711 558 
 
 I^64rp A REPORT OF THE RECREATION 
 AND PARKS^ SERVICES IN THE 
 CITY OF PJVRI-S ILLINOIS 
 
 
 V 
 
 N 
 
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 University of Illinois Library 
 
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 NOV 2 9 
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 JAN 
 
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 1974 • . 
 
 1980 
 
 7 1979 
 
 L161— O-1096 
 
Digitized by the Internet Archive 
 
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 University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign 
 
 http://www.archive.org/details/reportonrecreatiOOuniv 
 
1 II.SS^ 
 
 A REPORT 
 
 on 
 
 RECREATION AND PARKS SERVICES 
 
 in the 
 
 CITY OF PARIS 
 
 ILLINOIS 
 
 Recreation and Parks Field Service 
 
 University of Illinois 
 
 Urbana, Illinois 
 
 August, I960 
 
Recreation and Parks Field Service 
 
 Department of Recreation 
 
 University of Illinois 
 
 Urbana, Illinois 
 
 The Recreation and Parks Field Service was established by the 
 Department of Recreation for the purpose of assisting Illinois communities 
 and their organizations to develop their park resources and opportunities 
 for recreation. This purpose is fulfilled by (l) providing technical and 
 professional assistance and counsel, (2) preparing and disseminating infor- 
 mation on various phases of recreation and park services, (3) promulgating 
 acceptable standards, and (4) cooperating with other University, State, and 
 community interests. 
 
 Examples of the kinds of services which are provided are: 
 
 Organizing and helping establish recreation systems, park districts, 
 and the like. 
 
 Advising on problems related to legislational legal aspects., financing, 
 budgeting, and the like. 
 
 Preparation of surveys, appraisals and studies. 
 
 Assistance on personnel practices including recruiting, selecting 
 and training professional and volunteer personnel. 
 
 Developing agency and departmental coordination and relationships. 
 
 Planning public relations (including referenda campaigns). 
 
 Advising on problems related to the developraent and maintenance of 
 recreation and park facilities. 
 
 Advising on the development of programs and services. 
 
 As the need arises, other resources of the University, including 
 personnel, may be drawn upon to supplement the efforts of the Department 
 of Recreation. 
 
2 Stockton, Colif. 
 
n *ilt -^"^T TABLE OF CONTENTS 
 
 page 
 Letter of Transmittal ii 
 
 Survey Committee and Paris Youth Council Board iii 
 
 Summary of Recommendations iv 
 
 Introduction 1 
 
 Guiding Principles for Planning Recreation and Park Services 3 
 
 Nature of the Community 4 
 
 Parks, Recreation Areas and Facilities 6 
 
 Indoor Recreation Facilities 16 
 
 Recreation Programs in Paris 19 
 
 Administration, Personnel and Finance 31 
 
 Appendices 34 
 
 I. Forest Preserve District Law 35 
 
 IL Public Playgrounds and Recreation Centers Law 37 
 
 III. Function of a Park and Recreation Board 39 
 
 IV. Sample Recreation Ordinance 42 
 
 V. Job Description - Superintendent of Parks and 44 
 Recreation 
 
COLLEGE OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION / UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS, URBANA 
 
 Department of ReCreOtion 
 
 August 10, I960 
 
 Mr . Wayne Jones 
 
 President 
 
 Paris Youth Council 
 
 Paris, Illinois 
 
 Dear Mr. Jones: 
 
 We are pleased to transmit herewith our report on recreation and 
 park services in Paris. 
 
 The appraisal of these services has revealed certain deficiencies 
 and needs. Recommendations have been made, which, if carried out, should 
 insure adequate recreation and park services in Paris in the near future and 
 for some years to come. 
 
 Your cooperation, and that of many Paris citizens, is gratefully 
 acknowledged. I would especially like to thank Mrs. R. E Dickmeyer, 
 chairman of the survey committee, Mrs. R. Slotter, program committee 
 chairman, and all the members of the survey committee, who have given 
 assistance throughout the study. Mrs. U. G. Colson, immediate past 
 president of the Youth Council has also given nnuch support and guidance to 
 the undertaking. 
 
 Respectfully submitted. 
 
 Edward H. Storey, Consultai!;it 
 Recreation and Parks Field 
 Service 
 
 11 
 
Paris Recreation and Park Survey Committee 
 
 Chairman - Mrs. R. E. Dicknneyer 
 
 H. Dean Bishop 
 Don Cavins 
 H. V. Deffenbaugh 
 Mayor J. C . DeWitt 
 P. O. Foley 
 Robert L. Gibson 
 William Goodwin 
 H. A. HolUnger 
 
 Ned Jenson 
 Dr. C. A. McClelland 
 Robert Rankin 
 Mrs. Robert Slay 
 Mrs. R. L. Slotter 
 C. E. Willis 
 Charles Wishart 
 Mrs. K. W. Yontz, Jr 
 
 Paris Youth Council Board 
 
 Wayne Jones, President 
 J. B. Powell, Vice President 
 Mrs. W. F. Patton, Secretary 
 Richard Boyd, Treasurer 
 
 Mrs. W. K. Andrews, Jr. 
 Mrs. U. G. Colson 
 Mrs. R. E. Dickmeyer 
 
 Elmer Findley 
 Grover Huff 
 E. H. Jenson 
 
 m 
 
SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS 
 
 The deta.ils concerning the various recommendations may be found in 
 the body of this report. The major recommendations are summarized here. 
 It is recommended that: 
 
 1. A public recreation authority be established, by referendum and 
 ordinance, as authorized in the Illinois Revised Statutes, Chapter 24, 
 Article 57. 
 
 2. The Authority established under this law be vested in the existing 
 Paris Park Board, and that the Board be known henceforth as the Park 
 and Recreation Board of the City of Paris. 
 
 3. The proposed Park and Recreation Board employ a qualified 
 Superintendent of Parks and Recreation as its principle executive officer. 
 
 4. The annual fiscal requirements of the Park and Recreation Board be 
 secured prinnarily from the levying of a park tax not to exceed 1 mill, 
 and the levying of a recreation tax, not to exceed 2/3 of 1 mill, as 
 authorized by referendum and ordinance. 
 
 5. The funds for capital improvements of park and recreation areas 
 and facilities be obtained from the issuance of general obligation bonds 
 of the City of Paris, and, whenever possible, frora donations and gifts. 
 In certain instances, revenue bonds may be used. 
 
 6. The proposed Park and Recreation Board assume the responsibility 
 for operation and administration of the Hangar as a Community Center 
 for the various age groups and interest groups. 
 
 7. A public swimming pool with bathhouse be constructed at an 
 estimated cost of $125,000 to $150,000. 
 
 8. Parks be provided in certain neighborhoods as outlined in this report, 
 preferably adjacent to school sites whenever possible, and fully 
 developed for recreation use. 
 
 9. The Park and Recreation Board and the School Board plan cooperatively 
 for the development of new park-school sites, and for the maintenance 
 
 and use of such areas and facilities when they are developed. 
 
 10. The Park and Recreation Board, through cooperative action, and, 
 where necessary, by direct sponsorship, develop programs of recreation 
 for all ages and all interests to meet existing expressed needs as detailed 
 in this report, and future needs as they arise. 
 
 iv 
 
11. The establishment of a County Forest Preserve District to serve all 
 Edgar County including Paris be undertaken, with Forest Preserve being 
 developed at the Third Lake or other suitable location. 
 
 12. The Paris Youth Council constitute itself as a Community Welfare 
 Council and function as the voluntary coordinating body for all social 
 welfare services in the community. 
 
INTRODUCTION 
 
 The modern American city exists to provide for the general welfare 
 of all its residents. Where needs exist that cannot normally be met by 
 individual or family resources, people pool their resources by payment of 
 taxes to a public purse, to enable needed services to be rendered by a common 
 authority. In this manner, municipal governments provide streets, sanitary 
 sewers, police and fire protection, health services, schools, public parks 
 and increasingly, basic recreation services. 
 
 The years since World War II have revealed a strong awareness that 
 recreation is a vital and significant part of community life and that it has an 
 essential place in our democratic society. With increased leisure has come 
 the need for increased recreation opportunities. Recreation, once regarded 
 as being just for children, now serves all age groups. Greatly increased 
 need has been evidenced in particular by large numbers of retired persons. 
 Year 'round programs designed to serve basic recreation needs of all people 
 regardless of age, sex, race, creed or color are now provided under public 
 auspices in many communities. 
 
 Recreation programs have proven their worth through benefits 
 derived, including improved physical and mental health, increased safety, 
 personality development and social adjustment. Recreation programs, 
 properly established and guided by qualified leaders, have been a powerful 
 positive force in the prevention of delinquency. Recreation programs con- 
 tribute to enriched community life and foster sound human values. In so doing 
 they support the prosperity and general well-being of the community. 
 
 Recreation opportunities can be found in a variety of settings, pro- 
 vided by various non-government groups. Churches, service clubs, youth- 
 serving agencies, special interest groups and commercial enterprises 
 conduct worthwhile recreation activities. The activities of all these groups 
 are destined to be expanded in future years. Libraries and schools make 
 significant recreation contributions. The home, of course, has a fundamental 
 responsibility for the provision, guidance, and sharing of recreation activities 
 which strengthen the family as a unit, and contribute to the personal develop- 
 ment of individual members of the family, 
 
 Experience has shown that local government organization is necessary 
 to meet recreation needs adequately and to assure proper attention to, and 
 planning for, recreation and park services. Public provision of recreation 
 services makes them coraparatively inexpensive, and provides the only 
 practical means of making recreation opportunities available to all the 
 people. Only through governnaent can park lands and recreation facilities 
 be secured at rainimum cost and in a way that assures continued public 
 ownership. A well designed and skillfully managed park system beautifies 
 the community and helps to protect and enhance property values. 
 
- 2 - 
 
 Community parks and other recreation facilities should be provided 
 in keeping with all the factors involved in the total community plan of land- 
 use and property development. In the same sense, public recreation organi- 
 zation must be effected in relation to existing programs provided by non- 
 government groups. It is a function of public recreation to support and 
 strengthen these programs without detracting from the independence of the 
 sponsoring groups in any way. At the same time, it is the responsibility of 
 the public recreation system to provide programs which assure all residents 
 of an opportunity to participate in a suitable recreation activity. In this 
 manner adequate coverage is assured and duplication of effort is avoided. 
 
 If a community's recreation program is to be adequate in content, 
 with assurance of continuing effectiveness from year to year, certain elements 
 have been found through experience to be essential. These elements are: 
 
 (a) a public recreation managing authority established according 
 to state enabling legislation; 
 
 (b) a board of representative and interested citizens, appointed or 
 elected, to whom the provision of recreation services is a 
 primary concern; 
 
 (c) competent we 11- qualified professional leadership and capable 
 well-trained volunteers; 
 
 (d) a dependable, continuous source of adequate funds to establish 
 and operate programs and services; 
 
 (e) a suitable variety of outdoor and indoor areas and facilities; 
 
 (f) intelligent and comprehensive planning procedures. 
 
