1. Recreation and Leisure3
Chapter 3
Early History of
Recreation and Leisure

2. Introduction Modern approaches evolve from history.
History shows the role of customs and values of various societies.

3. Objectives
Identify and discuss the major events, social trends, and religious influences during the following:
Ancient civilizations
The Dark and Middle Ages
The Renaissance
The Protestant Reformation
The Colonial period
The Industrial Revolution
The early twentieth century
The Great Depression
World War I and World War II

4. Objectives (cont’d)
Discuss the growth of popular recreation and the changing attitudes toward play following the Industrial Revolution.
Identify the social trends that brought the growth of commercial amusements.
Discuss the impact of racial and ethnic discrimination.
Identify the public concerns about the use of leisure in the early part of the twentieth century.
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5. Objectives (cont’d)
Identify the major forces that promoted recreation services in the early part of the twentieth century.
Discuss the role of schools in the provision of recreation and leisure services.
Discuss the societal impact of the Great Depression and the how recreation was used during that time.
Discuss the ways recreation and leisure were impacted by World War I and World War II.
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6. The Play of Early Societies
Origins of games and sports
Vestiges of warfare
Religious traditions
Teaching and sharing culture
Other play functions
Skill building
Tradition

7. Recreation and Leisure in Ancient Civilizations
Ancient Egypt
Sport as part of education and recreation
Wrestling, gymnastics, weights, ball games
Bullfighting popular as a religious ritual
Dance as entertainment
Music and arts had a strong emphasis in the culture

8. Recreation and Leisure in Ancient Civilizations (cont’d)
Ancient Assyria and Babylonia
Many activities in common with Egypt.
Boxing, wrestling, archery, table games
Music, dance, banquets held.
Parks were established for hunting parties.
Space was dedicated for feasts, celebrations, and royal gatherings.
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9. Recreation and Leisure in Ancient Civilizations (cont’d)
Ancient Israel
Music and dance as part of ritual.
Hunting, fishing, wrestling, and weaponry.
Greatest contribution was the Sabbath as a time for rest and worship.
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10. Recreation and Leisure in Ancient Civilizations (cont’d)
Ancient Greece
Greek philosophy of recreation and leisure
Strong belief in the unity of mind and body.
Play was essential to healthy social and physical growth of children.
Leisure was for affluent, noblemen.
Changes in the Greek approach to leisure
Provisions for parks and gardens, theaters.
At first Olympic games were for all free-born Greeks.
Later, religious functions replaced by commercial.
Skills were left to experts and specialists.
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11. Recreation and Leisure in Ancient Civilizations (cont’d)
Ancient Rome
Leisure was reflection of nationalism.
Focus on athletic competition
Utilitarian purposes vs. aesthetic
Leisure closely related to worship.
First culture to emphasize spectatorship.
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12. Recreation and Leisure in Ancient Civilizations (cont’d)
Corruption of entertainment
Evolving emphasis on human combat.
Immense commercialization.
Death was often the result of losing a competition.
Humans were routinely sacrificed in competition.
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13. Early Christian Era: Dark and Middle Ages
Pastimes in the Middle Ages
Games of the common people
Village feasts and sports
Competition among villages
Hunting more a means of survival than sport
Love of sightseeing and entertainment seeking

14. The Renaissance Play as education
Athenian philosophy emphasizing play in childhood reemerges
Emphasis on the need for physical exercises and games
 Singing  Nature study
 Dancing  Modeling and painting
 Manual training
Play as an exercise for the mind and body

15. Influence of the Protestant Reformation
Puritanism in England
Constant battle to limit sports and entertainment.
Strict observance of the Sabbath.
Entertainment and play seen as “devilish pastimes.”
James I issued “Declaration on Lawful Sports.”
Acknowledgement of military value of sport
Outlined acceptable activity
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16. Development of Parks and Recreation Areas
Types of recreation areas
Large parks emerged in the late Renaissance.
Types
Royal hunting preserves
Formal garden parks
English garden parks

17. Development of Parks and Recreation Areas (cont’d)
Use of private estates
Lavish private grounds.
Became custom to open parks to the public for use and viewing.
Popular diversions in England
Outdoor gardens established to provide entertainment and relaxation.
Varied amusements provided in the parks.
Types of recreation depended upon where you lived.

