PARK AND RECREATION MANAGEMENTPARK AND RECREATION MANAGEMENT

TOPIC ONETOPIC ONE

HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE OF PARK AND HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE OF PARK AND RECREATIONRECREATION

“Park and recreation agencies are increasingly being called upon strategies that positively affect the lifestyle behavior pattern of the citizens who live, work and play in the communities.”

THE CONTEXT OF LEISURE-SERVICE MANAGEMENTTHE CONTEXT OF LEISURE-SERVICE MANAGEMENT

Three terms that are commonly linked to the management/operations:

1. RECREATION

A form of human activity, carried on voluntarily in one’s free time, usually pleasurable, and without extrinsic or other practical purposes.

The refreshment of the mind and body after work, especially by engaging in enjoyable activities (Encarta World English Dictionary)

Recently, some concluded that recreation is not so much a form of pleasure-seeking activity as it is an emotionally transforming activity designed to meet important personal needs and motivations

Include the need for personal achievement, creative self discovery, social involvement, relaxation and stress reduction, or mental and physical fitness.

THE CONTEXT OF LEISURE-SERVICE MANAGEMENTTHE CONTEXT OF LEISURE-SERVICE MANAGEMENT

THE CONTEXT OF LEISURE-SERVICE MANAGEMENTTHE CONTEXT OF LEISURE-SERVICE MANAGEMENT

2. PARKS

Outdoor areas provided chiefly by government or others to serve varied purposes, such as wilderness or heritage preservation or the provision of such nature-centered pursuits as backpacking, camping, hunting, fishing, boating, skiing and etc.

Initially, parks were established in the US and Canada during the 19th century as a separate branch of government and professional responsibility. Later, they joined with recreation and park agencies and professionals, involving in environmental and economic concern, and linked to the growth of travel and tourism industry.

THE CONTEXT OF LEISURE-SERVICE MANAGEMENTTHE CONTEXT OF LEISURE-SERVICE MANAGEMENT

3. Leisure

Time free from obligated tasks, such as work or work-connected activity, or personal maintenance functions – connotation of wealth and social class.

Today, leisure is viewed more broadly as the possession of all classes and as both the opportunity for free choice in a wide range of creative and social involvements and as a key element in the cultural life of a nation. Leisure recreation – also involve in diversity elements of entertainment, community service activities, religious expression, continuing education, host of related social services and etc.

THE DEVELOPMENT OF LEISURE AND RECREATIONTHE DEVELOPMENT OF LEISURE AND RECREATION

Important to people’s lives – in the past, people enjoyed their leisure time but most activities linked to religious festivals and gatherings.

Most significant growth occurred during 19 & 20 century.

Ancient Times

Little opportunities for true leisure and recreational - the distinction between work and leisure was often blurred.

Normally associated with festivals and celebrations for religious or spiritual nature.

The Greek Civilization

• Ancient Greek philosophers were the first to distinguish between work and leisure.

• Recommend sensible use of free time – balance between work and play to healthy individual and healthy society.

The Romans

• Characterized as leisure with purpose

• Built public facilities for the mass population to practice recreational for physical fitness and in readiness for war.

THE DEVELOPMENT OF LEISURE AND RECREATIONTHE DEVELOPMENT OF LEISURE AND RECREATION

THE DEVELOPMENT OF LEISURE AND RECREATIONTHE DEVELOPMENT OF LEISURE AND RECREATION

The Middle Ages/Dark ages

• Few opportunities for mass population to take part in leisure activities.

• Rise of Christianity during this period associate leisure with worship and religious festivities.

• During the later Middle Ages, leisure continued to be those in power who enjoyed hunting, music, and dance.

• Leisure towards the end of the middle ages was beginning to take on unpleasant character with activities – gambling and drinking

THE DEVELOPMENT OF LEISURE AND RECREATIONTHE DEVELOPMENT OF LEISURE AND RECREATION

The Renaissance and Reformation

• Leisure activities such as drama, music and dance were opened up to the masses.

• During post reformation time, “Grand Tour” has become one of the leisure activities that can educate the young ones and during the early seventeenth century, spa has become a famous choice.

Nineteenth century/Industrial revolution

• During the early industrial revolution time, migration of people from the countryside to urban areas creates unpleasant condition such as overcrowded housing conditions, long working hours and low wages – the needs for leisure and recreation have become significant.

