To provide enjoyable recreational activities which enhance the quality of life for participants and volunteer leaders
To provide recreational opportunities, both competitive and non-competitive, for persons of all ages at a reasonable expense.
To establish an atmosphere at each sponsored activity which is supportive of the efforts of each participant and affirms their worth.

In order for these goals to be met it is expected that leaders (volunteers and paid staff) do the following things:

Give positive reinforcement to each participant.
Provide educational feedback in a calm manner.
Attempt to include every participant in every activity

Programs and Services
The Recreation Department provides a wide range of youth and adult public recreational activities. City Recreation exists to provide opportunities for leisure time activities at an affordable cost (usually subsidized by public funds) that are not feasible or easily provided by the private sector. Programs have developed primarily through a process of request and interest.

Specific activities include:
Youth - baseball/softball, recreational swimming and instruction, tennis instruction, golf instruction, basketball, ice skating, field trips, specialized instruction (horsemanship, fishing, etc.), open gyms, youth soccer, ice hockey, arts and cultural activities.

Adult - baseball/softball, swimming, golf, tennis, basketball, volleyball, ice skating, open gyms and arts and cultural activities.

The services are provided in a variety of ways with a wide range of degree of involvement by the city. In some activities, the entire program is organized and supervised by the city. Some examples would be youth baseball/softball, golf, tennis, field trips and open gym.

Other programs are jointly sponsored with parent or adult organizations, such as ice hockey, youth soccer, youth basketball and adult softball/baseball.

Finally, some agencies, such as Brookings Arts Council are partially supported financially to insure the providing of a quality program to the community, in lieu of duplicating a service.

Long term benefits include:

Learning of life skills in recreation activities.
Providing a well-rounded list of recreational opportunities to meet expectations of current residents and as an attraction to those considering relocating to Brookings.

All residents are served to the degree that they choose or are able to participate. However, in general, it could be fairly stated that city recreation in Brookings, especially as concerns the expenditures of tax dollars, puts a high priority on youth, providing numerous activities for their leisure time.