The professional responsibilities of administrators of parks and recreational facilities were emphasized in the keynote address to the twenty-seventh annual conference of the Southwest Park and Recreation Training Institute. The institute was founded with the objectives of fostering the gathering and dissemination of information with reference to parks and recreation facilities, grounds, programs, and goals. Participants in the conference represented recreational organizations in the Southwestern states, and the discussions focused, for the most part, on problems and challenges in that geographical area. The opening address stressed the importance of conservation, preservation, and management of natural resources and the development of recreational programs and facilities that respond to the needs of the general public. The second speech to the conference offered insights into the current economic situation in the country and its implications for public recreational activities. Brief summaries are given of the twenty-five workshops held at the conference. (JD)