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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
"The Importance of Physical Education and Recreation in a Community"
December 8, 2025
Kim Elliott, CLP
Recreation Director
City of Roswell
Physical education and recreation; to some it is just fun and games. To
others, it is the very foundation that our communities are built upon. Who is
right? What is the importance of physical education and recreation in a
community? Let's start with physical education.
In most school systems, physical education is considered to be an academic
subject. Those teaching the subject have undergraduate and graduate degrees and
are licensed by the state to teach in the area of physical education, just like
some teachers are licensed and have expertise to teach social studies, English,
history, mathematics, or some other educational discipline. Physical education
is an academic discipline!
This brings to the surface a question. Is the mind more important than the
body that supports it? Judy Young, executive director of the National
Association for Sport and Physical Education, as quoted in the December 1999
issue of Athletic Business says, "No matter how world-class we
try to make our students in math and science, if we can't keep them physically
active and healthy, we're not really moving ahead." (pp.63)
It would seem that the answer to the above question should be "No".
The best answer is that both mind and body should be looked at as complementing
one another.
Are some school districts sacrificing the ability of their students to
function because they do not fully recognize the importance of educating the
physical? I believe the answer to that question is "Yes"! Only one
state, Illinois, currently abides by the mandate of "daily physical
education for all students in K-12" as recommended in the first Surgeon
Generals Report on Physical Activity and Health released in 1996.
Sadly, I also believe the reason to be a misconception of what physical
education is and can do for an individual. Forty years ago, the stereotypical
'gym' teacher was an overweight jock who threw out a ball and read the paper
while the kids played dodge ball. This is opposed to the physical education
teacher who prepares lesson plans with a purpose so the participant can benefit
from the activity. Activities like rollerblading, dance, orienteering, rock
climbing, tennis, softball, golf, aerobics, pass football, ultimate Frisbee,
weight lifting, cycling, fishing and others should be included in a quality
physical education program. The question is whether or not our school districts
will allow a quality program to be provided for our kids. This usually boils
down to funding, and the question of employing educational professionals who are
hired to teach in the academic area of physical education.
We have the same problem or misconception with recreation. Recreational and
leisure activities are normally seen as extracurricular or outside of school
activities. The recreation professional takes over where the physical education
professional leaves off. We work together in order to meet the physical needs of
the individual. The physical educators begin the process in a school setting.
The recreation professionals take over and expand on the foundation provided by
the school districts.
Look again at the type of activities that should be included in a quality
physical education program. These are also elements of a quality recreation
program. On the surface, it looks like a duplication of efforts, however, that
could not be further from the truth.
We base our programs on the assumption that a basic foundation of physical
education has already been provided in the school system. As many school systems
are beginning to abdicate their responsibility to the public in the area of
physical education, more pressure is placed on the local recreation and leisure
delivery systems to provide this foundation. This takes additional resources
away from programming.
School districts are saying that funds are needed for other academic areas.
Local governments are saying that funds are needed for other services. Who is
being left out? The general taxpayer is not receiving the services they need to
keep them and their community healthy.
As we enter a new year, maybe we should begin to reevaluate our community
priorities. Physical education in our schools and recreation services in our
communities are foundational to the health and welfare of a community's growth.
Remember! Parks and Recreation - the benefits are endless! They begin with a
quality physical education program in our schools.
Parks and Recreation - The Benefits are Endless...TM
