tenes ON Bel LiL by I-N 29 
NEW RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES 
Supply of recreation activities and programs will create demand. Several 
examples in Illinois are the new reservoirs and conservation lakes which have 
increased the demand for water-oriented activities where this activity had 
little precedent. Similarly, the development of ski areas based on artificial 
snow has created a growing demand for this activity. Water skiing, scuba 
diving, trailer camping and pleasure flying were rare or unknown activities 
25 years ago. Today they are commonplace and increasing rapidly. Hiking, 
eycling and canoeing are receiving renewed interest as activities where people 
ean find solitude away from the complex and noisy urban world. 
In almost every instance the lack of participation in a given activity can 
be related to a lack of opportunity and program. People who do not have the 
opportunity to hike along a simple path, cycle down a country road, fish a 
quiet river, swim in clean water, or camp in pleasant surroundings cannot be 
expected to participate in large numbers. Certainly a relative few can and do 
participate, but this is no indication of the potential user group. 
Illinois can and must provide for the outdoor activity needs of its 
citizens and visitors. To date it has done a relatively poor job in most regions 
and at all levels of government. In general, its campgrounds are substandard, 
highway roadside rest areas lacking, nature study opportunities rare, road- 
sides cluttered with bill boards, picnic areas overcrowded, lakes congested, 
streams polluted, hiking or cycling trails almost nonexistent, and its State 
Parks inadequate to serve existing and projected population pressures. The 
situation is neither hopeless nor impossible. Instead, it presents a real oppor- 
tunity for concern and constructive action by all citizens, especially a group 
such as this. 
There is a task to be done, a present to acknowledge, a future to look 
forward to, and action to be taken now to insure this future. Illinois has too 
long studied outdoor recreation and done relatively little. Plans have been 
made, projects proposed, warnings given and programs initiated—all to be 
thwarted by lack of legislation, funds and citizen support. To lament these 
past shortcomings is of no avail; to repeat them would be tragic in light of 
new opportunities and critical needs. The time for idealistic, emotional appeals 
for more outdoor recreation is gone. If Illinois is to do anything about its 
recreational future, it must be now or not at all. All who are concerned must 
consider the situation and decide how to meet it. Willingness to pay the costs 
as well as share in the benefits is necessary. 
Illinois has benefited by the foresight of a dedicated few who over the 
years have set aside what are today’s recreation opportunities. How boldly 
this State acts now will determine its measure of outdoor recreation for future 
generations. Urban development will not wait for wishful thinking about the 
value of a river valley for recreation purposes, nor will it acquire and develop 
the necessary lands. 
William H. Whyte, in his book, The Exploding Metropolis, clearly states 
the problem: 
“There seem to be four clear lessons: (1) Getting something done is 
primarily a matter of leadership, rather than research. (2) Bold vision, 
tied to some concrete benefit, can get popular support fairly quickly. 
(3) The most effective policy is to obtain the land first and rationalize 
the acquisition later. (4) Action itself is the best of all research tools 
to find what works and what doesn’t.” 