• As the industrial revolution progressed, the working class demands for greater freedom from work.

THE DEVELOPMENT OF LEISURE AND RECREATIONTHE DEVELOPMENT OF LEISURE AND RECREATION

THE DEVELOPMENT OF LEISURE AND RECREATIONTHE DEVELOPMENT OF LEISURE AND RECREATION

The Twentieth century

• During first world war, leisure activities were concentrated on home-base recreation such as knitting, needlework, reading and board games.

• Recreation grow rapidly during this century.• Increase in mobility with private car ownership• Gap between rich and poor widened – “yuppie” and

“dinky” were significant – high risk activities such as hang-gliding, powerboat racing, hot air ballooning become a commonplace for this privileged individual.

• Some leisure activities are facing declining.

FACTORS AFFECTING LEISURE AND FACTORS AFFECTING LEISURE AND RECREATIONRECREATION• INCREASE IN LEISURE TIME- Shorter working week- Increase in holiday entitlement- People retiring at early age- Increase automation at home

• MORE DISPOSABLE INCOME- Families with two wage earners- Smaller families- Improved financial advice and money management- People marrying later in their life

FACTORS AFFECTING LEISURE AND FACTORS AFFECTING LEISURE AND RECREATIONRECREATION• IMPROVED MOBILITY- Increase in two car families- Improved infrastructure- Faster and cheaper travel

• CHANGING NEEDS AND EXPECTATION- More interest in personal health and fitness- Increase in demand for adventure and innovation

activities- “Work hard, play hard” attitude- Joined roles within marriage

FACTORS AFFECTING LEISURE AND FACTORS AFFECTING LEISURE AND RECREATIONRECREATION• PROVISION- Dry-ski slopes- Free-form leisure swimming pools- Health clubs- Hi-tech bowling alleys- Activities for older clients

• DEMOGRAPHIC CHANGE- People living longer due to advance in medicine- Greater health awareness- Increased influence among the older generation- Better financial planning- Increased opportunity

OUTCOMES OF ORGANIZED RECREATION OUTCOMES OF ORGANIZED RECREATION AND PARK SERVICESAND PARK SERVICES

Building strong communitiesPromoting ethnic and cultural harmonyStrengthening family lifeAssisting persons with disabilities and

socially/economically disadvantagedEconomic growth and stabilityOffering services for children and youthPromoting environmental well-being and

ecological values

UNDERSTANDING THE LEISURE-UNDERSTANDING THE LEISURE-SERVICE SYSTEMSERVICE SYSTEMEIGHT DIFFERENT TYPES OF ORGANIZATIONS SPONSORRECREATION, PARK AND LEISURE SERVICES TODAY….

• Public recreation and park departmentsFormally structured government agencies with mandate to provide socially constructive and ecologically sound programs and facilities to the public. E.g. Forestry Dept

• Nonprofit community organizationsOperate under the leadership of private citizens on a nonprofit basis. E.g. YMCA

UNDERSTANDING THE LEISURE-SERVICE UNDERSTANDING THE LEISURE-SERVICE SYSTEMSYSTEM

EIGHT DIFFERENT TYPES OF ORGANIZATIONS SPONSORRECREATION, PARK AND LEISURE SERVICES TODAY….

Special interest organizationsNonprofit groups that promote a particular type of recreational activity or that serve a special population.E.g. Environmentalist Association

Commercial recreation – Operated for profit. E.g. Theme parks

Private membership organizations1. Closed-membership clubs that serve a few specific sports interests

e.g. golf, tennis2. Groups based primarily on one’s residential status. E.g. retirement communities

UNDERSTANDING THE LEISURE-UNDERSTANDING THE LEISURE-SERVICE SYSTEMSERVICE SYSTEMEIGHT DIFFERENT TYPES OF ORGANIZATIONS SPONSOR

RECREATION, PARK AND LEISURE SERVICES TODAY….

