Study shows demand outstrips spending on recreation

ATHENS - Spending on parks and recreation in Georgia communities is keeping up with inflation but not with demand, according to a new survey. <br> <br> A report by the Carl Vinson Institute of Government at the University of Georgia said average per capita spending from 96 responding communities went up from $34.23 in 1996 to $50.18 last year. <br> <br> Still, recreation departmens are facing more demands from residents, said Steven Dempsey, a senior associate at the institute. <br> <br> Not only do the departments have more people to serve, they are being asked to accomodate more interests. <br> <br> ``Now, you have people asking for skate parks and dog parks,&#39;&#39; Dempsey said. Sports such as roller hockey and lacrosse are competing with baseball, basketball and soccer for tax dollars. <br> <br> The survey was designed to give recreation directors and elected officials a comparison of spending by cities and counties. <br> <br> The spending varied widely. In Cobb County, for example, where youth athletic operations are left to volunteers, the per capita cost is $19.65. The city of Roswell, which runs the youth programs, spends almost $90 per capita. <br> <br> Roswell&#39;s recreation department also pays for five park rangers, which typically are part of police departments.

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