711.06 ■ I in cop. 4 HISTORY of the Illinois Association of Park Districts From 1928 to 1962 Karl B. Lohmann HUB© HtSIQMCM SURVEY V. 1 ''*" Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2012 with funding from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign http://www.archive.org/details/historyofillinoiOOIohm HISTORY of the Illinois Association of Park Districts From 1928 to 1962 Karl B. Lohmann k KIIIR PARK SYSTEMS FOR MORE PEOPLE Based upon pamphlets and other documents and publications of the Association and upon data recorded and prepared by Miss Marjorie M. Dickinson The emblem on the cover page was prepared by Charles Achille Dietemann, Professor of Art at the University of Illinois. The Association deeply appreciates his artistic contribution ni.c TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Governor Stevenson Signs Park Law Codification Bill 4 Officers and Executive Committee, 1961-1962 5 Karl B. Lohmann — Historian — By Fred F. Weinard 6 Introduction 7 In The Beginning 8 Association Headquarters 9 Long-Time Secretary/Director, Marjorie M. Dickinson 9 Purposes — Constitutional Changes 10 Means and Finances 11 The Presidents 11 Past-President's Club Organized 11 Statewide Annual Conventions/Conferences 12 Joint Conferences with the Illinois Recreation Association 13 Exhibitors at Annual Conferences 13 Regionals, Spring Meetings, and Festivals 13 Short Course Park Programs 13 Field Service Help 14 Publications 15 Association's Reference Library 16 Legal and Legislative Activities 16-19 State Legislation 16 Federal Legislation/Regulations 18 Cooperation in Test Cases 18 Tort Liability 19 Legal-Legislative Consultants 20-21 Lawrence Hoff 20 Robert A. Stuart 21 Standards for Professional Park and Recreation Personnel 22 Scholarships 23 The Memorial Fund 24 The Field Service Fund 25 Types of Association Membership 25 The Years Ahead 26 The Appendix 28 c v l ~"\ d - * 'S 5 rt o| J K V §*■« g O i" •• » ^ '~~ i «o™«£ a 8^8 J "Si? s S = •§* i u -C c: "—J • • • - * ! a .. e t J o Z < Q „- °^ at: t; a S « ~ a - '-S Q .2 toT5 h; *J QC ^ - 1 - J .5 ~ -C U c ^ ° e u ,«-..£* % o re -a G • ^ fc 5 ^'3 3 c* S . O O U . o - < L'^ « > = ^.-3^ .«a.ts.-3wSb S_ t-H Q -C — Ph ^ iii-> c O c °, £ 5 a 2 c . Oh o a m *W- K . S ij 13 -1 o & X . iv Oh c ' 3 c^o: « i § §. ^ ^ °r rt ^ ^ -s Karl B. Lohmann, Historian, Urbai KARL B. LOHMANN— HISTORIAN The Illinois Association of Park Districts is grateful to Karl B. Lohmann for the time and thought he has given to the preparation of its history from articles, minutes, and statistics on file in the Association's office. Currently president of the Urbana Park District Board, he has served as a Commissioner of this board since 1949. He has been associated with Association activities through the years as a director for two years ; as a mem- ber of the Advisory and Editorial Committees, and as a contributor of articles to Illinois Parks. He served as chairman of the committee which conducted two short courses on Park Administration at Allerton Park in 1952 and 1953. Now retired from the University of Illinois after years of teaching in the fields of Landscape Architecture and Planning, Professor Lohmann is the author of four books, and a number of booklets, pamphlets and articles. He has planned parks and subdivisions, including the 120 acres Centennial Park-School Development for the Champaign Park District and the Green- croft Subdivision in Champaign. Lie is a fellow of the American Society of Landscape Architects ; a mem- ber of the American Institute of Planners, and Honorary Life Member of the American Society of Planning Officials. Last, but not least, our historian is a vice-president of the State Histor- ical Society, and president of the Champaign County Historical Society. Fred F. Weinard, President 1961-62 INTRODUCTION Now that the Illinois Association of Park Districts is completing thirty- five years, it is a good time for directing attention to the past of the organiza- tion. In so doing, many activities and changes that have occurred may be brought into review and acquaintance may be renewed with many events and people who have played a part in the life of the organization. An exami- nation of the past may also provide an intelligent basis for anticipating the needs of the future. As an official service agency for the park boards of Illinois, the Asso- ciation has proved itself a successful medium through which the park district officials are able to speak with a single voice, especially before the State Legislature; the interests of park boards are furthered; park and recreation facilities are improved and extended; better methods of operation are pro- moted, and through which information and experience on park problems are gathered and circulated. These and other evidences of usefulness and growth of the Association are herewith presented. A. D. McLarty Organizer, IAPD, 1928 Executive Secretary/Director 1928-1943 IN THE BEGINNING First efforts on behalf of the Association took the form of letters and questionnaires sent out to park district officials on March 9, 1928, by Mr. A. D. McLarty, then executive secretary of the Illinois Municipal League. These pertained to the possible creation of an organization of park district officials on a statewide basis and, at the beginning, as a park district section of the Illinois Municipal League. A summary of results of the communica- tions were sent to park officials on March 30, 1928, with an invitation to attend an organizational meeting in the Rose Room of the Sherman Hotel in Chicago, May 17 and 18, 1928. The replies indicated widespread interest in a possible state park organization. At that same time, a letter of invitation was also sent out by Judge Charles F. McKinley, then president of the Small Parks Association of Cook County. Dr. Joseph Cullen Blair, then head of the Department of Horticulture at the University of Illinois and President of the Urbana Park District, who shared the dream of forming a statewide group, was asked to serve as presi- dent pro tern and was elected as the first president. Subsequently, he also served the Association in various capacities throughout the years while maintaining a "fatherly" interest in the program and welfare of the Asso- ciation. Mr. A. 1). McLarty was elected first secretary and served continuously as such until July 1, 1943, when he resigned to enter the U.S. Navy Service. 8 He was a man of high ideals, trained in political science, who gave faithful and conscientious service to the Association during his tenure. ASSOCIATION HEADQUARTERS From 1928 to 1930, the Association functioned, on a part-time basis, as a division of the Illinois Municipal League. Mr. McLarty served as executive of the Illinois Municipal League, the Illinois Association of Park Districts and the Illinois Association of School Boards. The Association shared head- quarters during that time with the other two organizations. The headquarters of all three organizations were moved to Springfield in November, 1933. From July 1, 1943, following Mr. McLarty' s resignation, to October 1, 1944, the Association "headquartered" in the office of the Springfield Pleasure Driveway and Park District Board, through the courtesy of Dr. C. W. Milli- gan, then president of the Springfield Board. Ever since then the Association has had its own quarters in Springfield with one or two changed locations meantime. The State Capital location has been found to provide advan- tageous liaison between park districts and state officers, boards and commis- sions. In June, 1953, the Association became a full-time organization, with a full-time executive secretary. LONG-TIME SECRETARY/DIRECTOR Marjorie M. Dickinson The present Secretary/Director has been with the Association con- tinuously since 1928, first as assistant to Mr. McLarty and, after his resigna- tion in 1943, as "ghost" secretary until October 1, 1944, (while Lawrence 9 HofT "fronted" for the Association), when she became executive secretary. No one has given more outstandingly and continuously of valuable serv- ice to the Illinois Association of Park Districts than Marjorie M. Dickinson. A note of her life and many activities will serve to remind us of our good fortune in having had her long and devoted service. Miss Dickinson was born in Griggsville, Illinois, July 17, 1895, to Charles William and Anna (Green) Dickinson. She received her early schooling at both the Griggsville and Hannibal (Missouri) High Schools; received her B. S. Degree in 1925 from the University of Illinois in accountancy and business administration and took graduate courses in political science during 1930-31. She was con- nected with the Illinois Municipal League in Urbana and Springfield from 1923-1944 successively as part-time stenographer during student days; as assistant director. 1925-1944. During this period she served as acting director during 1925-1926 and in 1943 while the I ML was without a director. She also served as assistant director of the Illinois Association of School Boards, 1929-1943, and of the Illinois Association of Park Districts, 1928-1943. On October 1, 1944, she became executive secretary of the Springfield Council of Churches. In May, 1945, the Women's Division of the Council became the Springfield Council of Church Women and part of her job. She continued to serve the Illinois Association of Park Districts as executive secretary on a part-time basis. After nine years, as the work program of the combined organ- izations grew, it became necessary to choose which organization should re- ceive her undivided attention. Beginning June 1, 1953, she became the full- time executive secretary (now executive director) of the Illinois Association of Park Districts and editor of Illinois Parks magazine. She has been identified closely with numerous other activities, including her connections with the Springfield Association of Executives; American Institute of Park Executives, the Christ Episcopal Church, the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, the International Order of St. Luke, Springfield Garden Club, Amateur Musical Club, the Mental Health Association, of the YWCA, and has from time to time been active in local and state programs of the Business and Professional Women's Club, Zonta (similar to Rotary for men) , League of Women Voters, and with the Ameri- can Association of University Women. She is listed in "Who's Who in Chicago and Illinois, 1945"; "Who's Who in the Central States, 1947"; and "Who's Who of American Women, 1961-62". PURPOSES: CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGES As expressed in the first constitution of the Association, the purpose was "to serve as a mutual agency for cooperation of park districts of the State in the practical study and in the opportunity for discussion of park district problems; park policy and administration; gather and circulate information and experience on park district affairs; to secure legislation beneficial to and to oppose legislation injurious to the park districts." The first constitution of the Association, adopted October 17, 1930, has seen some changes; for example, in its statement of objects, classification of memberships, in fees and dues that came to be based upon quadrennial equalized assessed valuation in each district. The slate of officers was changed to include three vice presidents in place of one and the addition of a legal consultant and sergeant at arms. The eligibility of the president was limited 10 to one \car in order to give more men the honor of serving: directors were limited to one two-year term. An advisory committee was added. Regional and mid-year meetings were allowed. The official publication became Illi- nois Parks in place of the Illinois Park Board Bulletin. MEANS AND FINANCES Most of the financial support of the Association has come from member- ship dues, which have been based on the quadrennial equalized assessed valuations of the districts. The schedule of dues has been revised three times in the course of the years. Formerly park boards were asked to contribute to a legislative fund every other year but legislative expense is now carried by the general budget. An examination of the Association budgets since the beginning gives evidence of ongoing financial strength of the organization. From 1928 through 1945, the highest annual budget reached the pitifully small figure of $2,500, varying from $1.500-$2.200 through most of these years. By com- parison, the budget adopted for 1962 totals $33,740 or an increase of more than twenty times over the first budget. (See Schedule on pp. 48-49) THE PRESIDENTS Each president of the Association has been the presiding officer at executive committee meetings, annual conferences and regional meetings; has advised and counselled the executive secretary/director, and has con- PAST PRESIDENTS' CLUB ORGANIZED SEPTEMBER 22. 1954 Reading left to right: Wm. Arthur Jackson; Thomas E. Paulett; Joe V. Kammer; Ferdinand Arndt. and Leo Donovan were present at the organization meeting of the Past Presidents' Club in Springfield. September 22. 1954. Clem W. Hulit, one of the chief promotors of this idea, was not present at the organization meeting, because of illness. Tom J. Montgomery was made a member upon completion of his term of office September 24, 1954. 11 tributed of his time, money, and talents in many ways. In the course of its history, the Association has had 26 presidents. The first of these was Dr. Joseph Cullen Blair. Before the time when terms were limited to one year, three presidents remained in office from 2-5 years. James B. Kenney was the incumbent for 5 years (1932-1937); Dr. C. W. Milligan remained in office 4 years (1941-1945); and Ferdinand C. Arndt served for 2 years (1947- 1949) . (See complete list of presidents on p. 33) . A club consisting of past presidents was organized September 22, 1954. This group was, in the beginning, to be composed of past presidents still active as park commissioners. Later membership was extended to any in- terested past president. Active past presidents, by terms of the constitution, serve as an advisory committee which could be invited to sit with the Execu- tive Committee of the Association. The active past presidents were assisgned the responsibility of overseeing the disbursement of moneys of the Memorial Fund. STATEWIDE ANNUAL CONVENTIONS/CONFERENCES Especially worthy of note have been the 34 annual conventions/confer- ences of the Association. The first of these was in Joliet, September 13 and 14, 1928, and was attended by 38 persons from 16 park units. