deboeenel DU sbrO N) (BU Lt eer N 27 
acres of state park land. This will increase the existing deficiency to approx- 
imately 200,000 acres, if no additional land is acquired. This deficiency will 
continue to double every decade, while the price of quality park land in- 
creases approximately 5% each year. 
Existing and projected land deficiencies, coupled with an estimated 
100,000 acres of potential recreation lands which are being developed to 
other uses each year, make this situation critical. Much of this is prime rec- 
reation land and irreplaceable in terms of its recreation potential. Urban 
Sprawl, demands on already strained suburban tax base to provide adequate 
recreation facilities, and overuse of the meager supply of existing state rec- 
reation facilities foreshadow even greater needs in the face of a dwindling 
supply of open space and diminishing opportunities for outdoor recreation. 
Detailed studies by the Department of Conservation indicate a parallel 
shortage of state facilities. A 500% increase in all facilities is required to 
meet this State’s minimum recreation needs to 1970. A detailed listing of 
these needs includes an increase of: picnic spaces from 9,952 to 116,180, 
parking spaces from 35,547 to 58,090, camp spaces from 7,866 to 58,090, 
boat mooring spaces from 888 to 2,904, park roads from 564 miles to 1,452 
miles, bridle trails from 172 to 726 miles, foot trails from 171 to 1,452 miles, 
lodge accommodations from 765 to 2,904 beds, group camp accommodations 
from 825 to 5,809 beds; and improvement in both the quantity and quality 
of sanitary facilities at all areas. The quantities listed are those the State 
could assume as its responsibility. They represent only half of the total need. 
The other half could be a local and federal responsibility. 
Projection of these needs to 1980 indicates a continuing increase of ap- 
proximately 10% /year or 100% each decade. This assumes land and facili- 
ties needed by 1970 would be acquired and developed. If they are not, existing 
deficiencies plus those which develop in the 1965-1970 and 1970-1980 periods 
will compound to create a situation where Illinois will fall hopelessly behind 
comparable states. More than this, Illinois will almost negate its opportunity 
to reduce deficiencies at a reasonable cost and in an orderly fashion. To delay 
action beyond the year 1970 is to forego many opportunities of obtaining 
available recreation lands near metropolitan population centers. 
In 1964, 14 million recreation visits were recorded at Illinois State Parks. 
Over 25%, or 3.5 million of these visits were made by non-residents. Tourism 
is more than attracting non-residents into the State. It is retaining the ma- 
jority of residents who now seek outdoor recreation opportunities in neighbor- 
ing states with more adequate state park facilities. It is as important to retain 
an estimated 60% of this state’s 10 million residents who seek their vacations 
elsewhere, as it is to attract tourists from out of the state. 
The provision of adequate recreation opportunities by what could be an 
outstanding system of state parks is not beyond the natural and financial 
resources of Illinois, which has the 4th highest per capita income in the 
nation. The acquisition and development of adequate state recreation areas 
could be an important factor in attracting new industry, accommodating tour- 
ists, and meeting the outdoor recreation needs of residents now seeking them 
elsewhere. Illinois can and should recognize its recreation potentials and act 
quickly to reduce its deficiencies. There will never be a better opportunity 
than now, nor a greater justification and state-wide support for the task to 
be done. 