Campus recreation

1. Intramural and club sports and outdoor recreation activities. E.g. Kelab Kembara

2. A broader program that includes college union or dormitory- based social activities. E.g. concerts, cultural activities

Employees recreation programs

Recreation Center located in the establishment

UNDERSTANDING THE LEISURE-UNDERSTANDING THE LEISURE-SERVICE SYSTEMSERVICE SYSTEMEIGHT DIFFERENT TYPES OF ORGANIZATIONS SPONSOR

RECREATION, PARK AND LEISURE SERVICES TODAY….

Armed forces recreation

e.g. Retired army

Therapeutic recreation service

The purposeful use of recreational activity in the care, treatment and rehabilitation of persons with disabilities, including dependent aging persons, through directed program.

1. Clinical Treatment 2. Special Recreation

e.g. Senior citizen centers

OTHER ELEMENTS IN THE OTHER ELEMENTS IN THE LEISURE-SERVICE SYSTEMLEISURE-SERVICE SYSTEM

Sport Management

E.g. FAM, BAM

Travel and Tourism

The motivations for pleasure travel are several:

to VFR, to revitalize or enrich one’s life experience, escape from mundane daily works/routines, sightseeing, adventure, educational or cultural experience

RESPONSIBILITIES OF LEISURE-RESPONSIBILITIES OF LEISURE-SERVICE MANAGERSSERVICE MANAGERSNINE MAJOR AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITIES:

Providing philosophical leadership◦ Defining/reformulating organization’s statement of overall

purposes, goals and objectives

◦ Planning efforts that develop short/long term goals, decisions/actions and serves a visionary/spiritual leader or role model and help staff members understand organization’s value system and adhere to it at all levels of involvement.

Organizational structure◦ Reviewing and continuing to develop/improve organizational

structure, relationship with supervisory boards, commissions or other advisory groups.

◦ Overseeing the performance of each administrative unit within the structure, encourage the coordination and cooperative action of different units/personnel on various levels through special project teams or task forces.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF LEISURE-RESPONSIBILITIES OF LEISURE-SERVICE MANAGERSSERVICE MANAGERS Program service

◦ Planning and implementing successful programs that serve participants with absorbing, constructive leisure opportunities and that fulfill the organization’s overall mission.

◦ Involving in planning program activities/services to ensure that they cover a diversified range of recreational areas and distributed in terms of age-level needs and represent the highest possible quality of personal leisure experience.

Facilities planning, construction and maintenance◦ Conducting planning or feasibility studies, spearheading property-

acquisition efforts, overseeing facility design and construction processes.

◦ Maintaining facilities to ensure safe and enjoyable participation at all times.

Fiscal administration◦ Formulating money-related policies and procedures; the planning,

presentation, execution of budgets, effective accounting and auditing controls and maximizing the organization’s fund raising capabilities.

◦ Stressing on cost-benefit analysis, differentiated pricing policies, privatization and subcontracting of agency functions, and demanding productivity standards.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF LEISURE-RESPONSIBILITIES OF LEISURE-SERVICE MANAGERSSERVICE MANAGERS

Human resource management◦ Recruiting, hiring, training and giving ongoing supervision of

personnel

◦ Stressing on a flexible, creative and participatory approach to assign and supervise team members and also give counseling, job enrichment and rotation, shared decision making, delegation of authority, and the fuller use of part-time, seasonal, and volunteer leadership

Public and community relations◦ Designing public relation messages on form of printed

materials, varied events, open houses or other programs designed to promote the leisure service’s agenda.

◦ Forming community-relations activities involve two-way communication through advisory committees and neighbourhood, district councils, community hearings or forums, focus groups and similar efforts.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF LEISURE-RESPONSIBILITIES OF LEISURE-SERVICE MANAGERSSERVICE MANAGERS Legal functions and risk management

◦ Operating as administrators, planners and program heads in other types of agencies do within a framework of law as outlined in enabling or controlling legislation or court decisions.

◦ Stressing on risky outdoor recreation, sport activities that must be acutely aware of safety guidelines and the need for sound emergency and follow up procedures (linked to the prevention of vandalism and crowd control or other law enforcement function)

Evaluation, research and information management◦ Measuring and evaluating system of the effectiveness or

overall quality of leisure service program, examining on all elements of the organization’s operation, approved standards, accreditation, and certification or planning studies.