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday were the preferred days for many years. Since 1959, the sessions have opened at 1 : 30 Wednesdays and continued through until the Friday evening banquet. The programs have provided entertainment, speakers, luncheon and dinner meetings, exhibits, field trips, opportunities for discussion of common interest problems, presentation of reports of Association activities and committees, and election of officers. From 1940 to 1943, the convention programs included simultaneous sections for park commissioners, secretaries, treasurers, superintendents and attorneys. The idea was abandoned after 1943, but sectional meetings were resumed in 1959, and the name "Conference" was substituted for "conven- tion/' Women began attending annual meetings with their commissioner husbands in 1937. The annual meetings have seen varying and increasing attendance. The organizational meeting in Chicago in 1928 had 51 present from 14 park units, whereas the 1961 meeting in Springfield had a registration of 561, including 75 park districts. Annual meetings have been hosted by Springfield (11 times), Peoria (8 times), Rockford (4 times), Joliet (4 times), Chicago and Quincy each twice. Other host cities have been Evanston, Freeport, Kewanee and Rock Island. (See tabulation on annual meetings, p. 29. ) JOINT CONFERENCES WITH THE ILLINOIS RECREATION ASSOCIATION In 1946 and again in 1948, the Illinois Recreation Association held their annual conventions at the same time and place as our Association, with several joint sessions. In preparation for the 1948 Conference in Quincy, a Joint Committee met to plan and dovetail the two programs. In 1960 and again in 1961, the two Associations held their Annual Con- ferences jointly in Joliet and Springfield respectively. There was joint plan- ning and participation throughout. 12 The two Associations plan to hold their Annual Conference jointly in 1962 at Peoria, and in Aurora in 1963. In addition to representatives of park districts, the joint meeting at Joliet (1960) was attended by representatives from 28 recreation depart- ments and 30 University of Illinois students; the meeting at Springfield (in 1961) was attended by representatives from 14 recreation departments; there were 40 hospital recreation personnel, 42 students from the University of Illinois and 10 students from Southern Illinois University, (hospital per- sonnel and students attended one day only both in 1960 and 1961 ) . Simultaneous meetings have provided more varied programs perhaps than otherwise, have broadened the attendance and given a larger field for exhibitors. Such meetings have no doubt helped to support the idea of con- solidation of recreation departments/commissions with park districts. It should also be kept in mind that such joint meetings have added considerably to the burden and strain on the IAPD staff and facilities. Marjorie Dickinson has served as executive director of the joint conferences. EXHIBITORS AT ANNUAL CONFERENCES Beginning with the 1957 Conference, the Association began to sell exhibit space to park equipment, supply and service firms. This activity and the encouraging response has added interest to the conference programs; has also helped the Association to build up a reserve for field service use. This activity has grown from 19 exhibit contracts at Rockford to as many as 41 contracts in Peoria in 1962. In 1960 and 1961 our Association shared profits on exhibits with the Illinois Recreation Association on an 80-20 basis. REGIONALS, SPRING MEETINGS AND FESTIVALS Supplementary to and in addition to the yearly statewide conferences, the Association has sponsored regional and other meetings. These have been a great help in enlarging interest and strengthening park contacts. The first regional meeting was held at Oak Park the afternoon and evening of Febru- ary 16, 1937. It was attended by officials from 25 park boards. Subsequently, other regional meetings have been held throughout the state, beginning with 7 regional meetings during 1954. (See schedule and map on p. 30 and p. 31.) In addition to the sponsored meetings, there were flower festivals and shows and open houses to which park board officials were invited. SHORT COURSE PARK PROGRAMS The Association sponsored and participated, through its planning com- mittee, in the giving of two short courses in successive years at Robert Aller- ton Park, one March 27-29, 1952, and the other March 19-21, 1953. These were intended for park commissioners, executives and personnel in Illinois. Both courses were under the auspices and direction of the U. of I. Division of University Extension and of the U. of I. Department of Landscape Archi- tecture, in cooperation with the Illinois Association of Park Districts. Karl B. Lohmann, chairman of the Association's planning committee, professor of city and regional planning and commissioner of the Urbana Park District, served as chairman of both annual programs. The first was attended by 38 park commissioners, executives and per- sonnel. The participants in the panels and other sessions included experienced park and recreation personnel and staff experts from the U. of I. Others 13 prominent in the Illinois Association of Park Districts added much to the success of the course by their presence. Those who attended received diplomas and certificates of attendance. The second short course was held the following year, March 19-21, 1953, at the same place and under similar auspices as the first course. Again, the list of faculty and other speakers included a number of park district personnel who attended most of the sessions and made contributions to the discussions. Certificates were awarded to the 30 persons enrolled. The Division of University Extension felt that the number of paid enrollments did not sufficiently warrant a continuance for another year. FIELD SERVICE HELP fW% E. H. "Ted 1 ' Storey Chief Field Service, Department of Recreation and Municipal Park Administration, U. of I., 1959 to date Beginning in 1958, on a part-time basis and continuing on a full-time basis since September 1, 1959, recreation and park field service has been available to Illinois Park Boards and Communities through a cooperative arrangement with the University of Illinois Department of Recreation.* As Recreation and Park Field Consultant, E. H. "Ted" Storey has been very helpful in improving and extending park and recreation services, facilities, and programs in Illinois, and in helping our Association to organize new park districts. *As of July 1, 1962, this Department became known as the Department of Recreation and Municipal Park Administration. 14 Through annual conference resolutions, the Association has publicly ex- pressed its appreciation to President David D. Henry and Professor Charles K. Brightbill, Head of the Department of Recreation of the University of Illinois. These resolutions not only included appreciation for the expansion of the Field Service Program and Mr. Storey's services but for enlargement of the Recreation curriculum to include courses in Park Management. Tribute should also be paid to the late Don Morgan of the Bureau of Community Planning of the University of Illinois, who in the early 1950's did much to interpret the Illinois Park District Code to Illinois communities and encourage the organization of park districts. PUBLICATIONS The gathering and distributing of information has been one of the im- portant and valuable services of the Association. Its headquarters have been a clearing house from which numerous letters, pamphlets, and reports have gone out to the membership, along with a wealth of information contained in the official organ of the Association's Magazine, Illinois Parks. The first published report or bulletin of the Association covered the annual convention proceedings in 1933, of which eight hundred copies were distributed. Other records of proceedings were published each year from 1934 through 1945. From 1928-1933, the Association used a page or two in each issue of the Illinois Municipal Review, official publication of the Illinois Municipal League. Beginning January 1, 1945, the Illinois Park Bulletin was published as a quarterly; in 1946, six issues of the Bulletin (size 9" x 12") were published. During 1947, six issues were published (size 8 T / 2 " x 11") with three columns to the page. In June, 1948, the Association publication stepped out with a new look, new size, and new name, in a 6" x 9" bi-monthly to be known as Illinois Parks. The 6" x 9" size was not accepted as well as anticipated, so after two years, the 8/V x 11" size was re-instituted. The first advertising appeared in Illinois Parks in the January, 1945, issue. Illinois Parks has made a more than creditable showing in each of its issues with a diversity of articles by competent persons on various phases of park administration, including also convention papers and proceedings, progress reports and results of surveys. Articles appeared on park planning, expansion and maintenance of parks, park design, park-school cooperation, vandalism, recreation, forest preserve district activities, financing, budgeting, accounting, safety and accident prevention. Especially valuable were the annual directories of park district commissioners and officers; statistics on park districts, swimming pools, golf courses, and the survey of resources and facilities of Illinois Park Districts, including assessed valuations and tax rates; also a survey of gifts of land, money, and trust funds received by Illinois Park Districts. Special bulletins were issued from time to time such as "The Manual of Powers and Duties of Illinois Commissioners/Trustees," first prepared by Lawrence Hoff in 1951, and since revised after each session of the Illinois General Assembly by Robert A. Stuart. This Manual includes model admin- istrative, police, traffic, appropriation and tax ordinances. Another helpful bulletin was "Park and Recreation Facilities for Your Community" (Latest revision published in July, 1962). This has been useful to many communities in process of organizing a park district or initiating a year-round recreation program. 15 In 1951, a special Committee, in cooperation with a University of Illi- nois graduate student, Mr. H. W. Allen, and Harold L. Baker, Comptroller of the Chicago Park District, prepared and made available "An Accounting System for Use of Park Districts in the State of Illinois. " This Manual was particularly helpful to the smaller and more recently organized districts. The 1962 revision is in process. ASSOCIATION'S REFERENCE LIBRARY From the beginning, the Association has collected from members and associated groups copies of model ordinances, annual reports, recreation programs; information on marinas, golf courses, swimming pools, skating rinks, multiple purpose courts; brochures used for promoting bond issue referenda, for securing permission to levy the .05% recreation tax, organizing a park district, etc. Although subject to limitations of space, equipment, and stafT, this ma- terial is a constantly growing source of valuable information. Package libraries are loaned to members upon request. Another growing source of information is the files (arranged by counties, with a file for each park district) in which vital information about the dis- trict is filed, including: date of organization; map of the district; copies of appropriation and tax levy ordinances; master plans; annual reports; bro- chures; services; facilities, and special programs. This material will serve as a source of reliable information concerning the history and development of individual park districts in Illinois. LEGAL AND LEGISLATIVE ACTIVITIES Park Districts are subject to laws that must be recognized and conformed to in daily activities in the parks. These include state laws, local ordinances, and the Park District Code. While the local park board attorneys are con- stant and indispensable guides on the law of parks, there are many questions that can be and are addressed advantageously to the legal consultant retained by the Association in Springfield. He is in touch with and equipped to advise on statewide legal questions afTecting the powers of park districts. In addition to answering legal questions, the Association's Legislative Committee and consultant follow all legislation afTecting park districts, foster legislation helpful to park districts and work for the defeat of legisla- tion detrimental to them. The legislative program, however, is accomplished not by one or two individuals but with the active support of officials of member park districts throughout the state and through contacts with mem- bers of the General Assembly in various districts. (See pp. 57-58 ) STATE LEGISLATION Among the noteworthy pieces of State Legislation, promoted and secured by the Association through the years, the following are particularly note- worthy: 1. The codification of Illinois laws relating to park districts, initiated in 1945; adopted in 1951, and revised at each succeeding session of the State Legislature.* *After each Session of the State Legislature, the Park District Code is revised and reprinted by the Index Department of the Secretary of State's Office. Copies of the revised code are sent to the Association's mailing list, through a cooperative arrange- ment with the Secretary of State's Office. 16 2. The authorization to levy the .05% recreation tax, secured by S. B. 184, approved by the Governor on July 15, 1941. 3. Amended Section 1-4 of the Park District Code to provide that the voter's affidavit may be taken before judge of election, thus eliminat- ing the necessity of securing notaries public to administer oath at considerable cost to the district. (Note: Voters Affidavit still re- quired) . 4. Amended and re-sectioned Sec. 19 of the General Revenue Act of 1939 to exempt from taxation all property of every kind belonging to any park district of less than 500,000 population. (Chicago Park District has similar exemption under Sec. 19.15 of that Act.) 5. Added Article 11.1-6 to Park District Code to provide that any Park District bordering upon public waters has power and authority to acquire and construct, improve, maintain and operate a harbor for recreational use. Authorizes issuance of revenue bonds for such pur- pose. 6. Amended Section 23-2 Cities and Villages Act and Section 8-1 Park District Code authorizing park districts to enter into joint owner- ship agreements with municipalities (other than school districts) with respect to real and personal property used for park purposes. 7. Amended Sections 11 and 12 of Uniform Traffic Act. Excludes from the operation of the provisions of the Traffic Act all public ways for vehicular traffic within a park district for which the park district has maintenance responsibility (excludes Chicago Park District), thereby permits park district to regulate traffic below 30 miles per hour with- out survey by a traffic engineer. 8. Amended Section 5-1 of Park District Code to permit commissioners of park districts to accumulate funds for purpose of building repairs and improvements, and to levy taxes for such purposes subject to existing tax rate limitation. (This provision permits more extensive fund for repair and improvement over period of time.) 9. Added Article 9.1 to Park District Code and repealed a prior act (not within the Code) authorizing park districts to issue revenue bonds to acquire, construct and operate golf courses. In effect this bill reenacted the identical legislation previously in effect elsewhere in the statutes with the exception that it removed the requirement of sale of bonds by open competitive bidding, providing that the bonds may be sold in such manner, to such persons, and upon such terms as the park board may determine. 10. Validated the organization of park districts, not-withstanding that certain voters affidavits required under Section 1-4 of the Park Dis- trict Code were not obtained. 11. Amended Section 162c of Revenue Act of 1939 to exempt recreation tax voted for park districts, after the effective date of the amend- ments, from the 80 per-cent limitation. This permits collection of full .05 percent for recreation purposes. 