1998 ANNUAL REPORT: National Recreation and Park Association.

A MESSAGE FROM NRPA

For the National Recreation and Park Association, 1998 was a year of historical significance and profound reflection. It was a year of challenges met and new dreams unearthed. Above all else, it was a call for soulful celebration. For 1998 marked the 100th anniversary of the institutional roots of NRPA and America's formal park movement.

In April 1898, 26 "park men" assembled in Boston to discuss common issues, share perspectives, and visit the parks of Boston and Cambridge. From this two-day meeting, the New England Association of Park Superintendents, a predecessor of NRPA, was formed. One hundred years later, NRPA, through its provision of park and recreation services, community outreach, and educational initiatives, strives to sustain the very fire and enthusiasm that burned within this group of founding fathers.

To extend the value and benefits of park and recreation agencies at the local, state, and national level, NRPA has developed a National Program office. Partnerships with organizations and resources such as the United States Tennis Association, National Football League, and Hershey Track and Field Youth Program have emphasized the critical role that we play in the quality of life of an increasingly aging, culturally diverse, and technologically advanced society.

Once again, NRPA positioned itself as a key player in a number of successful legislative and policy affairs that will ultimately foster the conservation and use of parks and enhance recreation experiences. The Association's vigorous advocacy efforts were significant in President Clinton's signing of the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21), which increased funding for transportation enhancements. In addition, NRPA's public policy agenda included the continued support of recreation-as-prevention programs, the expansion and improvement of our nation's child-care services and after-school programs, and the fight on behalf of greater capital investments in public recreation and park resources.

NRPA's "Parks and Recreation: The Benefits are Endless ...[TM]" initiative continues to teach our members how to effectively publicize the individual, social, economic, and environ. mental positives derived from park and recreation experiences. A number of Benefits resources -- including videotapes, training seminars and manuals, public service announcements, and promotional products -- are available to help communicate our message to the public.

The Association's home page (www.nrpa.org) continues to make waves in cyberspace. Redesigned to keep up with current technology and trends, this World Wide Web site offers information on public policy efforts and legislative advocacy, dates for conferences and meetings, and updated reports on each of NRPA's branches and sections. NRPA's private network, NRPAnet, which has doubled its membership over the past year, is an online link for the park, recreation, conservation, and environmental communities. NRPAnet, which is accessible through the Internet, allows subscribers to access NRPA's research database, national job bulletin, and the NRPAnet listserv.

To provide additional revenue to support the growth of the Association, NRPA initiated its first Annual Fund this past year, raising $100,000 from nearly 500 individuals, agencies, and companies in the park and recreation field. The Annual Fund -- which runs from the fall through the end of June -- is a vital source of income, providing for the strategic growth of the Association and augmenting the budget through tax-deductible contributions from members and friends of parks and recreation.

The NRPA Congress & Exposition, which drew some 7,000 park, recreation, and leisure professionals; citizen advocates; and industry representatives to beautiful Salt Lake City, Utah, was again a great success. An outstanding opportunity for professionals to exchange ideas, learn about new programs, and network with their colleagues, last year's event was rated as the "best ever."

As we stand on the doorstep of the next millennium, we ask all of you who read this annual report to please join with us in making the next 100 years as memorable, productive, and magical as the first 100.

PUBLIC POLICY

In the past year, the National Recreation and Park Association has played a significant role in several successful legislative and policy activities that will aid the conservation and use of parks and enhance recreation experiences.

Aggressive advocacy efforts encouraged Congress to strengthen the transportation enhancements and recreational trails programs originally created by the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) in 1991. On June 9, President Clinton signed the "Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century" (TEA-21), increasing authorized funds for transportation enhancements to $3.3 billion over six years. As a result, substantially more funds will be available to states and localities for bicycle and pedestrian facilities, rail-trail conversion, historic preservation, and related activities. The act also expanded eligible activities to include safety and education activities for bicyclists and pedestrians, tourist and welcome centers along scenic byways, transportation museums, and environmental mitigation activities designed to reduce wildlife mortality caused by vehicles.

TEA-21 also guarantees recreational trails funds of $270 million over six years, a substantial increase over the $37.5 million appropriated for construction and maintenance of recreational trails in ISTEA.

Recreation and park advocates also defeated several legislative attempts to limit the capability of state and local governments to convert abandoned railroad rights-of-way to recreational trails.

NRPA and local and state recreation and park advocates successfully urged Congress to drop a proposal that would have prevented state and local governments from receiving fiscal year 1998 federal disaster relief funds for an array of park and recreation lands and facilities if the impacted sites were associated with revenue development. NRPA efforts continue to secure this protection for such properties, as Congress considers strategies to reduce the costs of natural disasters and emergency assistance.

NRPA continues to advocate on behalf of greater capital investments in public recreation and park resources. It encourages the reinvestment of the public revenue earned from offshore energy extraction -- now about $5 billion annually -- through the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). It advocates greater assistance to the most distressed communities through the Urban Park and Recreation Recovery Program. NRPA leadership and public policy staff have represented the Association in an emerging network of advocates that seeks enhanced reinvestment in recreation and parks.

NRPA continues its support of recreation-as-prevention programs by urging access for public recreation agencies to U.S. Department of Justice assistance and other funds for programs that provide alternatives to gangs, drugs, and violence. A presidential proposal to invest $1 billion over five years through a 21st Century Community Learning Centers program would be substantially stronger if local public park and recreation agencies were an integral part of the initiative, NRPA has stated. The existing program funds school-community partnerships to establish and expand before- and after-school programs for students in public schools.

