Published by the Georgia Recreation Commissio n January - February 1970 STATE RECREATION COMMISSION TO CON DUCT PROG RAM FOR GEORGIA'S RETARDED CH I LDR EN The Joseph P. Kennedy, Jr. Foundation has announced the awarding of a twelve hundred dollar grant to the Georgia Recreation Commission to conduct a state wide SPECIAL OLYMPICS program for retarded children in Georgia . Thad L. Studstill, Assistant Director of the Commission has been appointed State Director for the project. Co-sponsors for the program are the Georgia Association for Retarded Children and the Atlanta Association for Retarded Children. Mrs. Ethel Kennedy discusses Georgia's Special Olympics plans With Thad L. Studstill, State Director, during a recent meeting of State Directors in Warrenton, Virginia. The Special Olympics program was developed by the Kennedy Foundation to promote sports and athletic competition for mentally retarded children. THIS ISSUE!! The SPECIAL OLYMPICS program was developed by the Kennedy Foundation to promote sports and athletic competition for mentally retarded children. During the past summer more than 50,000 retarded children took part in similar programs throughout the United States. It is anticipated that next summer more than 100,000 will participate in local and state meets and that 2,500 will go to Chicago for the 1970 International Special Olympics program. According to Studstill, recent scientific research has shown that physical activities , sports and competitive athletics are major means of reaching the mentally retarded child. This is an area where he can succeed and start building a positive self-image , gaining confidence and self-mastery as well as physical development. As a child improves his performance in activities of this nature, he also improves his performance in the classroom, at home and eventually on the job. Recreation Commission approved fo r Kennedy Foundation Grant. *** Crystal-b alling the '70's. **** State Conference on Recreation and Park Highlights ** ** ** Graduate Degree Approved fo r Georgia Sou thern College. ** ****** School-Recreation Concept Began in Cobb County. Studstill indicate d he felt the key to the SPECIAL OLYMPICS program is that any retarded child may participate regardless of his ability ; that this is not a program for only those who possess some special skill in the various events. The State Director also pointed out that although the Georgia Recreation Commission, the Atlanta Association for Retarded Children and the Georgia As ociation for Retarded Children would shoulder the major responsibility for the conducting of the program, personal and fmancial support of civic groups, government officials, school authorities and business leaders throughout the state must be forth coming for the program to reach a successful conclusion. Plans are to conduct the Georgia SPECIAL OLYMPICS on May 22, 1970. Participants fro m the Georgia games will be eligible to take part in the International Special Olympics in August in Chicago, Illinois. Additional information may be obtained by contacting the office of the Georgia Recreation Commission. ;ISest ~ishcs jfor 11thc Rcnl ~car COMING EVENTS -] January 2S.30, 1970 Public Executives Seminar Albert Pick Motel, Atlanta CRYSTAL BALLING THE 70's!! What are the recreation and park trends for Georgia in the '70's? It is appropriate at the beginning of a new year to analyze the trends for the recreation and park field as viewed by the Georgia Recreation Commission. March 5, 6, 1970 Professional Development Institute Georgia Recreation & Park Society Royal Coach Inn, Atlanta April 5-9, 1970 Southern Recreation and Park Conference, Francis Marion Hotel Charleston, South Carolina LOCAL DEPARTMENTS COMBINE. This year and the coming years will see more departments of recreation and parks combine to provide better and more efficient service to the citizenry. Cities and counties will make the recreation and park service the first governmental service to consolidate. The immediate trend in Georgia will be the initiation of county departments with a single tax base and administrative structure, thus eliminating double taxation for city residents under condi-tions where city and county departments co-exists. New terms will emerge as "uni-government" and "councils of government" which indicate a movement to consolidate local governments - to act on a regional basis to accomplish projects which several separate local governments could not do alone. " Recreation in Georgia" A publication of the Georgia Recreation Com- mission, Mony Building- Room 801 , 1655 Peachtree Street, N. E., Atlanta, Georgia 30309. Telephone 873-1607, 1608 JOHN H. DAVIS-Executive Director JAMES A. COLLEY- Deputy Executive Director TOM DRUMMOND-Assistant Director THAD STUDSTILL-Assistant Director DR. HAROLD D. MEYER -Consultant Commission Members LUKE L. RUSHTON, Chairman Young Harris JAMES E. BROWN, Vice Chairman Dalton MRS. CICERO A. JOHNSTON Atlanta ROBERT K. BROWN East Point H. ALAN FRAZER Columbus ROBERT T. BAGGOTT, JR. Newnan MRS. W. A. BOWEN Statesboro VERNE J. PICKREN Folkston ANTON HUBER Moultrie COMMUNITY RECREATION-SCHOOL CONCEPT TO BECOME POPULAR. The utilization and joint development of school areas