Continuing education and development are of the utmost importance if you want to advance in the field. Whether you’re a graduating student or a new professional preparing for certification or a veteran practitioner looking to update your knowledge of current best practices,
The Park and Recreation Professional’s Handbook is the one resource you will need.
The Park and Recreation Professional’s Handbook offers the following features:
- A thorough grounding in all areas of programming, leadership, operations management, administration, and professionalism that will serve as the foundation for success in the profession
- Real-world examples from a variety of commercial, nonprofit, and public-sector agencies that will help students better understand the concepts and provide professionals with fresh ideas that they can use in their own agencies
- Recent research integrated into each chapter, which ensures that readers have the latest information available on each topic
- An online resource with sample documents from real-world agencies, learning activities, and research assignments that assist readers in applying the information to the profession
- An overview of the history and theoretical background of the profession and a discussion of ethics and professional conduct
This comprehensive resource addresses all of the essential topics that professionals must know, including program planning and evaluation, decision making, facility management, human resources, marketing, budgeting and financial planning, and policy making. Each chapter seamlessly blends foundational concepts, the latest research, and real-world examples to offer complete and current coverage of the topics in an easy-to-read format. The book presents readers with a complete picture of all of the skills needed for success in the field, making it a perfect resource for new and future professionals.
Prepare for your future in the field with
The Park and Recreation Professional’s Handbook. Its straightforward explanations of key topics make it a resource that you’ll keep in your library long after you’ve earned your certification.
Preface
Acknowledgments
Chapter 1: Introduction and Overview
History of the Field
Philosophical Underpinnings
Definitions of Leisure, Play, and Recreation
Theoretical Foundations
Conclusion
Chapter 2: Program Planning
Program Planning Process
Coordination With Other Agencies
Programming for People With Disabilities
Creative Programming
Volunteers
Conclusion
Chapter 3: Motor Development in Recreation
Physical Activity Throughout Life
Developmentally Appropriate Practices in Recreation
Applying Developmentally Appropriate Practices in Real World Settings
Conclusion
Chapter 4: Evaluation and Assessment
Evaluation Steps
Models of Evaluation
Types of Data
Data Collection
Data Analysis
Evaluation Reports
Developing Programs From Assessment
Conclusion
Chapter 5: Planning
Strategic Plans
Master Plans
Business Plans
Conclusion
Chapter 6: Maintenance
Maintenance Categories
Types of Maintenance
Maintenance Systems
Maintaining Recreational Spaces
Conclusion
Chapter 7: Facility Management
Opening and Closing Procedures
Scheduling and Coordination
Managing Equipment
Safety and Security
Emergency Preparedness
Supervising Spaces
Conclusion
Chapter 8: Budgets and Finance
Budgets
Revenue Sources
Capital Project Funding
Revenues and Expenditures
Tools for Financial Management
Other Fiscal Activities
Monitoring Finances
Conclusion
Chapter 9: Human Resources: The Hiring Process
Job Analysis
Job Classification
Job Description
Recruiting Potential Staff Members
Hiring Process
Conclusion
Chapter 10: Human Resources: Employee Management
Employee Orientation
Employee Motivation
Employee Evaluation
Employee Discipline
Employee Supervision
Organized Labor
Volunteers
Conclusion
Chapter 11: Marketing
Definition of Marketing
Marketing Plan
Executive Summary and Introduction
Situational Analysis
Customer Analysis
Marketing Goals and Strategies
Implementation, Monitoring, and Evaluation
Public Relations
Conclusion
Chapter 12: Policies and Decision Making
Policies, Standards, Procedures, and Rules
Policy Development Process
Decision-Making Process
Conclusion
Chapter 13: Professional Development
Professional Development Process
Training and Development
Ethics and Morals
Ethics Theories
Code of Ethics
Resolving Ethical Dilemmas
Ethical Issues
Conclusion
Appendix: Standards
Glossary
References and Resources
Index
About the Authors
A textbook for undergraduate capstone courses in recreation; a resource
for students or professionals preparing for professional certification.
Also a professional reference for those working in public park and
recreation agencies.
Amy R. Hurd, PhD, is an associate professor in the School of
Kinesiology and Recreation at Illinois State University in Normal, where
she teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in recreation management,
leadership, and marketing. Hurd received her PhD in leisure behavior
from Indiana University in 2001. Her research interests focus on
management in parks and recreation with specific regard to management
competencies.
Hurd has worked in public-sector parks and recreation as a marketing
director for the Champaign Park District in Champaign, Illinois. She has
also served on the National Recreation and Park Association's American
Park and Recreation Society board. She has coauthored Kraus’ Recreation
and Lesiure in Modern Society, the Official Study Guide for the
Certified Park and Recreation Professional Examination, and Leisure
Services Management.
In her free time, Hurd enjoys biking, kayaking, and hiking. She lives in
Normal, Illinois.
Denise M. Anderson, PhD, recevied her PhD from the University of
Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2000. Anderson is currently an associate
professor in the department of parks, recreation, and tourism management
at Clemson University in South Carolina, where she teaches courses in
community recreation and youth development. She also serves as
curriculum coordinator for community recreation, sport, and camp
management and as chair of the graduate student committee. In 2008 she
was named Clemson’s Outstanding Woman Faculty Member.
Anderson worked for four years at the Champaign Park District in
Champaign, Illinois. She has also served on the board of the National
Recreation and Park Association’s Society of Park and Recreation
Educators.
Anderson lives in Clemson, South Carolina, with her husband, Dan, and
her son, Hayden. She enjoys baking, hiking, and boating with her family.
Brent A. Beggs, PhD, is an associate professor and director of
the recreation and park administration program at Illinois State
University, where he teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in
facility design, management of sport and recreation agencies, research
methods, and trends. Beggs earned his BS and MS in recreation from
Southern Illinois University and completed his PhD in leisure behavior
at Indiana University.
Before teaching at Illinois State, Beggs served as a lecturer and
internship coordinator for the department of recreation, park, and
tourism studies at Indiana University and worked for public recreation
agencies in the states of Illinois and Missouri. He serves on multiple
editorial boards and coauthored Recreation Facility Management
and Mastering the Job Search Process in Recreation and Leisure
Services.
Beggs resides in Bloomington, Illinois, with his wife, Jeri, and
children Brendan and Sydney. He enjoys coaching youth sports and playing
golf in his free time.
Deborah A. Garrahy, PhD, has been teaching since 1986. Her
professional background includes teaching elementary and adapted
physical education in the public schools of Ohio and serving as a
faculty member in physical education teacher education at Indiana
University. Garrahy is an associate professor in the school of
kinesiology and recreation at Illinois State University in Normal,
specializing in physical education teacher education. She teaches
courses in motor development, adapted physical education, and elementary
physical education methods.
Garrahy earned her BS degree from Queens College of the City University
of New York (physical education, 1985) and both her MS (adapted physical
education, 1986) and PhD (curriculum and instruction, 1998) from Indiana
University. In her free time she enjoys hiking, kayaking, and biking.
All ancillaries are
FREE to course adopters and available at
www.HumanKinetics.com/TheParkandRecreationProfessionalsHandbook.
Instructor guide. The instructor guide features chapter overviews, learning outcomes, content outlines, and links to the sample documents provided in the online resource.
Presentation package. The presentation package includes slides covering all 13 chapters in PowerPoint format.