James A. “Jim” Peterson graduated from Hanover College in Hanover, Indiana, in 1950 and immediately enrolled in the Department of Park and Recreation Administration at Indiana University, earning a master’s degree in 1951. Peterson has had a long, outstanding career in the park, recreation and conservation field that included serving as the program chair for NRPA’s first National Congress in Washington, D.C., in 1966. Today, he can be found helping his wife, Janice, develop their 30-acre native Indiana tree arboretum, plus an educational center named Ferndale in New Harmony, Indiana, where they focus primarily on environmental topics with 4th graders. Parks & Recreation had the opportunity to talk with Mr. Peterson, and following are his thoughts.

Parks & Recreation: Looking back, what would you say are the most noticeable differences in the field from when you started out compared to now?

Jim Peterson: Well, first let me say that while it is frequently fun to ‘look back,’ it should only happen to serve a purpose! I want everyone to realize that history is best understood when it brings value and/or change to the future. So, with that in mind, I will readily share some thoughts.

The first NRPA Congress was truly an example of how political impact plays a role in our organization. The president of the United States, Lyndon Baines Johnson, was the keynote speaker. Three gentlemen from his cabinet gave presentations: Stewart L. Udall, Secretary of Interior; Orville L. Freeman, Secretary of Agriculture; and Robert C. Weaver, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.

I appointed NRPA member, Conrad Wirth, as chairman of keynote and general session speakers. Wirth was director of the National Park Service and had been a key player in management of the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps). Obviously, he had a working relationship with these individuals but also could call them his friends.

I share this as an example of “working” politics, not “playing” politics.

That, to me, is one of the major changes I see within our field today. So many of our members seem unaware of the importance of knowing their local governmental officials and/or those serving roles at the district, state and national level at the present time. It is critical. How else are those men and women going to know the needs of the parks and recreation field? It is the duty of our members to keep not only their immediate council informed, but also to reach beyond with citizen support to make certain that the staff plus the elected officials are up-to-date on programs and results.

You can’t just contact them when you need a budget increase. It must be an ongoing, developed relationship regardless of political affiliation.

Wouldn’t it be terrific to have another American president share comments with our membership at a National Conference, affirming that our impact is being felt across the land?

 

P&R: Tell us about one of the most memorable moments of your career in parks and recreation.

Peterson: Well, obviously, that first Congress is easy to recall!

I had been pretty active in NRPA for my career years, and I feel one of my memorable aspects was when I worked with the accreditation committee plus the professional aspects of certifying parks and recreation professionals. Of course, it was indeed an honor to receive the Pugsley Medal at the 2014 Congress. My continued active roles after retirement added to the joy of this recognition.

 

P&R: What’s one thing you didn’t accomplish in your career that you wish you had?

Peterson: The one thing that I always thought I wanted to do was to be a parks and recreation superintendent in of one of the largest cities in the country. That was my original goal; however, after serving in those roles in Emporia, Kansas, and Evansville, Indiana, I was invited to join Indiana University as a professor in the Department of Park and Recreation Administration with a joint appointment at Purdue University as an extension specialist working with 92 counties of Cooperative Extension Service. It turned out that my satisfaction in these roles far surpassed any earlier dream, as I had the joy of teaching in China and Scotland, plus meeting administrators in 24 major cities as I traveled around the world during a six-month sabbatical to 19 foreign countries. 

P&R: What would you like to see from NRPA in the next 50 years?

Peterson: I sincerely would like to see the development of training programs in the area of political enlightenment. It would be a real service if sessions could be developed to demonstrate how to work with politicians and avoid playing politics. Members need to understand how the system works!

 

P&R: Is there anything else you would like to share with the members?

Peterson: I’d like them to feel the absolute significance of our field to the environment, to the health and safety of others especially children, and to the quality of life our services provide.

We can take a lead from Dr. Charles Brightbill, former chair of the University of Illinois Department of Park and Recreation, who said, “A society unprepared for leisure will disintegrate even in times of prosperity.”  

We have a mission to complete! 

 

Sonia Myrick is the Managing Editor of Parks & Recreation magazine.