NRPA Executive Director R. Dean Tice attended a series of White House events geared toward expanding and improving the quality of child-care services and afterschool programs nationwide. According to recent FBI statistics, most juvenile crime takes place between the hours of 3 and 8 p.m. While 70 percent of all public elementary and combined schools do not offer after-school programs, NRPA has observed that public park and recreation agencies typically emphasize services during these non-school hours.

NRPA is collaborating with the departments of Justice, Education, and Health and Human Services; the United Way of America; and other national public and private networks to form a Safe Kids Coalition. Building on the goals of America's Promise, which is chaired by Colin Powell, the coalition is seeking to bring coordinated national attention to the needs of those youth who are most at risk and often underserved, including poor urban and rural children, victims of abuse or neglect, delinquents, and children with disabilities. Objectives of the coalition include providing greater support for constructive and engaging after-school opportunities in safe places for at least 100,000 more at-risk children, and ensuring that at least 100,000 more children participate in effective programs to prevent drug and alcohol abuse. The national partnership expects to leverage new resources and help mobilize state and local affiliates.

NRPA has been actively involved in the National Recreation Lakes Study -- a nine-member commission created in 1996 by Congress to review the current and anticipated demand for recreation opportunities at federally managed manmade lakes and develop alternatives for enhancing the recreational use of these resources. In March, NRPA's Board of Trustees Public Policy Committee adopted a statement of policy supporting the study and offering perspectives on behalf of local park and recreation agencies and citizen advocates. Policy staff and NRPA members and leadership will continue to offer feedback and engage in policy discussions with the commission and staff.

In March, NRPA, with support from the National Recreation Foundation, organized America's Public Parks: A Centennial Celebration, an event held in Boston, Massachusetts. More than 350 park and recreation advocates gathered in Boston to help NRPA commemorate the 100th anniversary of its institutional roots and America's commitment to public parks. The public policy division, with guidance from NRPA's Northeast Regional Office, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and the Boston Parks and Recreation Department, helped to developed a comprehensive program to address the history and future of public parks. The conference also featured on-site visits to the Boston Common and Frederick Law Olmsted Sr.'s Emerald Necklace as well as a reception and banquet. A National Town Meeting provided a forum for citizens and professionals to address the future of parks and recreation.

In conjunction with the event, public policy staff produced a 16-minute video thematically urging citizen and professional advocacy for public parks and recreation. America's Parks: Expressions of Value explores the answer to the proverbial question, Why should we care? through dramatic dialogue and visuals.

With further assistance from the National Recreation Foundation, the division has continued to work toward greater collaboration with national social service and other allies. Outreach to the International Association of Chiefs of Police, for example, explored local partnerships between public recreation providers and police, and helped to develop the concept and text for Promise and Progress: Recreation and Police Partnerships for Youth. This report describes public recreation and police collaboration in five jurisdictions, and includes technical documents to guide recreation-police partnerships.

As part of NRPA's interest in collaboration among citizen advocates and professionals abroad, the public policy division encourages American communities to participate in the international Nations in Bloom competition. Sponsored by the International Federation of Park and Recreation Administration, the competition measures worldwide excellence in public planning, design, volunteerism, and environmental stewardship through the work of public park systems.

NRPA's public policy division continues to serve members by informing national lawmakers, other public officials, and citizens of the values of parks and recreation. It encourages broad support of the NRPA mission through national networking, public testimony, ongoing written communication, and personal visits with legislators and staff. Public policy staff also serve as a source of national information and views by responding to frequent requests for legislative updates and guidance, conducting policy-related research, analyzing emerging public issues, and monitoring pertinent legislative activities. NRPA members utilize these resources in advocating national policies and laws that enhance the quality and use of public parks and make recreation services available to all people.

Outreach efforts inform park and recreation professionals, citizen advocates, and the public about national policy actions likely to impact park and recreation resources and services. Public policy staff have designed these efforts to facilitate and encourage member involvement in national, state, and local activities that could affect their work -- and their play. Each month members receive Dateline, a newsletter included with Parks & Recreation magazine, which provides updates and insight on legislative and policy initiatives. Staff also often contribute articles for publication in NRPA state affiliate and national nonprofit organization newsletters.

Members stay informed through NRPA's Recre-Action network, a "grassroots" advocacy program with the capacity to reach more than 800 park and recreation advocates by fax and e-mail with action alerts on topics of immediate interest and concern. The division has expanded its use of the Internet to dramatically increase outreach. Frequent updates on active national legislation are posted on the NRPAnet and the NRPA Web site, allowing quick, inexpensive access for an increasingly large number of allies.

PARKS & RECREATION MAGAZINE

Parks & Recreation magazine continues to provide NRPA members with up-to-date, progressive articles in an attractive graphic style. Working through a network of guest editors, the publication is able to feature stories that are on the cutting edge of each issue's editorial focus. Some of the topics covered throughout the year include golf, aquatics, therapeutic recreation, resource management, outdoor recreation, and playgrounds. The March Buyer's Guide is widely recognized as the industry's top source for parks and recreation equipment and services, Because of its wide circulation, the March magazine is also the premier source for articles discussing social issues and recreation's impact on crime, youth, lifestyles, health, and a number of other topics.

NATIONAL PROGRAMS

NRPA continued to expand its scope of national programs by outlining a core commitment to secure national partnerships that result in additional resources to help local park and recreation agencies serve the public. All NRPA national programs are designed to enhance national issues that are important to park and recreation professionals and citizen advocates nationwide. Further, NRPA national programs endeavor to extend the value and benefits of park and recreation agencies at the local, state, and national levels.

