District Councils' Role in Open Space and Recreation Development

District councils are key enablers in the development of sport and physical recreation and have the primary responsibility for the provision of public open space facilities within their areas. Their statutory powers to provide for and facilitate recreation are considerable, ranging from leisure and tourism promotion, acquisition of land for recreational use and provision of facilities, to securing public access to the countryside. It should be noted, however, that many of the powers of councils are discretionary, some are limited by legislation while others have been used infrequently due to the resources required.