ABSTRACT
The form of a public recreational service system is largely determined by the social setting in which it is conceived and by the particular orientation of its founders. If the recreational service system is conceived in terms of children’s playgrounds, one form of initial structure will be favored; if in terms of municipal beach, golf, swimming pool activities, organized sports, and adult hobbies, another form will be indicated. Cities have continually experimented with different types of organization.
However, the structure of community recreational services and the establishment of some branch of municipal government responsible for such provision have given rise to a modicum of confusion. The question is not simply: Where in the municipal setting shall the recreational service function lodge? The questions to be answered are: Which governmental agency will be responsible for recreational services in the community? Which agency is best able to supply the manifold activities of municipal recreational service? Which agency has the personnel with the most acceptable orientation for providing community services of a recreational nature? Which agency performs services most closely related to community recreational service? What additional personnel and managerial structure are required for the most effective and efficient performance of this function? Park departments, welfare departments, school boards, quasi-public
agencies, and private recreational agencies are all interested in the community’s expanding need for adequate recreational service and are planning and organizing their facilities, personnel, and budgets to meet this need. Should an independent tax-supported recreational service department be created that will have control of all municipal recreational services? Can such as system adequately satisfy the recreational needs of all the people in the community?