Three focus areas have been determined for priority attention. Fitness and Wellness is an area in which NRPA has been recognized as a key collaborator in improving the health status of all Americans through physical recreation. Youth Development focuses on recreation as prevention and creates strategies to foster life skills through recreation activities and events. Environmental stewardship, the third focus area, strives to create unique partnerships that result in greater public visibility for the rich benefits of parkland, including passive and active recreation uses.

For the first time, a national program brochure was developed to create a synergistic approach to informing members and non-members of the diverse partnerships and resources available through NRPA membership. Also, a partnership workgroup developed a preamble for developing external partners and protocols for assessing current and future partnership opportunities.

Preamble

The national partnership protocol endeavors to enhance the membership service package for NRPA members to more effectively communicate, facilitate, and advocate the benefits of parks and recreation to the public while also seeking to sustain the resource needs of the organization, affiliates, and members. Recognizing the contribution of parks and recreation to the quality of life for all citizens, the protocol articulates the core values of health and wellness throughout the life span, environmental stewardship, or youth development as essential to any initiative. Moreover, the protocol will accentuate the critical roles that the multi-faceted profession of parks and recreation has to secure a quality of life for an increasingly aging, culturally diverse, and technologically advanced society.

Highlights of the 1997-98 NRPA National Programs include:

Hershey Track and Field Youth Program

NRPA and Hershey restored their partnership agreement to focus on this valuable program resource. NRPA placed advertisements in Parks & Recreation magazine, sent post cards to member agencies, and drafted a letter from NRPA Executive Director R. Dean Tice, which was featured in the monthly publication. A marketing plan was drafted to enhance the program with youth development strategies and streamline program operations.

United States Tennis Association

NRPA assisted the USTA in launching a five-year initiative to grow tennis participation nationwide. Advertising, direct mail, and personal appearance efforts were coordinated by NRPA to assist in the USA TENNIS initiative. Further, USTA funded a significant presence at the NRPA Congress & Exposition in Salt Lake City, Utah, by coordinating the Cartoon Network Touring Tennis Program and sending numerous sectional staff to participate in the event.

National Football League

NRPA is one of six national organizations serving as promotional partners for the NFL Flag League coed youth program. The league offers communities team equipment and materials to run a flag league in conjunction with NFL teams.

Active Living/Healthy Lifestyles[TM]

Sponsored by BENGAY[R], the ALHL project delivered 500,000 product samples and coupons at more than 250 events nationwide.

Running and Fitness Week

NRPA assisted the American Running and Fitness Association in delivering more than 600 program resource kits to park and recreation agencies interested in promoting healthy lifestyles.

Ladies' Home Journal

NRPA has partnered with Ladies' Home Journal for more than 10 years to locate events that offer sampling opportunities for LHJ advertisers. Santa Barbara, California, served as the keynote site for the 1997 Family Fun Days, and Virginia Beach, Virginia, served as the keynote site for the LHJ PowerWalk program.

JumpStart

Funded through a partial grant from the National Recreation Foundation, NRPA and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute collaborated on this classroom physical activity program that reached 30,000 elementary classrooms nationwide.

American Cancer Society

NRPA joined forces with ACS as a founding member of the Skin Protection Federation to promote sun-safety practices during leisure activities. NRPA was one of three federation members to be featured at the launch of the public visibility campaign SLIP! SLAP! SLOP! in New York.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

NRPA served as a key presenter at the CDC-sponsored AIM 30 program to foster state-level collaborations that promote physical activity. NRPA provided the partnership-training component for the workshops and encouraged park and recreation professionals to promote healthier lifestyles at the state level.

Research for Health

The newly formed National Program office coordinated the completion of a research study, funded by the National Recreation Foundation and conducted by the Pennsylvania State University, to ascertain the health benefits of regular park use among older adults. Lead researcher Dr. Geoffrey Godbey reported compelling findings that regular park use resulted in improved health status and a reduction of the number of visits to the doctor. A second study targeting the affect of a healthy lifestyle on older adults has been granted by the National Recreation Foundation. From the Foothills Metropolitan Park District in Colorado, the Pennsylvania State University team will ascertain the benefits of an organized health and fitness program in the public sector as a mechanism for health maintenance organizations to maintain patient health.

NATIONAL AWARDS

The National Distinguished Professional Award

The profession's most coveted honor was bestowed upon Ronald H. Dodd, CLP, executive director of the Joliet (IL) Park District, and Kenneth S. Kutska, CLP, CPSI, superintendent of parks and planning for the Wheaton (IL) Park District.

The Association also honored the following 1997 National Award winners:

The National Literary Award

Wyman Meinzer Andrew Sansom

The National Voluntary Service Award

Friends of the Fort Worth Nature Center & Refuge Peggy Johnson

The National Humanitarian Award

The Bielfeldt Foundation John R. Clay

The National Congressional Award

The Honorable Sherwood L. Boehlert The Honorable Frank H. Murkowski

The Theodore and Franklin Roosevelt Award for Excellence in Parks & Recreation Research

Dr. David N. Cole

The Robert W. Crawford Young Professional Award

Laura Archuleta Jerge, CLP

The Ralph C. Wilson Award

George DeCoux

Gold Medal Awards

The Sports Foundation Inc., in conjunction with NRPA, presented the annual Gold Medal Awards to the following park and recreation departments that displayed an exciting and visible commitment to their communities through their innovative and well-managed programs and facilities:

