This study explores fundamental policy issues pertaining to municipal leisure service delivery. A conceptual model consisting of primary roles and correlates concerning the municipal provision of park and recreation services was developed with the aid of a panel of experts. This theorettical framework was then operationalized through the development of an attitude inventory that was administered to reference groups (e.g., local elected officials, community recreation providers, and community service organizations). The results of the principal component analysis yielded six independent dimensions including provision of land and water resources for recreation purposes, recreation leadership and programming by schools, community recreation services by government and nongovernment agencies, municipal cooperation with commercial recreation, utilization of volunteers, and fees and charges in the municipal provision of leisure services. The methodology employed in the operationalization of recreation policy issues would appear to be appropriate and capable of supporting additional research.
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