Great lakes - Regional Reports - Brief Article

The Blue Springs Lake Recreation Trail in Jackson County, Mo., received an Achievement Award from the Coalition for Recreational Trails, a federation of national and regional trail-related groups, in the category of Construction and Design, Local. The North River Road Trail in Riverview Park, Hannibal, Mo., won the award in the category of Maintenance and Rehabilitation, Local.

One of our nation's most responsive and progressive environmental programs recently lost most of its funding. It was a sad day for parks and recreation supporters when the Iowa House of Chambers not only cut funding of the Resource Enhancement and Protection program to $2 million, but also gave strict guidelines on the use of the funds, none of which was to support grants.

The Web site of the Park District of Highland Park (III.)just garnered its second national award of excellence from a professional communications organization. In June, www.pdhp.org received the APEX 2002 Award for Public Excellence. In January, the site received the 2002 Communicator Award of Distinction. APEX awards go to companies or individuals whose work is a benchmark for professional communicators. "I'm very proud that our hard work has been acknowledged by these national organizations," said Lindsay Dudeck, Park District Communications Supervisor. "But our greatest reward comes from satisfied Highland Park residents, who now rely on our Web site for up-to-the-minute information on our facilities and programs, and to register for classes and programs online."

Like many other communities, the Quincy Park District's (Ill.) funds and resources are stretched to the limit, while demand for services continues to grow. How do they get more for less? Partnerships. Through partnerships with the Women's City Club, Quincy Art Club and Friends of the Castle, the park district can expand services without expanding its budget. How do they do it? First, longevity. The park system has been around since the late 1800s, so community partners know they can be counted on for long-term leases. Second, the district's low staff-turnover rate helps to develop long-term relationships that build trust and loyalty. The district keeps an open line of communications with its partners and develops common goals that they all can work towards. Finally; the district wants the partnerships to work--and wanting it hard enough makes it happen.

The Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx and the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board unveiled a new basketball court at Riverside Park on May 23. The court features the Timberwolves and Lynx logos at center court, and will be a centerpiece for the Cedar Riverside/Seward neighborhood.

NRPA lost an esteemed leader when former NRPA Chair and Trustee Willard W. Brown passed away in July. Brown was a great NRPA supporter; in fact, he was recognized with the Ralph C. Wilson Award in 1988 for his outstanding contributions to the association. Brown's impact reached beyond parks and recreation. He earned a Distinguished Flying Cross in World War II, and was the inspiration for the movie "The Great Escape," based on his courage and tenacity as a prisoner of war. He ran for mayor of Cleveland, established and served as president of University Research Center Inc., and was a trustee and supporter of many educational and social service organizations.

"July is Parks & Recreation Month" was highlighted in Minneapolis on July 10 at a WNBA game between the Minnesota Lynx and the Portland Fire. At a game in Indianapolis on July 22, with the Fever taking on the Charlotte Sting, local park and recreation agencies were recognized. On July 24, Cleveland set the stage for the Rockers and the Sting to celebrate the benefits of parks and recreation.

Great Lakes Service Center Walter C. Johnson, CPRP Regional Director 650 W. Higgins Hoffman Estates, IL 60195 Phone: 847-843-7529 Fax: 847-843-3058

COPYRIGHT 2002 National Recreation and Park Association
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