Parks and recreation systems have evolved in remarkable ways over the past two decades. No longer just playgrounds and ballfields, parks and open spaces have become recognized as essential green infrastructure with the potential to contribute to community resiliency and sustainability. To capitalize on this potential, the parks and recreation system planning process must evolve as well. In Parks and Recreation System Planning, David Barth provides a new, step-by-step approach to creating parks systems that generate greater economic, social, and environmental benefits. Barth first advocates that parks and recreation systems should no longer be regarded as isolated facilities, but as elements of an integrated public realm. Each space should be designed to generate multiple community benefits. Next, he presents a new approach for parks and recreation planning that is integrated into community-wide issues. Chapters outline each step—evaluating existing systems, implementing a carefully crafted plan, and more—necessary for creating a successful, adaptable system. Throughout the book, he describes initiatives that are creating more resilient, sustainable, and engaging parks and recreation facilities, drawing from his experience consulting in more than 100 communities across the U.S. Parks and Recreation System Planning meets the critical need to provide an up-to-date, comprehensive approach for planning parks and recreation systems across the country. This is essential reading for every parks and recreation professional, design professional, and public official who wants their community to thrive.

Gaining an understanding of the recreation and parks profession is crucial to success in the field and to effective leadership within the field. Recreation and Parks: The Profession is a one-of-a-kind resource that delineates the components that make this complex field a profession. Written by well-known recreation authority Betty van der Smissen, this book: defines the marks of the recreation and parks profession and identifies the steps involved in becoming a professional in the field; profiles 62 professional organizations within the profession; outlines a comparative history of 15 categories of the recreation and parks field in the United States and Canada; and presents a classic-to-contemporary bibliography of resources that showcases an inclusive body of knowledge on the profession. Part I describes recreation and parks as a profession and provides students with steps to lay a solid foundation to become a professional. Part II grounds readers with a comparative historical overview of the recreation and parks field from the 1500s to the present day. The author divides the field into 15 categories and offers suggestions on how to use the time line. Part III profiles 62 professional organizations. Each profile includes the organization's mission, goals, structure, history, publications, services, and professional credentialing information. In addition, it lists the organization's Web sites, contact information, and other vital information that students use in completing course work, in applying for internships, and in researching various aspects of the profession. Part IV contains a bibliography of selected resources on recreation and parks, from classic to the present. Recreation and Parks: The Profession is a unique resource for students, professors, and professionals in recreation and parks. The text brings together the important aspects of the field as a profession.

It has been over 20 years since the first edition of "Productive Management of Leisure Service Organisations" was conceptualised, written, and published. Now in it's 4th edition, "Managing Recreation, Parks & Leisure Services" considers three critical changes in the leisure services field: technology and information resolution, nature of the workforce, and the basic revision of our economy. These changes have greatly impacted the management of human resources, which is the main focus of this book.

This book provides an in-depth look at the primary foundations of economics explored through the lens of the Pawnee Department of Parks and Recreation. Each episode of the hit television series, Parks and Recreation, includes material to help an eager learner understand the basics of one of the most fascinating fields of study. Whether you’ve wondered how economists determine specialization or why fast-food restaurants continue to pop up around your neighborhood, the same situations have occurred in Pawnee. Each chapter highlights key scenes or major episodes that demonstrate how the characters experience economics in exactly the same way the rest of us do. This text primarily builds on the debates that take place between Leslie, Ron, and their co-workers, while also exploring key questions such as whether governments should try to help people through direct intervention or sell off all the swings to private corporations and let businesses handle day-to-day decisions. Learn how incentives can make Jerry appear to be a more productive employee short-term, but end up causing chaos. Do you wonder what it would be like to live in the early 1800s? Thankfully Leslie has already done that for us. This book is a must-read for anyone looking for a fun way to learn the principles of economics, including as a supplementary text, and for all fans of Parks and Recreation. Take the advice of Tom and Donna and treat yo’ self to this key read.

Marge and Ted Mueller offer the most complete descriptions of more than 200 magnificent state parks in the Evergreen State in this updated guide. More than just a listing of campgrounds and picnic sites, Washington State Parks offers detailed information about camping, hiking, bicycling, nature viewing, and more. Detailed park maps help you plan your outing and choose the best campsite. Marge and Ted Mueller have explored the Northwest's mountains, forests, and waterways for more than 40 years. They are the authors of all titles in the Afoot & Afloat series.

A science-based approach to outdoor recreation management at Maine's Acadia National Park, applicable to parks and conservation areas nationwide

"Career Development in Recreation, Parks, and Tourism: A Positioning Approach" outlines a step-by-step plan for career development based on the technique of positioning. This text will help students decide on the job they want and then begin building the skills, experiences, and professional connections they need in order to get the job.

Welcome to Pawnee: More Exciting than New York, More Glamorous than Hollywood, Roughly the Same Size as Bismarck, North Dakota In Pawnee, Leslie Knope (as played by Amy Poehler on NBC's hit show Parks and Recreation) takes readers on a hilarious tour through her hometown, the Midwestern haven known as Pawnee, Indiana. The book chronicles the city's colorful citizens and hopping nightlife, and also explores some of the most hilarious events from its crazy history -- like the time the whole town was on fire, its ongoing raccoon infestation, and the cult that took over in the 1970s. Packed with laugh-out-loud-funny photographs, illustrations, and commentary by the other inhabitants of Pawnee, it's a must-read that will make you enjoy every moment of your stay in the Greatest Town in America.

This third edition is unique. In the first edition, entitled Leadership in Recreation and Leisure Service Organisations, the authors organised the effort into separate theoretical and practical applications sections that covered a variety of direct service areas. The second edition was split into textbooks, Leadership in Recreation and Leisure Service Organisations and Leadership for Recreation and Leisure Programs and Settings. The current effort focuses on bringing together a number of interrelated elements that influence leadership in recreation, parks, and leisure service organisations. The first part of the book discusses the work of leaders and includes presentation of theoretical and foundational information. The second part focuses on leaders in groups. Finally, the third part is dedicated to leadership elements in a number of recreation, parks, and leisure service settings. Leadership in Recreation, Parks, and Leisure Services also features many distinctive pedagological elements. The authors have identified learning objectives and key terms at the beginning of each chapter. This will be useful in helping students focus their attention to the intent of each chapter. In addition, each chapter has marginal quotations featuring perspectives from notable individuals. These quotations will provide heightened awareness and understanding of the subject matter. Also featured in each chapter is an outstanding leader in the recreation, parks, and leisure service field. These vignettes, known as A Legacy of Leadership, feature historic and current figures in the recreation, parks, and, leisure service field. Further, leadership perspectives from professionals across the United States are included in the section entitled Leadership: A Point of View from the Profession. Each chapter is concluded with discussion questions, a case study, and experiential learning experiences from which students can explore and analyse their own thinking, engage in problems-solving strategies, and reflect upon their own thinking regarding leadership.