12. Amended Section 3-2 of the Park District Code to permit the park board to initiate annexation proceedings by the enactment of ordi- nance. Note: Referendum provision contained in Sec. 3-3 is still applicable. 17 13. Added Article 12.1 to Park District Code providing that no park district shall be liable for injuries to person or property caused by the negligence of its agents, servants or employees. 14. Added Sections 3-8 and 3-9 to the Park District Code to permit annexation by ordinance of surrounded or nearly surrounded areas. 15. Amended Sections 3-1 and 3-2 of the Park District Code to permit annexation of territory without consent of any owner of record of any tract of less than 20 acres (formerly required written consent of owners of 10 acre tracts.) 16. Amended Section 5-2 of the Park District Code to authorize park districts organized after July 1, 1961, to levy recreation tax without further referendum. 17. Amended the Park District Code and the Revised Cities and Villages Act to permit consolidation of Park District and Playground and Recreation Commissions by mutually favorable action by the respec- tive Boards*. Also the following bills the IAPD supported after their introduction: 18. Amended Sections 2-3 and 2-4 of the Park District Code to require the Court to set petition for organization of park district for hearing not less than 30 days nor more than 180 days after the date of filing. 19. Amended Section 2-7 of the Park District Code to limit time to two years for requiring second election to carry both within and without a city, village or incorporated town for organization of park district. 20. Amended Section 2-16 of the Park District Code for Pleasure Drive- way and Park Districts to permit change in date of election. 21. Added Section 8-13 to the Park District Code to authorize leasing of equipment and machinery for 5 year periods. 22. Created Torts Law Commission and appropriated $20,000. FEDERAL LEGISLATION/REGULATIONS In addition to State Legislation, the Association has kept a "weather eye" on federal legislation. For example, in 1941, the Association, together with other groups, used its influence with the House Ways and Means Com- mittee of the Federal Congress to secure a repeal of the Federal Admissions Tax as it applies to municipal recreation. COOPERATION IN TEST CASES One important service of the Association has been that it provided a vehicle for joint action in court cases testing the legal powers of park dis- tricts and commissioners. At the 1941 convention, it was recommended that there be voluntary contributions by member boards to be placed in a special litigation fund to help pay the costs of filing amicus curiae (friend of the court) in such cases. The sum of $400.30, collected from 24 districts, was kept intact until March, 1947, when the executive committee authorized the Secretary to transfer half of the fund to the general fund to pay court costs in a suit. (The balance of this fund was used in 1954 as the first contribution to the Memorial Fund in memory of Lawrence Hoff.) Two examples of the Association's intervention in test cases include: 1. McFarlane, et al. vs. Hotz, et al. Chancery No. 14027, in the Circuit """Consolidations have taken place in Aurora and Peoria during 1961-62. 18 Court of Madison County. The constitutionality of the Illinois Mu- nicipal Retirement Fund was upheld in this case (401 111. 506, No- vember 18, 1948). 2. Alfred R. Dick, et al. vs. Roy C. Roberts, et al. The right of a Park District to issue either General Obligation and/or Revenue Bonds for swimming pool construction was upheld on March 22, 1956, by the Illinois Supreme Court and, at the same time, an injunction against the Beardstown Park District was dissolved. TORT LIABILITY One of the questions most frequently asked since May 22, 1959, con- cerns the tort liability of Park Districts. Until the decision of the Illinois Supreme Court in the case of Molitor vs. Kaneland Community Unit School District No. 302 (18 111. 2d 11), handed down on May 22, 1959, Illinois Park Districts were held to be immune from tort liability by the courts under the common law rule, and the courts indicated that the park district was wholly lacking in its authority to use park district funds to pay premiums on liability insurance. During the 71st Session of the Illinois General Assembly, the Associa- tion, through its legislative consultant, introduced Senate Bills 1005 and 1006. These bills were passed by both Houses and approved by Governor William G. Stratton on July 9, 1959. They added Article 12.1 to the Illinois Park District Code, which reads as follows : "Any park district shall not be liable for any injuries to person or property, or for the death of any person heretofore or hereafter caused by or resulting from the negligence of its agents, servants, officers, or employees in the operation or maintenance of any property, equipment, or facility under the jurisdiction, control or custody of the park dis- trict, or otherwise occasioned by the acts or conducts of such agents, servants, officers or employees." These provisions of the Illinois Park District Code preserved the im- munity of Illinois Park Districts from liability for torts. The 72nd General Assembly approved S. B. 229, which created the Torts Law Commission, whose purpose is to codify and make uniform the various statutes relating to immunity of liability of the various municipalities and quasi-municipalities. Governor Otto Kerner appointed the Association's legal-legislative consultant, Robert A. Stuart, to serve as a member of this Commission. LEGAL-LEGISLATIVE CONSULTANTS The Association has been exceptionally fortunate in having expert legal help. At the beginning and for several years, Mr. Thomas A. Mathews ans- wered legal inquiries from park boards along with his services as attorney for the Illinois Municipal League. This service was felt to be very helpful in the early building of the Association. From 1943 to April, 1954, Mr. Lawrence HofT served the Association most effectively as Legal-Legislative Consultant, and was also a member of the Governor's Illinois Park Codifi- cation Commission. From that time to the present (1962), Mr. Robert A. Stuart has been serving competently and devotedly in that position. The legal consultant has also served as advisor to the president, executive director, and executive committee in matters of policy. 19 Lawrence Hoff, Springfield (Deceased) Legal-Legislative Consultant 1943-April, 1954 LAWRENCE HOFF Lawrence Hoff served as legal consultant and legislative representative of the Illinois Association of Park Districts for a period of eleven years. The high quality and dispatch of his service was especially appreciated by the Association. He served as secretary-member of the Illinois Park Codification Commission and was a Trustee of the Pleasure Driveway and Park District of Springfield through 16 years. Mr. Hoff was a member of the Illinois Bar and was a former president of the Sangamon County Bar Association; was president of the Child and Family Service of Sangamon County; served as president and legal counsel for various community agencies and was a vestry- man of the St. Paul's Episcopal Church. 20 Robert A. Stuart Legal-Legislative Consultant Since April, 1954 ROBERT A. STUART Mr. Stuart has been a member of the Springfield law firm of Brown, Hay and Stephens since 1941; has been a trustee of the Pleasure Driveway and Park District of Springfield since 1954, serving as its president since 1959. A native of Wyoming, Mr. Stuart received an undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan in 1938 and a law degree in 1941. He is a member of Sangamon County, Illinois, and American Bar Asso- ciations, and active in fraternal and civic organizations. Governor Otto Kerner in 1961 appointed him a member of the Illinois Torts Law Commis- sion. The purpose of this Commission, created by the passage of Senate Bill 229 by the Seventy-second Illinois General Assembly, is to codify and make uniform the various statutes relating to immunity of liability of the various municipalities and quasi-municipalities of the State. 21 STANDARDS FOR PROFESSIONAL PARK AND RECREATIONAL PERSONNEL In 1960, President Henry O. Gleiss appointed the following committee to study and prepare recommended standards for pro- fessional park and recreation per- sonnel: Robert W. Ruhe, Super- intendent of Parks, Skokie ; Robert E. Everly, formerly Superinten- dent of Parks, Glencoe; David H. Fritz, Superintendent of Parks, Highland Park: Robert H. Law- son, Director of Parks, Spring- field; Dr. Allen V. Sapora, Uni- versity of Illinois Department of Recreation; and Edward H. Storey, Recreation and Parks Field Consultant, University of Illinois Department of Recreation. The committee did not complete its re- port until 1961, when Mr. Gleiss served as an active member of the committee. This study was undertaken for the following reasons : ( 1 ) to give park and recreation boards guidance in the selection of personnel; (2) to give guidance to colleges and universities in developing curricula for better pre- paration of professional personnel: and (3) to encourage men and women to seek a career in the field of parks and recreation, and to provide them with a better understanding of the training and preparation necessary. The study was completed and the report adopted by the Association's 1961 Annual Conference. Copies were then sent to Park Boards and to Presidents of Illinois colleges and universities for distribution to park and recreation majors and minors. At the December 9, 1961, meeting of the Executive Committee, the president was authorized to appoint a committee to : ( 1 ) study, develop, and recommend standards for park employees other than directors of parks and recreation, and superintendents of recreation; (2) study the pros and cons of certification and work towards this goal. President Fred F. Weinard appointed the following committee to carry out the above directives: Eugene C. Pomerance, Commissioner, Elmhurst Park District, Chairman; Henry O. Gleiss, President, Skokie Park District; and Robert E. Pilcher, President, Joliet Park District, Consultant Members: Robert W. Ruhe, Superintendent, Skokie Park District, and George B. Cas- key, Secretary-Superintendent, Winnetka Park District. This Committee held its first meeting at the Pick-Congress Hotel in Chicago, Tuesday, April 3. 1962, at 6:00 p.m. Robert W. Ruhe 22 SCHOLARSHIPS Urgent need is felt for financial aid to promising students of limited means who wish to pursue training in park management and recreation. Such aid can be provided through the medium of scholarships and these can be established in four different ways: through an outright gift; gift of a MR. GLEISS PRESENTS SCHOLARSHIP IN PARK MANAGEMENT On April 7, 1961, Henry O. Gleiss, immediate past president of the Illinois Asso- ciation of Park Districts, presented his unused expense allowance to the University of Illinois to start a scholarship fund to train students for Park Management. From left to right: Mr. Gleiss, President of the Skokie Park District Board; David D. Henry, President of the University of Illinois, and Professor Charles K. Brightbill, head of the Department of Recreation, University of Illinois. sum to be invested and income used for scholarship awards; a gift with awards made from a principal until exhausted; through annual gifts to sup- port one or two scholarships or through bequest in a will. At present from $558.50 to $750.00 are said to be helpful sums in covering half of annual school expense for Illinois residents at Southern Illinois University and University of Illinois. Through the generosity of past presidents Henry O. Gleiss of Skokie and L. Mike Krause of East St. Louis, two scholarships in Park Management and Recreation have been established. Mr. Gleiss returned his unused ex- pense allowance to the Association in 1960 to be used for a scholarship at 23 Retiring Association President, L. M. Krause (left) of East St. Louis presents a check for $200.00 to Southern Illinois University President, Delyte W. Morris (right). to establish a scholarship in his name in Park Management and Recreation. Dr. Wil- liam Freeberg, Chairman of the Recreation and Outdoor Education Department (cen- ter), smiles appreciatively. the University of Illinois. Mr. Krause donated his expense allowance for a similar scholarship at Southern Illinois University. The Gleiss scholarship has been awarded to William C. Walters of Kan- kakee, a student at U. of I., and the Krause scholarship to Charles Kohlen- berger of Marissa, a student at S.I.U. THE MEMORIAL FUND The Memorial Fund was established by action of the annual convention in Springfield, September 24, 1954. The fund was recommended by the Past President's Club; was approved by the executive committee, presented to the convention sessions, was referred to the resolutions committee, and ap- proved at the 1954 Convention Business Session. The purpose of the fund is to "finance research to provide information which will better further the park and recreational program of park districts in this State; providing the means of financing thereof and to effectuate and implement the programs evolved through such information. "' Contributions to the Fund may be made ( 1 ) in the name of any park board man or woman who has given meritorious service to, or was interested in the local park districts or in the work of the Illinois Association; (2) in the name of any loved one, such as a wife or husband who gave inspiration and 24 help in park work: in the name of a son who gave his life for his country, or a child who loved to play in the parks. The contributions are maintained in a separate fund to be disbursed by the Memorial Fund Committee consisting of the active Past Presidents of the Illinois Association of Park Districts. Contributions to date have been received in memory of the following sixteen persons: 1. Lawrence HofT, Springfield 2. Lt. Malcolm C. Paulett, Granite City 3. John H. Savage. Joliet 4. Ora L. Siders, Princeton 5. March Nagle, Chicago Heights 6. Thomas E. Paulett. Granite City 7. Mrs. Anna Dickinson, Springfield 8. Dean Joseph Cullen Blair, Urbana 9. Frank M. Opeka, Des Plaines 1 0. William P. Volz, Lockport 1 1. George C. Fox, Sr., Lockport 12. Wm. Arthur Jackson, Park Ridge 13. Emmett P. Griffin, East St. Louis 14. Walter C. Fraser, East St. Louis 15. Thomas P. Martin, East St. Louis 16. Charles A. Wicker. Morton Grove The Fund totaled $749.70 as of August 1. 1962, representing gifts plus accrued interest. There have been no disbursements from this fund. FIELD SERVICE FUND In 1957 the Association started depositing .$1,200 annually for future field service work. As of September 1. 