and facilities with local recreation and park departments will become popular in Georgia. The demand for additional areas and facilities for leisure pursuits is greater than local government can provide. The solution is that construction and development of future school sites be designed specifically for joint use. A TRIUMVIRATE FOR ACTION. More references are being made to Recreation , Park and Conservation Departments or similar titles indicating that these three allied interests are consolidating for more effective service. PROFESSIONAL MANPOWER SHORTAGE TO BECOME CRITICAL. Present manpower supply in the recreation and park field indicates that the '70's will be a critical period for the profession. The demand for top qualified personnel will far exceed the supply. The result will be large increases in salaries and stiff competition between local governments to retain competent leadership. NEW RECREATION AND PARK CURRICULA. New demands will be placed upon colleges and universities in Georgia to establish new curricula. The public and private junior colleges will initiate two year programs to help fill the manpower shortage. RECREATION CLOSE TO HOME. The '70's will see more emphasis placed on high rise centers and elaborate residential apartments designed with recreation facilities built into the units. Residents may enjoy a comprehensive program of physical, creative, social and cultural activities without leaving the complex. The trend has been brought about because of the lack of open space for our urban cities and the realization that this specific service attracts residents. Information in this publication may be used with or without credit (except items where credit is given herein) in the preparation of news stories, radio talks, etc. URBAN AREAS TO INITIATE INNOVATIVE PROGRAMS. Urban and metro areas will look for new innovative ways to provide programs and facilities to all its residents. Some of the methods will be: (a) Active Zoning requirements for recreation. {b) More use of land condemnation for open space acquisition. (c) Greater emphasis on planning by metro and urban governments for open space in all future expansion-annexation. {d) Contracting for recreation programs with neighborhood organizations, special interest groups to conduct certain programs within that neighborhood . By using indigenous leadership, they may relate more effectively to their residents . This leadership, however, must be well trained and supervised with understanding. (Continued Page 8.) NEWS ~RIEFS J JO~ ~ART ROSWELL The Roswell Recreation Association has contributed the amount of $10,000 toward the development of a 60 acre tract now under development. The community park has been a community wide effort by the City of Roswell, Fulton County and the Roswell Recreation Association. Upon its completion, it will represent one of the finer park developments in Fulton County . ********************** WARNER ROBINS The Warner Robins Recreation Department's budget for the 1970 fiscal year will total $290,000. *********************** ROME The Georgia Recreation Commission has recently completed a "Recreation and Park Appraisal" for the City of Rome and Floyd County. The joint study was re quested by the two governmental units. *********************** COLUMBUS The Columbus Recreation Department has been approved for a $42,600 grant by the Bureau of Outdoor Recreation to acquire 30 acres of land near Columbus for a new park to be named Double Churches Recreation Area. *********************** LAFAYETTE According to a release by the LaFayette Recreation Department, participation in the department's activities for the first six months of 1969 totaled 68,107 . *********************** MACON The Charles M. Graves Organization of tlanta has presented to the city and ounty officials and the Recreation Commission the requested Master Plan for Recreation and Parks. The long range plans call for some significant recreation and park developments for Macon and Bibb County. - "ne peat law of culture," said ,. Thomas Carlyle, "ia that each *ould become all that he wu cnatecl capable of bein&" . - Individuals desiring to apply for positions in the Job Mart should apply directly to the Agency which has the opening. The Georgia Recreation Commission maintains a Personnel Service file for reference to prospective employers. The Commission will be happy to keep your credentials on file upon request. MARY LOU MacCLENDON, Recreation consultant, has recently accepted a position with the Charles M. Graves Organization. She has spent the past tluee years working in recreation in Germany ; traveling in Europe and North Africa observing recreation programs. WOMENS AND GIRLS ACTIVITIES DIRECTOR (Salary $6, 360) Qualifications: B.S. Degree in recre ation or related field. Prefer ex perience. Contact: Sherrill Whitfield, Dalton Recreation Department, Box 661 , Dalton , Ga. A disturbing attitude expressed by more than a few recreators at a congress is that of skepticism - an "it won't work" attitude toward new ideas, especially any that seem "far out." Many of the ''far out" ideas of yesterday are the rule today in progressive communities. ROBERT P. BARONI has accepted the position of Director