Leisure Program Planning and Delivery

Support community wellness by implementing successful recreation programming.

At its core, Leisure Program Planning and Delivery, Second Edition With Web Resource, recognizes the power of leisure to enhance the health and well-being of both individuals and the community. Students will learn how to plan and implement recreation programming in a variety of settings, culminating in the development of a programming portfolio. In addition, recreation and leisure practitioners will find this resource valuable in preparing for Certified Park and Recreation Professional certification.

Much has changed in the field of leisure services since the release of the first edition. The revised and updated second edition of Leisure Program Planning and Delivery features a wealth of new content:

• New insights and trends on how people engage in leisure time―and how leisure affects one's sense of purpose
• Updated principles regarding recreation programming―including customer service and satisfaction, diversity and inclusion, and environmental sustainability
• Expanded discussions on equitable access, facility locations, and serving marginalized communities
• Insights on key areas of leisure services, including an expanded interest in overall wellness and well-being
• Technological advancements, including online registration systems and data collection tools, used to conduct needs assessments, enhance customer service, and inform marketing, grant writing, and program improvement initiatives
• Essential information on risk management and on emergency planning and response

The text is divided into four parts, covering the foundations of programming, planning preparations, program implementation, and program evaluation. In addition, the text introduces students to the 9 key areas of leisure services―sports, fitness, and well-being; aquatics; fine arts; crafts; music; hobbies; outdoors, nature, and adventure; travel and tourism; and community and enrichment activities―and the wide range of programming options and career opportunities available within this dynamic and rewarding field.

Each chapter contains at least one case study; these case studies represent a variety of settings and are based on real agencies sponsoring real programs. Included online resources prepare students to apply classroom concepts to professional settings, highlighted by a semester-long project requiring students to create their own programming portfolio, building on assignments provided in each chapter of the textbook.

Recreation and leisure activities play a crucial role in supporting emotional, physical, and social well-being in local communities and around the world. Leisure Program Planning and Delivery, Second Edition, prepares students to plan, implement, and evaluate these valuable programs across all areas of leisure services.

Amy R. Hurd, PhD, CPRE, is the associate vice president of undergraduate education at Illinois State University and is a professor in the School of Kinesiology and Recreation, specializing in recreation and sport management. At Illinois State, she teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in management, recreation programming, and recreation leadership. She earned her doctoral degree from Indiana University, where she also served as a visiting lecturer in management.

Dr. Hurd brings extensive practical experience to her teaching and scholarship. She has served as special events coordinator and marketing director for the Champaign Park District in Illinois and has authored six textbooks on various aspects of parks and recreation. It was at the Champaign Park District that Dr. Hurd and Dr. Anderson first collaborated as programmers; they have since coauthored three textbooks together.

An experienced international educator, Dr. Hurd was a visiting scholar at Srinakharinwirot University in Bangkok, Thailand, studying sustainable tourism, and has led student and faculty cultural tourism immersions at Opole University of Technology (Poland) and the Universidad de Cuyo and Universidad de Mendoza (Argentina). She is a regular instructor in Indiana University's executive development program and was elected to the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration in 2014.

Denise M. Anderson, PhD, serves as the associate dean for undergraduate studies, faculty success, and well-being in the College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences at Clemson University, where she is also a full professor in the department of parks, recreation, and tourism management. She brings a wealth of practical experience to her academic career, having spent four years as an adult sport coordinator for the Champaign Park District and serving for 14 years as the camp director for Finding Your Voice, a weekend camp for girls. These roles shaped her expertise in program design, implementation, and evaluation, grounding her scholarship in real-world applications that enhance the student learning experience.

Dr. Anderson's research examines issues of access and inclusion, particularly related to girls' and women's participation in sport and recreation, as well as the impact of recreation in the lives of college students. Her work has been widely disseminated through more than 50 peer-reviewed journal articles and three textbooks, contributing significantly to the literature in leisure studies and recreation management. Recognized for her scholarly impact and leadership in the field, she is a fellow of both the Academy of Leisure Sciences and the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration.

A dedicated educator and leader, Dr. Anderson is committed to advancing undergraduate education and faculty development while promoting well-being across the academic community. She earned her doctoral degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where her professional and research interests began to converge into a lifelong commitment to fostering equitable opportunities for engagement in leisure and recreation. Through her administrative leadership, teaching, and scholarship, she continues to champion inclusive practices that empower students, faculty, and communities alike.