Class I (population more than 250,000) Cincinnati Recreation Commission

Class II (population 100,000 to 250,000) City of Piano (TX) Parks and Recreation Department

Class III (population 50,000 to 99,999) Skokie (IL) Park District

Class IV (population 20,000 to 49,999) Germantown (TN) Parks and Recreation Department

Class V (population less than 20,000) Channahon (IL) Park District

Dorothy Mullen Arts & Humanities Awards

Class I Arts In Public Places Metropolitan Nashville (TN) Board of Parks & Recreation

Class II The Bessie Bus Chattanooga (TN) Parks & Recreation

Class III Risk Takers Troupe Champaign (IL) Park District

Class IV Mescal Roast and Spirit Dances City of Carlsbad (NM) Parks & Recreation

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Annual Congress

NRPA's Congress & Exposition is the world's largest conference and trade show in the park and recreation profession. The Congress is an opportunity for park and recreation professionals to exchange new ideas, learn about new programs, acquire Continuing Education Units (CEUs), and network with colleagues and counterparts in the profession.

In 1997, the NRPA Congress was held in beautiful Salt Lake City, Utah. Enjoying the majestic mountains and crisp fall weather, more than 7,000 park and recreation professionals and industry representatives savored five days of Salt Lake City hospitality. With 250 educational sessions, exciting socials, and 450 exhibitors specializing in park and recreation products and services, it was a full, productive time.

The Local Host Committee of Salt Lake was outstanding in its organization of the event, and the friendly enthusiasm and endless energy was a valuable contribution to the success of the Congress. Based on the evaluations from delegates and NRPA staff, the 1997 Congress was rated as the "best ever," a fact that brings a great deal of pride to NRPA.

NRPA Congress & Exposition Education and Training Sessions

The 1997 NRPA Congress & Exposition featured a total of 312 educational program offerings: 281 educational sessions, 13 poster sessions, 10 special focus workshops, and eight pre-Congress institutes. Keynote speakers included Captain Scott F. O'Grady, who participated in a signing of his book Return with Honor following the general session, and National Park Service Director Robert Stanton.

Parks and Recreation: The Benefits are Endless ...[TM]

A new brochure was developed to highlight the individual, community, economic, and environmental benefits of parks and recreation. Currently, 37 states have signed agreements to undertake Benefits training. ADvisors Marketing's new book, Broadcast the Benefits, is now being offered through NRPA.

The pilot project for the next Benefits component, the Benefits-Based Management/Program (BBM/P), was, thanks to a National Recreation Foundation grant, developed by Clemson University and conducted in Florida. This will guide the BBM/P training into 1999, with "mentors" being selected by state affiliates and NRPA regional service centers. Texas A&M University is also involved in the economic benefits of parks and recreation

National Playground Safety Institute

Certified Playground Safety Inspector (CPSI) training and certification was conducted at 30 sites nationwide, bringing the total number of certified inspectors to more than 3,000. During the past year, a new National Playground Safety Institute (NPSI) newsletter was initiated, which will be published quarterly.

NPSI training publications Points about Playgrounds and the Hazard ID Workbook have been revised to meet current CPSI guidelines. A new insurance program was initiated, providing CPSIs with liability coverage for professional work involving playground inspections.

Accreditation/Certification/Continuing Education

Sixteen agencies are now accredited by the Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA), and applications are on file for 35 additional agencies. Site visits are scheduled in the fall of 1998 for four re-accreditation agencies. Two site visits have been conducted and will be reviewed by the commission: Columbus (GA) Recreation and Park Department and the Chicago Park District.

A comprehensive textbook, Management of Recreation and Parks, based on the CAPRA standards, is being edited by Dr. Betty van der Smissen, CLP and will be published in 1998. Many colleges and universities plan to use this text.

During the past year, more than 23,000 CEUs were awarded for professional training. This included 13,288 at the NRPA Congress & Exposition in Salt Lake City, Utah, and more than 10,000 through regional and state-sponsored schools, endorsements, and videos.

The comprehensive training calendar was updated, and for the first time it was mailed to every NRPA member as an insert in the November 1997 issue of Parks & Recreation magazine.

The Certified Leisure Professional exam was offered at 43 sites throughout the United States last year, as well as in Greece and Germany. Four hundred and ninety-three persons sat for the exam, with nearly 84 percent earning a passing score. This added 414 persons to the CLP roster, which brings the total number of CLP, CLA, and PLP registrants to 5,628.

The new book, Study Guide for the CLP Examination, was published, and first-year distribution was 924 copies.

Lapel pins featuring the new logo are now available.

For more than 20 years, the Council on Accreditation has been evaluating undergraduate programs in parks, recreation, and leisure services. Currently, 97 institutions (including one in Canada) enjoy accredited status through this NRPA/American Association for Leisure and Recreation program. If the current four institutions submitting formal applications complete the process, the total number of accredited institutions could exceed 100 by the end of 1998. Visitation teams were assigned to 23 institutions for either initial or renewal visits. Seventeen institutions ordered commemorative plaques, which were recently made available.

National Job Bulletin/Job Mart

Last year, NRPA's Professional Services Division assumed responsibility for the Job Mart at the NRPA Congress & Exposition in Salt Lake City. More than 400 people visited this location, with 216 posted job openings available.

The printed edition of the NRPA Job Bulletin currently has more than 1,400 subscribers. The online job bulletin consistently ranks second in popularity (index being first) on NRPAnet in "hits" per month.

