Abstract:
Municipalities that engage in recreation planning have the potential to use their
resources more effectively. However, successful planning means getting the plan off the
shelf and implemented. This study investigated the factors that influenced municipal
recreation plan implementation in three municipalities. Interviews were conducted with
eleven key informants (recreation directors, planning consultants, a city councillor, and
members of plan steering committees). The findings of this study suggested that because
the implementation of recreation plans occurs in a highly political environment,
recreation professionals will need effective strategies to get their plans implemented and
that implementation can be facilitated by developing or expanding strategies that: (l)
build the power of the recreation department within the municipal government structure;
(2) build support for recreation within the local community; and (3) build the political
and organizational capacity in the recreation department.