◦ Analyzing comprehensive performance data about all elements of an organization’s operation, program enrollments and revenues, staff assignments and personnel actions, facility needs and scheduling and similar items

CHANGES AFFECTING LEISURE SERVICESCHANGES AFFECTING LEISURE SERVICES

THE INCREASED BIRTHRATE IN THE LAST DECADES OF 20th. CENTURY Demand for improved daycare and diversified facilities and programming for this age group

THE STEADY GROWTH IN THE NUMBER OF ELDERLY Create greater need for improved senior citizen centers and other social services as well as improved recreation programming in long-term care facilities

THE CONTINUING HIGH DIVORCE RATE AND INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN BORN TO UNMARRIED PARENTS Resulted in a greater number of single-parent families who represent a high priority along with all families for appropriate recreation programs.

CHANGES AFFECTING LEISURE SERVICESCHANGES AFFECTING LEISURE SERVICES

THE REMARKABLE EXPANSION OF NON-CAUCASION POPULATIONS represent a majority in a growing number of central cities, have major implications for multicultural programming and employment policies

THE WOMEN’S DRIVE FOR EQUITY IN MODERN SOCIETY a dramatic increase of participation by girls and women in sports, outdoor recreation, and other leisure pursuits. Also, concern about improved career opportunities for females in parks, recreation and leisure services

THE EMERGENCE OF A GROWING CLASS OF EXTREMELY WEALTHY PERSONS WHO HAVE WITHDRAWN FROM THE USE OF PUBLIC FACILITIES shows a marked contrast with the lives of socially and economically disadvantaged persons – often with barren recreation facilities and programs

CHANGES AFFECTING LEISURE SERVICESCHANGES AFFECTING LEISURE SERVICES

THE ENVIRONMENTAL POINT OF VIEW OF FULLER USE OF WILDERNESS AREAS arguments between public-interest societies and environmentalists that outdoor recreation and ecotourism also provide jobs on continuing basis without destroying the environment

THE DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES OF RECREATION, PLAY AND LEISURE religious and spiritual terms that offer the opportunity for humanistic and holistic experiences that enrich the quality of human life and improve societal relationships, but today many leisure elements today depict violence and leads to irresponsible leisure programming and activities

THE IMPACT OF THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA) Continue to promote awareness of the need to provide enriching and mainstreaming recreational experiences for persons with disabilities, in both the United States and Canada

Bukit Cahaya Seri Alam Bukit Cahaya Seri Alam Agriculture ParkAgriculture Park

The Bukit Cahaya Seri Alam Agriculture Park Malaysia was the brainchild of the former Minister of Agriculture, Y. Bhg Tan Sri Sanusi Junid in 1985. On the 24th April 1986, a “gotong royong” programme involving over 300 personnel from the ministry, and its departments and agencies was carried out to develop the Agriculture Park.

The park was officially open to the public on the 15th  September 1989 with entrance fees based on the price of a bus ticket RM2.00 for adult and RM1.00 for children

Bukit Cahaya Seri Alam Bukit Cahaya Seri Alam Agriculture ParkAgriculture Park

The park was originally known as Bukit Cerakah Agriculture Park and the name was subsequently changed to Bukit Cahaya Seri Alam Agriculture Park in August 1990 by the late Sultan of Selangor, Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Abdul Aziz Shah.

In the period of time the entrance fee was increased to RM3.00 for adult while remaining at RM1.00 for children.

Bukit Cahaya Seri Alam Bukit Cahaya Seri Alam Agriculture ParkAgriculture Park

The Objectives of the Malaysia Agriculture Park Establishment:

  Developing an agriculture and tourism based complex. Developing the park as a knowledge centre for the public and

farmers to better understand agriculture. As an open university for the public to conduct research in

agriculture. Developing a learning and recreational facility for the public. Making the park into a main tourist attraction centre.

(Source: http://www.moa.gov.my/taman_pertanian)

Taman Tasik PerdanaTaman Tasik Perdana

Located at Jalan Perdana

One of the oldest park in KL

Introduced by Alfred Venning, the British State Treasurer in the 1880s

Covers area of 91.6 hectares

Built around an artificial lake with beautiful green landscape

Taman Tasik PerdanaTaman Tasik Perdana

Attractions nearby include:

The Orchid GardenThe Hibiscus GardenThe Butterfly ParkKL Bird ParkThe Deer ParkNational Monument