NRPA Internet Resources

Since the arrival of NRPA's home page (www.nrpa.org) on the Internet's World Wide Web in November 1995, it has received hundreds of thousands of visits. Currently, the Web site receives approximately 34,000 unique accesses per month. The site offers information on public policy and legislative affairs, conferences and meetings, and professional education and certification, as well as information and updates on each of NRPA's professional branches. In order to ensure the popularity of our Web pages, the Information Resources department has redesigned them to keep up with current technology and Web trends. Accordingly, there have been some additions to the Web site this year including a staff directory and a Job Form, which allows a job opening to be posted directly onto the Internet.

NRPAnet, NRPA's private online information system, is designed to link the park, recreation, conservation, and environmental communities together by computer. NRPAnet is accessible through the Internet, and allows subscribers to access the NRPA Research Database, the National Job Bulletin, and the NRPAnet listserv, as well as several other professional databases. The listserv is essentially an e-mail list for recreation and park professionals that allows subscribers to network with other members in order to share and discuss information relevant to their fields. The number of NRPAnet subscribers -- 900 as of June 1998 -- has doubled this past year. To expand this service to a wider audience, there will be several NRPAnet demonstrations conducted at state, regional, and national conferences this year. In order to maximize communication between members and the Association, an NRPA Task Force, comprised of NRPA Board of Trustees members and other NRPA citizen members, has been created. The Task Force will be looking at the future of the NRPA Web pages and recommending overall improvements to the NRPA home page and NRPAnet. As a further commitment to increasing effectiveness through communication, NRPA has recently implemented a State Affiliates Package. We hope to have 100 percent participation in this program.

Joseph Lee Memorial Library and Archives

The Joseph Lee Memorial Library and Archives, established in 1988, continues to be a unique resource for professionals in the park and recreation field. The library currently has a collection of approximately 3,500 books, more than 200 volumes of theses, and various reference materials and NRPA periodicals. These library resources are heavily used by researchers and the general public. The materials in the library are also used frequently by NRPA staff to aid in answering technical assistance requests. The library contains archival materials from NRPA and its predecessors, dating back to 1898.

Resource Development

The Resource Development division continues to receive many requests for technical assistance from NRPA members and the general public. Over the past year, technical assistance requests have numbered more than 200 per month. The five most requested topics were:

* Facilities and Open Space Guidelines

* Skateparks and Skatepark Management

* Trends in Recreation and Community Centers

* Grants

* Accessibility Issues

As division staff respond to technical assistance requests, many of the documents used for research are produced by NRPA including Parks & Recreation magazine, the Journal of Leisure Research, Therapeutic Recreation Journal, Recreation and Parks Law Reporter, Programmer's Information Network, the Park Practice Program's Design, Grist and Trends, and numerous NRPA books and catalogs. The NRPAnet, an invaluable tool for research, has also become a heavily used source of technical information for the division because of the research database and listserv.

INCOME AND EXPENSE STATEMENT

National Recreation and Park Association

Income and Expense -- All Funds

Revenue

Contributions                                  $     206,365
Membership Due                                     1,272,899
Annual Convention                                  2,003,894
Professional Training                              2,187,437
Publication and Advertising                        2,179,804
Other                                              1,018,293(*)

Total Revenue                                  $   8,868,692

(*) Include unrealized gain on investments as required by FAST124

Expense

Program Services

 Professional Training                         $   2,651,784
 Public Education                                  1,565,165
 National Public Service Program                     247,928
 Member Services                                   2,007,809

Total Program Services                         $   6,472,686
Management and General                             1,716,238
Fund-Raising                                         133,001

Total Expense                                  $   8,321,925

Revenue Over Expense (operating reserve)       $     546,767
Fund Balance, Beginning of Year                    7,437,292
Net Assets, End of Year                        $   7,984,059

Where It Comes From

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Where It Goes

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

ANNUAL FUND REPORT

National Recreation and Park Association 22377 Belmont Ridge Road * Ashburn, Virginia 20148 * [phone]

July 1998

Dear Members and Friends:

The inaugural Annual Fund has just been completed, and I am proud to report that we were successful in raising $100,000 since last October: a truly outstanding accomplishment! A total of 470 donors made contributions to the Annual Fund this year. While many of these donors also gave to the capital campaign, the majority of these gifts were made by new donors. To each of you I offer my thanks and gratitude!

On the following pages of this Annual Report are the names of hundreds of generous individuals, agencies, and companies that gave their financial support to NRPA during the 1997-98 Annual Fund. During the past year, I have had the privilege of working with many of these individuals who have been so generous with their time and energy.

The responsibilities of the Development Committee at NRPA range from the Annual Fund to capital and endowment needs. Our success in the Annual Fund is owed, in large part, to the volunteers who make it all happen. A total of 42 volunteers solicited donations from citizens, professionals, state associations, and corporate donors. These volunteers staffed booths at the Annual NRPA Congress & Exposition, and at the Mid-Year Conference, they promoted the Annual Fund since it kicked-off last October, and they created the important dialogues that were the foundation for the success of our goal this year. They helped raise $100,000 to offset costs for the Association. With membership dues only supporting 18 percent of the budget, revenue from the Annual Fund is extremely crucial if the Association is to continue its strategic growth.

The revenue raised from the Annual Fund this year will be used to support the goals of the Association. A certain portion of the funds received was earmarked for specific areas and will be used as follows:

   National Playground Safety Institute

   Cataloguing software for the library

   New product development for the Benefits program

   High-tech overhead projector for headquarters auditorium

   Funding to help retire the Ahrens NRPA Institute building loan

The Annual Fund is moving ahead, supporting programs and services for Association members and communities at large. We have accomplished much, but to meet the challenges that lie ahead and continue our growth as a national association, we must all work together to make these advances possible. Together we create opportunities that advance the quality of life for all people and create safe environments throughout the world. Thank you!

