Americans spend approximately one-third of their lives enjoying some type of leisure experience. With increasing life spans, shorter work weeks and longer and more intensive vacations, the amount of time spent in leisure continues to increase.

The dollars spent on leisure make a substantial contribution to the economy. It is predicted that in the near future, recreation, travel, and tourism may comprise the largest expenditure of our economy - larger than either defense or health care.

Professionals in recreation, parks, and leisure service administration are trained to help others to utilize leisure time intelligently. As recreation and park administration personnel, they contribute immeasurably to an improved quality of life for others through creative and well-planned use of leisure time.