 The Paris 'Community Youth Council has recognized the need for an 
 appraisal of the recreation and park resources of the city. Similar appraisals 
 have been completed by the University of Illinois' Department of Recreation 
 in the nearby communities of Charleston and Mattoon. Both communities 
 have instituted action programs designed to implement the recommendations 
 resulting from these studies. 
 
 The purpose of this report is to outline the present status of recreation 
 and park services in Paris, and to suggest a workable plan for development 
 of such services in future years. The plan should be regarded as a set of 
 goals desirable of attainnnent, and as a flexible guideline for future community 
 action. 
 
- 3 - 
 
 GUIDING PRINCIPLES FOR PLANNING RECREATION 
 
 AND PARK SERVICES 
 
 In order to provide a frame of reference to guide the formulation of 
 recommendations for sound community recreation and park development, a 
 set of guiding principles was adopted by the Survey Committee, These 
 principles, as listed below, reflect the previous experiences of communities 
 in the planning and provision of park and recreation services. They are 
 commonly accepted as authoritative guidelines for action. 
 
 1. Recreation opportunities should be available to all the people of 
 the community, regardless of race, creed, color, age, sex or 
 economic status. 
 
 2. The recreation programs and facilities provided by non-govern- 
 ment groups should be carefully evaluated before plans for new 
 parks, recreation facilities and program services are prepared, 
 to establish a proper relationship between private and public 
 facilities, and to avoid duplication of effort. 
 
 3. Planning for recreation and park services should be undertaken 
 with representative citizens to assure that plans reflect broad 
 community thinking. 
 
 4. Recreation facilities and services should be planned on a neighbor- 
 hood, district and city-wide basis to provide maximum opportunities 
 for all the people. 
 
 5. A park should be provided in each neighborhood, preferably 
 adjacent to the elementary school. 
 
 6. Each recreation area and facility should be conveniently located 
 within the area it is planned to serve, and all the residents of the 
 area should have safe access to it, 
 
 7. In developing park and recreation plans, consideration should be 
 given to widely accepted principles and standards. 
 
 8. Maximim effort should be directed toward the development of 
 public understanding of plans for recreation and park services. 
 
 9. Plans should include provision for community organization. This 
 may include the formation of new authorities and consolidation of 
 agencies. There should be provision for cooperative planning and 
 action. 
 
 10. Beauty as well as functional efficiency should be considered in the 
 design of parks and other recreation facilities. 
 
 MM 
 
- 4 - 
 
 NATURE OF THE COMMUNITY 
 
 Paris, the Edgar County seat of government, is a Central Illinois city 
 of 9,767 persons. The population of Edgar County including Paris is 22, 42^! 
 or 12,653 excluding Paris. The City is equidistant (165 miles) from Chicago 
 to the north and St. Louis to the southwest. Springfield, the State Capitol, 
 is 115 miles to the west, and Terre Haute, Indiana, is 23 miles to the south- 
 east. 
 
 The climate of the area is moderate, and suitable for some form of 
 outdoor recreation activity during most of the year. The winter climate is 
 generally too mild to provide for extended periods of those activities which 
 depend on snow or natural ice. Spring, summer and fall activities can be 
 enjoyed outdoors over most of an eight month period from late March through 
 November. The average annual rainfall is 36 inches. 
 
 The topography is generally level, although there is some rolling land 
 and fairly rugged terrain in the surrounding areas. The area has excellent 
 opportunities for hunting and boating, and possibilities for campground 
 development are good. 
 
 The City is well-served by major transportation arteries, including 
 U.S. Route 150, which intersects at Paris with State Routes 1, 16, and 133 » 
 Route U.S. 40 passes only 14 miles to the south and U.S. Route 36 only 13 
 miles to the north. Three bus lines and three rail lines provide common 
 carrier services. Scheduled commercial air passenger service is available 
 in Terre Haute and Danville. Charter air service is available locally. 
 
 Paris has 14 major industries and is actively seeking to attract 
 others. It is the trading center of a productive agricultural county. Other 
 major resources of the area include coal, crude oil, and lumber. 
 
 The City has the Commission form of government (Mayor and 4 
 Commissioners). The assessed value of taxable property within the 
 corporate limits is approximately twenty-three million dollars (I960). The 
 indebtedness through general obligation bonds is $156,000.00. 
 
 The city's attractive parks are administered by the Park Board, an 
 appointive body. A tax of 1 mill ($23,000.00) is authorized by referendum and 
 ordinance for the upkeep, maintenance and general operation of the park 
 system. A municipal bond tax of l/2 mill is authorized but is not being 
 levied. There is no tax levy for public recreation purposes, and there is no 
 division of the City government charged with responsibility for public 
 recreation services. 
 
 The physical appearance of Paris is generally attractive, despite 
 
- 5 - 
 
 obvious neglect and deterioration of housing in sonne sections of the city. 
 Most homes are well maintained, and the predominance of single-family 
 dwellings gives an impression of spaciousness. The beautiful trees lining 
 the streets considerably enhance the overall community appearance. It is 
 unfortunate that the lack of adequate land-use regulations has permitted 
 some developments which detract from their surrounding areas. While it 
 appears that insufficient attention has been given in former years to overall 
 planning for the control and guidance of land-use and physical development 
 in the City, present planning efforts indicate the desire of the authorities 
 to give adequate guidance and control to future development. A comprehensive 
 planning report, under the auspices of the recently created City Plan 
 Commission, is now in preparation. 
 
 Community organization has been left to chance in much the same 
 way as the physical development of the community. While there is a high 
 degree of social organization through clubs, societies, lodges, and the like, 
 there is no established pattern for the coordination of the efforts of those j 
 
 groups which attempt to serve the well-being of the community. There is ( 
 
 no Community Welfare Council, and there is no coordinating fund raising ' 
 
 agency such as a Community Chest or United Fund organization. The Paris 
 Youth Council does perform a number of the functions of a Community I 
 
 Welfare Council, and is representative of most social welfare interests in , 
 
 the community. It might well consider changing its name and constitution 
 in such a way as to beconae a functional Community Welfare Council. 
 
 Many adults complain that they are kept too busy by the many clubs, I 
 
 organizations, and societies; yet community-minded persons express concern '< 
 
 that despite the high degree of social and service activity, much that should j 
 be done to provide for the welfare of the community is not being done. It 
 
 may well be that the often heard complaint of over -organization in Paris is f 
 
 really a symptom of the lack of basic organization in the connmunity to ■ 
 
 coordinate and channel efforts in a manner better designed to meet the 'i 
 community's needs, while conserving the energies of those who serve through 
 the various groups now organized. 
 
 Just as the problems of physical development are being approached in 
 an orderly and systematic manner through the offices of the City Plan 
 Commission, so is it desirable to approach the social problems of the 
 community in an orderly and systematic manner. This report suggests such 
 an approach to meeting the needs for recreation services in the community. 
 It should be considered as a vital part of the total effort needed to improve 
 the ability of the Paris community to assure the well-being of all its people. 
 
- 6 - 
 
 PARKS, RECREATION AREAS AND FACILITIES 
 
 Planning the park and recreation areas and facilities in a city re- 
 quires careful consideration of the structural layout of streets, busy traffic 
 arteries, residential, commercial and industrial land use, neighborhood 
 divisions, and growth patterns. 
 
 Facilities should be located as conveniently as possible for those 
 people who will use them. In Paris, three kinds of parks should be con- 
 sidered if the people are to have adequate opportunities for outdoor recrea- 
 tion. First, parks should be planned to serve each neighborhood; second, a 
 city-wide park should provide those special athletic areas and facilities 
 which are too large or costly to be provided in each neighborhood; third, 
 there should be a park of large acreage with facilities for picnics, swimming, 
 family outings, and the like, designed to serve the whole population of the 
 city. 
 
 In considering the parks, recreation areas and facilities required for 
 the city, attention has been given to the comprehensive plan prepared by 
 Harland Bartholomew and Associates and to their recommendations con- 
 cerning park and park-school developments. Where proposed new schools 
 are mentioned in this report, the reference is to the new school proposals in 
 the report of Harland Bartholomew and Associates, as depicted on the map on 
 page 8. The cooperation of this firm in providing basic maps and preliminary 
 reports is gratefully acknowledged. 
 
 Neighborhood Parks 
 
 Just as elementary schools are located within walking distance of the 
 homes they serve, so should neighborhood parks be located conveniently to 
 the people in each residential neighborhood. Where possible, it is desirable 
 to provide parks adjacent to elementary schools, thus enabling the joint use 
 of school and park lands for both school and general community purposes. 
 This "park-school concept" represents an economy of land-use and a wise 
 use of tax funds. There should be a neighborhood park within one-half mile 
 of every home. The minimum recoramended size is 3 acres, and in the 
 overall city allotment of neighborhood parks there should be one acre for 
 each 800 persons. 
 
 Desirable facilities of a neighborhood park include: 
 
 A shelter building with game rooms, meeting rooms and toilet 
 facilities or access to the elementary school building. 
 
 A grassed area for informal games. 
 
- 7 - 
 
 A multi-purpose all-weather courts area with games standards and 
 basketball goals. 
 
 Softball and /or junior sized baseball diamond. 
 
 Well-designed play apparatus. 
 
 Spray basin or wading pool. 
 
 Border landscaping and landscaped rest area. 
 
 Fencing if bordering on busy streets. 
 
 The determination of neighborhood areas in Paris is made difficult 
 by the complexity of railway lines and major automotive traffic routes which 
 divide the city into eight distinctly separated residential units. Ideally, each 
 of these units should be served by neighborhood recreation facilities located 
 within the circled area. This is not practical because the population within 
 the smaller units is not large enough to merit the provision of such facilities. 
 Neither is such provision within the practical financial means of the city. 
 It is therefore necessary to arrive at a compromise which will offer the 
 most practical and economically feasible plan for the provision of neighbor- 
 hood recreation areas and facilities. 
 
 The following neighborhood definitions are presented as general areas 
 which can be served reasonably well by neighborhood parks, park-schools, or 
 separate parks and schoolgrounds . They are outlined in the map on page 8. 
 
 North-east -- the area bounded on the west by U.S. Route 1, on the south by 
 the New York Central rail line, and on the north and east by the City 
 limits . 
 
 North Central -- the area bounded on the east by U.S. Route 1, the New York 
 Central rail lines on the west and south and the American Legion 
 grounds on the north. 
 
 North-west -- the area bounded by City limits on the north and west and by 
 the New York Central rail lines on the east and south. 
 
 West Central -- the area bounded by the New York Central rail line on the 
 north, U.S. Route 1 on the east, Jasper Street on the south, and the 
 City limits on the west. This area is composed of two distinct 
 residential areas divided by the north-south line of the New York 
 Central Railroad. 
 
PAKIS. ILLINOIS AND ENVIKONS 
 
 
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- 9 - 
 
 East Central -- the area bounded on the north by the New York Central 
 
 Railroad, on the west by U.S. Route 1, on the south by Jasper St. and 
 on the east by the City limits o 
 
 South -- the area bounded on the north by Jasper Street, and on the east, 
 
 south and west by the City limits. It is bisected into two residential 
 units by the Pennsylvania Railroad line. 
 