Sincerely,

Fran P. Mainella, CLP Annual Fund Chair Tallahassee, FL

A WHOLE THAT IS MORE THAN THE SUM OF ITS PARTS: PEOPLE. WORKING.

ANNUAL FUND

(Fall 1997 - June 30, 1998)

The Annual Fund is a vital source of revenue for the Association. It is an invaluable source of support -- a pool of resources upon which NRPA relies to meet the Association's growing fiscal responsibilities.

GIFT CLUBS

Through their generous financial support, leadership donors become members of NRPA's six Annual Fund Leadership Clubs.

Founding Member

The Founding Member club gives special recognition to those whose gifts for the past year totaled $5,000 or more.

Claude Ahrens Landscape Structures Miracle Recreation Equipment Company Musco Lighting The Recreation Subsidiaries and sales representatives of the Shane Group Inc.

Associate Member

The Associate Member club includes donors whose gifts during the past year totaled between $2,500 and $4,999.

Anne Close M.E. O'Brien & Sons Inc.

Platinum Member

The Platinum Members are donors whose gifts in the past year totaled between $2,000 and $2,499.

BCI Burke Company

Gold Member

The Gold Members are donors whose gifts for the past year totaled between $1,500 and $1,999.

Wes Francis James & Kathryn Porter Kathryn Spatz

Silver Member

The Silver Member club includes donors whose gifts during the past year totaled between $1,000 and $1,499.

Richard & Carolyn Ahrens Fibar Systems Dan & Connie Newport Playworld Systems RC Industries Wisconsin Park & Recreation Association

Bronze Member

The Bronze Member club recognizes donors whose gifts during the past year totaled between $500 and $999.

Alabama Recreation and Parks Association Herbert Brantley Ralph Cryder James Donahue Douglas Sports Nets Chester & Hilda Freeman Georgia Park and Recreation Association Jody Hamilton Vern Hartenburg Chris & Sylvia Jarvi Ken & Betsy Kutska Robert & Elaine Lynch Lee & Fran Mainella Dalton & Marnie Mann Tom Martin Nevada Park and Recreation Society The Olshansky Family Terri Palmberg Playworld Systems Robert Reid Graham Skea James & Fran Stevens Texas Recreation & Park Society R. Dean & Eunice Tice Sandra Whitmore

DONORS

GREAT LAKES

Iowa

Ahrens, Claude(*) Ahrens, Richard & Carolyn(*) Douglas Sports Net (corp)(*) Grimes, Steve Hutter, Joe Musco Lighting (corp)(*) Spence, Gil Truebtood, Terry Ware, Lowell & Marie

Illinois

Biondo, Arnie Bolingbrook Park District Brademas, Jim Capek, Cynthia Channahon Park District Cherveny, Steve & Mary Cossarek, Phyllis Dodd, Ronald Ekey, Glen Espeseth, Robert Fiske, Kenneth Flickinger, Ted Garrison, Mary Gaynor, Doug Hallwas, Brian Hardison, George Jackson, Frederick Jessen, Don Kalousek, Thomas Krieger, Marilyn Kutska, Ken & Betsy(*) La Belle, David Lair, Jay Larson, Bruce Lehman, Ron Lockport Tnshp Park Dept. Meyer, Steve Newport, Dan & Connie(*) Ohrlund, John Orsi, Robert & Vicki Park & Recreation Supply, Inc. Randel, Rich & Penny Rolek, Robert Schneiderman, Mark Schwartz, Terry Swan, Kenneth Tatro, William Toalson, Bob Tookey, William Triphahn, Scott & Julie Volpe, Lee & Ralph Wald, Bill Wheeler, Larry Whitmore, Sandra(*) Williams & Associates (corp) Woods, Max Yoder, Phillip

Indiana

Ainsworth, Pennie Austin, David Brantley, Bert(*) Cantzler, Ken (corp) Clark, Charles (corp) Edel, Robert (corp) Findley, Suzanne (corp) Lewis, Ray Mobley, Tony O'Connor, Susan (corp) Peterson, Jim Schmucker, Deb (corp) Smith, Owen

Michigan

Deming, William Doerr, Janice Engan-Tooley-Doyle & Assoc. (corp) Enoch, Charlotte Kebbe, Susan Maisner, Mike & Luann Munger, Virginia Scott, Richard Sparpana, Don The Shane Group (corp)(*) Tooley, Robert

Minnesota

Anderson, Judith Landscape Structures (corp)(*)

Missouri

Allen, Clark Hall, Robert Humerickhouse, Christy Loupe, Curt Miracle Recreation Equip. (corp)(*) Staller, Willis Yahn-Kramer, Bettie Zakrzewski, Genie

Ohio

Carter, Marcia-Jean Conces, Peter Enright, Patrick Feik, Brad Fenton, Gary Gallon, Jack Hartenburg, Vern(*) Herber, Sonya Hoover, Diane Michael, Bonnie Noble, David Park, Michelle Stowers, Jody Thissen, Timothy Young, Mark

Wisconsin

BCI Burke (corp)(*) Busch, Cynthia Holling, Bob White, James Wisconsin Park and Rec Assn(*)

MID-ATLANTIC

Delaware

Clark, Charles Roedel, Leah

District of Columbia

Burke, Ethan Maryland

Billups, Marvin & Cheryl Conkey, Alice Harden, John P. Jordan, Cheryl Mann, Dalton(*) O'Neill, Joe Romanello, Connie Sills, Diane Simmons, Susan

