Perlmutter, Felice DCnaan, Ram A2023-05-232023-05-2319992006-11-22https://repository.upenn.edu/handle/20.500.14332/47370This paper documents how one Department of Recreation in a large city underwent a planned change effort which transformed some 200 site managers into active community organizers. Based on the philosophy of a very dynamic new commissioner (a former community organizer), city employees enhanced local civic participation and forged a partnership between the public and private sectors as well as with local residents. The paper presents the guiding philosophy, implementation steps, an assessment of the impact of the change, and a discussion of the potential of such a process which can be adopted nationwide.recreationurban changecommunity organizingpartnershipsplanned changeArticle