18. Development of Parks and Recreation Areas (cont’d)
Concerns about leisure
Class differences
Inequity in leisure time became more pronounced and protested.
Commercial entertainment continued to prosper.

19. Recreation in America: The Colonial Period
Restrictions in New England
Puritans enthusiastically adopted the Calvinist work ethic.
Magistrates curbed amusement and recreation as much as possible.
Punishments administered for breaking work ethics.
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20. Recreation in America: The Colonial Period (cont’d)
Leisure in the southern colonies
At first, mandated church attendance and imprisonment for participating in leisure activities on the Sabbath.
This changed because aristocrats had slave labor, giving them time for leisure.
Lifestyles of slaves in stark contrast to their owners.
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21. Recreation in America: The Colonial Period (cont’d)
Decline of religious controls
Play became gradually tolerated in the colonies.
Lotteries became popular and helped endow schools and churches.
Parks and conservation in the Colonial era
Land seemed plentiful, so little attention was given to conservation.
Village greens were created in the cities.

22. Recreation in America: The Colonial Period (cont’d)
Early conservation efforts
Cutting down trees without permission was against the law.
Great Ponds Act of 1641 protected bodies of water.
Pennsylvania passed law requiring a 5:1 forest conservation initiative.
Massachusetts and Connecticut confined hunting to specific seasons.

23. Nineteenth Century Changes: Impact of the Industrial Revolution
Urbanization
Shift from rural to urban centers.
Population rose rapidly.
Urban centers were not prepared for the boom.
Tenement living
Unsanitary conditions
Child labor
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24. Nineteenth Century Changes: Impact of the Industrial Revolution (cont’d)
The availability of leisure
Unionization resulted in shorter work hours and child labor laws.
Religious revivalism and recreation
Dedication to work was the hallmark of American life.
Concern about ability of immigrants to manage free time.
Recreation viewed as venue for teaching “American” values.
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25. Change in Work Week

26. Growth of Popular Participation in America
Expansion of popular amusements, including vaudeville, burlesque, drinking
Growing interest in sport
Professionalism in sports
Large public interest.
Horse racing, prizefighting were particularly popular.
Sport became more highly organized.

27. Changing Attitudes Toward Play
Churches began to sanction positive recreation.
Popular amusements continue to grow.
Muscular Christianity influenced schools and philanthropic organizations.
College sports
College athletics and social clubs for sporting
Social fraternities
Intercollegiate sports eventually evolved
First intercollegiate football game between Princeton and Rutgers in 1869
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28. Changing Attitudes Toward Play (cont’d)
Amateur sports
New York Athletic Club
Amateur Athletic Union
German turnvereins and Czech sokols
YMCA
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29. Changing Attitudes Toward Play (cont’d)
Other activities
Skating rinks became popular.
Bicycling introduced in 1870s.
Women began participating.
Growing vogue for outdoor activities.
Organized sport continues to grow.
More money
Better transportation
Increased leisure time
Publicity

30. Growth of Commercial Amusements
Reduction in work hours
Obtaining shorter work hours was critical to reform politics.
Concerns about leisure
There were no “professors of play.”
Question of what to do with leisure.
Traditional social activities and casual play no longer available.
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31. The Beginning Recreation Movement
The adult education movement
Civic concern for intellectual civilization and continuing education
Conviction that leisure could contribute to American intellectual heritage
Lyceum movement
Expansion of reading and public libraries

32. The Beginning Recreation Movement (cont’d)
Development of national, state, and municipal parks
State parks
States establish organized conservation efforts.
Municipal parks
Central Park in New York was the first.
Large parks are seen as necessary.
County park systems
First county park system in New Jersey.