1962, the total in this fund, including accrued interest is $8,058.90. TYPES OF ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP The Constitution of the Association provides for five classes of mem- bership: (1) park district: (2) individual (annual or life): (3) associate: (4) civic, and (5) honorary life membership. (1 ) Park District Members include all park districts the current dues of which are paid, or are not more than one year in arrears. Any park district may become a member of the Association upon written application to the Executive Director and payment of dues prescribed by the Constitution. (2 ) Individual Membership is open to any park official, ex-park official or interested citizen upon written application and payment of dues as pre- scribed. (3) Associate Membership is open to reputable business and professional firms who supply park and/or recreation equipment or services. (4) Civic Membership is open to any club, organization or group, the purposes of which are related to those of the Association. (5) Honorary Life Membership. Any resident of the State of Illinois who, in the opinion of the Association, has rendered distinguished service in the furtherance of parks or park activities, or to this Association, shall be eligible to honorary life membership. Nomination to honorary life member- 25 ship is made by the Executive Committee to the general convention which makes all elections to honorary life membership. All individual (annual or life), civic, associate, and honorary life mem- bers are entitled to all privileges of membership except holding of elective offices, and they have a voice but not a vote in all Association meetings. The growth of the Association is indicated in an increase from 38 cor- porate park unit members in 1929 to 161 corporate park unit members in 1962. A loss of 18 members was recorded at the 1934 convention following consolidation of 22 parks in Chicago. However, the new Chicago Park Dis- trict, organized under a special act, soon became an active member of the Association and continued to contribute both financially and through leader- ship. A factor in the Association's growth in membership is the number of new districts created each year. Since the expansion of the Association's regional meeting program in 1954, this increase has been especially en- couraging. Please see list of districts organized since 1954, (pp. 50-51). The Association's increase in membership has come largely from the newly created districts, and is often an expression of appreciation of the Association's help during their organization process. THE YEARS AHEAD We are told that history teaches everything, even the future. The Illinois Association of Park Districts has evolved into an unique park organization. We are told that Illinois is the only state to have adopted a Park District Code and the Illinois Association is the only organization of its kind. While the Association has come a long way in its brief span of 35 years, much re- mains to be done. As the importance of parks and recreation grows so, too, the services of the Association must keep pace. Among other things, there must be a continuance of effort to enroll every organized park district in the state as a member of the Association. New services required by our members must be anticipated, such as the services of ( 1 ) a park and recreation field consultant to call on local boards, (2) a public relations department to help park boards and community committees plan and succeed in their referen- dum efforts — (1) and (2) might be combined — (3) an expansion in the number of issues and content of our magazine, Illinois Parks, (4) the ex- pansion of our legal and legislative service, (5) the establishment of a re- search department, and (6) an increase in the number of staff members in the headquarters office. The task ahead calls for the continued and continuous support of our member districts, the enlistment of the 27 non-member districts and new associate members, and the discovery of new sources of revenue both lor individual park districts and the Association. It also calls lor wise, unselfish, and well-trained leadership throughout the organization. Both park administrators and the Illinois Association of Park Districts must be prepared in the years ahead to face inevitable developments. Addi- tional park and recreation outlets will need to be considered because of greater surplus idle time increasingly available to our population through shorter working hours and longer life spans. In order to offset the increasing- complexity of life and provide visual relief from humdrum urban monotony, a large range of healthful and emotionally satisfying experiences, such as 26 parks can provide, will be needed. The necessary expansion of park areas and facilities within our communities and at their outer edges, proportional to growth, will continue to pose a challenging problem. This is particularly urgent before suitable and available sites are swallowed up in spreading urban growth and before costs mount prohibitively with the passing of time. The longer we wait to acquire and preserve open space, the more it will cost, if indeed it can be bought at all. All of these things are given special meaning when needed areas of parks and recreation are recognized as im- portant contributions to physical and mental fitness, to the enjoyment of the population, not to mention the possible increase in property values that park and recreation areas can create. The rapid expansion of our urban population suggests the need to stress the preparation of park plans that show desirable sites in the overall view. There must be anticipation of possible development and the financial means for their realization. When all is said, that which history can give us best probably is the enthusiasm which it raises in our hearts. There is plenty in the review of the Association's past to inspire the enthusiasm that can help to lead us to ex- panding opportunities that lie ahead. We wish space permitted us to list herein the names of persons and con- tributions made to the Association's on-going program by each and every one. Suffice it to say the Association's present stability is due to the united and continuous effort of the commissioners and executives who have served and are serving Illinois Park Boards. 27 APPENDIX Information Supplied by Marjorie M. Dickinson Page 1. Annual Conventions/Conferences; dates and places (1928-1963) 29 2. Regional/Spring Meetings and Festivals (1937-1962) (Including Map of 1954 Series) 30-31 3. Hosts for Regional Meetings 32 4. Past Presidents of the Association (1928-1962) 33-42 5. Districts from which Presidents Came 43 6. Treasurers (See also page 49) 43 7. Roll of Active Members 44-45 8. Associate Members 45-46 9. Life Members 46 10. Honorary Life Members 47 11. Membership of Association by Years (1928-1962) 47 12. Association Finances by Years (1928-1961) 48-49 13. Chicago Representatives 49 14. Exhibits at Annual Conferences ( 1957-1961 ) 50 1 5. Recently Organized Districts ( 1 954- 1 96 1 ) 50-5 1 16. Executive Committee Members Through the Years ( 1928-1962) 51-57 17. Legislative Committee Members Through the Years ( 1928-1962) 5 7-58 18. Constitution of Illinois Association of Park Districts, Editorial Revision as of October 13, 1961 58-62 19. Constributors to Cost of Publishing This Booklet 63 28 1. ANNUAL CONVENTIONS/CONFERENCES Dates and Places 1928-1963 PARK DISTRICT HOST ATTENDANCE NO. NO. PERSONS DISTRICTS 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 1928. May 17 and 18 1928, September 13 and 14 1929, October 1 7 and 18 1930, October 16 and 17 1931, October 8 and 9 1932, October 19, 20 and 21 ... 1933, October 12 and 13 1934, October 11 and 12 1935, October 1 7 and 18 1936, October 7, 8 and 9 1937, October 6. 7 and 8 1938, September 28, 29 and 30 1939, October 4, 5 and 6 1940, September 24, 25 and 26 1941, September 23, 24 and 25 1942, October 13 and 14 1943, October 21 1944, October 25 and 26 1945, November 8, 9 and 10 1946, October 17, 18 and 19 .. 1947, November 13, 14 and 15 1948, October 28, 29 and 30 . . 29 21 20 1949, October 27, 28 and 1950, October 19, 20 and 1951, October 18, 19 and 1952, October 23 and 24 1953, October 15 and 16 1954, September 22, 23 and 24 1955, October 12, 13 and 14 . . 1956, October 17, 18 and 19 . . 16, 17 and 18 . . 2 and 3 14, 15 and 16 . . 19, 20 and 21 .. 12 and 13 . . 18 and 19 . . 1957, October 1958, October 1. 1959, October 1960, October 1961, October 11 1962, October 17. Chicago 51 14 Joliet 38 16 Springfield 46 19 Springfield 77 31 Rockford 93 28 Peoria 112 35 Joliet 118 37 "Springfield 68 29 Kewanee 113 36 Peoria 102 31 Freeport 109 33 Toliet 122 33 Chicago 105 35 Peoria Springfield 136 38 Evanston 130 35 Springfield 123 32 Peoria 116 34 Springfield 156 39 Rockford 193 45 Peoria 216 49 Quincy** 207 53 St. Louis, Mo.J ..238 50 Springfield 238 53 Peoria 234 52 Rockford 270 61 Quincy 233 57 Springfield 240 52 Springfield 204 49 Peoria 214 55 Rockford 353 66 Springfield 344 65 Rock Island 378 66 Joliet** 516 71 Springfield** 561 75 Peoria** In other words, the following park boards have been host to the annual conference : Chicago: 1928 (Org. meeting) and 1939 Evanston: 1942 Freeport: 1937 Joliet: 1928. 1933, 1938, and 1960 Kewanee: 1935 Peoria: 1932, 1936, 1940, 1944, 1947, 1951, 1956, and 1962 Quincy: 1948 and 1953 Rock Island: 1959 Rockford: 1931, 1946, 1952, and 1957 Springfield: 1929, 1930, 1934, 1941, 1943, 1945, 1950, 1954, 1955, 1958 and 1961 **Joint Conference with Illinois Recreation Association. $The East St. Louis, Granite City, and Venice Park Boards cooperated in plans for this convention. 29 2. REGIONAL/SPRING MEETINGS AND FESTIVALS (1937-1962) The first regional meeting was held at Oak Park the afternoon and evening of February 16, 1937. It is recorded that the program was informal and 25 park board officials attended. A complete list of regional meetings is as follows: DATE PLACE ATTENDANCE February 16, 1937, Oak Park 25 March 30, 1939, Pere Marquette, Peoria ? April 17, 1940, Oak Park 44 May 19, 1945, Des Plaines 100 June 15, 1946, Dixon 100 May 16 and 17, 1947, Chicago-Lombard area 90 Tune 18, 1948, Elmhurst . . 80 May 1. 1949. Highland Park (Hotel Morraine) 80 First day of National Park and Recreation Week. Hosts: Highland Park, Glencoe, Winnetka and Kenilworth Park Districts May 26, 1950, Kankakee 136 June 2, 1951, Joliet — Lockport, ass't. host 174 (included visit to Statesville penitentiary) May 24, 1952, Des Plaines 126 Arlington Heights, Maine and Park Ridge Districts, cooperating June 5, 1953, St. Charles 94 1954: March 2, Region V, Benwood Hotel, Effingham; April 6, Region III, American Legion Hall, Ottawa; April 27, Region VII, H. S. Auditorium, West Frank- fort; May 1, Region IV, Wallace Park, Canton; May 13, Region VI, Commun- ity Center, Cariinville; May 22, Region I, Country Club, Freeport ; June 12, Region II, Mill's Home, Oak Park. Twenty communities interested in organizing a park district were among the 293 at the seven meetings in 1954. Financial loss of $636.08 for series. 1955: April 16, Vandalia ; April 23, Kewanee ; April 30, Morton Grove. 1956: April 6, Carbondale ; April 13, Taylorville; April 20, Pekin ; April 27, Aurora. 1957: May 4, Urbana; May 11, Fairfield; May 18, Peoria: May 25, Forest Park, with Morton Grove Park District cooperating. 1958: May 16 and 17, Skokie; May 24, Granite City. 1959: May 15 and 16, Lombard; May 23, East St. Louis. 1960: May 20 and 21, Dolton, Ivanhoe and Riverdale ; June 11, East St. Louis. 1961: March 17, 18 and 19, Chicago. 1962: April28, Grassy Lake Campus at Carbondale. 1962: April 28, Grassy Lake Campus at Carbondale. 1962: May 25 and 26, Bellwood and Melrose Park, with Memorial Park District as host. On May 15, 1937, the Lombard Park Board held an Open House and lilac inspection to which all park board officials in the State were invited. Again in May, 1938 and 1939, the Association office cooperated with the Lombard Board in inviting park officials to attend their annual lilac festival and dinner. On November 20 and 21 the Joliet Park Board held a flower show to which all park officials were invited by announcements from the Secretary's office. In May, 1940, the Association office cooperated with the Pekin Park Board in sending out announcements for their Open House. In February, 1941, our office cooperated with the American Institute of Park Executives at a meeting in Chicago at the Hotel Sherman, and a number of park board officials attended. 30 REGIONAL MAP, 1954 Seven Regional Meetings Were Held. Total Attendance 293 3. HOSTS FOR REGIONAL MEETINGS PARK DISTRICT AND YEAR Arlington Heights, May 24, 1952 with Maine, Des Plaines and Park Ridge Aurora, April 27, 1956 Fox River Valley Pleasure Driveway and Park District Canton, May 1, 1954 Carbondale, April 6, 1956; April 28, 1962 Carlinville, May 13, 1954 Chicago, May 16, 17, 1947 (with Lombard cooperating) ; March 17, 18 and 19. 1961 Des Plaines, May 19, 1945; May 24, 1952 (with Arlington Heights, Maine and Park Ridge) Dixon, June 15, 1946 Dolton, May 20 and 21, 1960 with Ivanhoe and Riverdale East St. Louis, May 23. 1959; June 11. 1960 Effingham, March 2, 1954 Elmhurst, June 18, 1948 Fairfield, May 11, 1957 Forest Park, May 25, 1957 with Morton Grove cooperating Freeport, May 22, 1954 Glencoe, May 1, 1949 with Highland Park. Kenilworth and Winnetka cooperating Granite City, May 24. 1958 Highland Park, May 1, 1949 with Glencoe. Kenilworth and Winnetka cooperating Ivanhoe, May 20 and 21, 1960 with Dolton and Riverdale Joliet, June 2, 1951 with Lockport Township cooperating Kankakee, May 26, 1950 Kenilworth. May 1. 1949 with Glencoe. Highland Park and Winnetka cooperating Kewanee, April 23, 1955 Lockport Township, June 2, 1951 with Joliet Lombard, May 16 and 17. 1947 (with Chicago) ; May 15 and 16, 1959 Maine, May 24, 1952 with Arlington Heights, Des Plaines, and Park Ridge Memorial Park District at Bellwood and Melrose Park, May 25 and 26, 1 962 Morton Grove. April 30, 1955; May 25, 1957 with Forest Park Oak Park, February 16, 1937: April 17. 1940: June 12. 1954 Ottawa, April 6, 1954 Park Ridge, May 24, 1952 with Arlington Heights. Des Plaines and Maine Pekin, April 20, 1956 Peoria, March 30, 1939; May 18, 1957 Riverdale, May 20 and 21, 1960 with Dolton and Ivanhoe St. Charles, June 5, 1953 Skokie, May 16 and 17, 1958 Taylorville, April 13, 1956 Urbana, May 4, 1957 Vandalia, April 16, 1955 West Frankfort, April 27, 1954 Winnetka, May 1, 1949 with Glencoe. Highland Park and Kenilworth cooperating 32 4. PAST PRESIDENTS OF THE ASSOCIATION (1928-1962 1928-29 J. C. Blair. Urbana Park District* 1929-30 Fred J. Bohn. River Park District, Chicagof 1930-31 Frank Wilkins. Irving Park District. Chicagof 1931-32 C. A. Willard. Park District of Oak Park* 1932-37 James B. Kenny, Peoria Pleasure Driveway and Park 1 )istrict* 1937-38 Fred Heggie. Joliet Park District* 1938-39 Charles Demeter, Freeport Park District* 1939-40 A. E. Miller. Lombard Park District 1940-41 Archie Aimen, Peoria Pleasure Driveway and Park District 1941-45 Dr. C. W. Milligan, Springfield Pleasure Driveway and Park District* 1945-47 Ferdinand Arndt. Des Plaines Park District 1947-48 C. \V. Hulit. Canton Park District 1948-49 Stanley McBroom. Kankakee Park District 1949-50 J. V. Kammer. Lombard Park District 1950-51 Leo Donovan. Peoria Pleasure Driveway and Park District 1951-52 Wm. Arthur Jackson. Park Ridge Park District* 1952-53 Thomas E. Paulett. Granite City Park District* 1953-54 Tom J. Montgomery. Des Plaines Park District 1954-55 Arthur E. Kelly. Joliet Park District 1955-56 Frederick P. Schlitt, Springfield Pleasure Driveway and Park District 1956-57 William W. Berg. Kewanee Park District* 1957-58 Marvin F. Burt. Freeport Park District 1958-59 Robert H. YViegman, Morton Grove Park District 1959-60 Henry O. Gleiss, Skokie Park District 1960-61 L. Mike Krause, East St. Louis Park District 1961-62 Fred F. Weinard, Urbana Park District *Deceased fPresent address unknown. 33 Deax J. C. Blair, Urbana First President-Co-Founder 1928-29 Treasurer. 