Substantive, cost-sensitive guidelines are offered for determining basic playground needs, performance specifications, and site location, as well as construction techniques, for playgrounds servicing multi-family dwellings. (MJB)

Five steps for establishing a cross-country ski trail are presented. (MJB)

The looming energy crunch forecasts an uncertain future for state park activities. (Editor)

Court cases are reviewed to show factors that courts are most likely to examine in determining the legality of leasing public recreational facilities to private operators. A checklist for developing defensible leasing arrangements of public recreational facilities to private operators is provided. (CJ)

The backyard playground is making a comeback in New York's Bedford Stuyvesant section. (Editors)

One method for the development of additional resources for recreation in heavily developed urban areas is the utilization of air space over land already developed for other purposes. (MJB)

Small, enclosed courts suited to a variety of sports may help Americans on the move to keep physically fit. (Editors)

The high cost of building a new pool can be avoided by renovating the pool's shell. Several renovation options are identified and their advantages and disadvantages discussed. (IAH)

Major challenges for recreation facility planning in an age of increasing costs are reviewed with emphasis on the need to combine imagination and technology to produce environmentally-sensitive, energy-efficient, aesthetically pleasing recreation designs. Major planning considerations are: operational efficiency, greater facility use,…

Parking, room temperature controls, wear-and-tear on furnishings, security, and other factors that should be considered in designing a community center are discussed. The importance of good planning based on community needs is emphasized. (PP)

Suggestions are presented for designing indoor and outdoor tennis facilities that will inhibit vandalism. Recommendations include using high-quality materials that will be difficult to damage, adopting and posting rules for court use, and constructing self-contained power sources. (CB)

The Campbell County Parks and Recreation Department discovered that higher costs, more details, insurance difficulties, and longer construction periods were the rule when a water slide was planned and constructed. The project is described. (MT)

Discusses the battle of recreation departments to use public school facilities--sometimes it is an easy fight, sometimes not. (JA)