This best selling textbook was the first of its kind. Now, for its third edition, it has been completely rewritten and brought up-to-date. In the first part of the book the author deals with the nature of play and recreation, our needs in respect of leisure and the factors which influence our participation. Chapters seven to twelve consider the leisure "product" and the planning and provision of leisure by the three main categories of provider: public, voluntary and commercial. The third section of the book deals with management issues: programming, performance appraisal, marketing, event management, personnel, education and training. The thorough way in which Leisure and Recreation Management deals with both the theory of leisure and the day to day practicalities of managing a recreation facility will ensure its continued success as a student textbook and a guide for the practitioner.

Table of Contents

Leisure - towards a philosophy and understanding of its evolution; play; recreation; leisure and the needs of people; leisure - factors which influence participation; the leisure "product"; planning for leisure; trends in the leisure industry; leisure provision in the public sector; government and recreation - the development of local authority services; leisure provision in the voluntary sector; leisure provision in the commercial sector; management; programming leisure and recreation services and facilities; specific methods and approaches; performance appraisal based on management by objectives; marketing of leisure and recreation; organization of major events; staffing and staff structures on leisure services; leisure and recreation management education and training; towards effective leisure and recreational management - some conclusions.