The Ahrens challenge: towards a bright future - Claude Ahrens - Editorial

Parks & Recreation, Jan, 1994 by Beverly D. Brandes, Ed Koenemann, R. Dean Tice

Those who attended the 1993 Annual Congress in San Jose had the opportunity to share in the excitement as Mr. Claude Ahrens spoke to delegates and announced that he would contribute $1 million to the National Recreation and Park Association with the provision that NRPA also raise $1 million. As a way of shaping a stronger future for recreation and parks, the contribution will be used for the construction of a Recreation and Park Institute, which will house a world-class library and research center, a national training center, the NRPA Recreation and Park Hall of Fame, and a visitors center, as well as NRPA headquarters.

Mr. Ahrens, among other accomplishments, was the founder of Miracle Playground Equipment Corporation and he has a lifelong commitment to recreation. (See accompanying article on page 36.)

We are sure that you share our excitement in this announcement. We are all striving for the same goal--to make recreation a vital force in all people's lives. The Institute not only represents this ideal, but actively accomplishes it as wells. How? With a first-rate research facility to provide documented data supporting recreation and a national visitor's center to impress upon the public the critical importance of recreation.

The NRPA Board of Trustees has undertaken the responsibility to raise the required matching $1 million. We have devised a plan to accomplish this mission, beginning with the formation of a Steering Committee. Our plan involves reaching out to the entire NRPA family and beyond.

We ask for your support in two ways: by making a contribution to this campaign and by telling us of any contacts you might have which could help raise these matching funds. If every NRPA member contributed $35.00, it would significantly help meet our $1 million goal.

This is a true challenge, because these matching funds must be raised within the next twelve months. We are grateful for the opportunity that Mr. Ahrens has given us and look forward to meeting this challenge!

Mr. Ahrens will also provide a plaque with the inscribed names of all who contribute a minimum of $100. We will keep you up to date on our progress through upcoming issues of Parks & Recreation.

Tax-deductible contributions may be sent to Ahrens Recreation and Park Institute, c/o NRPA, 2775 S. Quincy Street. Suite 300, Arlington, VA 22206.