GUIDE TO THE COLLECTION OF THE KENTUCKY
RECREATION AND PARK SOCIETY RECORDS


Compiled by
Janne K. Sasser

Eastern Kentucky University
R.G. 138
Kentucky Recreation and Park Society Records, 1959-1983
3.6 cubic feet
6,000 Items
8 Boxes
84A8


TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction
Historical Sketch of the Kentucky Recreation and Park Society
Publications Series
Subject Series




INTRODUCTION TO THE KENTUCKY RECREATION AND PARK SOCIETY RECORDS

In the spring of 1982 the Board of Directors of the Kentucky Recreation and Park Socity (KRPS) voted to deposit permanently all their non-current files in the Eastern Kentucky Un~versity Archives. Several KRPS members, notably Dr. Marion Ogden of Eastern Kentucky University, were instrumental in gathering all extant records of the organization before they were deposited in the Archives. Since the Archives staff could not discern a pattern of arrangement in the records, we decided to divide the collection into two major series: Publications and Subject Unfortunately, there are numerous gaps within the records which will hamper the researcher.

We are appreciative to the Kentucky Recreation and Park Society for deciding to deposit their records for permanent preservation in the Archives.

KENTUCKY RECREATION AND PARK SOCIETY: A HISTORICAL SKETCH

The Kentucky Recreation and Park Society (KRPS) is a non-profit organization composed of recreation professionals that was formed in 1953. Frankfort, Kentucky was the site of the initial organization meeting. Those attending the inaugural meeting were: Dr. Earl Kaufman, Oakley Brown, Charles Figg, Julia Walker, Betsy Burke, and John Gettler. In 1954 the Board of Directors -- President, Vice President, Secretary Treasurer, three members at large, and chairpersons of all sections -- was formed and given responsibility of overseeing the society's growth and development. Any interested persons, departments, agencies, or organizations were allowed membership. It was agreed that officers and board members would serve two year terms Dr. James Pheane Ross of the University of Kentucky helped organize and supervise for many years the KRPS annual recreation workshops in which members met to share ideas and promote recreational activities.

The later part of the 1950s saw the introduction of the KRPS Newsletter publication. The Newsletter is published quarterly each February, May, August, and November and is free to members who have paid their dues. In the beginning, a Newsletter and Publication Committee was responsible for its publication; however, with the recent appointment of a part-time executive director, the responsibility for its publication has shifted to whomever holds this position.

On October 15, 1970, the KRPS gained membership in the Kentucky Municipal League. Also, in 1970, it was sent from the Midwest Region to the Southern Region of the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) Total membership in 1970 stood at 103 with a record amount of $813 in the treasury.

The seventies brought about some changes. In 1974, student membership was changed from January 1 to December 31 to September 1 to August 31 to be in agreement with the scholastic year, and officers and chairpersons began serving one year terms instead of two. On October 2, 1977, at Las Vegas, Nevada, the NRPA approved the KRPS Certification Plan. This plan serves as a vehicle for the recognition of professional standards by the recreator and his/her employer. It is an objective measurement of personnel qualifications -- useful to the employer and motivating to the recreator. Its use is entirely voluntary. In 1978 total membership rose to 374 from 258 in 1977 and the budget balance rose to $8,965.51 from $6,401.76. Although through the years the Kentucky Recreation and Park Society has had trying times both with membership and financial difficulties, it has survived and is rapidly growing.

Their motto "Serving You Professionally" speaks for itself. The Society is a place where professionals can share their ideas and opinions and watch them take root and grow. It is a link for all those interested in park and recreation services and in promoting a better Kentucky.

*Publications Series*

Descriotion: The Publication Series covers the period of 1961-1981. It contains one box (box 1) of materials arranged in alphabetical order by topic and chronologically within each folder. Materials consist primarily of newsletters and Kentucky Recreation and Park Society's (KRPS) official publication. Several folders show a wide range of activities. One such folder entitled LOGO represents a 1981 contest sponsored by KRPS in which contestants sent in their ideas for a new logo. Another such folder entitled miscellaneous represents different programs and activities, a few being Sports - Kentucky State,Reformatory in LaGrange, Kentucky and Senior Citizen's Day This series basically reflects the effort of KRPS officers to keep its members informed.

Inventory

Box 1

Annual Conference Programs, 1972-1980
Conference - Southern District and Region, 1976-1978
Kentucky Recreation and Park, 1978-1979.
Kentucky Recreation and Park, 1980-1981.
LOGO, 1981
Miscellaneous, 1972-1973
Municipal League, 1975-1978.
National Recreation and Park Association, 1976-1978
Newsletter, 1970-1973.
Newsletter, 1974-1975.
Newsletter, 1976-1978
Newsletter - Bulletin 1961-1977

*Subject Series*

Description: The Subject Series covers the period 1959-1983 It contains seven boxes (boxes 2-8) of materials that are arranged alphabetically by subject and then chronologically

The Kentucky Recreation and Park Society (KRPS) is an organization composed primarily of professionals and students whose main purpose is to promote the improvement of public recreation facilities and programing in the state of Kentucky. Their objectives are to provide educational services for the development and improvement of those interested in the field of parks and recreation while promoting a better understanding of the values and benefits of adequate park and recreational services. They cooperate with groups and organizations, such as the Kentucky Department of Parks and with city and county government recreational agencies in furthering the best interests of the park and recreation movement within the state of Kentucky. KRPS is an affiliate of the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA). They participate in many national as well as regional activities such as Southern District and Region Conferences and Council meetings. Also, on occasion, they lobby for the passing of federal as well as state bills for the betterment of parks and recreation.

