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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 Two - Individual Benefits - Part 1
By Kim Elliott, CLP
Recreation Director
City of Roswell
Our Founding Fathers called the "pursuit of happiness" an inalienable
right endowed by the Creator in the Declaration of Independence. As we look
closer at this inalienable right we will be able to determine the health and well being of
the Roswell community. This inalienable right can be expressed when the individual
participates in a recreational or leisure activity. This is what we call the leisure
incident.
Theodore Roosevelt said, "Since play is a fundamental need, playgrounds should
be provided for every child as much as schools." What was that again? He said "...play
is a fundamental need..."! When we take a good look at the needs of individuals,
we find that the need for recreation and leisure pursuits is definitely important to the
individuals health and well being.
There are several different approaches to take when viewing the leisure incident in the
life of an individual. This incident has beneficial value to both the individual and the
community.
The individual leisure incident has an effect on the community. Reduced juvenile crime
and an increased pride in the community are two aspects of this beneficial act.
The individual leisure incident has an economic benefit to the community. Productivity,
reduced health care costs, tourism, cash flow are all ways that recreation impacts a
community.
The individual leisure incident has an effect on the environment. Our parks, open
spaces, trees and turf have a definite value for the community.
We want to focus on how the leisure incident affects the individual.
Did you know that the RAND Corporation determined in 1993 that each additional mile
walked or run by an individual would give him or her an extra 21 minutes of life, and, if
this were done would save the U.S. society an average of $.34 for each mile traveled in
medical costs?
Did you know that a recent review of all findings on the topic found that a bout of
acute exercise leads to a reduction in tension and anxiety for up to 30 minutes following
the activity--irrespective of the intensity or the duration of the exercised?
Did you know that psychologists Sachs and Segal in 1995 found that pleasant events such
as a walk in the woods or dinner with friends gave a boost to the immune system that
lasted two or three days?
Did you know that a study done by Club Industry in October of 1995 found that people
who are socially involved are two to five times less likely to suffer from heart disease?
Did you know that physically active older adults have lower blood pressure than do
their less active counterparts?
Did you know that the main local leisure service provider in Roswell is the Roswell
Recreation Department?
"He that will make a good use of any part of his life must allow a large part
of it for recreation." John Locke understood that recreation should and does play
an important role in the lives of successful people.
Americans choose leisure activities to recharge their batteries. The benefits of this
recharging can be seen in positive attitudes, positive healthy lifestyles, positive family
interactions, and reduced stress among others, that all lead to a more productive and
enjoyable life. When an individual is more productive and enjoys life more, that leads to
other benefits that will be discussed later.
Nadine Starr at age 85 said in, If I Had My Life To Live Over,
"I would go to more dances.
I would ride more merry-go-rounds.
I would pick more daisies."
Parks and Recreation - The Benefits are Endless...TM
