publ

ic p

arks

for

the

use

and

bene

fit o

f th

e in

habi

tant

s. (

98-1

)

To

auth

oriz

e ce

rtai

n ci

ties

and

villa

ges

to e

stab

lish,

equ

ip,

mai

ntai

n, a

nd o

pera

te a

com

mun

ity b

uild

ing

or b

uild

-in

gs.

(63-

1)

Citi

es a

nd v

illag

es u

nder

50,

000.

(98

-1)

Any

mun

icip

ality

hav

ing

a po

pula

tion

ofle

ssth

an50

0,00

0 in

habi

tant

s. (

63-1

)

By

refe

rend

um, i

f ta

x is

in a

dditi

on to

taxe

s fo

r ge

n-er

al p

urpo

ses.

Ref

eren

dum

cal

led

by a

etiti

on s

igne

dby

1 p

erce

nt o

f le

gal v

otes

cas

t in

prec

edin

g ge

nera

lm

unic

ipal

ele

ctio

n.(9

8-2)

) R

efer

endu

m r

equi

red

if a

pet

ition

by

a nu

mbe

r of

elec

tors

equ

al to

5 p

erce

nt o

r m

ore

of th

e vo

tes

cast

inth

e la

st p

rece

ding

reg

ular

mun

icip

al e

lect

ion

is s

ubm

itted

.(2

) C

orio

rate

aut

hori

ties

may

hav

e th

e qu

estio

n su

b-m

itted

to th

e el

ecto

rs w

ithou

t pet

ition

.(6

3-2)

0.er

atin

gau

thor

izat

ion

(1)

May

,!iu

rcha

se,

park

s; a

nd(2

) M

ay le

ase

such

coun

ty f

airs

ther

ein.

esta

blis

h, a

nd m

aint

ain

publ

ic

park

s fo

r th

e pu

rpos

e of

hol

ding

(98-

1)

(1)

May

est

ablis

h, e

quip

, mai

ntai

n, a

nd o

pera

te a

com

-m

unity

bui

ldin

g or

bui

ldin

gs w

hich

may

incl

ude

a gy

m-

nasi

um to

be

conn

ecte

d to

the

sam

e. (

63-1

)(2

) M

ay c

harg

ere

ason

able

adm

issi

onor

use

fees

.(6

3-10

)

Gov

erni

ngbo

dyC

orpo

rate

aut

hori

ties.

(98-

1)(1

) C

orpo

rate

aut

hori

ty, o

r(2

) R

ecre

atio

n C

omm

issi

on, o

r(3

) A

spe

cial

boa

rd a

ppoi

nted

by

the

may

or w

ith th

eap

prov

al o

f th

e co

rpor

ate

auth

oriti

es.

(63-

4)

Acq

uisi

tion

pow

erM

y p

urch

ase

land

for

pub

lic p

arks

.(9

8-1)

(1)

May

ded

icat

e an

d se

t apa

rt f

or th

e us

e of

any

com

-m

unity

bui

ldin

g an

y la

nd o

r bu

ildin

g w

hich

isno

tde

dica

ted

to a

noth

er a

nd in

cons

iste

nt 1

ublic

use

.(6

3-6)

(2)

May

acq

ulre

a s

ite o

r si

tes

by c

onde

mna

tion.

(63

-5)

Tax

ing

pow

er(a

) N

ot to

exc

eed

0.07

5 pe

rcen

t of

asse

ssed

val

uatio

nan

nual

ly o

n al

l tax

able

pro

pert

y in

the

mun

icip

ality

.1(

98-1

)

(b)

Thi

s an

nual

tax

may

be

levi

ed in

add

ition

to ta

xes

for

gene

ral p

urpo

ses

if a

maj

ority

of

elec

tors

vot

ing

onth

e pr

opos

ition

vot

e in

fav

or th

ereo

f.(9

8-2)

Subj

ect t

o fa

vora

ble

refe

rend

um, m

ay le

vy a

tax

of th

ree-

quar

ters

of

one

mil

(0.0

75 p

erce

nt)

of th

e as

sess

ed v

alu-

atio

n on

all

taxa

ble

prop

erty

with

in th

e m

unic

ipal

ity.

Such

tax

shal

l be

in a

dditi

on to

the

gene

ral

purp

ose

tax.

(63-

1)

Bor

row

ing

pow

erN

o bo

rrow

ing

pow

er s

peci

fied

oth

er th

an g

ener

alm

unic

ipal

aut

hori

zatio

n.(R

efer

to D

ivis

ion

4 of

Art

icle

8.)

Subj

ect t

o a

refe

rend

um, m

ay b

orro

wm

oney

and

issu

ebo

nds

for

acqu

isiti

on o

r co

nstr

uctio

n of

a c

omm

unity

build

ing

or b

uild

ings

. (63

-3)