We hope it will continue year to year, and we plan to support it locally. One city is exploring the possibility of establishing a park district. Inquires have been received from several communities wanting to participate in this program. There are 1,018 communities in Illinois with populations less than 5,000. The opportunity for expanded programming in rural areas appears to be unlimited.
Funding remains a critical issue.
The W.K. Kellogg Foundation grant was for one year. Each city would have to contribute increased funds which they are willing to do. The critical point, however, is the need for the University of Illinois to contribute some matching funds. Some funding has been secured for the university's share, and several additional funding sources are being explored at this time. A video documentary on the Illinois Rural Recreation Development Project is available to rural communities interested in participating in the program and to universities for classroom use.