 |
Recreation
|
City of Roswell
P.O. Drawer 1838
Roswell, NM 88202-1838
(505) 624-6700
Fax: 624-6889 |
THE LEISURE INCIDENT
"Feeling Good"
March 15, 2026
Mr. Kim Elliott, CPRP
Recreation Director
City of Roswell, NM
Do you think you are knowledgeable about the
Leisure Incident? Do you have misconceptions about leisure? Are you aware of the
time, effort and expertise it takes to organize a successful leisure incident?
Do you actually understand the benefits of
leisure for you and the community?
Sadly to say, most individuals are not
knowledgeable, do have misconceptions, are not aware of the time, effort and
expertise to plan an event, and are unaware of the benefits of leisure. However,
that does not mean that everyone is! The world is changing and their view of
leisure in our communities is also changing. People are becoming more aware of
what leisure activities and facilities can and will do for a community.
As they become more aware, their respective
communities can see the benefits clearer. As they begin to see more clearly,
they see more importance as to what leisure can do for a community. They begin
to see benefits that can be described as individual, community, environmental
and economic.
Dr. Ellen O'Sullivan in Setting a Course For
Change states, "One of the underlying components of the Benefits
Movement is to eliminate, eradicate, or reduce the confusion, misconceptions,
and in some instances complete lack of awareness related to the field of parks
and recreation." (pp. 13)
Where does your community fit into this
statement? Even more personal, how does your knowledge and understanding fit?
How often does someone in the community say of
the professional recreator, "What a fun job!"
"What do you do in the winter?"
"Can you actually major in that?"
"You actually get paid to do that?"
Whenever we get a question or similar comment,
we smile and then we begin to explain exactly what we do. We understand that
whoever makes those statements has a lack of understanding concerning the topic
of leisure, parks and recreation. We want to educate them to the truth of the
matter!
"While these people may walk in your
woods every day, drop in at your center weekly, or never miss a chance to sign
their children up for day camp, they might not have a conscious or complete
understanding of why they do what they do or what value those activities hold
for them, family members, the community, society, or the planet." (Setting
A Course For Change, pp. 14)
What will a proper understanding of leisure and
its beneficial nature do for the individual? Once an understanding is achieved,
the individual will place a higher priority on positive leisure activities.
These are activities that will have a personal impact on their lives. They will
be able to balance their life better between work and leisure. They will be able
to make and take responsibility for their own decisions concerning leisure and
healthy activities. They will know why it feels "good" to participate
in a leisure activity.
It feels good because leisure incidents help to
provide for improved conditions. It feels good because leisure incidents help to
prevent worse conditions. It feels good because the individual realizes a
psychological experience like stress reduction or to challenge themselves.
People like to feel good. People will spend
their money on things that help to make them feel good. People will move where
it feels good. People will work where it feels good.
How does your community feel?
Remember! Parks and Recreation - The Benefits
Are Endless!TM