33. Case Study: Urban Parks
Periods
Pleasure ground (1850−1900)
Reform park (1900−1930)
Recreation facility (1930−1965)

34. Case Study: Urban Parks

35. Typology of Urban Parks
Periods
Pleasure ground (1850−1900)
Reform park (1900−1930)
Recreation facility (1930−1965)

36. Typology of Urban Parks
Case Study: Urban Parks
Typology of Urban Parks
Attribute
Pleasure Ground
(1850−1900)
Reform Park
(1900−1930)
Recreation Facility
(1930−1965)
Social goal
Public health and reform
Social reform, children’s play, assimilation
Recreation service
Activities
Strolling, carriage racking, bike riding, picnics, rowing, classical music, nondidactic education
Supervised play, gymnastics, crafts, Americanization classes, dancing, plays, and pageants
Active recreation, basketball, tennis, team sports, spectator sports, swimming
Size
Very large, acres
Small, city blocks
Small to medium, follow a formula
Relation to city
Set in contrast
Accepts urban patterns
Suburban

37. Typology of Urban Parks (cont’d)
Case Study: Urban Parks (cont’d)
Typology of Urban Parks (cont’d)
Attribute
Pleasure Ground
(1850−1900)
Reform Park
(1900−1930)
Recreation Facility
(1930−1965)
Elements
Woodlands and meadow, curving paths, placid water bodies, rustic structures, limited floral displays
Sandlots, playgrounds, rectilinear paths, swimming pools, fieldhouses
Asphalt or grass play area, pools, rectilinear paths, standard play equipment
Promoters
Health reformers, transcendentalists, real estate interests
Social reformers, social workers, recreation workers
Politicians, bureaucrats, planners
Beneficiaries
All citydwellers (intended), upper- middle class (reality)
Children, immigrants, working class
Suburban families
Adapted from Galen Cranz and Michael Boland. “Defining the Sustainable Park: A Fifth Model for Urban Parks.” Landscape Journal (Vol. 23, No. 2, 2004): 102−140.

38. Case Study: Urban Parks (cont’d)
How did the three periods mirror society?
What were the actual benefits to the beneficiaries?
How many of these types of parks have you visited?
How have they changed since they were constructed?
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39. The Beginning Recreation Movement (cont’d)
Establishment of voluntary organizations
YMCA/YWCA
University Settlement
Hull House
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40. Case Study: YMCA
Explain the importance of the YMCA (Young Men’s Christian Association) changing from an evangelical to a social organization.
How does the YMCA’s “diffusion process” compare to today’s social media?
Differentiate between a preventive- and rehabilitative-focused organization.

41. The Beginning Recreation Movement (cont’d)
The playground movement
Boston Sand Gardens
First safe place for children to play, and specifically designed for children.
Volunteers and paid employees came to run gardens.
New York’s first playgrounds
Playgrounds established to provide safety and protect children from inappropriate temptations.

42. Effect of Racial and Ethnic Discrimination
Prejudice against minorities
Most severe discrimination against African Americans.
Mexican Americans and Hispanics viewed as heathens.
Strong prejudice against interracial marriage.
Widespread prejudice against Asian. Americans.
Americans of African origin were also barred from many activities.

43. Recreation and Parks: Early Twentieth Century
Growth of public and park agencies
City government interest in recreation facilities became accepted.
Networks of playgrounds planned and operated throughout cities.
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44. Recreation and Parks: Early Twentieth Century (cont’d)
Federal park expansion
Reclamation Act of 1902
Antiquities Act of 1906
Establishment of U.S. Forest Service in 1905
National Park Service in 1916
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45. Emergence of the Recreation Movement: Three Pioneers
Joseph Lee
Father of the playground movement.
Viewed little difference between work and play.
Luther Halsey Gulick
Established a school for gym instructors; first president of Camp Fire Girls.
Instrumental in the establishment of Playground Association of America in 1906.
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46. Emergence of the Recreation Movement: Three Pioneers (cont’d)
Jane Addams
Established Hull House in Chicago.
Considered to be a radical.
Aided immigrants in their transition to America.
Contrasting roles of recreation pioneers
Styles and contributions unique.
Among all, play was seen as a way of Americanizing foreigners.