1931-33 (Deceased) Maintained a "Fatherly" interest in the Association through the years. We regret that our file of cuts of past presidents is incomplete. C. W. Milligan, M.D.. Springfiield Served 4 years. 1941-1945 (Deceased) Gave Association Office Space for two years: .05%. Recreation Tax secured (S.B. 184, July 15. 1911). 34 ■ **m> #** \. Ferdinand Arxdt. Des Plaines Served 2 years. 1945-47 Liked park work so much he resigned as commissioner to become Director of Parks. Des Plaines; first joint conference with IRA: Codification of Illinois Park Law initiated. Asso- ciation's Chaplain. C. W. Hi/lit, Canton 1947-48 Illinois Park Board Bulletin published six times, instead of four; Association moved into first real office, second joint conference with the IRA. 35 : m«mmmM. r Stanley McBroom, Kankakee 1948-49 Constitutionality of Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund unheld. Nov. 18, 1948; IAPD filed Amicus Curiae. Successful an- nual conference held in St. Louis, Mo. Joe V. Kammer, Lombard 1949-50 Helped plan a successful annual Confer- ence in St. Louis; everyone received a complimentary bag of Lombard's tulip bulbs; "plugged" for a more attractive office and higher salary for Executive Secretary. 36 Leo Donovan, Peoria 1950-51 Illinois Park District Code enacted into law on May 17. 1951; First Accounting Manual prepared; noted for sound judgmenl and a keen sense of humor; once became involved in a "Hula Hoop" deal: "analyzed" Secre- tary's first expense account. Wm. Arthur Jackson. ParA Ridge 1951-52 (Deceased) "A Gentleman of the Old School."' First Short Course for Park Commissioners and Personnel at Allerton Park: First publica- tion of "Manual of Powers and Duties" Banner attendance at Silver Anniversary Convention at Rockford: Adopted dues schedule based on quadrennial equalized as- sessed valuation of park district.* *Tribute should be paid to the committee who spent many long hours developing a schedule of dues sufficient to allow the Association to become a full-time organization. Assisting Mr. Jackson were: Tom j. Montgomery. Des Plaines : Joe V. Kammer. Lombard: Lawrence J. Dahlgren. Arlington Heights, and Fred Arndt. Des Plaines. Thomas E. Paulett, Granite City 1952-53 (Deceased) Second Short Course at Allerton Park; As- sociation became a full-time organization on June 1. 1953. Tom J. Montgomery; Des Plaines 1953-54 Was also a .meat "kiddcr" : helpful in ad- vertising matters: seven regional meetings held in 1954: Memorial Fund started and Past Presidents' Club organized in Septem- ber. 1954: office moved to 8th floor of Fer- guson Bldg.. Dec. 31. 195:!. 38 Arthur E. Kelly, Jolict 1954-55 Dues Schedule increased. Mr. Kelly became ill enroute to annual convention and was hospitalized for the duration. Everyone was much concerned about his health. Frederick P. Schlitt, Springfield 1955-56 Office moved to larger, more attractive quar- ters in Ferguson Bldg: encouraged us to sell exhibit space for our annual conferences. (Hotel space was inadequate to carry out this suggestion in 1956.) The right of a park district to issue either General obligation and/or Revenue bonds for swimming pool construction was upheld March 22. 1956 by Illinois Supreme Court, and injunction against Beardstown Park District dissolved. The Association intervened Amicus Curiae. 39 W. W. Berg, Kewancc 1956-57 ( Deceased) We sold 19 booths for the 1957 convention in Rockford : made the first annual deposit to the Field Service Fund. Marvin F. Btrt, Freeport 1957-58 Also a State Senator for 16 years and a very effective liaison person in matters legislative : Field Service thru U. of I.. Recreation De- partment began on a part-time basis : First Achievement Award Contest : planned a Hula Hoop demonstration at the Lake Club. 40 Henry O. Gleiss, Skokie 1959-60 Reinstituted joint annual conferences with the IRA ; Joliet conference largely attended : appointed a Committee to develop standards for Professional Park and Recreation Person- nel ; wrote very few letters, but was always available for telephone conversation and ad- vice. Robert H. Wiegmax, Morton Grove 1958-59 Probably the youngest man to serve as Presi- dent; author of the Park Achievement Award Contest idea ; second contest held dur- ing his term : field service extended to full time basis by U. of I. Department of Recrea- tion. 41 L. Mike Krause, East St. Louis 1960-61 Chicago was host for outstanding three day regional in March, 1961; Standards Report, started preceding year, completed and adopted ; again held annual confer- ence with IRA; introduced the banquet speaker as a "Specialist in Child Preven- tion" instead of "Crime Prevention." Fred F. Weinard, Urbana 1961-62 Kindly and thoughtful and quietly effective; has been very much interested in the prepara- tion of the historical booklet, and in increas- ing Association membership. The Association acquired a work and file room. Two success- ful regional meetings and joint annual con- ference with IRA. 42 5. DISTRICTS FROM WHICH OUR PRESIDENTS CAME DISTRICT PRESIDENT YEAR Canton C. W. Hulit 1947-48 Chicago-River Park* Fred J. Bohn 1929-30 Chicago-Irving Park* Frank Wilkins 1930-31 Des Plaines Ferdinand C. Arndt 1945-47 Tom J. Montgomery 1953-54 East St. Louis L. Mike Krause . . 1960-61 Freeport Charles Demeter** 1938-39 Marvin F. Burt 1957-58 Granite City Thomas E. Paulett** 1952-53 Toliet Fred Heggie** 1937-38 Arthur E. Kelly 1954-55 Kankakee Stanley McBroom 1948-49 Kewanee William W. Berg** 1956-57 Lombard A. E. Miller 1939-40 J. V. Kammer 1949-50 Morton Grove Robert H. Wiegman 1958-59 Oak Park C. A. Willard** 1931-32 Park Ridge Wm. Arthur Jackson** 1951-52 Peoria James B. Kenny** 1932-37 Archie Aimen 1940-41 Leo Donovan 1950-51 Skokie Henrv O. Gleiss 1959-60 Springfield Dr. C. W. Milligan** 1941-45 Frederick P. Schlitt 1955-56 Urbana J. C. Blair** 1928-29 Fred F. Weinard 1961-62 ^Districts Dissolved in 1933 **Deceased 6. TREASURERS An important officer in any association is the treasurer, who keeps a "weather eye" on Association finances, signs the checks, and advises the executive director in financial dilemmas. The records show the following persons have served as Association treasurer: (See pictures on page 49) 1928-29 H. C. Schaub, Decatur 1929-31 C. A. Kiler, Champaign 1931-33 J. C. Blair, Urbana 1933-38 T. B. Webber, Urbana 1938-40 Dr. C. W. Milligan, Springfield 1940-42 Charles Demeter, Freeport 1942-51 Louis M. Gietl, Springfield 1951-58 John M. Bryden, Springfield 1958- Louis A. Gietl, Springfield (Son of Louis M. Gietl) 43 7. ROLL OF ACTIVE MEMBERS Illinois Association of Park Districts As of September 1, 1962 (New Members During 1962 in Caps) Alton City Park Commission* Arlington Heights Arthur Community- Atlanta Memorial Barrington Beardstown Community Bedford Belvidere Bensenville Berwyn Big Rock-Sugar Grove Townships Pleasure Driveway and Park District Blue Island Broadview Calumet Memorial at Calumet City Canton* Carbondale Carlinville CASEY TOWNSHIP PARK BOARD Champaign* Charleston Township Park, Morton Park Chicago Chicago Heights Chillicothe Memorial Pleasure Driveway and Park District Clarendon Hills Clyde at Cicero* Community Park District of LaGrange Park Coloma at Rock Falls Country Club Hills Park Dept. Crete Crystal Lake Decatur* Deerfield DeKalb Des Plaines Dixon* Dolton Downers Grove General Park District of Dundee Township East St. Louis* Edwardsville Playground & Recreation Board Effingham Eldorado-Raleigh Pleasure Drivew Park District Elmhurst* Fairfield Fairmont City First at Evanston Flossmoor Fon Du Lac at East Peoria Forest Park Forest Preserve District of Cook County Foss at North Chicago* .id Fox River Valley Pleasure Driveway and Park District at Aurora Frankfort Community Pleasure Driveway and Park District at West Frankfort Freeport* Geneva Genoa Township Glencoe* Glen Ellyn Glenview Grafton at Huntley Granite City* Gravslake-Avon Community Grayville Griggsville Community Hamilton Harvev Hawthorne at Cicero Hazel Crest Herrin HICKORY HILLS AT OAK LAWN Highland Park* Homewood Horner at Lebanon Illini Township at Warrensburg Ivanhoe at Riverdale Jacksonville Park Department Joliet Kankakee Kenilworth* Kewanee* Park District of La Grange Lake Bluff La Motte Township at Palestine Lawrence Township Park Commission Lena Community LINCOLN Litchfield Lockport Township Lombard Macomb Marion Markham Mason City Community Park District Matteson Mattoon City Park Department Mattoon Township Park Commission McCook-Hodgkins Pleasure Driveway and Park District Memorial at Bellwood Midlothian Mokena Community Morton Grove Mt. Prospect Mt. Pulaski Township Moweaqua Township Mundelein Community Murphysboro Niles 44 Norridge Northbrook Northfield North East of Evanston Oak Lawn Park District of Oak Park Olympia Felds Oswego Palatine Park Ridge Pekin* Peoria Pleasure Driveway and Park District Pleasant Dale Posen Princeton Prospect Meadows Quincy Rantoul Ridgeville at Evanston Ridgway Community Memorial Riverdale River Forest Rockford* Rock Island Playground-Recreation- Park Board Rolling Meadows Roxana Community St. Charles Township Savanna Skokie* South Stickney Springfield Pleasure Driveway and Park District State Division of Parks and Memorials Sterling Stockton Memorial Township District Summit Sumner at Pecatonica Sycamore Taylorville Community Pleasure Driveway and Park District Tri-State at Hinsdale Urbana* Vandalia Venice Veterans at Melrose Park Waterloo Wauconda Waukegan Westchester Westdale at Melrose Park Western Springs Westmont Wheaton Wheeling Wilmette Wilmington Island Winnetka* Zion This total membership of 163 corporate units includes as of September 1, 1962: 152 park districts 9 city and township park and recreation departments and commissions 1 Forest Preserve of Cook County 1 State Division of Parks and Memorials As of September 1, 1962, there are only 27 non-member park districts. *Representatives of these boards attended the organization meeting in Chicago May 17 and 18, 1928. Individual Members (Annual Basis): Mrs. Nellie R. Long, Monmouth, Ralph Hummel, Forest View, Robert L. McKee, Lombard, Robert L. Horney, Madison, Wis- consin, and Ronald N. Pennock, Rockford. (Life Basis): Mrs. Evelyn Smital, Lombard, and Henry G. Hartmann, Park Ridge. 8. ASSOCIATE MEMBERS AS OF SEPTEMBER 1, 1962 Beginning in December, 1954, on recommendation of the Executive Director, an Associate Membership, has been offered to firms selling park equipment, supplies, and services. This membership, which costs $75.00 per year, carries with it all privileges of active membership, except voting and office holding. It provides for listing of the Associate Member in each issue of ILLINOIS PARKS, together with names and addresses of designated rep- resentatives, and the product or service. Since 1954, there has been an av- rage of 20 Associate Members each year. Those who became members in 1954-55, and have renewed their membership each succeeding year are in- dicated by an asterisk. The present list includes the following firms: Ahrendt Engineering Company Room 210 Record Building, Chicago 9, Illinois Alexander Chemicals Division, North American Car Corporation 77 South Wacker Drive, Chicago 6, Illinois 45 American Playground Device Company 1801-1831 South Jackson Street, Anderson, Indiana Daniel C. Bryant and Associates Room 2, 721 North Michigan, Chicago 11, Illinois The J. E. Burke Company* Van Dyne Road, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin Chicago Fence & Equipment Company* 4400 West Addison Street, Chicago 41, Illinois F. D. Clavey Ravinia Nurseries, Inc.* West Deerfield Road, Deerfield, Illinois George A. Davis, Inc.* 5440 Northwest Highway, Chicago, Illinois Dean and Novak, Inc., 4000 Industrial Avenue, Rolling Meadows, Illinois Drake-Scruggs Equipment Company* 600 South 31st Street, Springfield, Illinois Charles Fiore Nurseries, Inc.* Route 22, Prairie View, Illinois First National Bank of Des Plaines 733 Lee Street, Des Plaines, Illinois The Flxible Company Water Street, Loudonville, Ohio Halogen Supply Company* 4653 West Lawrence, Chicago 30, Illinois International Harvester Company* 180 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago 1, Illinois Kiefer & Company, Adolph 1775 Winnetka Ave., Northfield, Illinois McFadzean, Everly and Associates* 874 Green Bay Road, Winnetka, Illinois Miracle Equipment Company* Box 275, Grinnell, Iowa Municipal Bond Corporation* 1 1 1 West Monroe Street, Chicago 3, Illinois Edward Lawrence Packard* 1 1 South La Grange Road, La Grange, Illinois RA-PID-GRO Corporation* 88 Ossian Street, Dansville, New York Roseman Tractor Equipment Company* 2620 Crawford Avenue, Evanston, Illinois Scruggs and Hammond* 903 Hamilton Boulevard, Peoria, Illinois H. C. Speer & Sons Company 135 South LaSalle Street, Chicago 3, Illinois Vermeer Manufacturing Company Box 188, Pella, Iowa 9. LIFE MEMBERS The following became life members on payment of fee prescribed by the Constitution: (See Article II, Sections 1 and 3, and Article III, Section 1, of Association's Constitution, pp. 58-62) : Henry G. Hartmann, Park Ridge Mrs. Evelyn Smital, Lombard 46 10. HONORARY LIFE MEMBERS The following persons have been elected to honorary life membership in the Association because of distinguished service in the furtherance of parks or park activities: (See Article II, Section 6, of Association's Constitu- tion, pp. 58-62.) All past presidents, (see list on p. 33) . Also the following: A. D. McLarty, the first Executive John J. Graham, Kewanee Secretary of the Association Caroline M. Hohmann, Elmhurst* Lorado Taft* Frank M. Opeka, Des Plaines* Ray A. Pilcher, Joliet* George T. Donoghue, Chicago Robert F. Koenig, Freeport Robert E. Everly, Glencoe Henry Weber, Skokie Leland R. Cox, Fairfield 11. ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP BY YEARS (1929-1962) According to the records, the active membership of the Association by- years has been as follows : NO. OF NO. OF CORPORATE CORPORATE YEAR UNITS YEAR UNITS 1929 38 1949 85 1930 52 1950 96 1931 55 1951 100 1932 48 1952 102 1933 59 1953 106 1934 62 1954 115 1935 46 1955 121 1936 52 1956 127 1937 57 1957 132 1938 56 1958 138 1939 57 1959 146 1940 55 1960 153 1941 59 1961 162 1942 54 1962 163 1943 54 1944 58 1945 60 1946 65 1947 70 1948 79 The 1934 convention proceedings record the loss of 18 members through the consolidation, into one park district, of 22 park districts in Chicago, all organized under the 1895 Act. Total annual revenue lost to the Association was $861.00, the report states. However, the new Chicago Park District, organized under a special act, soon became an active member of the Associa- tion, and has contributed both financially and through leadership. As the membership grew, the Association gradually absorbed the loss caused by consolidation. *Deceased 47 12. ASSOCIATION FINANCES BY YEARS 1928-1961 The following table shows the budgetary estimate, actual receipts, dis- bursements, and cash balance at end of year. CASH BALANCE BUDGET AT END OF YEAR ESTIMATE RECEIPTS DISBURSEMENTS YEAR 1928 $ 1,500 $ 1.385.00 $ 1,356.46 $ 28.54 1929 1,500 1,225.00 1,047.28 206.26 1930 2,000 1,285.00 1,440.01 51.25 1931 2,000 1,491.00 1,486.61 55.64 1932 2,000 1,185.00 1,237.96 2.68 1933 1,500 1,698.50 1,376.03 325.15 1934 1,500 1,430.00 1,179.53 575.62 1935 1,600 1,843.55 1,748.31 670.86 1936 1,900 1,907.50 2.248.26 330.10 1937 1,900 1,906.73 2,120.32 116.51 1938 1,900 2,199.28 2,254.63 61.16 1939 1,900 2,176.45 2,226.01 11.60 1940 2,000 2,136.90 2,145.58. 