The law provides for cooperation between the Depart-
ment of Recreation and other municipal bodies which have
facilities. In this way full use is made of public parks,
school grounds, and city swimming pools for which
the Recreation Department provides all supervision and
instruction.

The city program has grown steadily since its start in
1911. Its activities today are centered in 62 organized play-
grounds and 32 buildings, all but 4 of which are schools.
Eleven of the buildings are used chiefly for athletics and
games; the rest operate as full-time social centers.

Personnel

_ The Department of Recreation Mnaintains a corps of about
50 full-time professional workers. In addition, part-time
workers are hired for specific activities having from one to
three sessions a week. The school principal heads the social
center, with the aid of a full-time assistant to direct activi-
ties. Almost 1,000 volunteers help in the program.

Sports and Athletics

Milwaukee’s Municipal Athletic Association promotes no
less than 28 sports. In 1941, more than 26,000 people be-
longed to 1,871 teams organized into leagues, which run a
regular schedule of tournaments and meets. A handbook
reports the year’s activities and lists individual, team and
league champions. A separate boxing program for boys
includes training, tournaments, and exhibition bouts.

The Women’s Municipal Athletic Association promotes an
extensive sports program for women and girls 15 years old
and up. Besides competitive sports, there are gymnastics,
keeping-fit classes, informal games, and social andrhythmic
dancing. Daytime and evening leagues are a part of the
women’s sports schedule. .
Social Activities

To watch one of its 32 neighborhood centers in action is to -
know a good deal about Milwaukee. On any evening there
will be classes, meetings, lectures, hobby groups and indoor

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