Robert Wilson Crawford.. Bob helped to build and to expand Philadelphia’s parks and whose ideas and methods were widely copied in other cities. He moved to Walnut Creek in 1981, after retiring as Philadelphia’s Commissioner of Recreation. He was Superintendent of Recreation in Oakland for 5 years before moving to Philadelphia in 1952.

Much of his career was spent persuading government officials to expand the number of parks and to increase recreational programs. When he came to Philadelphia, for example, the city had 95 recreational areas. By the time he left, it had 815, including parks, playgrounds swimming pools and community centers.

In the 1930s, when he began working in recreation, parks were considered ornamentation for cities. But in positions on the East and West coasts, he was among the first to become an advocate for transforming them into recreational areas for communities with diverse interests and needs.

Under his leadership in Philadelphia, parks added nature trails for hikers, basketball courts for people who use wheelchairs, and exercise programs based in community centers for elderly people.

He also set up advisory groups to identify the recreational needs of individual neighborhoods.

In an approach that was widely appropriated, parents were given voice in planning the use of playgrounds after land was cleared for them and equipment was installed. He also made available mobile swimming pools that could be brought into neighborhoods when requested.

From 1934 - 1944, he held posts as Recreation Director in Hastings-on-Hudson, New York, in Brooklyn’s Red Hook Public Housing Project, and in Montclair, New Jersey. During World Was II, he worked as a Director of Recreation for the Navy in California and in the Philippines. He had an undergraduate degree from Des Moines University and a master’s degree from New York University.

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The "Dean" of Recreation

John W. Christian and Richard Trudeau 

(Source: Academy Bulletin, 1995)

In 1994, we talked about to Bob Crawford about his autobiography, Reflections of a Recreation Professional. His book was introduced at the 1993 San Jose NRPA Congress. He did not recollect the number of books printed, but was very clear that all financial proceeds will be given to the National Recreation and Park Association. Bob was encouraged by one of his two sons to write his autobiography because, as we suspect this happens so frequently with many families, Bob’s family really did not know much about his background and early years. For a large part, the book is a gift to the Crawford family.

Reflections of a Recreation Professional is essentially written in two parts. The first is a personal and family section; and the second being the story of his professional career. With the help of Jane Adams, Executive Director of the California Parks and Recreation Society, and fellow Academy member, he played around with over 50 ideas in titling his book. Bob especially insisted the words "recreation" and "professional" be in the title.

Perhaps what is most amazing in today’s world of politics is the fact that Bob Crawford served as Recreation Commissioner in Philadelphia for five different Mayors. Each Mayor had a chance to remove commissioners as part of their new team. Each time, however, they chose Bob Crawford as their Recreation Commissioner. That record is likely never to be broken, a true testament of Bob’s ability to provide necessary services while operating his business of parks and recreation with integrity and efficiency.

Crawford was instrumental in the founding of the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration in 1981. In the mid-sixties, he was influential in the formation of the NRPA, and the merging of a variety of independent professional organizations into one national organization. Truly, Bob Crawford, played a key role in shaping the eventual outcome of today’s professional organization. The professional identity and influence of NRPA is in large part due to the leadership and tireless efforts of Robert Crawford.

Even though Bob was one of the founding members of the Academy, he was unable to make the first meeting in Phoenix, AZ, because of a last minute "emergency." It seemed that the owner of the Philadelphia Phillies, Bob Carpenter, requested his presence at the 1981 World Series! Bob was one of the builders of Philadelphia’s Veteran Stadium, the home of the Philadelphia Eagles football team and the Phillies baseball team. In fact, his role was so important that he served as the Master of Ceremonies in 1971 when over 35,000 people attended the dedication of the new Veteran Stadium.

Just as our visit was ending, Bob showed us a special certificate and memento from the World Leisure and Recreation Association. This honor was bestowed on Bob in October at the Minneapolis NRPA Congress. He is the first recipient of the World Leisure and Recreation Association’s prestigious Award of Excellence. It is fitting that the memory of our visit with the "Dean of Recreation" is summarized in his award:

-You are recognized and respected internationally as one of the great pioneers of the recreation movement.

-Your contributions to the movement have influenced the shape and direction of municipal recreation; the establishment, growth and direction of recreation as a professional calling; the education of recreational personnel in universities; and the establishment of internships for in-service professional development.

-You have given significant leadership in the development of the American Recreation Society, the National Recreation Association, and the American Institute of Park Executives. Your supporting influence was critical to the merger of these bodies to form the present National Recreation and Park Association.

-You were an advocate for the development of the International Recreation Association through your influence with the National Recreation Association. Since your retirement from your position as Commissioner of Parks and Recreation in Philadelphia, you have been prominent in your support of the World Leisure and Recreation Association through the National Recreation Foundation.

-Your influence on international recreation and leisure has been a quietly significant contributing force for over 50 years.

One of life’s rewards is to be a part of the profession that includes a deep and rich heritage of so many caring and dedicated people. Robert W. Crawford is one of those individuals. His lasting contributions throughout the country have been and will be appreciated by so many people. The values he represents both personally and professionally truly serve as cornerstones for all of us. As members of the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration, we are indeed privileged that our Foundation is a part of Bob Crawford’s remarkable life.

Author’s Note: