Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management, Other.

Degree Overview

Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management, Other (CIP 31.0399) is a specialized, applied field focused on the planning, operation, maintenance, and strategic management of recreational facilities and public leisure infrastructure. While parks and recreation programs focus on activities and services, facilities management concentrates on the physical spaces that make those experiences possible—parks, recreation centers, sports complexes, trails, aquatic facilities, event venues, and outdoor recreation sites.

For a degree search site, this CIP code represents a highly practical pathway for students who want leadership roles that combine operations, public service, safety, budgeting, and long-term planning. Communities increasingly rely on well-managed recreation facilities to support health, tourism, youth programs, and economic development. This degree prepares students to become the professionals who ensure those spaces are safe, accessible, financially sustainable, and built to serve the public for decades.

What Is a Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management Degree?

A Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management degree is an interdisciplinary program centered on the operational and administrative side of recreation systems. Programs under the “Other” designation typically support customized or specialized facility-focused tracks that may not fit standard recreation management labels.

Instead of emphasizing programming alone, students learn how to:

• Plan and design recreation facilities
• Maintain buildings, grounds, and infrastructure
• Manage budgets, staffing, and vendors
• Ensure safety, compliance, and accessibility
• Optimize facility usage and lifecycle costs

Universities offer this degree to:

• Train professionals to manage public and private recreation facilities
• Prepare leaders for parks departments, campuses, and leisure organizations
• Support careers that blend operations, administration, and community service
• Develop expertise in facility planning, risk management, and sustainability

This degree is especially valuable for students who prefer operational leadership over desk-only administrative roles.

What Will You Learn?

Students learn how recreational spaces are designed, operated, and sustained over time. You’ll study how facilities serve diverse populations while balancing safety, cost control, environmental impact, and community needs.

Core Skills You’ll Build

Graduates typically develop skills such as:

• Facility operations management—day-to-day oversight of buildings and grounds
• Maintenance planning—preventive care, repairs, and lifecycle management
• Budgeting and financial management—operating costs, capital planning, and funding
• Risk management and safety—liability reduction, inspections, and compliance
• Staff supervision—managing employees, contractors, and volunteers
• Project management—facility upgrades, renovations, and expansions
• Vendor and contract management—working with service providers and suppliers
• Public service and customer experience—ensuring welcoming, accessible spaces

These skills are directly applicable to leadership roles in both public and private recreation environments.

Topics You May Explore

Coursework varies by institution, but commonly includes:

• Recreation Facilities Management: operations, scheduling, and utilization
• Park and Facility Maintenance: groundskeeping, infrastructure, and systems
• Risk Management and Recreation Law: safety standards, liability, and compliance
• Budgeting and Public Finance: funding models and capital planning
• Sustainable Facilities and Operations: energy efficiency and environmental practices
• Accessibility and Universal Design: inclusive facility planning
• Construction and Renovation Planning: project coordination and oversight
• Event and Venue Operations: managing high-traffic recreational spaces
• Asset and Lifecycle Management: long-term facility strategy

Many programs include internships with parks departments, campuses, or recreation organizations.

What Jobs Can You Get With This Degree?

A Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management degree prepares students for operations-focused leadership roles. Advancement is often tied to experience, certifications, and demonstrated management ability.

Common career paths include:

• Recreation Facilities Manager: overseeing community centers or sports complexes
• Parks Operations Supervisor: managing park infrastructure and maintenance teams
• Campus Recreation or Facilities Coordinator: overseeing university recreation spaces
• Aquatic or Sports Facility Manager: operating pools, arenas, or fields
• Event Venue or Civic Facility Manager: managing large public-use spaces
• Operations or Maintenance Manager: coordinating facility systems and staff
• Municipal Parks Administrator: supporting city or county recreation systems
• Graduate or Professional School Path: pursuing advanced public administration or facilities management

Where Can You Work?

Graduates work in organizations responsible for recreation infrastructure:

• Municipal parks and recreation departments
• State and national park systems
• Universities and campus recreation centers
• Community recreation centers and YMCAs
• Sports complexes and event venues
• Resorts, camps, and outdoor recreation organizations
• Nonprofit and public service agencies

How Much Can You Earn?

Earnings depend on role, sector, and location.

Typical ranges include:

• Entry-level facilities or operations roles: often $40,000–$55,000
• Facilities managers or supervisors: commonly $55,000–$80,000
• Senior facilities or parks administrators: often $80,000–$110,000+

Public-sector roles often include strong benefits, job stability, and pension systems.

Is This Degree Hard?

Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management is considered moderately challenging. It is less academically abstract than some majors but demands strong organizational skills, accountability, and problem-solving. Students must manage real-world constraints such as budgets, safety regulations, staffing, and aging infrastructure.

The difficulty lies in responsibility and decision-making rather than exams alone.

Who Should Consider This Degree?

This degree may be a strong fit if you:

• Prefer hands-on, operational leadership roles
• Enjoy managing spaces, systems, and logistics
• Want a stable career in public service or community infrastructure
• Are interested in facilities, safety, and long-term planning
• Like solving practical problems with visible impact

How to Prepare in High School

To prepare for a facilities management-focused recreation program:

• Take business, environmental science, and technical courses
• Develop strong organization and leadership skills
• Work or volunteer at parks, recreation centers, or event venues
• Learn basic budgeting and project planning concepts
• Build customer service and teamwork experience

Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Facilities Management, Other (CIP 31.0399) is a career-focused degree for students who want to keep communities running smoothly. It prepares graduates to manage the physical spaces that support health, recreation, and connection—ensuring that parks and facilities remain safe, welcoming, and sustainable for generations to come.