2.92 1941 2,000 2,410.42 2,355.54 57.80 1942 2,200 2,366.90 2,164.37 260.33 1943 2,200 2,576.90 2,215.78 612.45 1944 2,200 2,349.75 2,179.97 782.23 1945 2,500 3,542.15 4,132.22 192.16 1946 3,100 4,598.10 4,459.30 330.96 1947 4,500 6,717.50 6,536.50 511.96 1948 6,000 6,793.24 6,965.38 339.82 1949 6,975 8,224.86 8,447.92 116.76 1950 7,000 10,962.34 10,807.16 271.94 1951 8,200 14,312.61 14,004.38 580.17 1952 9,100 13,560.72 13,793.50 347.39 1953 12,000 14,684.22 14,997.03 34.58 1954 14,450 15,985.69 15,953.17 67.10 1955 15,554 17,077.57 16,894.30 250.37 1956 18,669 19,587.60 19,812.35 25.62 1957 20,160 22,532.91 22,486.50 72.03 1958 23,760 23,525.65 23,586.05 11.63 1959 25,475 28,394.06 27,481.02 924.67 I960 30,000 31,839.47 30,982.39 1,781.75 1961 32,500 33,419.18 33,949.03 1,251.90 The budget adopted for 1962 totals $33,740.00. Editor's Note: The association functioned on a part-time basis as a Section of the Illinois Municipal League from 1928-1930, when it became a separate organization, known as the Illinois Association of Park Districts. The association continued to function on a part-time basis until June 1, 1953. 48 ASSOCIATION TREASURERS John M. Bryden, Springfield Treasurer, 1951-1958 Louis A. Gietl, Springfield Treasurer, 1958 to date 13. CHICAGO REPRESENTATIVES John L. Donoghue Superintendent-Emeritus Chicago Park District Insured Chicago's Cooperation from 1946-1959 Daniel L. Flaherty General Superintendent Chicago Park District Advisory Committee member since 1952 49 14. EXHIBIT SPACE SOLD FOR ANNUAL CONFERENCES, 1957-1961 Beginning with the 1957 Conference, we began to sell exhibit space to park equipment, supply and service firms. This activity and the encouraging response received has added interest to our Conference Programs and helped the Association to build up a reserve for field service. The following informa- tion indicates the growth of this activity: Exhibit Contracts Sold: booths/tables TOTAL OUTDOOR ONLY 1957 18 (booths) 1 19 Rockford 1958 20 (booths) 3 23 Springfield 1959 25 (booths) 3 28 3 Rock Island 1960* 34 (tables) 34 Joliet 1961* 35 (tables) 2 37 3 Springfield 1962f 41 (booths) 41 1 Peoria *Joint Conferences with Illinois Recreation Association fAs of September 1, 1962. 15. RECENTLY ORGANIZED PARK DISTRICTS 1954-1962 1954 Beardstown (Cass Co.) Blandinsville (McDonough Co.) Douglas at Gilman (Iroquois Co. Mundelein (Lake Co. ) Niles (Cook Co.) Pleasant Dale (Cook Co.) South Sticknev (Cook Co.) 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 1955* 1. Herrin (Williamson Co.) 2. Lena Community Park District (Stephenson Co.) 3. Mt. Prospect (Cook Co.) 4. Norridge (Cook Co.) 5. Northfield (Cook Co.) 6. North Westchester (Cook Co.) (Consolidated with Westchester April 25, 1959) 7. Prospect Meadows (Cook Co.) 8. Waterloo (Monroe Co.) 1956 1. Westchester (Cook Co.) 2. Olympia Fields (Cook Co.) 3. Salt Creek Rural (Cook Co.) (Does not make a levy) 4. Sumner at Pecatonica (Winnebago Co.) 1957 1. Crete (Will Co.) 2. Hazel Crest (Cook Co.) *The Champaign Park District, organized as a township district in 1911, reorganized as a General Park District. 50 3. Grayville (White and Edwards Cos.) 4. Horner at Lebanon (St. Clair Co.) 5. Marion (Williamson Co.) 6. Mayfair at Champaign (Champaign Co.) 7. Roanoke (Woodford Co.) 1958** 1. Markham (Cook Co.) 2. Rolling Meadows (Cook Co.) 3. Tri-State at Hinsdale (DuPage Co.) 1959 1. Burlington Township (Kane Co.) 2. Gravslake-Avon Community (Lake Co.) 3. Mokena (Will Co.) 4. Posen (Cook Co.) 5. Wauconda (Lake Co.) 6. Westmont (DuPage Co.) 1960 1. Bensenville (DuPage Co.) 2. Griggsville Community (Pike Co.) 3. Ridgway Community Memorial (Gallatin Co. 1961 1. Dallas City (Hancock Co.) 2. Hickory Hills at Oak Lawn (Cook Co.) 3. Lincoln Park District (Logan Co.) 4. Toluca (Marshall Co.) 5. Wheeling (Cook Co.) **Dundee Park District was reorganized from a township to a General Park District. Geneseo Community District (Henry Co.) was organized May 1. 1953. but does not make a levy. 16. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS THROUGH THE YEARS Including Officers, Directors, Advisory Members and Committee Chairmen 1928-1929: J. C. Blair, Urbana, pres.; Fred J. Bohn, River Park District^, vice- pres. ; H. C. Schaub, Decatur, treasurer: A. D. McLarty. Urbana. secretary. Directors: U. G. Orendorf. Canton; C. A. Kiler. Champaign; E. P. Griffin, Supt., East St. Louis; Ernst Buehler, attorney, Albany Park DistrictJ: John E. Vannatta, attorney. Old Portage Park District^. 1929-1930: Fred J. Bohn, River Park BoardJ, pres. : C. A. Willard, Oak Park, vice-pres. ; C. A. Kiler, Champaign, treasurer: A. D. McLarty, Urbana, secretary. Directors: Ernst Buehler, Albany Park J ; R. G. Drolet, Kankakee: Albert F. Otte, River Park$ ; W. D. Armstrong, Alton Park Commission: Jos. E. Fitch, attorney. Ridge Avenue, Hollywood and Ravenswood-Manor Gardens ParkJ. 1930-1931: Frank Wilkins, Irving Park BoardJ, pres.; C. A. Willard. Oak Park, vice-pres.: C. A. Kiler, Champaign, treasurer (served until November 14. 1930; then J. C. Blair was appointed) ; A. D. McLarty. Urbana, secretary. Directors: Edwin H. Manasse. Albany Park Board % : Abner Erikson, Jefferson Park BoardJ ; Edward M. Laing, secretary. Highland Park: W. D. Armstrong, Alton: C. W. Boyd, Kankakee; Fred J. Bohn, River Park$. $These parks, all located within the city of Chicago, were dissolved in 1933. Unless otherwise stated, the officers, with the exception of the executive secretary/ director, were commissioners of park districts in the cities indicated. 51 1931-1932: C. A. Willard, Oak Park, pres.; A. R. Floberg, Rockford, vice-pres. ; J. C. Blair, Urbana, treasurer; A. D. McLarty, Urbana, secretary. Directors: For 2 year terms: Frank Wilkins, Irving ParkJ ; Edwin H. Manasse. Jefferson ParkJ ; S. J. Brosseau, Kankakee; For 1 year term: James B. Kenney, Peoria. 1932-1933: James B. Kenney, Peoria, pres.; T. B. Webber, Urbana, vice-pres.; J. C. Blair, Urbana, treasurer; A. D. McLarty, Urbana, secretary. Directors: W. D. Armstrong, Alton; Charles H. Neilus, West M ay wood ; C. A. Willard, Oak Park; plus three hold-over directors elected in 1931. 1933-1934: James B. Kenney, Peoria, pres.; Albert F. Otte, River Park District^; T. B. Webber, Urbana, treasurer; A. D. McLarty, Urbana, secretary. Directors: S. J. Brosseau, Kankakee; Frank C. Kellog, Ridge AvenueJ ; John Butler, Old PortageJ ; plus three hold-over directors elected in 1932. 1934-1935: James B. Kenney, Peoria, pres.; O. M. Becker, Berwyn, vice-pres.; T. B. Webber, Urbana, treasurer; A. D. McLarty, Springfield, secretary. Directors: W. D. Armstrong, Alton; S. J. Brosseau, Kankakee; Charles Demeter, Freeport ; Fred Heggie, Joliet ; George I. McEldowney, Chicago Heights; Karl G. Nelson, Foss Park, North Chicago. Advisory Members: Past presidents J. C. Blair and C. A. Willard. 1935-1936: James B. Kenney, Peoria, pres.; O. M. Becker, Berwyn, vice-pres.; T. B. Webber, Urbana, treasurer, A. D. McLarty, Springfield, secretary. Directors: For 2 year term: Karl G. Nelson, Foss Park, Chicago; W. D. Arm- strong, Alton; A. E. Miller, Lombard; F. H. Rehder, Park Ridge; For 1 year term: Walter Lamb, Kewanee. 1936-1937 : James B. Kenney, Peoria, pres.; Charles Demeter, Freeport, vice- pres.; T. B. Webber, Urbana, treasurer; A. D. McLarty, secretary. Directors: For 2 year term: Fred Heggie, Joliet; F. H. Rehder, Park Ridge; A. E. Miller, Lombard; Dr. Davies Lazear, Winnetka; For 1 year term: Frank Novak, Clyde Park, Cicero: Hold-over members: Walter Lamb, Kekanee, and Karl G. Nelson, Foss Park. 1937-1938: Fred Heggie, Joliet, pres.; Charles Demeter, Freeport, vice-pres.; T. B. Webber, Urbana, treasurer; A. D. McLarty, secretary. Directors: For 2 year term: Edward Stejskel, Clyde Park District, Cicero; Walter Lamb, Kewanee; Frank Kraft, Foss at North Chicago; Hold-overs: F. H. Rehder, Dr. Davies Lazear and A. E. Miller. 1938-1939: Charles Demeter, Freeport, pres.; A. E. Miller, Lombard, vice-pres.; Dr. C. W. Milligan, Springfield, treasurer; A. D. McLarty, secretary. Directors: For 2 year term: F. H. Rehder, Park Ridge; Griff C. Hodge, Granite City; Lawrence J. Lancaster, Pekin, Archie Aimen, Peoria; Hold-overs: Edward Stejs- kel, Walter Lamb, Frank Kraft. 1939-1940: A. E. Miller, Lombard, pres.; C. A. Willard, Oak Park, vice-pres.; Dr. C. W. Milligan, Springfield, treasurer; A. D. McLarty, secretary. Directors: For 2 year terms: C. W. Hulit, Canton; Edward Stejskel, Clyde at Cicero; Ed. J. Wallingford, Sterling-Coloma ; Hold-overs: F. H. Rehder, Griff G. Hodge, Lawrence J. Lancaster and Archie Aimen. 1940-1941 : Archie Aimen, Peoria, pres.; Dr. C. W. Milligan, Springfield, vice- pres.; Charles Demeter, Freeport, treasurer; A. D. McLarty, secretary. Directors: For 2 year terms: George K. Volz, Arlington Heights; C. L. Koeneman, Elmhurst; Griff G. Hodge, Granite City; Hold-overs: C. W. Hulit, Canton; Edward Stejskel, Clyde at Cicero; Ed. J. Wallingford, Sterling-Coloma. Advisory: A. E. Miller, Iombard. 1941-1942: Dr. C. W. Milligan, Springfield, pres.; C. L. Koeneman, ElmV-urst, vice-pres.; Charles Demeter, Freeport, treasurer; A. D. McLarty, secretary. Directors: For 2 year terms: C. W. Hulit, Canton (to fill the unexpired term of C. L. Koeneman) ; H. H. Calkins, Barrington; F. L. Stebbins, First Park at Evanston ; Bruce Benson, West Maywood ; Hold-overs: George K. Volz and Griff G. Hodge. 1942-1943: Dr. C. W. Milligan, Springfield, pres.; C. L. Koeneman. Elmhurst, vice-pres.; Louis M. Gietl, Springfield (father of Louis A. Gietl), treasurer: A. D. McLarty, secretary. Directors: For 2 year terms: George K. Volz, Arlington Heights; John J. Graham, Association headquarters moved from Urbana to Springfield, November, 1933, when Illinois Municipal League moved. 52 Kewanee: Hold-overs: C. W. Hulit, H. H. Calkins. F. L. Stebbins and Bruce Benson. 1943-1944: Dr. C. W. Milligan. Springfield, pres. : C. L. Koeneman. Elmhurst. vice-pres. : Louis M. Gietl. Springfield, treasurer: A. D. McLarty. executive director ( resigned June 30. 1943 and was elected to honorary life membership) : Lawrence Hoff, Springfield, executive director (July 1. 1943-September 30. 1943); Marjorie M. Dickinson. Springfield, assistant executive director. Directors: For 2 year terms: F. L. Stebbins. First District. Evanston : Bruce Benson. West Maywood : Henry Hartmann. Park Ridge: Hold-overs: George K. Volz, John J. Graham; G. W. Hulit.' 1944-1945: Dr. C. W. Milligan. Springfield, pres.: Charles Sellin. Riverdale. vice- pres.; Louis M. Gietl, Springfield, treasurer: Marjorie M. Dickinson. Springfield, executive director: Lawrence Hoff. Springfield, legal-legislative consultant. Directors: For 2 year terms: John J. Graham. Kewanee: W. Milton Worthen, Granite City: For 1 year term: Ferdinand Arndt. Des Plaines: Hold-overs: G. W. Hulit. Henry G. Hartmann. Bruce Benson. 1945-1946: Ferdinand Arndt. Des Plaines. pres.: C. W. Hulit. Canton, vice-pres.: Louis M. Gietl. Springfield, treasurer: Marjorie M. Dickson. Springfield, executive director: Lawrence Hoff. Springfield, legal-legislative consultant. Directors: For 2 year terms: Frank Coffin. Glencoe : W. H. Kennedy. Peoria: James H. Carey. West Maywood; Hold-overs: W. Milton Worthen. Granite City: John J. Graham. Kewanee: Henry G. Hartmann. Park Ridge. Advisory: Past presidents: J. C. Blair. Urbana : G. A. Willard. Oak Park: A. E. Miller. Lombard: Dr. C. W. Milligan. Springfield. 1946-1947 : Ferdinand Arndt. Des Plaines. pres.: C. W. Hulit. Canton, vice-pres. ; Louis M. Gietl. Springfield, treasurer: Marjorie M. Dickinson, executive director. Directors: For 2 year terms: Edward Vaile. Dixon: Thomas E. Paulett. Granite City: Maurice Saunders. Park Ridge: Hold-overs: Frank Coffin. Glencoe: W. H. Kennedy. Peoria: James H. Carey. West Maywood. Advisory: Past presidents: J. C. Blair. Urbana: Dr. C. W. Milligan. Springfield: Park Executives: V. K. Brown. Dir. of Recreation. Chicago: Earl F. Elliot. Supt. of Parks. Rockford : Robert E. Everly. Supt. of Parks. Glencoe. Committee Chairmen: George B. Caskey. Winnetka (cooperation with AIPE): Lawrence Hoff. Springfield (Legislative) : J. W. Needles. Dolton (Membership) ; Max G. Fuller. Peoria (Planning): Stanley McBroom. Kankakee (Recreation): Frank Coffin. Glencoe (Regional Meetings). 1947-1948: C. W. Hulit. Canton, pres.: Stanley McBroom. Kankakee, vice-pres. : Louis M. Gietl. Springfield, treasurer: Marjorie M. Dickinson, executive director: Lawrence Hoff. Springfield, legal-legislative consultant. Directors: For 2 year terms: P. H. Korrell. Bellwood Memorial: John W. Needles. Dolton: Leo Donovan. Peoria: Hold-overs: Edward Vaile. Dixon: Thomas E. Paulett. Granite City: Maurice Saunders. Park Ridge. Advisory: Past Presidents: J. C. Blair. Urbana: Dr. C. W. Milligan. Springfield; Ferdinand Arndt. Des Plaines: Park Executives: Fred G. Heuchling. Dir. of Public Information Service. Chicago: Earl F. Elliot. Supt. of Parks. Rockford: Robert E. Everlv. Supt. of Parks and Recreation. Glencoe. Committee Chairmen: Elmer Julius. Chicago (advertising ) : George B. Caskev. Winnetka (Cooperation with AIPE) : Fred G. Heuchling. Chicago (Editorial) ; Frank M. Opeka. Des Plaines (Legislative) : J. V. Kammer. Lombard (Membership) : Rho- dell Owens. Peoria (Planning): John J. Clemens. Jr.. Joliet (Recreation): W. A. Jackson. Park Ridge (Regional Meetings): W. J. Ireland. West Maywood (Sub- scriptions) . 1948-1949: Stanley McBroom. Kankakee, pres.: S. D. Sexton. Jr.. East St. Louis, vice-pres.: Louis M. Gietl. Springfield, treas. : Marjorie M. Dickinson, executive di- rector: Lawrence Hoff. Springfield, legal consultant. Directors: For 2 year terms: Robert N. Beatty. Arlington Heights: J. V. Kammer, Lombard: Thomas E. Paulett. Granite City. Hold-overs: P. H. Korrell. Bellwood Memorial: John W. Needles. Dolton: Leo Donovan. Peoria. Advisory: Past Presidents: J. C. Blair. Urbana: Ferdinand Arndt. Des Plaines: C. W. Hulit. Canton: Park Executives: Earl F. Elliot. Rockford: George B. Caskey. Winnetka: E. J. Brown. Highland Park. Committee Chairmen: Louis S. Cole. Glenview (Advertising) : Robert E. Everlv. Glencoe (Cooperation with Park and Recreational Organizations) : Fred G. Heuchling. Chicago (Editorial and Public Relations) : John H. Savage, Joliet (Legislative) ; 53 C. W. Hulit, Canton (Membership) ; Rhodell Owens, Peoria (Planning) ; Tom J. Montgomery, Des Plaines (Recreation) ; W. A. Jackson, Park Ridge (Regional Meet- ings) ; William Spencer Johnson, Quincy (Subscriptions) ; J. V. Kammer, Lombard (1949 Convention). 1949-1950: J. V. Kammer, Lombard, pres. : Thomas E. Paulett, Granite City, vice-pres. ; Louis M. Gietl, Springfield, treas. ; Marjorie M. Dickinson, Springfield, executive director; Lawrence HofT, Springfield, legal consultant. Directors: For 2 year terms: Alexander Kryger, Bellwood Memorial; W. A. Jackson, Park Ridge; Robert H. Bangert, Quincy: For 1 year terms: John W. Needles, Dolton ; C. M. Fox, Fox River Valley at Aurora; Leo Donovan, Peoria. Advisory: Past Presidents: Ferdinand Arndt, Des Plaines; C. W. Hulie, Canton; Stanley McBroom, Kankakee; Park Executives: Daniel L. Flaherty, Chicago; Edwin J. Moses, Urbana ; George B. Caskey, Winnetka. Committee Chairmen: Tom J. Montgomery, Des Plaines (Advertising) ; S. D. Sexton, Jr., East St. Louis (Cooperation with Park and Recreational Organizations) ; Fred G. Heuchling, Chicago (Editorial and Public Relations) ; Oscar A. Knittel, Bed- ford (Legislative) ; Lawrence J. Dahlgren, Arlington Heights (Membership) ; Rhodell Owens, Peoria (Planning); Edward Vaile, Dixon (Recreation); A. E. Kerger, Sr., Kankakee (Regional Meetings) ; Hans A. Nelson, Oak Park (Subscriptions) ; Law- rence HofT, Springfield (1950 Convention). 