 Desirable provision of parks, recreation facilities and equipment in 
 each of these areas is detailed as follows: 
 
 North-east 
 
 This area is now served by Sunrise Park, and may be served 
 additionally in the future by the proposed school site located north of the high 
 school Athletic Field. This new school site should be planned as a park- 
 school development, with the major neighborhood play facilities located on a 
 3 acre park situated adjacent to the school. Sunrise Park should be retained 
 in its present form as a beauty area with limited play facilities. 
 
 Present facilities and equipment on the 4 acre Sunrise Park include: 
 
 An attractively landscaped beauty area with benches, and a wading pooL 
 
 A large grassy area with softball diamond. 
 
 One turfed basketball court. 
 
 Small storage building with toilets, 
 
 12 large swing seats, 
 
 6 children's bucket-type swing seats. 
 
 12 teeters, 2 merry-go-rounds. 
 
 2 slides, 2 giant strides, 
 
 1 water fountain. 
 
 Benches, sand box, 
 
 1 barbecue stove. 
 
 Consideration should be given to relocating the ball diamond from the 
 south-east corner to the north-west corner, and providing an adequate winged 
 backstop. The basketball goals should be relocated in the south-east corner, 
 
- 10 - 
 
 and an all-weather surface (40' x 60') provided to enable multiple use for 
 basketball, volleyball, paddle tennis, and badminton. 
 
 North Central 
 
 This area is not served by a public park at the present time. There 
 is a small grassy play area adjacent to Vance School, equipped with swings 
 and two gravel surface basketball courts. At the northern edge of the 
 neighborhood the American Legion grounds with three baseball diannonds is 
 located. 
 
 Vance School is aged, and in the future, will likely be abandoned in 
 favor of a proposed new school in the middle of this neighborhood. This 
 should be planned as a park-school developnnent, with a 5 acre park site 
 situated adjacent to the school site. Until this development occurs, it 
 would be desirable to obtain use of the American Legion grounds to serve as 
 a playground for the area. 
 
 North-west 
 
 This neighborhood is served very adequately by Sunset Park (6 acres), 
 This park is well landscaped and has a very attractive area for picnics and 
 passive enjoymient. It also includes: 
 
 A wading pool with spray. 
 
 2 shuffleboard courts. 
 
 1 giant checkerboard. 
 
 1 turf basketball court. 
 
 12 large swings, 6 bucket-type swings. 
 8 teeters, 2 merry-go-rounds. 
 
 2 large slides, 2 giant strides. 
 1 water fountain. 
 
 Storage room, and benches. 
 
 There is a baseball diamond in the north-west corner, which requires a new 
 winged backstop. A shelter with toilet facilities is now being planned. 
 
 This park is large enough and suitably located to provide tennis and 
 other court garae facilities to the residents of the western part of the city. 
 
- 11 - 
 
 The south-west quadrant of the park has sufficient open space at the present 
 time to provide for an all-weather surface to include 2 tennis courts, and a 
 multipurpose area for basketball, volleyball and badminton. 
 
 Consideration should also be given to providing coin-meter ed night- 
 lighting for the proposed tennis courts and multipurpose area. 
 
 West Central 
 
 This area, comprising two separated residential sections, does not 
 include a public park. Wenz Elementary School is in the eastern residential 
 section, but its play area is not large enough to be very useful. 
 
 It is recommended that a park site of from 6 to 10 acres be acquired 
 at the present western edge of this area, because there does not appear to 
 be any land available which would be more central to the entire neighborhood 
 It is likely that residents of the eastern part of this neighborhood will likely 
 be drawn to the facilities of the adjoining areas if proposed developments for 
 those areas are carried out. 
 
 An effort should be made to obtain a small site of one acre or less to 
 provide a tot-lot for the eastern section of this neighborhood. 
 
 South 
 
 This area also comprises two separate residential sections. It is 
 served by Sylvan Park and Redmon School grounds. Redmon School is aged 
 and will likely be replaced in the future by a new school at a proposed site 
 to the south-west of the present school. The new site should be planned as a 
 park-school development, with 2.75 acres allocated for outdoor play purposes. 
 
 Sylvan Park (2.7 acres) is primarily a park for passive enjoyment. . 
 It is well-landscaped, and like all Paris parks, is properly maintained. A 
 large corner of the park provides the site for the City water tower. The 
 southern portion of the park includes: 
 
 6 large swings, and 6 bucket-seat swings 
 
 4 teeters 
 
 storage room 
 
 Slides and other pieces of creative play equipment should be added to 
 make the play area more attractive to children. 
 
 An all-weather multipurpose area could be provided in the south-west 
 part of the park, to provide for basketball, volleyball, badminton, and the like, 
 
 ^'^twiry Of uims 
 
- 12 - 
 
 Two shuffleboard courts and a giant checkerboard, like those in Sunset Park, 
 would be good additions to the central section of the park. There is not 
 enough room for a baseball diamond on this park, and the Redmon School 
 ground is also too small for this purpose. A ball diamond site should be 
 obtained and developed in the area west of Redmon SchooL 
 
 East Central 
 
 This area is presently served by Mayo Junior High School and 
 Memorial Elementary SchooL The outdoor facilities of Mayo School are very 
 limited, since the High School athletic grounds are used for the Junior High 
 School sports program. 
 
 Memorial School is situated in the south-west quadrant of this 
 neighborhood, and is suitable for development as a park-school. Addition to 
 the school site, and the location of a 3 acre park adjacent to this site is 
 recommended . 
 
 The eastern part of this area is likely to experience increased resi- 
 dential growth and eventually form a new "eastern" neighborhoods A future 
 park-school development is proposed east of High Street, and it is recommended 
 that approximately 5 acres be obtained as a park adjacent to the proposed 
 school site. 
 
 City- Wide Sports Facilities 
 
 The High School Athletic Grounds, comprising 10.5 acres, should be 
 further developed. The proposed school plan calls for the building of a small 
 new Junior High School on this site, with the addition of at least 5 acres on 
 the eastern side of the present site for increasing the size of the athletic 
 grounds. 
 
 Present facilities at this site include: 
 
 A lighted football field with bleachers. 
 
 An oval cinder track with sprint straightaway. 
 
 Jumping pits . 
 
 A practice baseball diamond (short left field). 
 
 Dressing rooms. 
 
 Concession stand. 
 
- 13 - 
 
 3 tennis courts are now being completed. 
 
 The addition of 2 softball diamonds is desirable. 
 
 With these improvements, and subject to formal agreement by the 
 Park Board and School Board, the High School Athletic Field could serve 
 much of the community need for athletic fields. 
 
 The present ball park adjacent to Twin Lakes Park is excellent for 
 High School baseball, and could also be used as headquarters for a number of 
 community leagues. The professional baseball team is inactive at present. 
 The ball park has recently been acquired as City property. 
 
 Twin Lakes Park 
 
 The Twin Lakes Park, located at the northern limit of the City, 
 comprises some 37 acres in two tracts and the water area adjacent to them. 
 In addition there is a large water acreage with no park development on the 
 shoreline. ' 
 
 The facilities of this area include: 
 
 A bathing beach. 
 
 Bath house and shelter. 
 
 Dance pavilion. 
 
 Miniature golf course. 
 
 Picnic areas. 
 
 Boating rentals and tour boats. 
 
 Comnnercial amusement rides. 
 
 Professional league baseball diamond. 
 
 Archery range. 
 
 Lighted horeshoe courts. 
 
 West Lake Scout Camp. 
 
 The addition of 2 tennis courts adjacent to the horseshoe court area is 
 recommended. 
 
- 14 - 
 
 The leasing of land bordering the lakes for private home and cottage 
 development has substantially reduced the usable public park area, and 
 commercialization of the park is fairly extensive. For these reasons, the 
 public use of this attractive area is soraewhat reduced. Cottages and cabins 
 have been ordered removed from the East Lake area, and 33 acres is now 
 being developed as a park in that area. 
 
 This report concurs with the recommendation of Harland Bartholomew 
 and Associates to secure additional land around the new lake to provide for 
 an adequate park area, with access to the road. The park area should be 
 developed in the public interest, and protected from encroachment of private 
 homes and commercial enterprises. 
 
 This area would make an ideal location for a public golf course in 
 future years. Other portions of the proposed area should be reserved for the 
 development of natural wooded areas, camping grounds for local organizations 
 such as Scouts and Brownies for 4H camping and conservation activities, and 
 for picnic areas. 
 
 Since this proposed large park development would serve the entire 
 Edgar County much in the same manner as Lake of the Woods Park serves 
 Champaign County, consideration should be given to acquiring and developing 
 this area as a County Forest Preserve. This would require the establishment 
 by referendum of a County Forest Preserve District according to the pro- 
 visions of the Illinois Revised Statutes Chapter 57 l/2. This approach would 
 guarantee the preservation of the area around the lake for public use, and 
 would spread the cost of the development among the people of the county who 
 would be served by it. Similar Forest Preserve Districts have been developed 
 in eleven Illinois counties, including Piatt and Champaign. 
 
 Paris parklands now total approximately 50 acres, with an additional 
 33 acres under development. The widely accepted minimum standard 
 provides for 1 acre of park for each 100 persons in the community. On this 
 basis, Paris is deficient by approximately 17 acres. More important than 
 total acreage, however, is the distribution of these parks to enable safe, 
 convenient access and adequate service to each neighborhood. The foregoing 
 recommendations provide for such distribution and would increase the acreage 
 within the city by approximately 20 acres exclusive of the proposed Third 
 Lake park developnnent. If these proposals could be implemented, the City 
 will have reasonable park and recreation areas and facilities for both present 
 use and foreseeable needs. 
 
 Swimming Pool 
 
 There is a strongly expressed desire for improved swimming 
 facilities in Paris. The increased general interest in swimming is not 
 satisfied by the limited swimming facilities at Twin Lakes Park. A well- 
 
- 15 - 
 
 designed and constructed public swimming pool is essential if Paris residents 
 are to be assured of a safe, healthy, and economical place to swim. 
 
 Much interest has been expressed in the development of a public 
 swimming pool, such as the one recently constructed in Rantoul. The con- 
 struction of such a pool, complete with bathhouse, represents a capital ex- 
 penditure of from $125,000 to $150,000, depending on the design and size of 
 the pool and the construction problems encountered. Such a pool development 
 should only be undertaken with the services of a competent swimming pool 
 consulting firm. The strict State requirements for construction, design and 
 operation, and the need for adequate consideration of safety, operating 
 economy, and management problems make the careful design of such facilities 
 by qualified persons a very real necessity. 
 
 Swimming pools may be provided by cities through a park board or 
 recreation committee. Forest Preserve Districts may also provide swimming 
 facilities. It is general practice in Illinois to build public pools through the 
 issuance of general obligation bonds. 
 
 A swimming pool is strongly recommended in the interest of providing 
 good community recreation opportunities and in the interest of the safety of 
 swimmers of all ages. 
 
