Community Web Links & Current Events
Park District Rain Phone
Number:847-223-7246
| The Grayslake
Community Park District is a member of the IAPD. The following are some
highlights from the IAPD
Web Site |
| Illinois Park Districts, Forest Preserves and Recreation Agencies Make Our Communities Better Places to Live, Work and Raise Familiess |
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About local park and recreation services in Illinois..... Park districts have existed in Illinois since 1869. Illinois is recognized as the leading state for local delivery of park and recreation services. Illinois park districts and special recreation agencies have won the coveted National Gold Medal Award more often than agencies from other states since the program's inception in 1965. There are more than 400 park, forest preserve and conservation districts, recreation agencies, and Special Recreation Associations in Illinois, managing more than 6,000 local park sites. More than 34,000 Illinois citizens are employed by public park, recreation and conservation agencies, funneling more than $1.2 billion in purchases and salaries into the State economy. Illinois has more than 2,100 elected citizens serving without compensation on park, recreation and conservation district and agency boards. More than one-quarter-of-a-million people annually donate their time and expertise as volunteers for park and recreation programs and services, thus saving the taxpayers millions of dollars in personnel costs. 5.6 million citizens made 94 million visits to Illinois parks and utilized more than $1.3 billion of recreational equipment. |
The historical sites,
zoos, museums, botanical gardens, golf courses and unique recreational sites
annually bring millions of tourist dollars to Illinois. Tourism IS recreation
and is now the 4th leading industry in Illinois. Eighteen of the top 25 travel
attractions in Illinois, ranked by attendance, were areas and facilities
operated by park, forest preserve and conservation agencies. Out of every tax dollar collected for local property taxes, only an average of seven (7) cents goes to support public park, forest preserve and conservation districts. For every dollar park and recreation agencies receive from a community in taxes, at least $3 is returned to the community in jobs, retail business, tourism and increased real estate values. In an effort to reduce local property taxes, most park districts derive 50% of their annual revenue from contributions, fees and charges. Areas and facilities operated by park and forest preserve districts in Illinois include: 759 ice rinks (indoor/outdoor); 313 areas for boating on rivers/streams; 300 swimming pools; 235 areas for boating on lakes/ponds; 228 fishing areas; 184 recreation centers; 123 bicycle trails (317 miles); 111 nature trails (251 miles); 70 beaches; 52 horseback trails (322 miles); 34 campgrounds (2,300 sites); 2,014 tennis courts; 56 18-hole and 32 nine-hole golf courses; 26 boat marinas; nine ski slopes; and five airports. Districts also operate museums, zoos, natural areas, nature centers, convention centers, gardens, theaters, thousands of playgrounds, and a variety of other leisure and recreation facilities. |
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| Building Stronger
Families and Communities
Open spaces, lakes and trails provide wholesome activities for the entire family. Leadership opportunities provided by recreation build strong character. Recreation provides people of differing cultures with a sense of community and an opportunity to interact with those from other ethnic backgrounds. Park districts are used by 69 percent of Illinois adults and are accessible to people of any economic status. Providing Safe, Constructive Activities for Youth Park districts meet the needs of children and parents by offering after-school programs with supervised activities in which youth learn a variety of skills and social interaction. The sense of community and social contact can combat today's social problems. It costs 100 times more per youth to incarcerate a juvenile than to provide recreation programs. Recreation activities release tension, fulfill desires for risk, challenges and competition. These activities and other confidence-building programs have had a direct impact on crime reduction. Developing Health and Wellness Park districts provide the opportunity to exercise and recreate in a safe, attractive setting. Exercising regularly helps both the physical and mental condition and reduces the risk of mortality, chronic disease and illness. Adhering to a fitness program helps employees be more productive, absent less often and less likely to have an accident. Each mile walked or ran by a sedentary person adds an extra 21 minutes of life and saves society from unnecessary medical expenses. Benefiting the Illinois Economy Illinois park, forest preserve and conservation districts contribute more than $3.1 billion annually to our state's economy. Tourism IS recreation and it's the 4th leading industry in Illinois. Historical sites, zoos, museums, botanical gardens, golf courses and unique recreation sites annually bring millions of tourism dollars to Illinois. Park districts create jobs directly and indirectly. More than 34,000 Illinois citizens are employed by public park, recreation and conservation agencies, plus many youths are employed during the summer months. And, more than 7,000 additional jobs have been created in the private sector by Illinois park district activities. For every dollar park and recreation agencies receive from a community in taxes, at least $3 is returned to the community in jobs, retail business, tourism and increased real estate values. For every dollar collected for local property taxes, only an average of 6 cents goes to support public park, forest preserve and conservation districts. In an effort to reduce local property taxes, most park districts derive at least 50 percent of their annual revenue from contributions, fees and charges. Improving the Environment Efforts to conserve the natural habitat amid rapid urban development have proven successful by many Illinois park districts and forest preserves. One tree's contribution over 50 years in controlling air pollution, soil erosion, soil fertility, recycling water and humidity is worth a total of $196,250. |
FUNDING INCREASE RECOMMENDED FOR TEEN R.E.A.C.H.
PROGRAM Research and evaluation across the country have proven that quality youth development programs, such as those funded by Teen R.E.A.C.H., can cut crime immediately and transform the prime time for juvenile crime (2 p.m. to 7 p.m.) into golden hours of academic enrichment, physical fitness and positive social interaction. Good after-school programs in high crime areas can cut by as much as 75 percent a high school student’s risk of becoming involved in crime. These constructive learning activities provide youth with opportunities and examples that encourage the "right choices." The programs also provide important role models from outside the family and school which are critical to development. These role models are not the type found in correction centers. They do include park district and YMCA coaches and mentors, camp counselors, scoutmasters, music teachers and club leaders. "Park districts fill a void in a young person’s day by providing programs and mentors that develop physical, intellectual, and emotional skills. We must continue to recognize and support this need through partnerships with the state, other local governmental units and not-for-profit entities such as the YMCA," said Dr. Ted Flickinger, IAPD executive director. Being supervised after school cuts in half the risk that middle school kids will smoke, drink or abuse drugs and reduces teen pregnancies as well. Currently, 35 percent of high school students in Illinois smoke cigarettes; and each year 19,000 Illinois residents prematurely die from smoking-related illnesses. And, smoking tobacco often leads to alcohol and other drug abuse. Over the next 25 years, Illinois will receive over $9 billion, an average of $360 million per year, from the historic tobacco settlement. The General Assembly should designate a minimum of 50 percent of these funds for tobacco control and prevention efforts. A significant part of such efforts should include community-based programs such as Teen R.E.A.C.H. that help youth make the healthy life choices that prevent smoking and other substance abuses. Teen R.E.A.C.H. currently funds 37 projects at an annual cost of $8.4 million and will serve close to 15,000 children and adolescents in its first year. There were more than 200 projects applicants for the original round of funding. |
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| For More Information Contact: Grayslake Community Park District Internet: ksplitt@glpd.com |
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