47. Emerging New Lifestyles
Victorian mentality challenged the role of recreation.
Women gain greater independence.
In the workplace
Money and opportunity for social pursuits
Youth seek excitement beyond organized recreation.
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48. Public Concerns About the Use of Leisure
Concern about commercial amusements
Fear that unregulated places of commercial amusement posed a threat.
Studies designed to examine amusements and who was using them.
Permit systems established for places of commercial amusement.
Increasingly promoted the idea that recreation had to be formally organized and managed.

49. Public Concerns About the Use of Leisure (cont’d)
Emerging mass culture
Emergence of a new middle class in the early twentieth century.
Growing rejection of authoritarian family structures and church dominated values.
New craze for excitement and freedom in leisure.
Amusement parks gain popularity.

50. Major Forces Promoting Organized Recreation Services
Growth of voluntary organizations
National Association of Boys’ Clubs: 1906
Boy Scouts and Camp Fire Girls: 1910
Girl Scouts: 1912
Rotary Club, Kiwanis, Lions Club: –1917

51. Major Forces Promoting Organized Recreation Services (cont’d)
Playground Association of America
Purpose was to develop services to assist people in using leisure time constructively.
The Normal Course in Play training curriculum.
Name changed in 1911 to Playground and Recreation Association of America.
Name changed in 1926 to National Recreation Association.

52. Major Forces Promoting Organized Recreation Services (cont’d)
Recreation programs in World War I
War Camp Community Service
Joint effort of Council of National Defense, War Department Commission on Training Camp Activities, and the Playground and Recreation Association.
Provided wholesome recreation activities for both military personnel and civilians.

53. Major Forces Promoting Organized Recreation Services (cont’d)
Role of the schools
Urban school boards initiated afterschool and vacation play programs.
By 1930, thousands of school systems had extensive extracurricular programs.

54. Major Forces Promoting Organized Recreation Services (cont’d)
Outdoor recreation developments
National Park Service enlarged outdoor recreation.
State governments take greater responsibility.
The end of shorter hours
Free time gradually declined as the recreation movement increased.
Unstable economy tried to create a balance between the workweek and overproduction.

55. National Park System Areas

56. Case Study: The National Park Service
Prepare a series of arguments in favor of creating the National Park Service.
Do the same focusing on opposition to its creation.
How would the national parks areas be different today if we did not have a single agency to manage them?
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57. Impact of the Great Depression
Mass unemployment and idleness stimulated national concern about leisure.
New Deal programs employed millions of people and built thousands of recreation facilities.
Sharpened awareness of leisure needs.
The New Leisure Challenges the Schools, 1930s.
National Recreation Association examined European trends to draw parallels to the United States.
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58. Case Study: Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Park Legacy
The New Deal
Responding to 30% unemployment
Key conservation organizations
Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)
Works Progress Administration (WPA)
47 of 48 states participated
475 CCC camps on state park lands
WPA worked in urban areas
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59. Case Study: Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Park Legacy (cont’d)
How did the New Deal change urban and rural recreation areas, conservation areas, wildlife areas, and other areas?
Can you identify CCC or WPA areas in your community or state?
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60. A Nation at War
Special Services Division of the Army provided recreation facilities worldwide.
Welfare and Recreation Section of the Bureau of Naval Personnel established.
Expanded programs of the Recreation Service of the Marine Corps.
United Service Organizations (USO) in 1941 was a joint effort of six agencies: Jewish Warfare Board, Salvation Army, Catholic Community Service, YMCA, YWCA, National Travelers Aid.
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61. A Nation at War (cont’d)
American Red Cross established clubs.
Municipal directors extended their facilities.
National Industrial Recreation Association.
Recreation Division of the Federal Security Agency's Office of Community War Services.
Women's Bureau of the U.S. Department of Labor.