of Recreation and Parks for Hall County. He is a native of Florida, receiving a B.S. Degree in Recreation from Florida State University. FRAN ADAMS, a recent graduate of recreation and park curriculum at the University of Georgia, has been appointed as a Recreation Supervisor with the Cobb County Recreation and Parks Department. Jim Oates, Director, in announcing the appointment, stated, "We are happy to have a person with Miss Adams' qualifications on our staff." PUBLIC RECREATION AND PARK STUDY UNDERWAY The Georgia Recreation Commission in cooperation with the Georgia Municipal Association is for the flfth consecutive year conducting research on the growth and development of public recreation and parks in Georgia. The joint research study is being done through the "Public Recreation in Georgia Survey" project. The results of the study are published jointly by the two sponsoring organizations. The publication is important not only as a record of recreation and park personnel, fmances, salaries, areas and facilities but also to point out current trends in the public recreation and park field. The study is utilized in pin-pointing needs of the various reporting agencies. The Commission has been successful in the past in securing the cooperation of the public recreation executive's help in compiling this report. Realizing that the "Survey" is a detailed one, we ask the full cooperation and immediate attention to the study. p Dr. H3!old D. Meyer (center) gives words of wisdom regarding the 1ecreahon and park profeSSion to (1-r), Dr. Tom Learning, West Georgia College, Tom Martin, Georgia Sou them College and former student of Dr. Meyer's, Don Neismith of Baxley. YOUNG ~CREATION AND PARK EXECUTIVES, Clyde Davis of SummeiVille and George Chambliss of Barrow County review conference schedule. Mrs. Jesse Moore of the Statesboro Recreation Department was hon- ored for her outstanding service to the citizens of the community. Roy Hammond, , Chairman of the Awards Committee assisted by Qaude M. Lewis makes the presentation. AI Bishop, Director of Recreation for th~ City of Marietta was h?nored upon his retirement from the profession after 38 years of seiVICe. OFFICERS OF THE GEORGIA RECREATION AND PARK SOCIETY. (1-r) Tom Martin, Trustee; Charles Pippin, Therapeutic; James Champlin, first V.P.; Becky Hollingsworth, Trustee; James Rainwater, Secretary; Ernst Skalla, Trustee; Bruce Prosser, Trustee; Kermit Perry, President elect; Grady McCalmon, 2nd V.P.; Tom Williams, President; Frank Hood, Trustee; R.G. Jones, Trustee; Betty Yarbrough, Treasurer. 25th Con ce on RECR NAnd KS Roy A. Hammond 0) presents the PRO~ESSIONAL AWARp to James A. ~olley for outstanding contributions to the recreation and park professiOn. Mr. Colley IS Deputy Executive Director of the Geor.~Pa Recreation Commission and a past president of the Georgia Recreation and Park Society. Dr. Douglas Sessoms of North Carolina University at Chapel Hill spoke to the staff personnel. (1-r) Nancy Connell, Robins Air Force Base, Susan Kraus, Army Special Services and Tom Martin, recreation professor discuss points of interest with Dr. Sessoms. CONFERENCE MUSICIANS, Jimmy Rainwater and Kermit Perry provide light entertainment after conference schedule is completed. Jeff Moon Executive Director of the Muscogee County Recreation and Parks 'Department was honored by the Society upon his retirement. Claude M. Lewis of Warner Robins makes the presentation. The Georgia Recreation and Park Society honored a number of outstanding lay persons for their contributions to the recreation and park field. Shown with their awards are: (1-r) N. M. Zodrow, Barrow County, Elmer Tuttle, Warner Robins, James H. Geren, Dalton, (back row) Don Smith, Cedartown, Homer Parrish, Statesbo~. Several award winners were not able to be present for the presentations. FIRST RECREATION EDUCATION WORKSHOP CONDUCTED Twenty two colleges and universities were represented in Savannah, Georgia on November 16 at the Recreation Educa tion Workshop sponsored jointly by the Georgia Recreation Commission and the Board of Regents, University System of Georgia . The purpose of the workshop was to: 1. Interpret the field of recreation in terms of its diversity and needs. 2. Acquaint educators with the status of recreation education in Georgia at the present time. 3. Analyze manpower shortages in Georgia and the nation . 4. Outline suggested criteria for developing curricula in recrea- tion and park administration. 