New Jersey

Baron, Julie Collincini, Jerry Hayden, Jim Keeler, Bruce & Nancy Koenitzer, Shaun Lanza, Denise Loud, Edward New Jersey Rec & Park Assn. Porter, James & Kathryn(*)

New York

Bennett, Sandra Berryman, Doris Blumenreich, Suzanne Byrne, Gerard Donahue, James(*) Fibar Group (corp)(*) Goldstein Foundation Hansen, Harold Locust Valley Soccer Club McBride, Dan Oppenheim, Mary Ottaway, James Payne & Associates Peterson, Jim Skea, Graham(*) Wallach, Fran

Pennsylvania

Andy, Delores Best, Lawrence Brennan, Tom Burns, Donna Chandler, George Clothier, Bill Francis, Wes(*) Lundegren, Herberta Milton Hershey School Olshansky Family(*) Playworld Systems(*) Whitney, Earle Witman, Jeffrey

MIDWEST

Colorado

Armstrong, Carolyn Benson, Ron Chaney, Arch Daniel, John & Lori Harrold, Nancy Horton, Dick Kotowski, Linda Unkrich, Julia Wisney, Barbara

Kansas

Axe, Winnie Barrett, Natalie Carey, Michael Cook, Tom Curtis, Dwight DeVictor, Fred DeWeese, Terry and Nancy Graversen, David Gravette, Bill Haller, Gary Harmon, Austin Hayden, Susan Hover, Jerold Jones, Senator Sherman Kaiser, Leonard Katzenberger, William Kelly, Laura Moody, Carolyn Natoli, Marlene Nohe, Marty Pankratz, Larry & Janice Ray, Michael Ruether, Greg Thompson, Joyce Uppman, Marilyn Wilkerson, Tom Williams, Sharon Wollen, Marvin Zeka, Betty

Nebraska

Johnson, James Madden, Karin Watkins, Margaret

North Dakota

Neu, Steve & Cheryl

Wyoming

Rankin, Janna

NEW ENGLAND

Connecticut

Barenz, Harold Connecticut Rec. & Park Assn Downing, Wesley Kennedy, Brian Ledger, Peter One Dollar Club O'Sullivan, Ellen Pollard, William Stanley, Robert Zakrzewski, Barbara Zebora, Mark

Maine

Bowker, Deborah Farrell, Thomas Gerber, Margery Larkin, Gary Noyes, Marcia

Massachusetts

Bangs, Ned Briere, Gary Clifton, Dave Lewis, Steven M.E. O'Brien & Sons, Inc. (corp)(*) Roberts, Donald Whalen, John Wilbraham Rec. Dept.

Rhode Island

Cooper, Susan Gould, Walter & Janet Rensehausen, Warren

Vermont

Koenemann, Ed O'Neill, Bruce Vermont Forest Parks & Rec.

SOUTH

Alabama

Alabama Recreation and Parks Association(*) Campbell, Kathy Edison & Associates Freeman, Chester & Hilda(*) Kitchens, Tina Rumble, Anne Solomon, Roger

Florida

Bedell, Doris Crawford, Cliff Delaby, Irene Harper, Hazel Hoffman, Leah Lederer, William Mainella, Lee & Fran(*) McMahon, James Niblock, Lee & Constance North Miami Beach Rec. Dept. Ocala Rec. & Parks Dept. Proulx, Janice Purvis, Tommy Prince, Rosemary Recker, Julia Santa, Cathy Sheffield, Bob Tapp, Thomas Taylor & Associates (corp) Teuscher, Ray

Georgia

Angell, Kevin Barnett, Michael Brock, Brockey Buss, Richard Cooper, Melvin Fench-Brewer, Alice Gehle, Rich Georgia Rec & Pk Assn(*) Georgia 1st District Georgia 4th District Georgia 5th Pk District Georgia 7th Pk District Hope, Dan Kleiber, Douglas Martin, Tom Rome-Floyd Parks & Rec Auth. Saylors, Bob Sowell, Craig Stalter, Franessa Taylor, Michaell Thomason, Pamela City of Valdosta

Kentucky

Little, Alton Stosberg, Rita Shafer, Sandra Worms, Allen

Mississippi

Burchell, Charles & Sue Jones, Allen Leisure Mgt Assn @ UM Mississippi Rec & Park Assn. North, John Perales, Kathleen Tanner, Eddie

North Carolina

Barkley, Chris Brown, Kathy Hamilton Bunch, Jim Frauson, Swede Henderson, Karla Scott, William Sessoms, Doug Sligh, Brown "Mac" Spatz, Kathryn(*) Stevens, Jim & Fran(*) Weston, Wayne White-Eider, Gail Wilson, Betty

South Carolina

Bailey, Ronald Close, Anne(*) Ethridge, Carol Eykyn, Michael Gladwell, Jeffrey G. Hust, Carl Johnston, John III Koch, Ron Nance, Ernest Powell, Phil Reid, Robert(*) Rush, Bruce St. Andrew's Parks & Playgrounds Commission Walsh, Kevin H. Weseman, Bette

Tennessee

Brogdon, George Faust, Harvey Fleetwood, Joanne Gee, Jerry Holbrook, Gerald Judd, Michael Lord, Greg Lose, David Marshall, Anne Miles, Brooke Overbey, Dan Parker, Lisa Pindzola, Kathryn Ramsey, Maxwell Walters, George Zehnder, Larry

