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Recreation
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City of Roswell
P.O. Drawer 1838
Roswell, NM 88202-1838
(505) 624-6700
Fax: 624-6889 |
THE LEISURE INCIDENT
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
"Reflections From Around The Nation"
November
13, 1998
By Kim Elliott, CLP
Recreation Director
City of Roswell
The following statements were compiled by the California Park and Recreation Society.
They can be found in the Phoenix Project Handbook published in March 1995.
Sometimes it is important to see what others are saying around the country about leisure
services. Maybe we can learn by listening!
"When researchers asked adolescents what they wanted most during nonschool
hours, safe parks and recreation centers topped the list." The Trust for Public
Land made this statement recognizing the importance of park and recreation facilities and
programming in a community.
"The incidence of juvenile delinquency can be reduced through public recreation
programs and activities designed to provide youth with social skills, enhance self-esteem
and encourage the constructive uses of discretionary time." This statement can be
found in the 1992 Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act.
"The city needs more safe parks and healthy recreation opportunities to keep
our kids off the streets and out of gangs." City of Los Angeles Police Chief
Willie Williams made this statement.
"For the same money that would put one new police officer on the street, the
city could hire three recreation leaders who would have a much greater impact on keeping
kids out of trouble and reducing crime." Newark, NJ Mayor and President of the
National League of Cities made this statement. He also made the statement that "We
are going to recreate or we are going to incarcerate. The choice is ours."
We can demonstrate that recreation can help prevent anti-social behavior. The chief
probation officer in Monterey County stands up and tells people they take care of kids for
$65 a day. When those kids are in our recreation services and programs, it may cost five
bucks to be involved and engaged in preventive, wholesome activities that help then
develop in a healthy way." Jon P. Soderberg, Director of Monterey County Parks
made this statement.
"(The) California Youth Authority currently incarcerates 8,679 juveniles. If
half of the youths…enter and maintain a trouble-free lifestyle, a savings of $9
million could reasonably finance an alternative program of education, recreation and
counseling for each of those children. Taxpayers would save $77,800,000 annually."
Statement made by the League of California Cities. The League also made this statement, "Studies
have been conducted with at-risk youths and young offenders which indicate that from a
financial and rehabilitation standpoint, it is better to place these teens in alternative
structured programs rather than in jails or prisons."
"Recreation programs are on our list of ‘weapons’ to fight
crime." The United States Conference of Mayors made this statement.
The At-Risk Youth Division Supervisor of the City of Phoenix, Cynthia Peters stated,
"For a relatively modest investment in what we generally term preventive
programs…the return is extraordinary. A choice between prison and preventive services
is a false choice…Simply, we do not have a choice."
Diane Feinstein, U.S. Senator from California said, "Parks and Recreation
facilities provide a soothing diversion from the rigors of life. They also serve as places
for communities to gather and celebrate. The protection and preservation of these
facilities for the enjoyment of all is imperative."
"I think there are three critical areas where we have seen the positive influence
of park and recreational opportunities. First, is the increase in jobs and income that are
generated in [parks and
recreation]. The second issue is health. I think it’s critical to have
recreational and park opportunities as part of the health care puzzle. And, finally, the
issue that I think that is key is property values. Studies have shown that park and
recreational opportunities add value to property and that relates directly back to the
property taxes that are being created to fund park and recreation opportunities. The Bert
Yeoman Trail in Seattle, Washington was shown to boost property values in that area by
about 6.5%. This statement was made by Bank of America Senior Vice President-Senior
Economist, Fred Cannon before the California Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife Committee
in May of 1993.
Statements! The above comes from a variety of sources across this great nation of ours.
What does the Roswell community need to do to act on these statements? The Roswell
community needs to become involved with the community and work toward providing needed
"leisure incidents" within our community. The Roswell Recreation Department is
working hard to do this, but we need your help.
Parks and Recreation - The Benefits are Endless...TM