5. Discuss the role of junior colleges in providing manpower for the ever expanding field of recreation and parks. Dr. Haskin R. Pounds, Assistant Vice Chancellor, Dr. Douglas Sessoms, North Carolina University and Dr. Harold F. Robinson, Vice Chancellor discuss the Recreation Education Workshop program. The workshop , the first of its kind ever staged in Georgia and perhaps in the nation, revealed many significant and alarming facts. Roger K. Brown, Regional Director of the National Recreation and Park Association , and James A. Colley , Deputy Director of the Georgia RecreationComrnission,presented manpower data ; Mr. Brown addressing himself to the national scene and Mr. Colley confming his remarks to Georgia. Both emphasized the notable gap existing between the demand and supply for trained personnel in the field . It was concluded that during the next five years, it will be impossible to fmd competent persons for a myriad of positions in the recreation and park field. Additional curricula in junior and senior colleges and universities in Georgia was noted as a need. However , the concensus was that the sites for new curricula should be carefully selected and that extreme caution should be exercised to insure that all curricula are not of the same emphasis. Future plans include a close working relationship between the Board of Regents and the Georgia Recreation Commission in staying abreast of mounting needs. These two agencies, along with a committee composed of key leaders in the field will work with instititions as they become interested in establishing curricula. Roger K. Brown, Re~nal Director of the National Recreation and Park Association and Lou1s F. Twardzik (far right) listen as Dr. Harold D. Meyer, (c), University of North Carolina, expounds on the growth of recrea tion in the nation. Luke L. Rushton, Young Harris College and Chairman of the Georgia Recreation Commission welcomed the delegates to the workshop. He em- Dr. Douglas Leavitt, Head of the Department of Physical Education and phasized the importance of the field to all Georgians and the need to Recreation at Georgia Southern College presents the current status of re- provide adequately trained manpower. creation education in Georgia. ( PERSONNEL ACTION FOSTERING SPECIAL INTEREST SPORTS AND ACTIVITY CLUBS FOR RECREATION ALEC CASWELL has accepted the position of Director of Recreation and Parks for the City of Cedartown . He succeeds James Brock who entered private business. ***** ** **** ******* ** **** LAMAR BAGWELL has resigned as Director of Recreation of Rockdale County . ************** **** **** BRUCE R. PROSSER has been appointed to the Board of Directors of the National Therapeutic Recreation Society. He is Recreation Therapy Dire ctor for Central State Hospital. ** * ******************* MAX LOCKWOOD has resigned as the Director of Recreation for the City of Macon to accept a position with Georgia Southern College. WARNER ROBINS, GEORGIA. Claude M. Lewis , Director of Recreation, Archie Campbell, City Councilman, and Homer J. Walker, Mayor, examine map for new city park. The park consists of 12 acres and development will include picnic areas, lighted athletic field and a swimming pool. The park is the first segment of park land to be purchased with a $100,000 grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development. ******* *************** ***************** ***** ROB I N JACKSON , Assistant to the Director of Georgia State Parks has been appointed to the Appalachian Trail Advisory Council by Secretary of the Interior, Walter J . Hickel. **************** ****** JAMES ROBERT AUSTIN ha been appointed the new dire ctor of th e Unicoi Recreation Experiment Stati on. He succeeds Dr. Hugh Masters. ** ******************** BERNARD A. "Ben" YORK has been appointt:u by the United States Olympics Committee to serve on the U.S. Women's Swimming Team Committee for the Olympics games to be held in Munich, Germany in 1972. He is associated with the Coastal Area Planning and Development Commission in Brunswick, Georgia. GEORGIA SOUTHERN APPROVED FOR GRADUATE DEGREE IN RECREATION The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia has approved Georgia Southern College 's application for a Master's Degree in Recreation. The program will begin with the winter quarter, January 2, 1970. The program contains a total of 60 hours of which 30 hours are professional courses. A Thesis option is available. The professional courses are designed to permit emphasis within the area of a student's own interest. Graduate assistantships are available. For furth er information , contact: Dr. H. Douglas Leavitt, Division of Health , Recreation and Physical Education, Georgia Southern College, Statesboro , Georgia. ** ******************* ********************** BEN C. BOOZE R formerly Executive Director of the Charleston County Recreation and Park Department is the new director of recreation for Macon and Bibb County. He will assume his new post on January 5, 1970. There is so much good in the worst of us, And so much bad in the best of us, That it ill behooves any of us to find fault with the rest of us. Anonymous RECREATION interests stem for the most part from satisfying experiences. Regular participation in a specialized recreation activity is unlikely if the participant is unskilled. However, interest in physical recreation activities and the desire to be in good physical condition can be aroused in both the skillful participant and the novice through sincere and enthusiastic promotion, by providing opportunities for participation at various levels of skill, and by helping participants enjoy success and progress in their performance. The tremendous popularity of such sports as bicycling, canoeing, hiking, fishing, hunting, water sports, winter sports, square dancing, tumbling, gymnastics, and trampolining can be noted in the thousands of clubs devoted to one or more of these activities. Such clubs should be made available