1950-1951 : Leo Donovan, Peoria, pres.; Thomas E. Paulett, Granite City, vice- pres.; John M. Bryden, Springfield, treas.; Marjorie M. Dickinson, Springfield, exec, dir. ; Lawrence HofT, Springfield, Legal consultant; Oscar A. Knittel, Bedford Park, sergeant at arms. Directors: For 2 year terms: N. R. F. Swanson, Bedford Park; C. M. Fox, Fox River Valley. Aurora; Arthur E. Kelly, Joliet ; Hold-overs: Alexander Kryger, Bell- wood Memorial; W. A. Jackson, Park Ridge; Robert H. Bangert, Quincy. Advisory: Past Presidents: Ferdinand Arndt, Des Plaines; C. W. Hulit, Canton; Stanley McBroom, Kankakee; J. V. Kammer, Lombard; Park Executives: Daniel L. Flaherty, Chicago; Edwin J. Moses, Urbana; George B. Caskey, Winnetka. Committee Chairmen: Tom J. Montgomery, Des Plaines (Advertising and Edi- torial) ; S. D. Sexton, Jr., East St. Louis (Cooperation with Park and Recreation Organizations) ; Frank M. Opeka, Des Plaines (Legislative) ; Mrs. Russell Lewis, Wheaton (Membership) ; Prof. Karl B. Lohmann, Urbana (Planning) ; Lawrence J. Dahlgren, Arlington Heights (Program Coordinator) ; Gerald O'Connor, Cook County- Forest Preserve (Public Relations); R. Wayne Gill, Decatur (Recreation); Ray A. Pilcher, Joliet (Regional Meeting — Local Arrangements) ; Rhodell Owens, Peoria (1951 Convention — Local Arrangements). 1951-1952: Wm. Arthur Jackson, Park Ridge, pres.; Vice-Presidents: Thomas E. Paulett, Granite City; Lawrence J. Dahlgren, Arlington Heights; Tom J. Mont- gomery, Des Plaines; John M. Bryden. Springfield, treas.; Marjorie M. Dickinson, Springfield, exec, secy.*; Lawrence HofT, Springfield, legal counsultant; Oscar A. Knittel, Bedford Park, ser. at arms. Directors: For 2 year terms: Mrs. Don Grover, Alton; Herbert W. Means, Venice; Mrs. Russel Lewis. Wheaton; Hold-overs: N. R. F. Swanson, Bedford Park; C. M. Fox, Fox River Valley, Aurora; Arthur E. Kelly, Joliet. Advisory: Past Presidents: Ferdinand Arndt, Des Plaines; C. W. Hulit, Canton; Stanley McBroom, Kankakee; J. V. Kammer, Lombard; Leo Donovan, Peoria; Park Executives: Daniel L. Flaherty, Chicago; Rhodell Owens, Peoria; George B. Caskey, Winnetka. Committee Chairmen: Tom J. Montgomery, Des Plaines (Advertising) ; Fred L. Comstock, Oak Park (Cooperation with Park and Recreational Organizations) ; John F. Meissner, Jr., La Grange (Legislative) ; Everett W. Cox, Joliet (Membership) ; Prof. Karl B. Lohmann, Urbana (Planning) ; Gerald O'Connor, Cook Co. Forest Preserve (Public Relations) ; Stanley Mondro, Foss at North Chicago (Recreation) ; W. A. Lankton. Genoa (Township Districts) ; Ferdinand Arndt, Des Plaines (Mid- Year Meeting — local arrangements); Earl F. Elliot, Rockford (1952 Convention- local arrangements). 1952-1953: Thomas E. Paulett, Granite City, pres.; Vice-Presidents: Lawrence *Title changed from "Executive Director'' to "Executive Secretary" at request of M. M. D., in order to make her title uniform for various organizations she was serving. 54 J. Dahlgren. Arlington Heights (Finance Chairman): Tom J. Montgomery', Des Plaines (Advertising Chairman); A. E. Kerger. Kankakee (Membership Chairman); John M. Bryden. Springfield, treas. ; Marjorie M. Dickinson, exec. secy. : Lawrence Hoff. Springfield, legal consultant; Oscar A. Knittel. Bedford Park. ser. at arms. Directors: For 2 year terms: N. R. F. Swanson. Bedford Park: Edward R. Prueter, Oak Park; Arthur E. Kelly. Joliet ; Hold-overs: Mrs. Don Grover. Alton; Herbert W. Means. Venice : Mrs. Russell Lewis. Wheaton. Advisory: Past Presidents: Ferdinand Arndt. Des Plaines: C. W. Hulit, Canton; Stanley McBroom. Kankakee: J. V. Kammer. Lombard: Leo Donovan. Peoria: Wm. Arthur Jackson. Park Ridge: Park Executives: Daniel L. Flaherty. Chicago: Rhodell E. Owens. Peoria ; Earl F. Elliot. Rockford. Committee Chairmen: George B. Caskey, Winnetka (Cooperation with Park and Recreational Organizations) : John F. Meissner, Jr.. La Grange (Legislative) : Don H. Morgan. U. of I.. (Public Relations): Charles K. Brightbill. U. of I. (Recrea- tion) ; W. A. Lankton. Genoa (Township Districts) : Gerald W. O'Connor. Cook Co. (Forest Preserve Districts) ; Albert Swanson and Joseph C. Gaffney, St. Charles (Mid- Year Meeting — local arrangements): Wm. Spencer Johnson. Quincy (1953 Con- vention — Local Arrangements). 1953-1954: Tom J. Montgomery. Des Plaines. pres. : Vice-Presidents: Arthur E. Kelly. Joliet: A. E. Kerger. Kankakee: N. R. F. Swanson. Bedford Park: John M. Bryden. Springfield, treas.: Marjorie M. Dickinson. Springfield, evec. secy.: Lawrence Hoff. Springfield, legal consultant (died in April, 1954: Robert A. Stuart appointed in June. 1954) : Wm. Arthur Jackson. Park Ridge, ser. at arms. Directors: For 2 year terms: Marvin F. Burt. Freeport: William W. Berg. Ke- wanee : Prof. Karl B. Lohmann. Urbana : For 1 year terms: Frederick P. Schlitt, Springfiield : Leland R. Cox. Fairfield: Hold-over: E. R. Prueter. Oak Park. Advisory: Past Presidents: Ferdinand Arndt. Des Plaines: C. W. Hulit. Canton: Stanley McBroom. Kankakee: Leo Donovan. Peoria: W'm. Arthur Jackson. Park Ridge: Thomas E. Paulett, Granite City: Park Executives: Daniel L. Flaherty. Chi- cago: Gordon B. Wallace, W 7 ilmette : George B. Caskey. W'innetka. 1954-1955: Arthur E. Kelly. Joliet. pres.: Vice-Presidents: N. R. F. Swanson. Bedford Park: E. R. Prueter. Oak Park: Frederick P. Schlitt. Springfield: John M. Bryden. Springfield, treas.: Marjorie M. Dickinson, exec, secy.: Robert A. Stuart, Springfield, legal consultant: Wm. Arthur Jackson, Park Ridge, ser. at arms. Directors: For 2 year terms: Leland R. Cox. Fairfield: Robert Wiegman. Morton Grove: Al Ansorge. Mt. Vernon: Hold-overs: Marvin F. Burt. Freeport: William W. Berg. Kewanee : Karl B. Lohmann. Urbana. Advisory: Past Presidents: Ferdinand Arndt. Des Plaines: C. W. Hulit. Canton: Stanley McBroom. Kankakee: Leo Donovan. Peoria: W T m. Arthur Jackson. Park Ridge: Thomas E. Paulett, Granite City: Tom J. Montgomery. Des Plaines: Park Executives: Daniel L. Flaherty. Chicago: Virgil L. Gilman. Aurora: Rhodell Owens. Peoria. 1955-1956: Frederick P. Schlitt, Springfield, pres.: Vice-Presidents: E. R. Prueter, Oak Park: Marvin F. Burt. Freeport: William W. Berg. Kewanee: John M. Bryden. Springfield, treas.: Marjorie M. Dickinson, exec, secy.: Robert A. Stuart, legal cons.: N. R. F. Swanson. Bedford Park. ser. at arms. Directors: For 2 year terms: Henry Gleiss. Skokie: George F. Hurd. Urbana; Tim G. Soldwedel. Pekin : For 1 year term: H. E. Rogier. Vandalia : Hold-overs: Leland R. Cox. Fairfield: Robert H. W'iegman. Jr.. Morton Grove. Advisory: Past Presidents: Ferdinand Arndt. Des Plaines: C. W. Hulit. Canton: Stanley McBroom. Kankakee : Leo Donovan. Peoria : Wm. Arthur Jackson. Park Ridge: Thomas E. Paulett, Granite City: Tom J. Montgomery. Des Plaines: Arthur E. Kelly. Joliet: Park Executives: Daniel L. Flaherty. Chicago: Rhodell E. Owens, Peoria: Earl F. Elliot. Rockford. 1956-1957 : W'illiam W. Berg. Kewanee, pres.: Vice-Presidents: Marvin F. Burt. Freeport: Robert H. W 7 iegman. Jr.. Morton Grove: Leland R. Cox, Fairfield; John M. Bryden, Springfield, treas.; Marjorie M. Dickinson, exec, secy.: Robert A. Stuart. legal cons. : Charles A. W 7 icker. Morton Grove, ser. at arms. Directors: For 2 year terms: W'illiam Coudoux. Forest Park: L. M. Krause. East St. Louis: Harry E. Rogier. Vandalia: For 1 year term: George C. Fox Sr., Lockport : Hold-overs: Henry O. Gleiss, Skokie, Tim G. Soldwedel. Pekin. Advisory: Past Presidents: Ferdinand Arndt. Des Plaines: C. W. Hulit, Canton; Stanley McBroom. Kankakee: Leo Donovan. Peoria; Wm. Arthur Jackson. Park 55 Ridge; Thomas E. Paulett, Granite City; Tom J. Montgomery. Des Plaines; Frederick P. Schlitt, Springfield: Park Executives: Daniel L. Flaherty, Chicago: Rhodell E. Owens. Peoria: Earl F. Elliot. Rockford. 1957-1958: Marvin F. Burt. Freeport, pres. ; Vice-Presidents: Leland R. Cox, Fairfield: Henry O. Gleiss. Skokie: Robert H. Wiegman, Jr., Morton Grove; John M. Bryden, Springfield, treas : Marjorie M. Dickinson, exec. secy. : Robert A. Stuart, legal cons. : Tom G. Soldwedel. Pekin, ser. at arms. Directors: For 2 year terms: Henry D. Field. Glen Ellyn : George C. Fox. Sr.. Lockport Township; Dr. Robert F. Schleicher, Rockford; For 1 year term: A. E. Kerger, Kankakee: Hold-overs: William J. Coudoux. Forest Park; L. M. Krause. East St. Louis. Advisory: Past Presidents: Ferdinand Arndt, Des Plaines; C. W. Hulit, Canton; Stanley McBroom. Kankakee: Leo Donovan, Peoria: Frederick P. Schlitt. Springfield; William W. Berg, Kewanee ; Park Executives: Daniel L. Flaherty, Chicago; Rhodell E. Owens, Peoria: Robert W. Ruhe, Skokie. 1958-1959: Robert H. Wiegman. Morton Grove, pres.: Vice-Presidents: Leland R. Cox. Fairfield: Henry O. Gleiss, Skokie; L. M. Krause, East St. Louis; Louis A. Gietl. Springfield, treas. : Marjorie M. Dickinson, exec. secy. ; Robert A. Stuart, Spring- field, legal cons.; William J. Coudoux, Forest Park. ser. at arms. Directors: For 2 year terms: John E. Cassidy, Jr., Peoria; Gustav Schmitz, Elm- hurst; Fred F. Weinard, Urbana; For 1 year term: Mrs. Viola Wiebke, Riverdale ; Hold-overs: Henry D. Field, Glen Ellyn: Dr. Robert F. Schleicher, Rockford. Advisory: Past Presidents: Ferdinand Arndt, Des Plaines; C. W. Hulit, Canton; Stanley McBroom, Kankakee; Leo Donovan, Peoria; Frederick P. Schlitt, Spring- field: William W. Berg, Kewanee; Marvin F. Burt, Freeport: Park Executives: Daniel L. Flaherty, Chicago; Robert E. Everly, Glencoe : George D. Bottoms, Lombard. 1959-1960: Henry O. Gleiss. Skokie, pres.: Vice-Presidents: Norman H. Klopp, Lombard: L. M. Krause. East St. Louis; Milton Worthen. Granite City; Louis A. Gietl, Springfield, treas. ; Marjorie M. Dickinson, exec. secy. : Robert A. Stuart, Spring- field, legal cons. : Leland R. Cox. Fairfield, ser. at arms. Directors: For 2 year terms: Thomas J. Oliva, Memorial at Bellwood ; Mrs. Viola Wiebke, Riverdale; A. A. Wills. Joliet : Hold-overs: John E. Cassidy. Jr.. Peoria: Gustav Schmitz, Elmhurst; Fred F. Weinard. Urbana. Advisory: Past Presidents: Ferdinand Arndt. Des Plaines: C. W. Hulit. Canton; Stanley McBroom. Kankakee; Leo Donovan. Peoria; William W. Berg, Kewanee; Robert H. Wiegman, Morton Grove; Park Executives: Daniel L. Flaherty, Chicago; David H. Fritz, Highland Park; Robert H. Lawson. Springfield. 1 960-1961 : L. M. Krause. East St. Louis, pres.; Vice-Presidents: John E. Cassidy, Jr.. Peoria: Fred F. Weinard. Urbana: Milton Worthen, Granite City; Louis A. Gietl, Springfield, treas. ; Marjorie M. Dickinson, exec. secy. ; Robert A. Stuart. Springfield, legal cons. : William J. Coudoux. Forest Park. ser. at arms. Directors: For 2 year terms: Herbert A .Abraham, Ivanhoe ; Otto H. Hummer. Downers Grove: Orvel W. Wubben, Pekin; Hold-overs: Thomas J. Oliva, Memorial at Bellwood; Mrs. Viola Wiebke, Riverdale: A. A. Wills, Joliet. Advisory: Past Presidents: Ferdinand Arndt, Des Plaines: C. W. Hulit. Canton; Stanley McBroom, Kankakee: Leo Donovan, Peoria; Robert H. Wiegman. Morton Grove ; "Henry O. Gleiss. Skokie; Park Executives: Daniel L. Flaherty. Chicago; Alan B. Domer, Memorial at Bellwood: Robert H. Lawson, Springfield. 1961-1962 : Fred F. Weinard, Urbana, Pres.; Vice-Presidents: John E. Cassidy. Jr., Peoria; Thomas J. Oliva, Memorial at Bellwood; Milton Worthen, Granite City; Louis A. Gietl, Springfield, treas. : Marjorie M. Dickinson, exec. dir. ; Robert A. Stuart. Springfield, legal cons. : William J. Coudoux, Forest Park. ser. at arms. Directors: For 2 year terms: Patrick J. Cronin, East St. Louis: Philip J. Milcr, Kewanee; Eugene C. Pomerance. Elmhurst; For 1 year term: Robert E. Pilcher. Joliet: Hold-overs: Otto H. Hummer, Downers Grove ; Orvel W. Wubben, Pekin. Advisory: Past Presidents: Ferdinand C. Arndt, Des Plaines; C. W. Hulit. Canton; Stanley McBroom, Kankakee; Leo Donovan, Peoria: Henry O. Gleiss, Skokie; L. M. Krause, East St. Louis; Park Executives: Daniel L. Flaherty. Chicago: Robert W. Ruhe, Skokie; Virgil L. Gilman. Fox River Valley, Aurora. 56 17. LEGISLATIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS THROUGH THE YEARS The following park district commissioners, attorneys, superintendents, and secretaries have assisted the legislative consultant during the years: Sam Basan, Joliet, 1958 and 1959; L. G. Baxter, Venice, 1945; W. W. Berg, Kewanee, 1956; Paul W. Brust, Veterans at Melrose Park, 1944, 1948 and 1949; Joseph I. Bulger, Clyde at Cicero, 1946 and 1947. Marvin F. Burt, 1 Freeport, 1952, 1953, 1956, 1957. 1959 and 1961; George B. Caskey, Winnetka, 1952, 1955, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960 and 1961; John E. Cassidy, Jr., Peoria, 1961 and 1962; Richard Chapeck, Park Ridge, 1940 and 1941; David Connolly, Rockford, 1941. Leland R. Cox, Farfield, 1956; T. A. Curnow, Kewanee, 1936; Lawrence Dahlgren, Arlington Heights, 1951; Charles Demeter, Freeport, 1936; Arthur E. Dillner, Dolton, 1944, 1945, 1946, 1952, 1953 and 1962. Alan B. Domer, Memorial at Bellwood, 1960; Leo Donovan, Peoria, 1956, 1960, 1961 and 1962; Goodwin L. Dosland, Riverdale, 1936 and 1937; E. P. Drolet, Kankakee, 1952 and 1953; Mrs. Audrae L. Duke, Wheeling, 1962. Ning Eley, Des Plaines, 1942 and 1943; W. Gerald Enright, Peoria, 1937; Robert E. Fike, Memorial at Bellwood, 1939, 1940, 1941, 1942, 1943, 1944; P. P. Flick, Dolton, 1938 and 1939; W. M. Fredrick, Peoria, 1955 and 1958. Charles H. Green, Freeport, 1938, 1939 and 1940; Arthur R. Groesser, La Grange, 1952; Stanley H. Guyer, Rockford, 1961 and 1962; W. W. Hinckley, 1942 and 1943; Lawrence Hoff, Springfield, 1942, 1943, 1947, 1948, 1949, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953, (also served as Association's Legal-Legislative Consultant, 1942- 1953, and as Secretary of the Illinois Park Codification Commission). Charles A. Horner, Calumet Memorial at Calumet City, 1936; S. Phil Hutch- son, Springfield, 1944, 1945 and 1946; Norman P. Jones, Springfiield, 1960, 1961 and 1962; A. E. Kerger, Kankakee, 1958; David Kerwin, Chicago, 1960, 1961 and 1962. Paul T. Klenk, Blue Island, 1942, 1943 and 1944; Oscar A. Knittel, Bedford, 1947, 1948, 1949 and 1950; Frank Kraft, Foss at North Chicago, 1940; Joseph S. Kral, Clyde at Cicero, 1936; Lawrence E. Langdon, Wilmette. 1962. Ernest A. Lawler, Chicago Heights, 1948 and 1949: Roy W. Layman, Glen- view, 1958; Dr. Davies Lazear, Winnetka, 1936; Walter E. Lindgren, Springfield, 1940 and 1941 ; Philip A. Lozowick, Chicago, 1948 and 1949. Wesley Lueders, Granite City, 1936: Edward D. Markham, West Maywood, 1938 and 1939; Harry O. Marietta, Des Plaines, 1936; Edward Maroney, Blue Island, 1936 and 1937; Thomas A. Matthews, Bellwood Memorial and Ivanhoe, 1945, 1946 and 1947. Dan McGlynn, East St. Louis, 1936; John F. Meissner, Jr., La Grange, 1950, and 1953; George A. Miller, Oak Park, 1936; Glenn E. Miller, Lockport, 1947, 1948, 1949, 1952 and 1953; Charles H. Neilus, West Maywood, 1936. M. G. Newman, Peoria, 1936; W. C. Noel, Urbana, 1936; John A. Nordberg, Wilmette, 1960 and 1961; Frank M. Opeka, 2 Des Plaines, 1945, 1946, 1947, 1948, 1949, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1955, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960 and 1961; U. G. Oren- dorf, Canton, 1936. James G. Orphan, Morton Grove, 1959; Rhodell E. Owens, Peoria, 1957 and 1959; Paul H. Pohlman, Barrington, 1936; Max Przyborski, Foss at North Chicago, 1936; Oscar Putting, Springfield, 1936. Louis Ray, Kankakee, 1936; John H. Savage; 1 Joliet, 1936, 1938, 1939, 1940, 1941, 1942, 1943, 1944, 1945, 1946. 