COMMISSION_MINUTES_1978-03-30 - Laserfiche WebLink

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TI'[LE e��m�+ Services "1ViHOR Jaek Foley DRAI�T & 2 DATE Sep[. 16, 1977 YAGE 2 The pucpose of this position paper is to addtess the reereation and park movemant Sn the conte:ct of aocial and econovic lssues of the late 70's. A period of dvindling governmental reaou=ces, increasing gosial problems, trende-towards local initiative and responsibility, and a feeling that govern- ment must become more efficient and productive. 'A'he disparity between need. .and resoucce has forced nev social alliances, the nced to coocdinate end mobilize resources in public and private sectors, the integratian oF social delivary syatema, and demanda nea responsiverass to eitizen involvement. These developmea[s coincide wi[h a renaissance taking place among park and recreation professionals that seeks a return [o se[tlement hause and YHCA definitiona of re-creation--that is, recreation end park experiences,tha[ promote human development, social welfare, co�unity tohesion, racial hatmony, end soCial responsibili[y. The cornerstone of the human service policy sta[ements is understanding the enornaus potential of recrea[ian ac[ivity to enhance self-conr_epC artd the development of a holis[ic approach to broader progxam orientatioo and the adop[iort of coo�era:ive mull'i-service delivery sys[ems. TF�e position state- men[s promo[e social planning as an ivrpoxtant link between current and [radi- tional modfls for selec[ing and prioriCizLng services and envisions expanded roles for urban park professionals--a role whtch goea__beyond Che maintenar,ce and development of park systems and addresses the beautificatton, physical zevitaliza[ion, na[ucal and cul[ural preserva[ion, and open space needa of our urban co�unities. The sta[emen[.^, ask tha: park and recreatinn pzofessionals wozk vith urban and xedevelopmen[ pla��ners and housing experts by articulattng the economic�and humun valuea of trees and landscape and social space environ- ments. Recxeation and par6.professionals will asswie more reaponsib37.ity, defining an.urban environment [hat encourages human IntrracCion and improvza the livability of cities. Recreation and park profeseionals will bring to - this alliance a history of successful in[eraction vith community Er�ups and citiuns that can bridge [he gap between planners and those for vhom they plan. Yarks and recreation�people, especially among local government agencies, have the cloaeat tres and the most intimate contact witli citizena, foxming a natural basa for citizan participation. � Finally, human service policy statements are a political decument which seeks common cause vith environmentalists, hunan service providars, volunteerism,_ mental heal[h professionals� xr,J citizen aJvocates, and stril:es a plea Eor a nev activism by the tecrea[ton nnd park movemen[ nn behalE of Che people ve ', serve. I[ is unders[ood [ha[ ihe hwnants[ic modr.l m�y nol be [he ans:�er in all .�, I< or tradi::.,,,,.'. a�,pFO„�h�.... nnc L�� muro appr�Priate in some . communl[Les. !t daes nut seek Cu clCFfuse nr wi�ul�.en buC tPniilt.lonnl services, unly streng[hen H�e recrea[ion m�d p�el: movemvnl. tLrough n�w nlll.ances, a Jeepe.r unders[anding of the inCe�relntion u[ recrcal.ion and bumen service and axks cecteat[on and purk people to strt.vu fuc n hlE,her lrvcl of socl.al. conrciuuw�exs and demnnds a role in buildin��, a stronger Living r.nvironmenC in our urbun ren[ers.