to all interested persons in the community regardless of income or social status. Usu ally the clubs will have a state as well as a national organization which publishes standard rules for the activity and sponsors state and national participation. Sports and activity clubs provide opportunity for the members to meet their needs - at least in part - for vigorous participation. ********************* HAVING A PROGRAM ON URBAN RECREATION? Then you might want to include a showing of the new flim; "Open Space: Going . . " produ ced by the U.S. Department of Urban Development. The 28 minute, 16mm color film conveys the urgent need for acquiring city recreation areas. Free loan from Modern Talking Pictures : 714 Spring Street, N.W., Atlanta, Georgia. For background on a panel discussion on urban recreation needs, write for a free copy of "Recreation in the Nation's Cities: Problems and Approaches", National League of Cities, 1612 K. Street, N.W., Washington, D. C. 20006. Visiting Flint, Michigan recently to study that city's succeQiful community school concept, where schools are readily used for recreation activities, was a delegation from Cobb County composed of (1-r) Jim Oates, Director of Recreation and Parks; Ernest Barrett, Chairman County CommiQiion; Chairman of the Board of Education, Tom Wooten; and Superintendent of County Schools, Dr. Alton Crews. COBB COUNTY LOOKS AT SCHOOL-RECREATION CONCEPT IN FLINT, MICHIGAN Cobb County Officials from the Board of Education and the Board of County Commissioners have been vitally concerned with obtaining the maximum utilization of school and park areas and facilities. As a result of this concern a trip to Flint, Michigan was scheduled to study fust hand their Community Recreation- School Concept. Flint's Community School Concept has solved the age old pro- blems of making school facilities available to the public after school hours. Their utilization of school facilities for recreation activities and for the overall welfare of the community was a tremendous education experience for the Cobb County dele- gation. The Board of Education as well as the County Commissioners are enthused over the possibility of introducing this concept to their citizens. Plans are now being made to take many of the County's leading citizens to Flint so they too can witness this program in action and will be able to assist in the implementation of the Community School Concept in Cobb County. A film, "To Touch a Child" depicting the Flint concept can be obtained from Modern Talking Picture Service, 714 Spring Street, N.W., Atlanta, Georgia Telephone: 875-5666. SLIDE PRESENTATION AVAILABLE FOR COMMUNITY GROUPS "The Many Faces of Recreation" is a narrated color slide presentation prepared by the Georgia Recreation Commission. It was developed by the Commission specifically for use at the recently concluded Education Workshop to depict the diversity of the recreation and park field. It is a 25 minute program that explores the growth of recreation through the years and emphasizes its importance to the individual and the community. By virtue of demands manifested by those who viewed the program at the State Conference on Recreation and Parks in Savannah, the Georgia Recreation Commission will make the presentation available to colleges, schools, civic and fraternal organizations and other interested groups. Requests should be directed to Jim Colley, Deputy Director, Georgia Recreation Commission . --- NEED A NEW IDEA ON PUBLICITY? George Chambliss, Director of Recreation and Parks for the Barrow County Recreation Commission,designed an attractive three section display to be used in promotion of the Commission's activities. Center section includes slide presentation. Departments desiring additional information should contact the Barrow County Recreation Commission, P. 0. Box 141, Winder, Georgia 30680. Bruce R. Prosser, Recreation Therapy Director of Central State Hospital and outgoing President of The Georgia Recreation and Park Society passes the gavel of leadership to Tom Williams, Director of Recreation and Parks for the City of Douglas. Williams will direct the activities of the 550 member professional organization for 1970. (Continued from Page 2) STATE GOVERNMENT INVOLVEMENT. The State Government to become more involved by passing legislation which will give the basic tools to local govenments to solve many of their local recreation and park needs. Legislation will in some instances be permissive to permit local government the initiative for new programs. THE ROLE OF THE PROFESSIONAL WILL CHANGE. Local recreation and park professionals will begin to see their role differently from the present concept. They will not limit their efforts to promote only those opportunities that occur within their jurisdiction and under their authority, but will become the prodder, the generator, the encourager of private and commercial developments in and outside of their geographic area. Their concern will be to see that recreation HAPPENS!! RESEARCH. The recreation and park field will see greater emphasis on research. Research to help determine leisure time patterns of people and their attitude toward recreation .. . ..... and there are many more.