Following an introductory historical review, this book describes the functions, services, and resources of park and recreation systems. This survey emphasizes the social aspects of the park and recreation system and how the government meets these needs. Attention is given to minority groups and to the nature of financing services for the disadvantaged and priorities of programming. There is a complete analysis of the issues that confront park and recreational professionals and policy makers. The book describes the various settings in which recreation and park services are administered, the groups that are the major beneficiaries of those services, and the organizational structure developed to provide these opportunities. A selected bibliography is included. The appendix lists national nongovernmental agencies and organizations in the field of recreation, types of local public agencies and private agencies engaged in recreation. (JD)