 Tennis Courts 
 
 Paris now has no public tennis courts, butrthe widely accepted 
 standard of one tennis court for every two thousand people will be met with 
 the installation of 3 courts at the High School Athletic Field and 2 at Twin 
 Lakes Park. As interest in tennis increases in the City, additional courts 
 should be provided in Sunset Park. 
 
 Golf Courses 
 
 There is one attractive 9 hole golf course at the Country Club in Par is i 
 owned by the B.P.O.E. and leased to private management. There is no 
 public course. The increasing popularity of golf indicates that future pro- 
 vision of a public course at the Third Lake development, or elsewhere, should 
 be considered. 
 
- 16 - 
 
 INDOOR RECREATION FACILJTIES 
 
 The National Recreation Association recommends that the following 
 indoor facilities should be available for community recreation purposes, 
 regardless of the type of building in which they are provided: 
 
 A gymnasium for each 10,000 of the population or less. 
 
 An auditorium or assembly hall for each 20,000 or less. 
 
 A social room or play room for each 10,000 or less. 
 
 An informal reading and quiet game room for each 10,000 or less. 
 
 An indoor garae room for each 10,000 or less. 
 
 An arts and crafts room for each 10,000 or less. 
 
 A multiple-use room for each 4,000 or less. 
 
 An indoor swimming pool for each 50,000 or less. 
 
 Paris has indoor recreation facilities which are not being used very 
 extensively for recreation purposes. While there is no public center building 
 specifically designed for recreation purposes, the facilities of the various 
 schools could meet some of the recreation needs of the community. These 
 facilities are listed below. 
 
 Name of School 
 
 Types of Facilities 
 
 Paris High School 
 
 1 boys gymnasium 
 1 girls gymnasium 
 Band and music rooms 
 Industrial arts room 
 Agriculture shop 
 Auditorium 
 Recreation room 
 
 Mayo Jr. High School 
 
 1 gymnasium 
 
 Cafeteria 
 
 Library 
 
 Memorial Elementary School 
 
 Gymnas ium 
 Cafeteria 
 All-purpose room 
 
■^^. 
 
 
- 17 - 
 
 Name of School 
 
 Wenz Elementary School 
 
 Types of Facilities 
 
 Audio-visual room 
 All-purpose room 
 Cafeteria 
 
 Vance, Tanner and Redmon Schools are older schools which have only 
 cafeteria and kitchen facilities in addition to the classrooms. They should 
 eventually be replaced by new schools as proposed on the east, north-west 
 and south sides » It is recommended that new schools be planned for school 
 and community use in keeping with the park-school plan now being implemented 
 in many cities across the nation. This plan allows for joint development and 
 use of outdoor areas adjacent to schools by the school board and the park 
 board. School facilities should be designed so that the gymnasium, cafeteria, 
 and meeting rooms may be opened for community recreation in the evenings 
 without disturbance to the formal class rooms. This concept provides a 
 single functional unit for education, recreation and other community 
 activities, at minimum cost to the taxpayer. 
 
 The Public Library, in addition to its extensive book collection, also 
 has meeting room space. The Armory is also available for recreation 
 purposes to a limited degree. 
 
 The main deficit in indoor recreation facilities, according to the 
 previously outlined standards, is a community center. The Hangar, if 
 operated by a public authority, could be remodeled to serve this need. This 
 proposal is discussed in greater detail in the program section of this report. 
 An additional need is for an indoor swimming pool. Should such a facility be 
 contemplated for Paris, it should be built as a school facility, preferably at 
 the Junior High School level. It should be designed to serve the school 
 physical education and intramural program, as well as for community use 
 when it is not required for school programs. 
 
 In addition to the public indoor facilities outlined above, there are 
 many indoor facilities suitable for and used for recreation purposes, owned 
 by various clubs disorganizations and agencies. They are listed below for 
 general information. 
 
 Name of Organization 
 
 Facility 
 
 American Legion 
 
 Dance hall 
 Meeting rooms 
 Card rooms 
 

 
 
 - 18 - 
 
 - 
 
 Name 
 
 of Organization 
 
 
 
 Facility 
 
 Country Club 
 
 
 
 General lounge 
 
 
 
 
 
 Dining room 
 
 
 
 
 
 Club roonm 
 
 
 
 
 
 Golfers' lounge 
 
 Edgar 
 
 County Children' 
 
 s Home 
 
 
 Indoor play room 
 
 Elk's 
 
 Club 
 
 
 
 Dining room 
 Meeting room 
 Dance floor 
 4 bowling lanes 
 
 Farm 
 
 Bureau 
 
 
 
 Meeting room 
 
 a 
 
 Girl Scouts 
 
 
 
 ! 
 
 Community House and Camp 
 
 Knighi 
 
 ,s of Columbus 
 
 
 
 2 lane bowling alley 
 Card room 
 Dance hall 
 
 Moose 
 
 Lodge 
 
 1^ 
 
 
 
 Club rooms 
 Large ballroom 
 Kitchen 
 Stage 
 
 Paris 
 
 Art League 
 
 
 
 Small art center building 
 
 Paris 
 
 Youth Center, Inc 
 
 • 
 
 
 (The Hangar) 
 Dance floor 
 Games areas 
 Snack bar and booths 
 Lounge 
 
 Various Churches 
 
 
 
 • 
 
 Church halls 
 
 
 
 
 
 Sunday school rooms 
 
 Commercial Facilities 
 
 
 
 
 
 Commercial fac 
 
 ilities for 
 
 recrea 
 
 ition include the Twin Lakes Bowling 
 
 Lanes 
 
 , the Roller Rink, 
 
 the Go-C, 
 
 art Track, and the Trampoline Center. 
 
- 19 - 
 
 RECREATION PROGRAMS IN PARIS 
 
 Recreation, in today's concept, is any form of free-tinne activity 
 engaged in voluntarily, and for the enjoyment and satisfaction it brings to the 
 participant. It may provide an opportunity for self-expression, creative 
 activity, service to others, or the pure joy of living. Motivation is important. 
 If a man enjoys playing golf or serving his neighbor or in bettering his 
 community, that is recreation. If a man detests golf and plays only because 
 his doctor orders it, or gets no satisfaction in a service activity, that is 
 not recreation but either a medical prescription or a surrender to social 
 pressure. 
 
 Recreation includes sports, games and other physical recreation 
 activities, the creative arts, music, dancing, dramatics, social activities, 
 travel, outings, camping, boating, water sports, gardening, family group 
 living activities, table games, enjoyment and appreciation of nature, photo- 
 graphy and other hobbies, reading, conversation, listening to the radio, 
 watching television, performing worthwhile services, participation in civic 
 affairs, special events and so on.^ 
 
 There is no "standard" recreation program which can be applied to 
 any given city. Conditions vary widely in different cities and even within the 
 different neighborhoods of each city. Therefore recreation programs are 
 developed to fit the particular requirements of each community by experi- 
 mentation, based on expressions of interest and need, and modified through 
 the test of experience. 
 
 Valid criteria for evaluation of the adequacy of a community's 
 recreation programs may be found in the guiding principles which are set 
 forth in the beginning of this report. Additionally, recreation program 
 planning should involve consideration of the following: 
 
 (a) The age, sex, previous experience and economic status of the 
 people to be served; 
 
 (b) The physical, raental, social, and emotional characteristics of 
 the people to be served; and 
 
 (c) The provision of opportunities for participation at varying levels 
 of proficiency, and for instruction in recreation skills. 
 
 1 Joseph Prendergast, et. al.. Background Paper on Free Time Activities, 
 National Advisory Committee for the White House Conference on Aging. 
 Washington, D.C., March, I960. 
 
- 20 - 
 
 With these considerations in nnind, the present recreation opportunities 
 for Paris residents can be appraised with a view to determining the adequacy 
 of the sum of these programs for meeting the total recreation needs of the 
 community. 
 
 Park Board 
 
 No organized recreation programs are conducted by the Park Board. 
 The attractive parks provide opportunities for picnics, boating, swimiming, 
 water-skiing, fishing, horse-shoe pitching, archery, dancing, commercial 
 rides and amusements, and passive enjoyment of the natural settings. 
 
 An organized summer recreation program in the playgrounds was 
 attempted "about five years ago" but was not regarded as successful due to 
 inadequate leadership. The Park Board members recognized the need for 
 recreation leadership, but the Board has no funds allocated to it for this 
 purpose. 
 
 School District # 95 
 
 The Paris Schools, through their curricula in physical education, 
 nnusic, and industrial arts, provide the only tax supported program of 
 instruction to develop skills which can be used to enrich the recreational 
 experience of Paris citizens. A notable deficiency is in the lack of an art 
 program. In addition, the interscholastic sports program provides 
 opportunity for participation by those boys who reach a high degree of 
 proficiency in basketball, football, track, and baseball. A limited intramural 
 sports program is available to both boys and girls. Other extra curricular 
 activities include music concerts and festivals and dramatics. 
 
 The school intramural programs are hindered by the inadequacy of 
 the outdoor play areas, and by the distance of the High School Athletic Field 
 from the High School site. 
 
 Paris Athletic Club 
 
 This club was organized in 1959 to encourage athletics in Paris 
 schools. It has already piirchased and provided a scoreboard and clock for 
 the High School Athletic Field. Funds were raised through contributions and 
 the operation of a concession at the Edgar County Fair. 
 
 Paris Youth Center Incorporated 
 
 The Hangar is operated by the Paris Youth Center Inc., as a teenage center 
 It is the major recreation program for this age-group. Membership is open 
 to students enrolled in grades seven through twelve in the Paris schools, and 
 in grades 7 and 8 in Crestview School. The Hangar is open at noon hours and 
 
- 21 - 
 
 after school until 5:00 p.m. each school day. Evening hours are from seven 
 to nine on Tuesdays, and from seven to ten on Fridays and Saturdays. The 
 closing hour of 10 P.M. is established to enable the youth to conform to the 
 curfew law. 
 
 The program emphasizes dancing, with casual participation in pool, 
 billiards, table tennis and other table games. The lounge area is equipped 
 with magazines and television and the well-equipped snack bar serves a 
 suitable variety of food and beverages at minimum prices. It is estimated 
 that over 10,000 attendances per month are made during the school year. The 
 Hangar is closed during the summer months when school is not in session. 
 
 The operation of the Hangar is financed through special gifts, fund 
 raising activities such as chili suppers, receipts from an annual fund drive 
 and with the proceeds from the snack bar. The teen-age council which plans 
 cooperatively with the Senior Board, has recommended that identification 
 cards be issued to each student eligible for membership in the coming year. 
 Although no charge is raade for the card it will bear a "patron" seal if the 
 member donates at least $2.00. Revenue from all sources has been barely 
 adequate to meet the fixed expenses and inadequate to provide much needed 
 programs and physical improvements to the premises. 
 
 In the event that a public recreation authority is established in Paris 
 as recommended in the "Administration" section of this report, it would be 
 one of the functions of such a Board to assist the various recreation organiza- 
 tions in Paris in carrying out their purposes, through skilled leadership, 
 guidance, coordination of the use of facilities, and in some instances, financial 
 aid. The relationship of such a Board to the Youth Center Inc. should be 
 carefully examined and action considered based on the following factors^ 
 
 (a) The Board of Directors of the Youth Center Inc. have an interest 
 in the provision and operation of a recreation program for youth of high 
 school age in Paris. The Board has actively proinoted this interest for the 
 past 17 years, through the provision of a recreation center and staff, and 
 through the continued interest and support of the Board members. 
 
 (b) The financial support of the Center is dependent upon donated 
 funds and funds obtained through fund raising activities. The Board has 
 always managed to operate the Center but limited funds have not permitted 
 the accomplishment of very desirable objectives. 
 
 (c) The cost of the rent, and maintenance of the building is pro- 
 hibitive in terms of the hours in which the building is in use. At the present 
 time the building is used at noon hours, after school, and three evenings per 
 week, which satisfies the time requirements of the age group served. 
 
- 22 - 
 
 (d) There is a need for facilities, such as those existing in the Hangar, 
 to be made available to other age groups for recreation programs, including 
 the youth group past high school age. There is also a particularly strong 
 need to have a suitable location for programs for the elderly. Senior Citizens 
 Clubs have been established in many Illinois communities and are meeting an 
 urgent community need. Such programs could be accommodated in the Center 
 without decreasing the time now allotted for the youth.. 
 
 It is suggested, therefore, that, if approval of the voters is secured 
 and a tax supported recreation program is established, consideration be given 
 to increasing the use of the Hangar building, while maintaining and strengthen- 
 ing the existing youth program. This might be accomplished through the 
 following steps: 
 
 (a) The rental, maintenance, upkeep, and operation of the present 
 Hangar building be assumed by the proposed Park and Recreation Board. 
 
 (b) That additional space within the building be secured to enable 
 the provision of suitable areas for additional programs. 
 
 (c) That the continued sponsorship of youth programis be a 
 responsibility of the presently constituted Board of Directors of the Youth 
 Center Inc . 
 
 Such action would: 
 
 (a) free the Board of the present burdensome annual fund-raising 
 campaign. 
 
 (b) enable the Board of Directors to give their conaplete attention 
 directly to their major interest, the development of programs designed to 
 serve the needs and interests of the youth of Paris. 
 
 (c) strengthen the ability of the Center to employ staff on a more 
 permanent basis, with opportunity for the staff to participate in existing City 
 of Paris pension plans, and any other benefits enjoyed by City employees. 
 
 Girl Scouts 
 
 There are seven Brownie troops and six Scout troops in the Paris Girl 
 Scout organization, which is part of the Redbud Area Council. The total 
 nnembership is two hundred and fifteen girls. The troops use parks, churches, 
 schools, and the Community House for their regular activities. Camping is 
 conducted at West Park in the Twin Lakes area. 
 
- 23 - 
 
 Boy Scouts 
 
 There are 5 cub packs for boys 8-11 and 5 scout troops for boys 
 11 - 14. One explorer post serves boys over 14. The local scout group 
 belongs to the Wabash Valley Council. They use churches, homes, parks, 
 and the West Lake Camp for their activities. 
 
 American Red Cross Society - Edgar Chapter 
 
 The Red Cross makes an important contribution to recreation in Paris 
 through its Water Safety Program. This program has provided swimming and 
 water safety lessons to about three hundred persons annually. The Twin Lakes 
 swimming area is used for this program. I960 enrollment was 300 persons. 
 Swimnning classes for the Cerebral Palsy Group are held in the Marshall 
 Pool, with the Red Cross providing instructions and transportation. 
 
 Little League Baseball 
 
 The Paris Little League has ten teams, and limits its membership to 
 one hundred fifty boys, from nine to thirteen years of age. The League has a 
 sixty game schedule, which is played at the American Legion Grounds. Each 
 year there are more boys of this age who want to play baseball than the 
 Little League can handle. 
 
 Pony League Baseball 
 
 The Pony League has 4 teams for boys 13, 14, and 15 years of 
 age. There are 75 boys participating in the league. Games are played at 
 the Legion Grounds. Sponsors of the teams are the Rotary Club, Kiwanis 
 Club, two local banks, and the league itself. 
 
 American Legion Post 211 
 
 The Legion maintains a large athletic field which has three baseball 
 dianmonds . It sponsors the Paris entry of the Illiana Junior Baseball League 
 for boys 15 - 18 years of age, and makes its facilities available to the Little 
 League and the Pony League. The meeting rooms of the Legion House are 
 also used by numerous community groups for meetings and parties. 
 
 Edgar County Community Concert Association 
 
 This Concert Association presents a minimum of three concerts 
 annually. The High School is regularly used for this purpose although on 
 occasion sacred concerts have been held at one of the churches. The purpose 
 of the Association is to maintain a permanent concert audience on a member- 
 ship basis J and to foster and encourage the teaching and appreciation of music 
 throughout Edgar County. Annual membership is available at $6.00 for adults 
 and $3.00 for students. 
 
- 24 - 
 
 Paris Art League 
 
 The stated purpose of the Art League is "to study, promote, cultivate, 
 and encourage exchange of ideas, knowledge and experience in art". The 
 League owns the small Art Center on Jasper Street. It has conducted art 
 classes for children from nine to twelve years of age, for a fee of $10,00, 
 during the summers of 1959 and I960. Annual membership dues are $5.00 
 per person. 
 
 4-H Clubs 
 
 Membership is open to all persons from ten to twenty-one years of 
 age who are willing to carry out a project and attend two-thirds of the 
 meetings held by the 4-H Club of their choice. Projects are mainly in the 
 agricultural and home economics fields, but some are of a recreational 
 nature. These clubs provide numerous recreation programs for their 
 members including rallies, trips, picnics and swims, camping, sports, 
 crafts, music appreciation and recreation leadership training. 
 
 Home Bureau 
 
 The Home Bureau is open to any adult interested in homemaking. It 
 sponsors the Extension Service Honne Economics and 4-H Club programs in 
 the County. Recreation programs include crafts, fall festival, tours, trips, 
 picnics, and an art show. 
 
 Council for Retarded Children 
 
 This Council provides, through volunteer service, recreational and 
 religious programs for retarded children in Paris. It is assisted financially 
 by donations from civic groups and an annual door-to-door fund drive. 
 Recreation programs include a summer play school, family picnics, sports, 
 and crafts. A weekly Sunday School Class has been organized by the Council. 
 
 Paris Ministerial Alliance 
 
 While the purpose of the Ministerial Alliance is to foster services of 
 a religious nature, its members are all concerned with the naany church 
 activities of a social or recreational nature. Each church conducts many 
 such activities and church facilities are also used by community groups such 
 as Cubs, Scouts, 4-H Clubs, Concert Association, and many others. 
 
 Edgar County Archers Club 
 
 This club is a division of the Edgar County Sportsman's Club. It 
 sponsors archery shoots and tournaments, and has regular archery practice 
 sessions for its members. An archery instruction school is planned which 
 
- 25 - 
 
 will be open to anyone interested in learning the fundamentals of the sport, 
 
 Edgar County Sportsmen's Club 
 
 This club has its own facilities and provides opportunities for its 
 members to fish, trap-shoot and skeet-shoot. It fosters conservation of 
 wild-life in the area. 
 
 Junior Chamber of Commerce 
 
 This organization has taken an active interest in the development of 
 recreation programs for the youth of Paris. While it has not conducted any 
 recreation programs beyond those for its own members the Club is actively 
 studying the recreation needs of Paris with a view to giving service in that 
 area. 
 
 Kiwanis Club 
 
 The Kiwanis Club sponsors or assists in a number of special events 
 programs in addition to those provided for the members and their families . 
 These include an Easter Egg Hunt for the Children's Home, the School Patrol 
 Outing, the teen-agers New Yaar 's Ev3 party, the Graduation After -Glow 
 party, and Pony League baseball. The Club also provides financial 
 assistance to a number of coramunity service programs. 
 
 Knights of Columbus, Council 860 
 
 The Knights of Columbus sponsor picnics, family parties and bowling, 
 as well as scout troops and Little League teams. 
 
 Rotary Club 
 
 The Rotarians sponsor baseball teams in Little League and Pony 
 League, as well as recreation activities for the Children's Home and support 
 to music camp participants. The Club also has social events for members and 
 their families . 
 
 Paris Boat Club 
 
 This Club, in its first year of organization is actively working to 
 improve boating facilities at the East Lake. It takes an active part in water 
 safety and boat-handling classes, and fosters interest in boating activities on 
 the Twin Lakes. 
 
 Town and Country Square Dance Club 
 
 This club meets twice monthly at the North Arm Community Center on 
 the Clinton Road. Attendance averages four or five squares each meeting. 
 
- 26 - 
 
 Paddle Club 
 
 Newly formed this year, the Paddle Club has provided a swimming 
 pool and tennis court. It is primarily a family recreation club, and its 
 facilities are only for the 25 families who comprise the club membership. 
 
 This listing of recreation programs sponsored by the many organiza- 
 tions and agencies in Paris is by no means exhaustive. There is a local 
 motorcycle club, and a riding club, among others. Many organizations, while 
 not primarily recreational in purpose, provide recreation activities for their 
 members . 
 
 Questionnaires were distributed to seventy-five organizations and 
 groups in Paris. Thirty-three were returned, and from these much useful 
 information has been gained. 
 
 In response to the question, "Do you feel there is a need to improve 
 the present methods of coordinating recreation programs and services offered 
 by agencies in Paris ?", there were twenty-three yes responses, three no 
 responses, and seven had no opinion. 
 
 Ten organizations indicated that this coordination could best be 
 achieved through the provision of qualified recreation leadership. Four 
 organizations suggested coordination could be accoraplished through a 
 recreation council, and nineteen had no suggestion to offer. 
 
 Four responses indicated that better use should be made of existing 
 facilities, especially the schools and parks. Fourteen indicated the need for 
 additional facilities, with most emphasis being placed on the need for a public 
 swimming pool. Other major suggestions included the provision of tennis 
 courts, and the addition of parks in the south and west sections of the City. 
 
 In addition to the questionnaires distributed to organizations, individual 
 recreation interest questionnaires were distributed to youths in the Junior 
 High School and the High School, and to adults through various community 
 organizations. These questionnaires asked the respondents to indicate their 
 five major preferences for activities that they would like to do but were not 
 doing, or that they would like to do more if the opportunity was available . These 
 responses as tabulated on pages 27 through 29 , raust be analyzed in relation 
 to existing activities in order to realize their meaning. For example, dancing 
 does not appear in the youth preference listings because there is ample 
 opportunity for the youth to dance. The preference listings indicate those 
 things that the respondents would like to do. 
 
 It must be recognized that these responses should be used primarily as 
 a basis for experimentation in the development of recreation programs, and as 
 an indication of the need for certain types of recreation facilities. 
 
 ^m 
 

 - 27 - 
 
 
 
 
 Recreation Interest Survey 
 
 
 
 
 
 No 
 
 . of Times 
 
 Activity 
 
 
 Checked 
 
 
 Boys 12 and 13 
 
 
 
 
 (80 Polled) 
 
 
 
 1. 
 
 Swimming 
 
 
 25 
 
 2. 
 
 Archery 
 
 
 22 
 
 3. 
 
 Bowling 
 
 
 ZZ 
 
 4. 
 
 Baseball 
 
 
 21 
 
 5. 
 
 Pool or Billiards 
 
 
 19 
 
 6. 
 
 Basketball 
 
 
 18 
 
 7. 
 
 Boating 
 
 
 18 
 
 8. 
 
 Camping 
 
 
 18 
 
 9. 
 
 Hiking 
 
 
 11 
 
 10. 
 
 Cycling 
 
 
 10 
 
 11. 
 
 Diving 
 
 
 10 
 
 12. 
 
 Golf 
 
 Girls 12 and 13 
 (49 Polled) 
 
 
 10 
 
 1. 
 
 Swimmiing 
 
 2. 
 
 Tennis 
 
 3. 
 
 Dramatics 
 
 4. 
 
 Boating 
 
 5. 
 
 Bowling 
 
 6. 
 
 Canaping 
 
 7. 
 
 Skating 
 
 8. 
 
 Archery 
 
 9. 
 
 Golf 
 
 10. 
 
 Hiking 
 
 11. 
 
 Gymnastics 
 
 22 
 22 
 13 
 11 
 11 
 11 
 11 
 10 
 10 
 8 
 7 
 

 
 - 28 - 
 
 No. of Times 
 
 Activity 
 
 
 Checked 
 
 
 
 Boys 14 and 15 
 
 
 
 
 (101 Polled) 
 
 
 1. 
 
 Swimming 
 
 
 34 
 
 2. 
 
 Archery- 
 
 
 28 
 
 3. 
 
 Basketball 
 
 
 28 
 
 4. 
 
 Baseball 
 
 
 21 
 
 5. 
 
 Pool or Billiards 
 
 
 19 
 
 6. 
 
 Ice Skating 
 
 
 16 
 
 7. 
 
 Boating 
 
 
 16 
 
 8. 
 
 Scouting 
 
 
 16 
 
 9. 
 
 Wrestling 
 
 
 15 
 
 10. 
 
 Mechanics 
 
 
 15 
 
 11. 
 
 Diving 
 
 
 13 
 
 12. 
 
 Golf 
 
 
 13 
 
 
 
 Girls 14 and 15 
 
 
 
 /' 
 
 (41 Polled) 
 
 
 ■ 1. 
 
 Swimining 
 
 
 12 
 
 2. 
 
 Archery 
 
 
 11 
 
 3. 
 
 Bowling 
 
 
 10 
 
 4. 
 
 Roller Skating 
 
 
 9 
 
 5. 
 
 Ice Skating 
 
 
 7 
 
 6. 
 
 Tennis 
 
 
 7 
 
 7. 
 
 Instrumental music 
 
 
 6 
 
 8. 
 
 Painting 
 
 
 6 
 
 9. 
 
 Cycling 
 
 
 5 
 
 ^10. 
 
 Dramatics 
 
 
 5 
 
 11. 
 
 Leathercraft 
 
 
 5 
 
 12. 
 
 Hiking 
 
 
 5 
 
- 29 - 
 
 No. of Times 
 Activity Checked 
 
 Men 
 
 10 
 8 
 7 
 6 
 5 
 5 
 4 
 4 
 2 
 2 
 
 
 
 (48 Polled) 
 
 1. 
 
 Swimming 
 
 
 2. 
 
 Golf 
 
 
 3. 
 
 Tennis 
 
 
 4. 
 
 Woodworking 
 
 
 5. 
 
 Gardening 
 
 
 6. 
 
 Basketball 
 
 
 7. 
 
 Leathercraft 
 
 
 8. 
 
 Skeet Shooting 
 
 
 9. 
 
 Dramatics 
 
 
 0. 
 
 Pool or Billiards 
 
 
 Women 
 (134 Polled) 
 
 1. Swimming 24 
 
 2. Tennis 14 
 
 3. Home Decorating 12 
 
 4. Ceramics 12 
 
 5. Square Dancing 11 
 
 6. Riding 10 
 
 7. Badminton 7 
 
 8. Golf 7 
 
 9 . Ice Skating 7 
 10. Bowling 6 
 
- 30 - 
 
 It can be concluded from the program appraisal and the interest 
 survey that in general, social activities are provided quite generously in 
 Paris, while opportunities for active participation in a suitable variety of 
 indoor and outdoor activities are lacking. The major need is obviously for 
 adequate swinfiming opportunities, with high interest also evident in archery, 
 bowling, basketball, tennis, boating, golf, baseball, and camping. 
 
 A major deficiency in the recreation program is in the lack of 
 programis for older persons. Nearly 15% of the residents of Paris are over 
 65, yet there is little effort made to insure that these "Senior Citizens" have 
 adequate opportunity for socializing and enjoying other leisure pursuits. A 
 special effort is needed to provide adequately for the enjoyment of earned 
 leisure by retired persons, many of whom are living in loneliness, with 
 practically no social contact in the community. 
 
 Experience in other cities where "Senior Citizen" or "Golden Age" 
 clubs have been formed under the auspices of public recreation departments, 
 or service club sponsorship, has shown that persons in this age group have 
 definite recreation needs, and can benefit immeasurably by participation in 
 prograra and service activities. The need to feel useful in retirement could 
 be satisfied for many Paris older citizens if they could be attracted to 
 participate in the many existing organizations. Many others, restricted by 
 financial need, could find companionship, opportunity for creative activity, 
 and community service in a club for senior citizens. 
 
 Teenagers need a greater variety of recreation activity during the 
 winter months, and a strong program should be organized for teenagers 
 during the sumnner months. Summer Playground Programs for young 
 children should be organized under qualified leaders at each neighborhood 
 park. Day camping, also under qualified leadership, could be offered on a 
 cost basis if the camping area at Twin Lakes is further developed. 
 
 There is a real need for programs for youth beyond high school age. 
 Recreation progrann opportunities should be developed for young people in 
 the 19 to 25 age range. 
 
 While major facility development is necessary to provide for some of 
 the needed programs such as swimming and tennis, much could be done to 
 increase the use of existing facilities if a public agency were given responsi- 
 bility for the development of a total community recreation program. The 
 lack of coordination of programs and the failure to mobilize the community's 
 resources for recreation in an effective manner is due to the fact that no 
 one organization has either the responsibility for doing it, or the authority 
 or funds to undertake the task. 
 
- 31 - 
 
 ADMINISTRATION, PERSONNEL AND FINANCE 
 
 (a) Administration 
 
 There is a clear need for the establishment of a public recreation 
 authority which would be given the responsibility for coordinating and 
 developing the total comimunity recreation programi. Support for this step 
 has been reported in the previous section of this report. 
 
 The Illinois Revised Statutes provide three ways for establishing a 
 public recreation authority: 
 
 1. The School Board may conduct programs of recreation and build recreation 
 facilities (Section 122, Article 14). Funds for this purpose, however, 
 must come from the educational and building funds, since no special 
 recreation tax is authorized under the law. 
 
 2. Park Districts may be organized by referendum and have the authority 
 
 to conduct recreation programs under the provisions of the Park District 
 Code (Chapter 105). A Park District miay levy a tax of 1 mill for corporate 
 purposes and monies from its corporate fund may be used for recreation 
 purposes. Further, it may if the need arises, subject to favorable 
 referendum, levy an additional tax of l/2 mill on the assessed valuation 
 of taxable property within the Park District. Park District boundaries 
 need not be coterminous with City boundaries and may include areas 
 beyond the corporate limiits of the City. A 1 mill tax levy would produce 
 an income of approximately $20,000 which could be increased to 
 approximately $30,000 for park and recreation services through 
 favorable referendum. 
 
 3. The City Council may, following a favorable referendum, establish a 
 public recreation authority under the provisions of the Cities and Village 
 Act, (Chapter 24, Article 57). This law provides for a tax levy of up to 
 2/3 of 1 mill on the assessed dollar valuation of all property within the 
 corporate limits. Such a tax levy would produce a recreation fund of 
 approximatelv $15,000 based on the present assessed valuation of 
 approximately 23,000,000. A more complete summary of the provisions 
 of this law may be found in Appendix II to this report. 
 
 It is recommended that a public recreation authority be established 
 in Paris under the provisions of the City and Villages Act as outlined under 
 (3) above. This choice is recommended for the following reasons: 
 
 1. There is already existing a Park Board authorized by referendum to levy 
 a tax of 1 mill on the assessed dollar valuation of all property within the 
 municipality. Any plan to organize a Park District would have little 
 
- 32 - 
 
 financial advantage, and would only serve to duplicate an existing service. 
 Further, the Park Board has the confidence of the citizens of Paris for 
 the fine manner in which the parks have been developed and maintained. 
 
 2. School Boards in Illinois have not assumed responsibility for administra- 
 tion of public recreation services due to the lack of any provision in the 
 School Code for a special recreation tax such as that provided for under 
 the City and Villages Act. 
 
 3. There is a definite trend in Illinois communities towards the combining 
 of the related functions of recreation programming and park management 
 under one administrative agency. The City and Villages Act states that 
 the authority for recreation may be vested with an existing park board. 
 
 It is further recommended, therefore, that upon successful passage 
 of a referendum to establish a public recreation authority, that the legal 
 authority for recreation be vested through ordinance in the existing Park 
 Board, which should be known thereafter as the Park and Recreation Board 
 of the City of Paris (a sample ordinance is given in Appendix III). 
 
 In accepting this responsibility, the appointed Board should operate 
 according to generally accepted standards for the management and operation 
 of such authorities. (A description of these standards is given in Appendix 
 
 rv). 
 
 (b) Personnel 
 
 The responsibilities of the proposed Park and Recreation Board will 
 be such that it will be necessary and desirable to employ a person well 
 nualified to carry out the executive responsibilities of the agency. Just as 
 qualified leadership is recognized as the key to successful recreation programs, 
 so is good management the key to proper development of an expanded park 
 system. The future success of the Park and Recreation Board in carrying out 
 its responsibilities will depend to a large degree on the ability of the executive 
 officer of the agency to carry out policies and objectives established by the 
 Board. 
 
 It is recommended that a Superintendent of Parks and Recreation be 
 employed by the proposed Park and Recreation Board. A suggested job 
 description with duties and qualifications for the position is included as 
 Appendix V of this report. This is based on recomnaendations prepared by 
 the National Recreation Association. The reconnmended salary range for the 
 position is $5500.00 to $7,000.00. 
 
 (c) Finance 
 
 The Paris Park Board operates under ordinance of the City Council. 
 An annual tax levy of .1% is authorized, in addition to the general city fund, 
 
- 33 - 
 
 by referendum for park purposes. This tax is now being levied at the rate of 
 .052% and the income from this is estimated at approximately 11,000, based 
 on the assessed valuation of approximately $23,000,000. 
 
