A DESCRIPTIVE SURVEY AND ANALYSIS OF THE ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION OF PUBLIC RECREATION SERVICES IN THE METROPOLITAN AREA OF SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO by MELENDEZ, NELSON, Educat.D., New York University, 1983, 220 pages; AAT 8406333

Abstract (Summary)

This study is concerned with the administration and operation of public recreation services within the Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area of San Juan, Puerto Rico. Here, the government had authorized eleven public agencies to provide recreation services to residents of the area. The resulting situation is one of duplication of services, confusion in terms of agency objectives, inadequate planning, disorder in the programming and delivery of services, and waste of resources.

Systems theory was used as the theoretical framework for the study based on the observation that the eleven public agencies offering recreation services in Metropolitan San Juan operate as a system, responding to environmental conditions and attempting to produce activities designed to satisfy its constituents. Each agency, however, operates as a system by itself (within its geographical and, or, statutory limits) but is subsumed as a unit by the encompassing Metropolitan San Juan recreation service system.

A questionnaire was developed to gather selected data from each of the agencies operating in the area. Findings were reported using the case study method--at the individual organization level. The same data was then used in the analysis of the all-inclusive recreation service system of metropolitan San Juan.

Findings revealed that: (1) There was no accepted pattern or intent for cooperation regarding service provision among the agencies composing the System, but rather each agency sought to further its own objectives without regard for the outcome that the combined actions of all agencies may produce. (2) All of the agencies had highly centralized administrations where delegation of authority and responsibility as well as communication was minimal. (3) The personnel employed by the System was seriously lacking in training in the recreation/leisure field. (4) Recreation services in the sports and fitness categories were emphasized by the System over other types of services by a factor of two to one, much to the neglect of those other services. (5) A total of 68% of the population served by the System were persons under 20 years of age and 73% of all persons served were males, which speaks negatively of the System's ability to reach other population groups and thus provide for a balanced service offering. (6) The fairly large inventory of recreation facilities (1,175) was not receiving adequate maintenance.

Indexing (document details)

School: New York University

School Location: United States -- New York

Source: DAI-A 44/12, p. 3810, Jun 1984

Source type: Dissertation

Subjects: Recreation

Publication Number: AAT 8406333

Document URL: http://proquest.umi.com/pqdweb?did=751754971&sid=8&Fmt=2&cli

entId=45091&RQT=309&VName=PQD

ProQuest document ID: 751754971

Databases selected: Dissertations & Theses

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