Problem Solving in Recreation and Parks

Joseph J. Bannon

5th Edition

To find creative solutions to the critical problems facing the recreation and park profession, its leaders must become effective problem solvers. Problem Solving in Recreation and Parks, 5th Edition, combines practical and academic approaches to problem solving, offering both the theoretical and pragmatic viewpoints. This book offers a unique, tested problem-solving model that will aid recreation and park leaders in developing a systematic approach to the vital issues they confront. It also includes a series of case studies depicting typical day-to-day problems faced by administrators, supervisors, leaders, and recreation and park boards and commissions. Students, administrators, educators, and volunteers will find Problem Solving in Recreation and Parks, 5th Edition, an excellent resource, one that will hone their skills as decision makers and problem solvers. It will afford readers greater insight into the nature of park and recreation operations and the myriad situations that park and recreation professionals encounter in their provision of opportunities for meaningful leisure expressions.

ISBN: 978-1-57167-795-2

9 781571 677952

Problem Solving in R

ecreation and Parks

Bannon

Problem Solving in Recreation and Parks

5th Edition

Joseph J. Bannon

ii

© 2017 Sagamore Publishing LLCAll rights reserved.

Publishers: Joseph J. Bannon and Peter L. BannonSales and Marketing Manager: Misti GillesDirector of Development and Production: Susan M. DavisProduction Coordinator: Amy S. DagitGraphic Designer: Marissa Willison

ISBN print edition: 978-1-57167-795-2ISBN e-book: 978-1-57167-796-9Library of Congress Control Number: 2016962239

Printed in the United States

1807 N. Federal Dr.Urbana, IL 61801www.sagamorepublishing.com

Charles BrightbillWho taught me the meaning and importance of leisure.

Allen SaporaWho guided me through my master’s thesis and PhD at the

University of Illinois, and a great personal friend.

“THE” George D. ButlerThe Chairman of the Board at my first job

in Leonia, New Jersey.

This book is dedicated to:

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CONTENTS

FOREWORD XI

PROLOGUE XIII

PREFACE XV

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS XVII

AUTHOR XIX

Chapter 1

Problem Solving: A Professional Need 1

Chapter 2

The Problem-Solving Model 5

Chapter 3

Use of the Case Study Method in Problem Solving 9

Chapter 4

The Problem Situation 15

Chapter 5

Defining Objectives 27

Chapter 6

Factors That Influence Problem Solving 35

Chapter 7

Brainstorming 43

Chapter 8

Selecting Alternative Solutions 53

Chapter 9

Decision Making 61

Chapter 10

Strategies for Implementation 71

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CASE STUDIES

INTRODUCTION 87

CASE # PAGE #

1. THE SPECIAL DISTRICT: SHOULD ONE BE ESTABLISHED? 89

2. ADMISSION CHARGE URGED AT CITY PARKS 90

3. ALCOHOL USE AT THE SALLYBROOK PUBLIC GOLF COURSE 92

4. AWARDING CONCESSIONS CONTRACTS IS TRICKY BUSINESS 94

5. BOARD AGAIN IN SEARCH OF A BUDGET FIX 97

6. THE SUPERINTENDENT IS CONCERNED WITH MORALE 99

7. ASSISTED LIVING PROGRAMS AND FACILITIES AT JACKENSON HEIGHTS HEALTH 100

8. GREENFIELD VILLAGE STRUGGLES WITH OUTSIDER USE OF PARK AND RECREATION PROGRAMS AND FACILITIES 101

9. IS THE UNION REQUEST REASONABLE? 102

10. KEEP BULLYING OUT OF THE RECREATION PROGRAM 104

11. LOCAL RECREATION AND THE UNIVERSITY 106

12. RIDDING GARBAGE COLLECTION: A SOCIAL STIGMA 107

13. THE YMCA DIRECTOR SAYS NO 109

14. NO BUTTS ABOUT IT: NOT IN THE PARK 110

15. TASER GUNS IN THE PARKS: YES OR NO 111

16. THE CENTER GOES TO POT 113

17. LOST TOURISM REVENUE MAY FORCE CUTS IN WASHINGTON COUNTY 114

18. WHO SHOULD USE UNIVERSITY FACILITIES? 116

19. WHAT KIND OF A PROGRAM FOR DOWNSVILLE? 119

20. WHO SHOULD BE THE DIRECTOR OF PARKS AND RECREATION? 121

21. HIRING THE CONSULTING FIRM 128

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22. PUBLIC LAND MANAGEMENT 130

