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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
"An Experience of Value"
August 19, 2025
Kim Elliott, CLP
Recreation Director
City of Roswell
Recreation and leisure opportunities can be either good experiences or they can be bad
experiences. They can be positive in nature or they can be negative. They can be enjoyable
or they can be disliked with a passion.
There is nothing inherent in a leisure activity that will automatically bring a
positive and enjoyable leisure incident to the participant. In order for the leisure
incident to be a positive experience, it has to be properly planned and organized with a
positive experience being the goal of that planning! That is why it is so important to
have properly trained leadership to help you have an enjoyable and positive experience. An
experience of value to the individual is one that will be remembered for all time. A
negative experience is one to be quickly forgotten, but usually isn't!
Water is essential for life. Yet, water can take your life and your property!
Fire is one of the most beneficial discoveries of all time. Yet, fire can destroy a
person and their property!
A car is a marvelous invention that is almost impossible to live without. Yet, a car
has been a vehicle of destruction for life, limb and property!
Leisure activities are fundamental to a community's health and welfare. Yet, the
improper use of these same leisure activities can bring the extremes of death and
destruction, not to mention a lot in between!
A good example of this can be seen in gang activities. It is safe to say that gang
activities take place during leisure time. This makes gang activities a leisure activity.
However, we know that in most cases, gang activity is not a positive activity, either for
the individual or the community.
Another example of a leisure activity that many see as negative is watching TV. It is
true that watching too much TV can bring a negative result to you, your health, your
family and possibly the community. However, TV can be a valuable tool when it is used
properly.
What makes the difference?
The difference is in the direction that is provided. The difference is in the
leadership that provides this direction. The difference is in making the effort to make
every leisure activity planned a positive, enjoyable and safe experience.
Watching TV is not inherently a negative activity. But, it must be planned as a
positive influence for it to be a positive influence. One must be selective in the
watching.
Gangs are not inherently negative. By definition, a gang is a group of people
associated together for a common purpose. That makes any group of people a gang by
definition. Service clubs, youth groups, and professional organizations all fit within
this definition. The difference is in the purpose that holds the group together!
In order for any leisure activity to be an enjoyable and memorable experience, the
purpose has to be defined. This definition can come from a mission statement. The mission
statement of the Roswell Recreation Department is:
The Roswell Recreation Department will strive to meet the community's
recreational needs and interests by providing a wide variety of quality and wholesome
leisure activities through traditional and innovative programming. We are committed to
enhancing the quality of life and personal growth for individuals of all ages, and
families through participation in passive and active activities. We will work
cooperatively with other organizations and agencies to provide needed leisure services and
facilities for the community. We will strive to provide recreation that ensures a positive
self-image for the community. We are committed to effectively utilizing all available
resources and to sustain the confidence of those we serve.
Your leisure incident is important to the Roswell Recreation Department. The Department
desires that your leisure incident to be an experience of value, reaping positive benefits
for you, your family and the community.
Remember! Parks and recreation! The benefits are truly endless… Let's keep them as
benefits and not liabilities for the community.
Parks and Recreation - The Benefits are Endless...TM