Virginia

APRS Dooley, Andrew Galvin, Denis Gilstrap, John Hartsoe, Charles Humphrey, Mark Lynch, Robert & Elaine(*) Obert, Denise Pratt, Jennifer Rokus, Joan Schmitt, Rodger Tice, R. Dean(*) Tindall, Barry Welsh, Cynthia Wilson, Mrs. Ralph

West Virginia

Anderson, Van F. Kelley, William McClelland, James McManaway, Paul

SOUTHWEST

Louisiana

Louisiana Park & Rec Dept. Odom, Joseph Wilkinson, Rip Young, Eugene & Betty

New Mexico

Scholer, Swede

Texas

Chambers, Michelle Conklin, Dana Crompton, John Curry, Dianne Finkelman, Lois Eynatten, Mark Gavlik, Sally Hamilton, Jody(*) Hershey, Terry (Hershey Fdn) Karnavas, Pamela Keller, Jean Koepp, Philip Lord, Michal Anne Olson, Cindy Supina, Ed Texas Recreation & Park Society(*) Torres, Lydia Washington, Yvonne Witt, Peter Youngblood, Sandra Zavala, Richard

PACIFIC NORTHWEST

Alaska

Mingo, Ralph Perrin, Sharon Robb, Nancy Robertson, Bob West, Janie

Oregon

Clark, David Neal, Larry Phelps, Linda

Washington

Aarstad, Jon Barry, Wendy Devoir, Lynn Flemm, Lorraine Fletcher, Bruce Heany, Kenneth Iverson, Mary Lou Jelcick, Tom & Shirlee McCormick, Margaret Moe, Richard Vanneman, Victoria Webster, Jim

PACIFIC SOUTHWEST

Arizona

Bailey, Lynda Flores, John Howe, Penny Palmberg, Terri(*) Westside Recreation Program Schroeder, Mary Swanson, Bruce Ulman, Roman Ventura, Ken Weiss, Judith

California

Anderson, Stan & Bette Belkin, Mary Braxton-Ellington, Myrtle Brooks, Fred Centeno, Corine Cryder, Ralph(*) Delaney, Patricia Des Granges, Pauline Hagan, Ron Hamele, Francis Heer, Gloria Horning, Dixie Jarvi, Chris(*) Jewell, Terry Katen, William Korfhage, Jonathan McClaney, LaDoris McCreary, Paul & Suzy McLaughlin, Sylvia Montgomery, John NACPRO Ota, Jeff Sorensen, Kathryn Stallings, Michael Sunderland, Susan Ward, Veda Washington, Doug Williams, Ulis Winslow, Robert Woodell, Anne

Hawaii

Ozawa, Walt Spoehr, Joyce

Nevada

Allen, Barbara Barbeau, Dale Bartling, Sue Brensinger, Xaine Brensinger, Ken Carver, Amy Clapper, Michelle Cram, Andrea Cultural Diveristy Ellison, Viviene Fitzgerald, Brian Gottschalk, Victor Holmes, David Houser, Elaine Jones, Dundee Jones, Libby Kijewski, Hildegarde Lopez, Sharon MacKay, Sydell Mead, Stephen Marchese, Patricia Mink, Andy Moore, Jim Moore, Patricia Mullen, Karen Nelson-Aguilar, Peggy Nevada Park & Rec. Society(*) Pike, Jane Priest, Pete Reich, Lana Rivera, Felicia Romeo, Mark Sapling, W.T. Schenk, Edwin Shumaker, Michael Swain, James Taylor, Tona Thomas, Thomas Trombetti, Gene Trowbridge, Glenn Walters, Marc Weakland, Susan Wheeler, Jill Young, Linda

Utah

Freitas, Beth Miller, Sherman Weber, Stephen

FOREIGN

Arita, Tadao (Japan) Chi, Kuang, Shen (Taiwan) Mackay, Derrick (Chile) Nordenhold, Sandra (APO-09063) Roberson, Christina (APO-09865) Schram, Mike Yi, In Nam (APO 96264)

NOTE: In the event of an error, please contact NRPA Headquarters at [phone].

(*) Rockefeller Society, $500 and up

HOW OFTEN: ONE CONTRIBUTION. ONCE A YEAR.

1997-1998 ANNUAL FUND VOLUNTEERS

Jane Adams Jonathon Korfhage Terri Palmberg(*) Ira Rubins Sam Lankford Dale Barbeau Susan Christiansen Sonny Shelton Wayne Lowery Anne Woodell CeEtta Crayton Dave Clark(*) Ken Winslade Jim Webster Bob Robertson Terry Trueblood(*) Ellen O'Sullivan(*) Dave Clifton Harry Corrow Cindy Heath Marcia Noyes Harold Barenz Gary Haller(*) Lori Daniel Terry DeWeese Doc Wollen Joe O'Neill(*) Graham Skea Jim Donahue Dalton Mann Harvey Faust(*) Eddie Tanner John Johnston III Phil Powell Gail Elder-White Alton Little William Kelley Bob Saylors Dan Hope III Bill Nelson(*) Rip Wilkinson Perry Segura

(*) Regional Coordinator

DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

Joe Crookham, IA Co-Chair Ken Kutska, CLP, IL Co-Chair Richard Ahrens, IA Jimmy Calloway, GA Lori Daniel, CLP, CO Chris Jarvi, CLP, CA President Fran Mainella, CLP, FL Annual Fund Chair Dan Newport, IL Eric O'Brien, MA Chairman Curt Shaneour, MI Jody Stowers, CLP, OH Bob Toalson, CLP, IL