1947, 1948, 1949, 1950 and 1951; Bowen E. Schumacher, 4 Highland Park, 1936, 1945, 1946, 1951 and 1957; E. H. Storey, U of I, 1962; Robert A. Stuart, Springfield, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961 and 1962 (also served as Legal-Legislative Consultant since 1954; in 1961 was appointed a member of Governor Otto Kerner's Illinois Torts Law Commission.) 'An attorney by profession, Mr. Burt also served as a State Senator for sixteen years, and was a very helpful legislative liaison person. "Was Chairman of the Illinois Park Codification Commission, and served many dis- tricts as attorney. 57 Gordon B. Wallace, Wilmette, 1959, 1960 and 1961; Dr. A. E. Walters, Springfield, 1938; George G. Watson, Pekin, 1936; Amos Watts, 5 Glencoe, 1951; Robert H. Wiegman, Jr., Morton Grove, 1958. R. Sheridan Welch, Kewanee, 1957; Thomas M. Zasadil, Clyde at Cicero, 1939, 1940 and 1941; F. H. Zdrojewski, Hawthorne at Cicero, 1936. "was an active member of the Illinois Park Codification Commission ; most of the work was done in his law office. 4 also a member of the Illinois Park Codification Commission. °a member of Chapman and Cutler law firm, Chicago, and a member of the Illinois Park Codification Commission. 18. CONSTITUTION ILLINOIS ASSOCIATION OF PARK DISTRICTS As Revised Editorially following the close of the Thirty-fourth Annual Conference in Springfield, October 13, 1961. ARTICLE I. NAME AND PURPOSES Section 1. This Association shall be known as the ILLINOIS ASSO- CIATION OF PARK DISTRICTS, and its purposes shall be: a. To further the interests of the park districts of the State of Illinois. b. To improve and extend park and recreational programs and facili- ties in the State of Illinois. c. To promote the application of the best methods in all branches of park activity. d. To gather and circulate information and experience on park district problems. e. To promote the participation of competent persons in park work. Section 2. Definition. The phrase "Park District" as used in this Con- stitution and By-Laws, shall mean any incorporated park district, forest pre- serve district, or park department or division of any city, village or incorpo- rated town, or the State Division of Parks and Memorials of the State of Illinois. ARTICLE II. MEMBERSHIP Section 1. Membership shall be either park district, individual (annual or life) , associate, civic or honorary life. Section 2. Park District members shall include all park districts the cur- rent dues of which are paid, or are not more than one year in arrears. Any park district may become a member of this Association upon written applica- tion to the Executive Director and payment of the dues hereinafter pre- scribed. Section 3. Individual membership is open to any park official, ex-park official, or interested citizen, upon written application to the Executive Di- rector and payment of the dues hereinafter prescribed. Individual member- ships may be either annual or life. Section 4. Civic membership is open to any club, organization or group the purposes of which are related to those of this Association. Section 5. Associate membership is open to reputable business and pro- fessional firms who supply park and/or recreation equipment or services. Section 6. Honorary Life Membership. Any resident of the State of Illinois, who, in the opinion of the Association, has rendered distinguished service in the furtherance of parks or park activities, or to this Association, 58 shall be eligible to honorary life membership. Nomination to honorary life membership shall be made by the Executive Committee to the General Con- ference, which shall make all elections to honorary life membership. Section 7. All individual (annual or life), civic, associate, and hon- orary life members shall be entitled to all ehe privileges of membership ex- cept the holding of elective offices, and they shall have a voice but not a vote in all Association meetings. ARTICLE III. FEES AND DUES Section 1. The annual dues for each park district and forest preserve district shall be based on the quadrennial equalized assessed valuation of each district, and shall be graduated as follows : a. Newly organized districts (organized for a period of less than three years) . . .$25.00 b. Established Districts (organized for a period in excess of three years) CLASS ASSESSED VALUATION FEES 1 Up to $20 million $ 65.00 2 $20 million to $50 million 85.00 3 $50 million to $100 million 125.00 4 $100 million to $150 million 175.00 5 $150 million to $250 million 250.00 6 $250 million to $500 million 275.00 7 Over $500 million 300.00 The annual dues for park boards and park departments operating under city and village governments shall be as follows: For such municipalities or districts of over 10,000 population, $37.50; for those having a population be- tween 5,000 and 10,000 population, $22.50; for those of under 5,000 popula- tion, $15.00. Dues for the State Division of Parks and Memorials shall be determined by the Executive Committee, but shall be not less than $250. In- dividual membership dues shall be $10.00 per year, or $100.00 for life. Civic membership dues shall be $25.00 per year, and associate membership dues shall be $75.00 per year. Section 2. The dues shall be paid for the Association's fiscal year, be- ginning January 1st, and shall be due and payable in advance in order to in- sure the effective functioning of this Association. ARTICLE IV. OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES Section 1. The officers of this Association shall be a President, three Vice-Presidents, Treasurer, Executive Director, Consultant, Sergeant at Arms and six Directors. Section 2. The officers, except the Executive Director, Sergeant at Arms and Consultant shall be elected at the Annual Conference, or any adjourned meeting thereof. All elective officers must be, at the time of their election, members of the governing board of a park district which is an active mem- ber of the Association. If an elective officer of this Association shall cease to be a member of the governing board of his park district his term of office in the Association shall not terminate until the next annual election. The term of all elective officers shall commence immediately upon their election and they shall hold office, except in the case of directors, until the 59 next Annual Conference, or until their successors shall have been duly elected and qualified. The president and directors shall not be eligible for a second successive term. The vice-presidents shall not be eligible for a fourth successive term. Three directors shall be elected each year to hold office until the Second Annual Conference after their election, or until their successors shall have been duly elected and qualified. The Executive Director, Sergeant at Arms, and Consultant shall be ap- pointed by the Executive Committee and shall hold office until the next Annual Conference, or until their respective successors shall have been duly appointed and qualified. The president, three (3) vice-presidents and treasurer shall be directors and, together with six (6) other directors of this Association, shall constitute the Executive Committee, and shall have general supervision of its affairs in the interim between annual conferences. All questions decided by the Executive Committee shall be decided by the majority vote of the commit- tee and five (5) members shall constitute a quorum. Section 3. There shall be an advisory committee, which may be in- vited by the president to sit with the Executive Committee, and shall consist of past presidents of the Association, who are still officials of active member park districts, the chairmen of standing committees, and not to exceed three park executives or park recreation directors, who shall be appointed by the president. The members of the advisory committee shall have a voice but not a vote when meeting with the Executive Committee, except the immediate past president, who shall serve as President of the Past President's Club for one year. The presence of a quorum of the advisory committee at any meet- ing of the Executive Committee, shall not be necessary, but a quorum of the Executive Committee only, shall be sufficient to enable it to act. Section 4. The executive committee shall have regular meetings at least semi-annually on some date chosen by the president or any five (5) members of the executive committee. An executive committe meeting may be called at any time by the presidnt, or any five (5) members thereof. Section 5. Vacancies in all elective offices shall be filled by the Execu- tive committee. All persons appointed by the executive committee to fill va- cancies shall hold office until the next Annual Conference, or until their successors have been duly elected and qualified. The president shall have power to declare and report vacancies to the executive committee. The executive committee may, on its own motion, for cause, declare a vacancy. Section 6. The president, subject to the approval of the executive committee, shall have power to appoint such committees as may be deemed necessary for the proper transaction of the business of this Association. Section 7. No officer or committee shall be authorized to create any fi- nancial liability unless it shall first be approved in nature and amount by both the President and Executive Director, or by the Executive Committee. ARTICLE V. ELECTIONS Section 1. Election of officers shall take place at the Annual Conference. Nomination for elective officers and directors shall be made by a nomi- nating committee of five (5) commissioners of member park districts (who 60 may be past presidents of the Association to be appointed by the president three weeks before the opening- session of the Annual Conference. The presi- dent shall designate a chairman of the nominating committee who shall call a preliminary meeting of the committee prior to the Annual Conference. The committee shall present its nominations at the annual business meeting of the Association. Additional nominations may be made from the floor. Section' 2. Every park district holding membership in the Association shall be entitled to be represented at all Association meetings and Confer- ences by a delegate or delegates. Delegates to Association meetings or Con- ferences may include members of the park board, the Secretary. Superin- tendent. Attorney. Treasurer or any paid employee. Each delegate shall pre- sent proper credentials consisting of a certificate by the Secretary of the park district said delegate or delegates represent, with seal of office affixed, show- ing that the park board at a special or regular meeting authorized said dele- gate or delegates to represent said park district. On all questions each park district represented shall have one vote which shall be the majority expres- sion of the delegation from that park district. Section 3. Xo park district shall be entitled to vote by proxy and only delegates of a park district shall cast a ballot for that park district. ARTICLE VI. DUTIES OF OFFICERS Section 1. The duties of the president, vice-presidents and treasurer shall be such as are usually performed by officers holding these titles. Section 2. The Executive Director and consultant shall act under the direction of the executive committee. ARTICLE VII. MEETINGS Section 1. The Annual Conference of this Association shall be held at the time and place determined upon each year by the executive committee. Section 2. The program of the Annual Conference shall be arranged by or under the direction of the executive committee. Section 3. The proceedings of the Annual Conference, or a summary thereof, shall be published in the official publication of the Association. Section 4. Regional or mid-year meetings in various parts of the State may be held from time to time at the discretion of the executive committee. ARTICLE VIII. INFORMATION SERVICE AND OFFICIAL PUBLICATION Section 1. The Executive Director shall collect and maintain informa- tion relative to park district policy and administration for the mutual benefit ot the members of this Association. Section 2. It shall be the duty of each park district member of this As- sociation, through its president, secretary, or governing board, to furnish to the Executive Director such information as may be requested and copies of all official reports and documents of such park district for filing with the Executive Director for the benefit of the other park districts which are mem- bers of this Association. Section 3. It shall be the privilege of each member of the Association 61 and of any officer or any member, to request any special information relative to park policy or administration from the Executive Director. Section 4. The official publication of this Association shall be known as ILLINOIS PARKS which shall be published at least six times a year. ARTICLE IX. BY-LAWS Section 1. The Executive Committee shall have power to adopt, and from time to time amend, By-Laws not inconsistent with this Constitution, subject to ratification by the Annual Conference of the Association by a ma- jority vote. ARTICLE X. AMENDMENTS TO CONSTITUTION Section 1. This Constitution may be amended at the Annual Confer- ence by a majority vote of the member park districts present; subject to compliance with the following procedure : (a) Any member park district desiring to suggest an amendment to the Constitution shall submit the proposed amendment to the Executive Director in writing not less than 120 days prior to the opening day of the Annual Conference. (b) The Executive Director shall thereupon cause a copy of the pro- posed amendment to be mailed to each member park district of the Associa- tion not less than 90 days prior to the opening day of the Annual Conference. 62 19. CONTRIBUTIONS Park Districts and individuals who contributed to the cost of publishing this historical booklet are as follows: A. Park Districts Arlington Heights Arthur Community Bedford Berwyn Calumet Memorial at Calumet City Canton Carbondale Champaign Chicago Crystal Lake Decatur DeKalb Des Paines Dolton General Park District of Dundee Township East St. Louis Elmhurst Fairfield Frankfort Community Pleasure Driveway and Park District at West Frankfort Geneva Genoa Township Glen Ellyn Hazel Crest Park District of Highland Park Horner at Lebanon Ivanhoe at Riverdale Jacksonville Park Department Joliet Kankakee Kewanee Park District of La Grange LaMotte Township at Palestine Lawrence Township at Lawrenceville Lena Community Lincoln Litchfield Lockport Township Lombard Midlothian Mokena Morton Grove Mundelein Niles Norridge Oak Lawn Olympia Fields Pekin Pleasure Driveway and Park District of Peoria Pleasant Dale Princeton Prospect Meadows Riverdale Skokie Pleasure Driveway and Park District of Springfield State Division of Parks and Memorials Summit Taylorville Community Pleasure Driveway and Park District Urbana Vandalia Veterans at Melrose Park Waterloo Waukegan West Maywod Westmont Wilmette Winnetka B. Individuals Alan R. Caskey C. W. Hulit 63