document resume ed 057 968 bannon, joseph … · j. bannon, chief, office of recreation and park...
TRANSCRIPT
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.
8M-6-70-14098
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)