I n 1973, Arlington Heights residents were concerned with the rowdy behavior, vandalism, drinking and drug use that was taking place in their neighborhood parks. They expressed their concern to the village. The park district administered and supervised the fledgling program, and in 1979 the village and the park district took on cooperative funding and administration of the program. Ed Giese, Human Services Coordinator for the Village of Arlington Heights, became involved with the program in 1976. Giese walked the larger parks, talking to residents, to get an idea of their needs and any problems they were experiencing.
Public relations have a friendly, helpful person to answer questions.
Education remind park visitors of the village and park ordinances. Preventing problems have someone visible in the parks to prevent vandalism, disperse groups congregating to cause trouble, and handle any rule infractions. Patrolling the parks from Memorial Day through Labor Day, the counselors do all of the above on their 7 to 11 p.m. nightly rounds. In May, they meet with Sue Gwinnup, assistant superintendent of recreation for the park district. She goes over new rules or areas of concern and arranges for each counselor to meet with their park's center director.