Chapter 12-B: Community Recreation Service

The purpose of this chapter shall be to provide, upon request, to the municipalities and other political subdivisions of the state and to non-governmental organizations, assistance in the development of wholesome and adequate recreation, and recreation, for the purpose of this chapter, is defined to mean those activities and interests which provide a diversification of occupation and which aid in promoting worthy use of leisure time, pursuit of happiness, satisfaction, recreative enjoyment, fullness of life, relaxation, instruction and education, physical and mental health, and cultural developments and experiences of a leisure-time nature.

There is hereby established the position of director of community recreation in the department of natural and cultural resources. The commissioner of natural and cultural resources shall appoint a director of community recreation who shall meet the minimum qualifications necessary to be classified as a professional recreator under the voluntary registration plan of the New Hampshire Recreation Society. This shall be a classified position within the state classification system. The director shall receive compensation commensurate with salaries paid to comparable competitive positions in the other New England states as determined by the department of personnel.

It shall be the duty of the director of community recreation:

I. To provide guidance to local communities, on request, in establishing, organizing, promoting, conducting, and financing recreation programs.

II. To provide suggestions to local communities, on request, on facility development, in-service training of employees, utilization of local and state resource material and personnel.

III. To co-operate with state and federal agencies, private membership groups, and with commercial recreational interests, in the promotion of recreational opportunities.

IV. To make available suggestions whereby the various service and civic groups in the state can provide recreation services and donations to recreation projects on a sound and coordinated basis.

V. To encourage local communities to provide for appropriate recreation for the ill and disabled.

VI. To provide suggestions whereby our senior citizens can live a meaningful life and utilize their skills and talents for the benefit of the community and themselves.

VII. To study and appraise recreational needs of the state and to assemble and disseminate information relative to recreation.

VIII. To aid in recruiting, training, and placing recreation workers, and promote recreation institutes and conferences.

IX. To establish and promote recreational standards.

X. To submit an annual report of his activities.

XI. To serve as liaison to the office of outdoor recreation industry development established pursuant to RSA 12-O:23-a.

The director of community recreation is authorized to designate with the approval of the commissioner of transportation and the commissioner of natural and cultural resources certain class I, II, III and IV highways as appropriate bicycle paths or trails as defined by RSA 230:74, IV. He shall consult with the commissioner of transportation or his designee and with such other state and local groups as he deems appropriate in designating such highway bicycle paths or trails.

The director of community recreation shall prepare and print a map and other literature which will describe the bicycle paths or trails designated pursuant to the provisions of RSA 12-B:4 and will provide other information of use to bicyclers.