 If the proposal to levy a tax for recreation purposes is carried, the 
 tax rate of .0667% for this purpose would bring an annual revenue of 
 approximately $15,000. The park tax, if levied at its maximum statutory 
 rate, would provide a revenue of nearly 23,000. This would provide a total 
 of $38,000 per year for park and recreation services, for an annual public 
 expenditure of approximately $3.80 per capita. The per capita rate, while 
 below the recommended national standard of $6.00 per capita, is consistent 
 with current fiscal practice in Central Illinois communities offering these 
 services . 
 
 These funds should provide adequately for the annual operating needs 
 of a well functioning Park and Recreation Board. 
 
 It is not possible at this time to present estimates establishing the 
 cost of the area and facility acquisitions and developments which have been 
 proposed in this report. Land acquisition costs will have to be shared in some 
 instances between the City and the School Board. The cost of other capital 
 developments such as the proposed swimming pool, and the purchasing and 
 renovating of the Hangar as a community center will necessarily be determined 
 in large degree by both negotiations over purchase price, and by the design 
 requirements which should be prepared by aualified engineers and architects. 
 
 It is recommended that capital developments such as the swimming 
 pool and the community center be financed through securing donations for 
 the purpose where possible, and otherwise through the issuance of general 
 obligation bonds. It is not good fiscal practice to finance major capital 
 improvements through use of the taxes levied specifically for annual 
 operating purposes. 
 
- 34 - 
 
 APPENDICES 
 
- 35 - 
 
 APPENDIX I 
 
 FOREST PRESERVE DISTRICTS IN ILLINOIS 
 
 There are eleven County Forest Preserve Districts in the State of 
 Illinois at this time. Perhaps the best known of these to Paris citizens 
 would be the Piatt District, and the Champaign District. Lake of the Woods, 
 about 15 miles west of Champaign, is a facility of the Champaign County 
 Forest Preserve District. It includes a lake, boating and fishing facilities, 
 picnic areas, camp grounds, a swimming area with bathhouse, hiking troils, 
 two golf courses, and a large wooded area. Cook County also has many fine 
 facilities operated by the Cook County Forest Preserve District, 
 
 The law which enables the creation and management of Forest Preserve 
 Districts in Illinois is found in the Illinois Revised Statutes, Chapter 57 l/2. 
 A brief analysis of this law is presented here for information purposes. 
 
 A Forest Preserve District may be any designated area of con- 
 tinuous territory lying wholly within one county containing one or more 
 cities, towns, or villages. 
 
 A Forest Preserve District may be organized through the following 
 procedure : 
 
 (1) Petition -- by any 500 legal voters residing within the limits of 
 the proposed district may petition a circuit judge of the county 
 to cause the question to be submitted to the voters. 
 
 (2) Election -- the Circuit Judge shall order an election to decide 
 on the question. If a majority of the votes cast is in favor of the 
 organization of the district, the district shall be deemed organized. 
 
 The governing body of the district is a board of commissioners con- 
 sisting of a president and four commissioners appointed by the chairnnan of 
 the board of supervisors of the county. The regular term of office for 
 commissioners is four years. They serve without pay. 
 
 A Forest Preserve District may levy a tax at the rate of .025% of the 
 assessed dollar evaluation of all taxable property within the district. It may 
 borrow by issuing bonds, subject to referendum in certain instances. In any 
 event the tax levied for the purposes of annual operation and bond retirement 
 combined may not exceed the authorized rate limit of .025%. The district 
 may not exceed the authorized rate limit of .025%». The district may not 
 become indebted to any amount exceeding l/2 of 1% of the assessed dollar 
 valuation of the taxable property within the district. 
 
- 36 - 
 
 A forest preserve district may acquire lands and grounds within the 
 district by gift, grant, device, purchase or condemnation. It may create 
 forest preserves and make improvement in and through these forest preserves 
 as deemed necessary for the use of such forest preserves by the public. 
 
- 37 - 
 
 APPENDIX II 
 
 Simplified Narrative Form of the PUBLIC PLAYGROUNDS AND RECREATION 
 CENTERS LAW OF 1921 , As Amended, Chapter 24, Article 57, Illinois Revised 
 
 Statutes 
 
 Legal authority is a necessity before any public tax-supported program 
 can be initiated. Only through our governmental structure can authority be 
 delegated to a locality for purposes of providing public services from the 
 collection of tax monies. This authority is the basis for all public tax- 
 supported services, and provides the needed protection and opportunity for 
 its citizens to determine democratically the extent of their own services. 
 
 The State of Illinois has realized the need for, and has made legal 
 provisions for, public organization for recreation as a unique and distinct 
 area of community life. Within the State's jurisdiction, all communities have 
 the opportunity to operate a tax-supported type of recreation and park service 
 that best fits their individual needs. The Public Playgrounds and Recreation 
 Centers Law of 1921, as amended is one such example. This law provides 
 the legal authorization for any city, town, or village, with a population of less 
 than 150,000, to establish and maintain a public recreation system, including 
 playgrounds, recreation centers, and swimming pools. (This law, however, 
 does not give legal authority to a township, or any other type of special 
 district.) 
 
 Under this act, a municipality may make use of any lands or buildings 
 which are owned or leased by the municipality (if in keeping with the devoted 
 purpose of each); acquire or lease additional land or buildings; and provide 
 for the maintenance and equipment of these areas and facilities from general 
 municipal funds. (The city has the authority to purchase or lease any areas 
 or facilities within its financial ability, and to provide for their improvement 
 and upkeep.) Authority is also vested in the Board to employ personnel 
 which it deems necessary to administer and carry out its responsibilities. 
 
 In order for a municipality to adopt this act, a petition must be 
 circulated and signed by at least 10% of the number of voters at the last 
 municipal election, and submitted to the city clerk at least 30 days prior to 
 a general or special municipal election. The petition shall designate the tax 
 rate that is desired. 
 
 Upon receiving a favorable majority of votes at the specified 
 election, the corporate authorities may thereafter levy and collect a tax up 
 to the amount listed on the specified petition. The corporate authorities also 
 
- 38 - 
 
 have the responsibility of naming or establishing a managing authority which 
 may be vested in a school board, park board, or other existing bodies; or 
 a separate playground or recreation board may be appointed. If a separate 
 board is appointed, it can be made up of three members, appointed for three 
 year annual staggered terms, or five members appointed for five year annual 
 staggered terms. The board members receive no remuneration. 
 
 Any two or more cities, towns, or villages can jointly establish and 
 maintain a recreation system under this law. Also, a recreation system raay 
 be conducted and maintained jointly by a school board or a park board in 
 conjunction with the municipality. 
 
 Any managing authority which has been established under this act may 
 accept any donations of real estate or money. However, in cases where the 
 acceptance of property subjects the municipality to added expense for 
 improvements or maintenance, the acceptance of the property must be 
 approved by the municipal authorities. 
 
 At such times when further finances are needed for the purpose of 
 acquiring land, buildings, or equipment, bonds of the municipality may be 
 issued subject to the approval of the electors by referendum. 
 
 (This is only a general description of the provisions of the Public 
 
 Playground and Recreation Centers Law of 1921 as araended. No action 
 should be taken to implement this act without direct reference to the Statutes, 
 A full legal description of the Act may be found in the Illinois Revised 
 Statutes - Cities and Villages Act - Chapter 24 - Article 57 - Sections 1-10.) 
 
- 39 - 
 
 APPENDIX III 
 
 PUBLIC PARK AND RECREATION BOARD 
 
 The members appointed to the Paris Park and Recreation Board 
 should have a sincere interest in parks and recreation and sufficient time to 
 devote to the required duties. The following information is suggested as a 
 guide or checklist for their responsibilities: 
 
 Procedure 
 
 1. Adopts by-laws governing the organization of the Board and the 
 calling and conduct of its meetings . 
 
 2. Elects officers annually as prescribed in the by-laws. 
 
 3. Provides for appointment by the chairman of standing committees 
 on all major continuing functions such as finance, personnel, 
 buildings and grounds, and program. 
 
 4. Restricts committee action to the making of recommendations and 
 the performing of duties specifically authorized by the Board. 
 
 Meetings 
 
 5. Holds regular meetings that are open to the public, at least 
 monthly, 
 
 6. Provides for notices of all meetings to be sent to Board members. 
 
 7. Requires a quorum for formal official actions. 
 
 8. Keeps a conaplete record of all Board meetings. 
 
 9. Minutes of each meeting are submitted to Board members before 
 the next meeting and are fornmally approved by the Board at the 
 next regular meeting. 
 
 10. Conducts its meetings in accordance with procedure prescribed 
 
 in the by-laws and reaches a decision only after full consideration 
 and debate on the issues in question. 
 
 Finances 
 
 11. Adopts specific procedure for the efficient handling, spending, 
 and accounting of Board funds^. 
 
 12. Requires and reviews each month a written financial statement 
 of appropriations, expenditures, and balances. 
 
 13. Well in advance of the date when budgets must be submitted to 
 the governing body, analyzes the financial needs of the depart- 
 ment and then adopts and submits a budget request for the depart- 
 ment. 
 
 14. Interprets to the individual members of the city governing body 
 and to the body as a whole the needs of the department as indicated 
 in the budget requested. 
 
- 40 - 
 
 Relation to Superintendent 
 
 15. Selects and employs the best Superintendent available in 
 accordance with state and national recommended standards. 
 
 16. Requires the Superintendent to submit a written monthly report. 
 
 17. Adopts a policy that individual Board members shall not give 
 instructions to the Superintendent except as related to specific 
 committee assignments. 
 
 18. Requests the Superintendent to submit recommendations on all 
 problems to be considered by the Board that relate to programs, 
 facilities, training and other matters on which professional 
 advice would be useful in reaching a decision. 
 
 19. When it has adopted a policy or approved a course of action, it 
 gives the Superintendent full authority and responsibility for 
 administering the policy for seeing that the action is taken. 
 
 20. Encourages the Superintendent to initiate suggestions and bring 
 to the attention of the Board matters requiring policy decision, 
 which will increase the effectiveness of the Department. 
 
 21. Holds the Superintendent ultimately responsible for the success 
 or failure of the progrann, within the limitations in which he must 
 work. 
 
 ZZ . Encourages its Superintendent and other staff members to attend 
 state and national meetings of recreation workers, take an active 
 part in professional organizations, attend institutions, and 
 training courses and in other ways advance in their profession. 
 
 Relation to Work of Department 
 
 23. Makes periodic inspections of recreation areas and facilities to 
 make sure that they are operated and maintained in a satisfactory 
 condition. 
 
 24. Makes periodic observations of program. 
 
 25. Participates actively in the interpretation of the Board's program 
 objectives and needs. 
 
 26. Arranges for a city-wide analysis of existing recreation areas. 
 
 27. Makes a comprehensive appraisal of his Department at least 
 every five years. 
 
 Relation to Other Agencies 
 
 28. Is consulted by the local school authorities in regard to pre- 
 liminary plans for new school sites or buildings and the design 
 of indoor and outdoor facilities that miight be suitable for 
 community recreation use. 
 
 29. Is consulted by the local planning authorities with respect to any 
 proposals or plans that relate to recreation areas or facilities. 
 