23. DRINKING, DRUG ABUSE, AND SEXUAL MISCONDUCT 132

24. SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND RECREATION 135

25. USE OF VOLUNTEERS IN CRISIS 137

26. OFF-ROAD VEHICLES: A NEVER ENDING DEBATE 139

27. A PARK SITE WHERE HISTORY CHANGED FOREVER 141

28. THE RECREATION AND PARK COMMISSION DEBATE: THE VALUE OF YOUTH FOOTBALL 142

29. NO TAX DOLLARS FOR THE PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT 145

30. NEW LAW ALLOWS GUNS IN OUR NATIONAL PARKS 146

31. TAKE EVERY STEP TO SAVE LAKE GEORGE 147

32. ALIGNING THERAPEUTIC RECREATION WITH CULTURE CHANGE VALUES 149

33. THIS LAND IS MY LAND 153

34. THE COMPETITIVE SWIM TEAM IS TOO COMPETITIVE 155

35. THE PUBLIC WANTS SAFE PARKS 157

36. VANDALISM: A CRITICAL PROBLEM 159

37. ATWOOD’S BITTER CAMPAIGN 160

38. IS 26% REPRESENTATIVE? 163

39. TESTING WILL TELL THE STORY 164

40. THE BOMB THREAT 165

41. DON’T STORE OIL TANKERS IN PARK 166

42. THE LAYOFF DILEMMA 168

43. WILL YOUR AGENCY “CELL” OUT? 170

44. COYOTE SITUATION GETTING UGLY 171

45. DEVELOPMENT THREATENS COMMUNITY RESOURCES 173

CASE # PAGE #

viii

46. USE OF STADIUM FOR DEMONSTRATION 175

47. CAST AS SAFE HAVENS, SOME REC CENTERS MUST DEAL WITH VIOLENCE 176

48. NO MORE SNOW PARTY FUN: RECREATION AGENCIES BAN SLEDDING OVER LIABILITY CONCERNS 179

49. DOES METAL ATTRACT THE WRONG CROWD? 180

50. BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS FACES BUDGET DILEMMA 182

51. SHOULD FLOATPLANES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES BE ALLOWED IN A WILDERNESS AREA? 184

52. THE IMAGE OF THE PARK AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT NEEDS AN OVERHAUL 186

53. BUILDERS SAY NO TO DEDICATED PARKLAND 187

54. IT’S A BIRD, IT’S A PLANE, NO IT’S A DRONE 188

55. ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLES: A DILEMMA FOR PARK ADMINISTRATORS 191

56. THE PARK DISTRICT WARNS THE FALL PROGRAMS ARE IN JEOPARDY 193

57. CONTROLLING HALLOWEEN DISTURBANCES 194

58. THE ADVENTURE PLAYGROUND: THE JUNKYARD OF PLAY 196

59. COMMUNITY GROUP WANTS THE PARK DISTRICT TO TAKE OVER PRIVATE FACILITY 197

60. PARK VISITORS WARM TO WINTER WONDERLAND 199

61. SCHOOL DISTRICT WANTS TO BUILD A HIGH SCHOOL ON PARK DISTRICT LAND 200

62. LEARNED HELPLESSNESS IN A SENIOR LIVING FACILITY 204

63. MARYLAND-NATIONAL CAPITAL PARK AND PLANNING COMMISSION DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION, PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY, RIVERDALE, MD 206

64. CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP OF PUBLIC PARKS AND RECREATION FACILITIES 208

CASE # PAGE #

ix

65. LANGUAGE AND DISABILITIES: WHAT IS RIGHT? 211

66. SHARING CLIENT INFORMATION: WHAT IS ESSENTIAL TO INCLUSIVE PROGRAMMING? 212

67. TIME FOR ATVS IN SHAWNEE NATIONAL FOREST? 216

68. ROCK FESTIVAL MORE OF A PICNIC THAN A MUSICAL SHOW 218

69. SPECIAL PARKS FOR SIDEWALK “SURFERS” 220

70. EDUCATIONAL HEALTH SESSIONS IN RECREATIONAL SUMMER CAMPS 222

71. CONTROLLING VANDALISM IN PARKS 226

72. STOP APPEALING TO BILLIONAIRES’ EGOS WITH NAMING RIGHTS 229

73. HIRING AN INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 231

74. THE CENTER IS CLOSED 232

75. PLANNING RECREATION FACILITIES 234

76. MAYOR: BRING BIKERS BACK—NEGATIVE ACTIVITIES CONCERN OFFICIALS 236

77. ALCOHOLICS AND THE DISCIPLINARY BOARD’S DILEMMA 237

78. BUILDING THE IDEAL BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB 239

79. THE TENNIS ASSOCIATION MONOPOLY 241

80. TEENAGERS CREATE PROBLEMS IN LOCAL PARK 243

81. FESTIVAL SEEKS TO EXTEND REACH 244

82. MAYOR PLAYS POLITICS WITH RECREATION JOBS 246

83. ARE TEEN PROGRAMS OUTDATED? 247

84. RESPONDING TO THE DEMANDS OF THE DUNKIN RECREATION CENTER 248

85. DISGRUNTLED CITIZENS WILL PREVENT DEMOLITION 250

86. THE TORNADO WATCH POLICY 251

87. PROMOTION WILL DETERMINE SUCCESS OF THE RACQUET CLUB 252

CASE # PAGE #

x

88. IS THE COMMUNITY READY FOR TOURISM PLANNING? 253

89. NATIVITY SCENES BARRED FROM PUBLIC PARK 255

90. SELECT, HIRE THE BEST JOB CANDIDATE 257

91. DROPPING GYMNASTICS HUGE DISAPPOINTMENT 259

92. THE PROS AND CONS OF AWARDS 260

93. GRAND JURY TO INVESTIGATE THE PARK BOARD 261

94. WILL HALLOWEEN TROUBLE HASTEN PASSAGE OF NUISANCE PARTY LAW? 263

95. CULTURAL ARTS DEVELOPMENT IN CITIES AND NEIGHBORHOODS 265

96. YOU’VE GOTTA HAVE HEART 267

97. LIVING TOGETHER: SINGLE MEMBERSHIP 268

98. MR. ECKERT PRESENTS THE JAYCEES’ COMPLAINT SITUATION 271

99. THE LIFEGUARDS WILL STRIKE 273

100. PERSONNEL POLICIES AT THE NEXT MEETING 274

CASE # PAGE #

xi

FOREWORD

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Problem Solving in Recreation and Parks has been written by Joseph Bannon, --

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Problem Solving in Recreation and Parks

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-George D. Butler

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PROLOGUE

Problem Solving in Recreation and Parks.

his young life. --

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Schole: A Journal of Leisure Studies and Recreation Education,Problem Solving in Recreation and Parks il--

-son for the staying power of Problem Solving in Recreation and Parks --

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Problem Solving in Recreation and Parks

Daniel L. Dustin

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PREFACE

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Joseph J. Bannon

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS -Post Star

Stephanie Esters, The Southern IllinoisanAthletic Business Magazine

The Post,

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AUTHOR

Dr. Joseph J. Bannon, Sr., --Management Strategy

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CHAPTER 1PROBLEM SOLVING: A PROFESSIONAL NEED -

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ReferencesJournal of Creative

Behavior, 2

International Journal of Educational Research, 62,

4 Problem Solving in Recreation and Parks

Journal of College Science Teaching, 43