A Department of Parks and Recreation is hereby established under authority of Section 7.01 of the Municipal Charter, and the Mayor shall be the head of such Department. Such Department shall be a separate and distinct administrative entity and of equal administrative rank with the Department of Public Safety and the Department of Public Service. Such Department is established for the purpose of providing for the proper supervision, maintenance and operation of public parks, playgrounds and other recreational facilities belonging to the Municipality and to provide for the acquisition of land, structures and other facilities for the park and recreation program of the Municipality. The Department of Parks and Recreation shall have the authority to equip, operate, supervise and maintain public parks, playgrounds, playfields, gymnasiums, swimming pools, indoor and outdoor recreational centers and facilities for adults or children as the same are now or shall be owned or controlled by the Municipality or by the Board of Education of the Municipal School District. The Department shall have the power to conduct any form of recreation or cultural activity that will employ the leisure time of the people in a wholesome and constructive manner. It may conduct such activities on properties under its control, on public property with the consent of the authorities responsible therefor, and on private properties with the consent of the owners thereof.
(Ord. 33-1965. Passed 4-27-65.)