- 41 - 
 
 30. Shares the credit with other departments and organizations that 
 cooperate in its program. 
 
 31. Takes the initiative, if necessary, in forming a Recreation 
 Council or in bringing together periodically an informal group 
 representing the local agencies concerned with recreation for a 
 discussion of mutual problems and as an aid in cooperative 
 planning. 
 
 32. Meets annually, either as a whole or through a committee, with 
 the Board of Education to consider problems of mutual interest. 
 
 33. Through its Superintendent, or otherwise, keeps in close touch 
 with City departments and private agencies concerned with 
 recreation and the use of leisure time. 
 
 Relation to the Public 
 
 34. Makes it clear to the public that suggestions and criticism are 
 welcome and will receive thoughtful consideration. 
 
 35. Conducts its affairs in a manner that wins public respect and 
 support for the Department and guarantees its integrity to the 
 community. 
 
 36. Is ready to listen to criticism and quick to discern and remedy 
 situations that require correction either by the Board or staff 
 members , 
 
 37. In addition to submitting an annual report as required, maintains 
 a public relations program throughout the year, utilizing the 
 press, radio, speeches, miovies, exhibits, and other appropriate 
 media. 
 
 38. Represents the interests of the entire community and not the 
 interests with which individual members may be affiliated. 
 
 39. Encourages citizen interest and participation in the work of the 
 Department by the enlistment of volunteers, the appointment of 
 committees for special projects and in other ways. 
 
- 42 - 
 
 APPENDIX IV 
 
 SAMPLE RECREATION ORDINANCE 
 
 Introduction - 
 
 The adoption of a city recreation ordinance is a necessity in order to 
 define the organization, powers, duties, and responsibilities of the group 
 selected to manage the public recreation system. These laws are enacted by 
 the local governing authority and usually take the form of an ordinance. In 
 all instances, these local laws must conform to that which is authorized by 
 the state laws. The local ordinance is more explicit in detail where the 
 state law was more general. 
 
 Included is a sample ordinance which could be adopted by the City of 
 Paris . 
 
 \Kr VV *■*' **■* V** *>■''' *'«' *'■• 
 
 ^|> «>|^ 'j-^ ^fk '|> iViX ff% ^1^ 
 
 ORDINANCE NO 
 
 AN ORDINANCE CREATING A RECREATION DEPARTMENT 
 
 BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF PARIS, 
 
 EDGAR COUNTY, ILLINOIS: 
 
 Section 1, Department Established - Pursuant to the referendum held 
 in accordance with the statutes of the State of Illinois on the question of 
 establishment, conduct, and maintenance of a recreation program in the City 
 of Paris and a tax therefore which carried, there is hereby established a 
 Recreation Department in the City of Paris. The Managing Authority shall 
 be vested in the existing Paris Park Board which shall hereafter be known as 
 the Paris Park and Recreation Board. The Board shall have all the powers 
 granted and shall be subject to all the obligations imposed by an act of the 
 General Assembly of the state entitled 'An Act to provide for the acquisition, 
 equipnnent, conduct and maintenance of public playgrounds and recreation 
 centers in and by cities, towns and villages of less than one hundred fifty 
 thousand inhabitants'' approved June 24, 1921, and all amendments thereto, 
 heretofore and hereafter made. 
 
 Section 2. Powers and Duties - Pursuant to the statutes of the State 
 of Illinois, the Board through its Superintendent shall accomplish among 
 other things, the following: 
 
 a. Provide a staff of employees trained in public recreation and 
 leisure time activities for men, women, young people and children in all 
 wclks of life . 
 
- 43 - 
 
 b. Conduct a recreation program making use of the physical properties 
 available in the community and surrounding territory. 
 
 c. Offer leadership in coordinating and correlating all those activities 
 of a similar nature in the community to obtain maximum benefits for the 
 citizens of Paris. 
 
 d. Build the public recreation program into and about the public 
 schools and public parks and identify it with all public and private organiza- 
 tions having to do with public welfare, education, family relations, and 
 juvenile delinquency. 
 
 e. Focus public attention constantly on the need of adequate provision 
 for year-round, healthful supervised recreation for all through a constant 
 public relations program. 
 
 f. Solicit or receive any gifts or bequests of money or other personal 
 property or any donations to be applied, principal or income, for either 
 recreational services or facilities. 
 
 g. Levy fees and charges which it deems applicable in providing 
 recreational services or facilities. 
 
 h. Jointly cooperate with other municipal departments and/or 
 political subdivisions to provide and establish, operate, conduct, and maintain 
 a supervised recreation system and to acquire, operate, improve, and 
 maintain property, both real and personal, for parks, playgrounds, recreation 
 centers, and other recreation facilities and activities. 
 
 Section 3. Personnel - The Board shall have the power to appoint a 
 Superintendent who is trained and properly qualified for the work and, upon 
 the recommendation of the Superintendent, such other personnel as may be 
 required. 
 
 Section 4. Separability - If a section or part of this ordinance shall 
 be declared invalid, this shall not affect the validity of any remaining sections 
 or parts of this ordinance. 
 
 Section 5. Effective Date - This ordinance shall be in full force and 
 effect from and after its passage and approval as required by law. 
 
 PASSED AND APPROVED THIS DAY OF 19 
 
 AYES NAYS ABSENT 
 
 ATTEST: Mayor, City of Paris 
 
 City Clerk 
 
- 44 - 
 
 APPENDIX V 
 
 SUPERINTENDENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION 
 
 The superintendent of parks and recreation is the chief executive 
 officer in charge of a parks and recreation department and its personnel. 
 He is responsible for the administration of a comprehensive recreation 
 program for the entire community and for the administrative management of 
 the public parks, playgrounds and other recreational facilities. The super- 
 intendent serves as technical adviser and consultant to the Park and Recrea- 
 tion Board and administers the policies laid down by that authority. The 
 superintendent of parks and recreation has executive responsibility for both 
 the recreation and the parks function, and for the maintenance of a high level 
 of recreation service through the efficient administration of both. 
 
 DUTIES 
 
 1 . Administration 
 
 A. Supervises the work of the Park and Recreation Board in accordance 
 with the general policies established by the Board. 
 
 B. Organizes and superintends an efficient administration for the Board, 
 
 C. Establishes, reviews, and coordinates procedures to the end that 
 maximum service may be provided at reasonable cost. 
 
 2. Program 
 
 A. Develops a broad diversified program of recreation activities and 
 services to meet the needs of the public. 
 
 B. Supervises the organization and conduct of the community recreation 
 program, including both those activities under active leadership and 
 others which primarily require provision of space, facilities, and 
 general administrative service. 
 
 3. Staff 
 
 A. Recruits, selects, and employs or recommends the employment of 
 department personnel. 
 
 B. Organizes, assigns, and trains department personnel; develops and 
 maintains good work relationships among staff members. 
 
- 45 - 
 
 Co Establishes and develops a program for continuing use of volunteers 
 in the recreation program. 
 
 4. Areas and Facilities 
 
 A. Superintends the acquisition, planning, design and construction of 
 recreation and parks facilities under the control of the Park and 
 Recreation Board. 
 
 B. Operates and maintains all areas and facilities under Board control 
 for optinnum use in support of the community recreation program. 
 
 C. Establishes close working relationships with and serves ex-officio 
 as consultant on recreation and park matters to public and voluntary- 
 community agencies concerned with city planning, housing, public 
 welfare, education and other subjects closely related to community 
 recreation. 
 
 5. Planning and Research 
 
 A. Studies and analyzes the effectiveness of the Park and Recreation 
 Board's services. 
 
 B. Studies conditions, needs, and trends affecting the recreation and 
 parks requirements of the community. 
 
 C. Prepares and recommends adoption of long-range and immediate 
 plans to meet community needs for adequate recreation space, 
 facilities, program and personnel. 
 
 D. Studies and keeps informed of developments in the park and recreation 
 fields . 
 
 6. Finance 
 
 A. Directs, controls, and accounts for the expenditure of Park and 
 Recreation Board's funds in accordance with budget appropriations. 
 
 B. Prepares and justifies budget estimates, work programs, and 
 supporting data for the recreation and parks functions. 
 
 C. Supervises the keeping of complete financial records for the Board. 
 
 D. Recommends establishment of necessary fees and charges for 
 various department services, and supervises their use. 
 
- 46 - 
 
 7. Public and Community Relations 
 
 A. Interprets to the public the community recreation program and its 
 philosophy and objectives through all suitable means including the 
 use of volunteers and staff members as well as news media. 
 
 B. Promotes the public use of recreation facilities, areas and equipment 
 for group and individual play, recreation, and relaxation through a 
 continuing program of public education. 
 
 C. Establishes and maintains cooperative planning and working relation- 
 ships with other local community agencies, governmental, voluntary, 
 and private and with state, regional and national agencies concerned 
 with recreation, parks, conservation, and related fields. 
 
 D. Organizes, promotes and cooperates with neighborhood or comnnunity- 
 wide recreation councils or similar groups identified with recreation 
 and parks . 
 
 8. Records and Reports 
 
 A. Maintains systematic, complete, and accurate records of Park and 
 Recreation Board activities and services, personnel and property. 
 
 B. Prepares and issues regular and special reports for use by staff, 
 board, community officials, and others, and for the information of 
 the community. 
 
 SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS 
 
 1. Understanding of the function, design, and maintenance of parks and 
 recreation areas and facilities; and ability to superintend a program of 
 acquisition, construction, and maintenance of park and recreation areas 
 and facilities . 
 
 2. Professional administrative skill in the supervision of technically- 
 trained personnel from such fields as landscape architecture, forestry, 
 and horticulture, in the planning and operation of parks and recreation 
 areas and facilities. 
 
 3. Thorough knowledge of the theory and philosophy of recreation, and 
 ability to interpret this philosophy to others. 
 
 4. Understanding of the problems of a community in relation to recreation, 
 and ability to formulate and administer recreation programs to meet 
 specific community needs. 
 
- 47 - 
 
 5. Professional administrative skill in the organization, development and 
 maintenance of a comprehensive comnnunity recreation program involving 
 the operation of areas and facilities and the recruitment, selection, 
 training, and supervision of "personnel. 
 
 6. Professional understanding of the varied activities which make up a 
 community recreation program, and technical competence in directing 
 their optimum use to meet the needs of people of all ages and interests. 
 
 7. Capacity for cooperating with and interpreting parks and recreation to 
 related public, voluntary, and private organizations, and the public. 
 
 8. Skill in communication through speech and writing. 
 
 9. Executive capacity for decision-making and implementation of policy, 
 coupled with extensive knowledge of principles and techniques of 
 management as applied to parks and recreation. 
 
 10. Initiative, creativity, perseverance, and the ability to inspire the 
 continuing best efforts of others. 
 
 MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS 
 
 Completion of the requirements for a Bachelor's degree in recreation 
 with specialized courses in park management, including studies in landscape 
 architecture, forestry, horticulture, and conservation. 
 
 Plus 
 
 Proven successful and progressive experience in supervisory or 
 executive work combining parks and recreation responsibilities and duties. 
 
 Salary range recommended -- $5500 to $7000. 
 
• 
 
 II 
 
UNIVERSfTY OF ILLINOIS-URBANA 
 
 3 0112 103616733