The bulk of the materials in this series document the programs and policies of the KRPS. Folders on conferences and minutes of meetings provide valuable information on the growth and development of the organization. There are also some twenty-one committees headed by a chairperson which aid in conducting the organizational business. For the convenience of the members, there are five separate sections (Church, Outdoor, Public, Student, and Therapeutic Recreation) that correspond to a member's particular area of interest Usually members of these sections are professional such as in the Therapeutic Recreation Section which include people in such professions as doctors, nurses, occupational or physical therapists, but not neccessarily as in the Student Section comprised, of course, primarily of students. For research convenience, there is a special folder entitled Historical Data which lists past award recipients and officers of the organization.

Inventory

Box 2

American Park and Recreation Society, 1974-1979. 
Assistance Programs - Technical Kentucky Recreational, 1978-1981 
Board Members - Committee Handbook, 1981.
Certification. 1976-1981.
Church.
Commercial Recreation, 1973
Committees, 1974-1980.
Committees - Annual Conference, 1976 
Committees - Annual Conference Program, 1976-1980 
Committees - Arts and Humanities, 1979-1980. 
Committees - Auditing and Budget, 1975-1976. 
Committees - Awards, 1970-1981 
Committees - Certification, 1973-1978. 
Committees - Citations and Awards, 1979-1976 
Committees - Community School Act, 1975-1976 
Committees - ConstitutioQ Revision, 1981. 
Committees - Finance and Funding, 1980-1981. 
Committees - Goals, 1976-1981.
Committees - Legislative, 1975-1980.

Box 3

Committees Membership, 1975-1980
Committees, Nominating, 1973-1981
Committees Personnel Standards
Committees Publications
Committees Scholarship, 1979-1980
Conference, 1967-1973
Conference, 1974-1985
Conference, 1976
Conference, 1977
Conference, 1978
Conference, 1979
Conference, 1980-1981

Box 4

Conference - Checks and Bills-Invoices and Receipts
Conference - Financial Report, 1977-1978.
Constitution and By-Laws.
Constitution and By-Laws -  By-Laws, 1975.
Constitution and By-Laws -  Constitution, 1965-1978.
Correspondence, 1970-1974.
Correspondence, January-June 1975 -
Correspondence, July-December 1975.
Correspondence, January-June 1976
Correspondence, July-December 1976.

Box 5

Correspondence, January-June 1977
Correspondence, July-December 1977.
Correspondence, January-June 1978
Correspondence, July-December 1978.
Correspondence, January-June 1979.
Correspondence, July-December 1979.
Correspondence, 1980-1981.
Exhibitions - KRPS, 1976-1979
Financial Reports, 1966-1976.
Financial Reports, 1977-1982.
Historical Data, 1969-1981.
Leisure Counseling, 1976-1979

Box 6

Maintenance - Park, 1973-1976
Meetings, 1963-1976
Meetings, 1977-1981.
Membership, 1967-1972
Membership, 1973-1975.
Membership, 1976-1977.
Membership, 1978-1979
Memorandums, 1971-1979.
Minutes, 1963-1969.
Minutes, 1970-1971.
Minutes, 1972-1975
Minutes, 1976-1977.
Minutes, 1978.
Minutes, 1979.

Box 7

Minutes, 1980
Minutes, 1981
Miscellaneous, 1959-1977.
Municipal League, 1970-1981.
National Recreation and Park Association, 1969-1976
National Recreation and Park Association, 1977-1981
National Recreation and Park Association - Minutes, 1976-1977.
Newsletter - Board Members, 1981
Officers, Board Members, and Committee Chairman, 1969-1981.
Photos, 1978
Section - Church, 1974-1979.
Section - Outdoor, 1977-1981
Section - Public, 1975-1982.

Box 8

Section - Student.
Section - Student, 1973-1976
Section - Student, 1977.
Section - Student, 1978.
Section - Student, 1979.
Section - Therapeutic Recreation, 1970-1972
Section - Therapeutic Recreation, 1973-1974.
Section - Therapeutic Recreation, 1975-1976.
Section - Therapeutic Recreation, 1978-1980.
Section - Therapeutic Recreation - The Advocate, 1971.
Section - Therapeutic Recreation - Constitution and By-Laws.
Southern District - Conferences, 1973-1977.
Southern District - Correspondence, 1970-1978.
Southern District - Council Meetings, 1972-1976.
Southern District - Minutes, 1973-1978.
Southern Region -   Conferences, 1974-1980.
Southern Region -   Council and Correspondence, 1976-1981.
Southern Region -   Council Meetings, 1974-1979.
Southern Region -   Minutes, 1978
Workshops, 1961-1975.
Workshops, 1976-1981.