Editing Recreation (section)

==Organized recreation==
[[File:University of Auckland Recreation Centre.JPG|thumb|right|University of Auckland Recreation Centre]]
Many recreational activities are organized, typically by public institutions, voluntary group-work agencies, private groups supported by membership fees, and commercial enterprises.<ref>Yucik TS, 1970, pp. 62ff</ref> Examples of each of these are the [[National Park Service]], the [[YMCA]], the [[Kiwanis]], and [[Walt Disney World]]. Public space such as [[park]]s and [[beach]]es are essential venues for many recreational activities and [[Tourism]] has recognized that many visitors are specifically attracted by recreational offerings.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportrec.qld.gov.au/Industryinformation/Abouttheindustry/Whatisrecreation.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090401035427/http://www.sportrec.qld.gov.au/Industryinformation/Abouttheindustry/Whatisrecreation.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 1, 2009 |author=Queensland Government |title=What is Recreation? |access-date=October 31, 2010 }}</ref> In particular, beach and waterfront promenades such as the beach area of [[Venice, Los Angeles|Venice Beach]] in California, the [[Promenade de la Croisette]] in Cannes, the [[Promenade des Anglais]] in Nice or the lungomare of [[Barcola]] with Miramare Castle in Trieste are important recreational areas for the city population on the one hand and on the other also important tourist destinations with all advantages and disadvantages for the locals.

In support of recreational activities government has taken an important role in their creation, maintenance, and organization, and whole industries have developed merchandise or services. Recreation-related business is an important factor in the economy; it has been estimated that the outdoor recreation sector alone contributes $730 billion annually to the U.S. economy and generates 6.5 million jobs.<ref>{{cite news |author= Rechner |title=Letter to the Editor: Outdoor recreation stimulates the economy |url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/mar/11/outdoor-recreation-stimulates-the-economy/ |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date= March 11, 2010 |access-date=November 2, 2010}}</ref>

===Recreation center===
A [[Leisure centre|recreation center]] is a place for recreational activities usually administered by a municipal government agency. Swimming, basketball, weightlifting, volleyball and kids' play areas are very common.<ref>[https://www.myclearwaterparks.com/facilities/recreation-centers Recreation Centers], Clearwater, FL</ref><ref>[https://www.nycgovparks.org/facilities/recreationcenters Recreation Centers], New York City Department of Parks & Recreation</ref>

===Recreation as a career===
A recreation specialist would be expected to meet the recreational needs of a community or assigned interest group. Educational institutions offer courses that lead to a degree as a [[Bachelor of Arts]] in recreation management. People with such degrees often work in parks and recreation centers in towns, on community projects and activities. Networking with instructors, [[budgeting]], and evaluation of continuing programs are common job duties.

In the United States, most [[U.S. state|states]] have a professional organization for [[continuing education]] and [[professional certification|certification]] in recreation management. The [[National Recreation and Park Association]] administers a certification program called the CPRP (Certified Park and Recreation Professional)<ref name="NRPA-CPRP">{{cite web |url=http://www.nrpa.org/CPRP/ |title=Certified Park and Recreation Professional (CPRP) Certification |publisher=[[National Recreation and Park Association]] |access-date=6 November 2010}}</ref> that is considered a national standard for professional recreation specialist practices.

=== e-commerce ===
Since the beginning of the 2000s, there are more and more online booking / ticketing platforms for recreational activities that emerged. Many of them leveraged the ever-growing prevalence of internet, mobile devices and e-payments to build comprehensive online booking solutions. The first successful batch includes tourist recreation activities platform like [[TripAdvisor]] that went public. The emergence of these platforms infers the rising needs for recreation and entertainment from the growing urban citizens worldwide.