Recreation provision for youth: a case-study of Heretaunga Riding

Abstract

This study considers recreation provision for the youth of Heretaunga Riding. A review of the literature on youth, leisure and recreation, which highlights the uncertainties in these fields, and a brief outline of local government involvement in recreation provision in Europe, Britain, the United States and New Zealand is undertaken and provides a background from which to study the situation that exists in Heretaunga Riding. A survey of 20 percent of the youth population of Heretaunga Riding has generated data about their recreation and in particular what activities they regularly participate in or wish to participate in, where the activities take place and whether they face any major obstacles to participation in recreation. The survey results indicate that most of the youth sampled are satisfied with the recreation facilities and activities available to them but problems exist with respect to access to recreation facilities, cost, time, transport and information about recreation. The Heretaunga/Pinehaven District Community Council's recreation provision has traditionally been in the form of facilities, largely the preparation and maintenance of open spaces and reserves. While this is recognised as a very important component of recreation provision and indeed a part of the total recreation provision available to the community another essential component of recreation provision is 'people provision' and it is suggested that the Council extend its recreation provision to include investment in a recreation facilitator.