26 T HE A‘U D U'B’O'N 4BeUsii eas 
approach to planning. The day of citizen comprehensive planning is gone. 
It has been replaced by citizen review of plans prepared by professional 
planners. 
WHAT ARE PLANNERS? 
Planners are a group of trained professionals dedicated to an objective 
analysis of the situation and a meaningful approach to solving problems or 
utilizing potential. They are not technicians, politicians or administrators. 
They are human and subject to errors in judgement, hence the need for 
close review and constructive criticism of their plans and proposals. 
Planners in private or public practice are responsible to the public 
who will directly benefit or suffer from their actions. Planners do not 
make decisions in a democracy! Their job is to study the problem and 
recommend possible solutions to decision-makers. For example, at the state 
level, the decision-makers are the governor, legislature, appropriate depart- 
ments, and most important, the electorate which has the power to influence 
the decisions of these bodies and officials by expressing a concerned and 
continuing interest in their actions. 
Few people have the inclination or energy to look more than 20 years 
ahead, yet someone must. The vision of most planners is as vital as their 
ability to see the trees of the present before entering the forest of the 
future. A plan to the year 2020 can be as important as the plan to the year 
1970 if each is viewed in its proper perspective. The trouble with being 
ahead of time is, there is virtually no one around to appreciate it, hence, 
the planner often becomes the logical whipping boy because of the decision 
or indecision of others. A dedicated planner expects and assumes criticism 
as part of his job. 
THE RECREATION PLANNER 
A recreation planner must have a knowledge and appreciation of 
natural resources and a genuine interest in people and outdoor recreation. 
It makes little difference whether he has a rural or urban background. How- 
ever, there might be some advantage in an urban background because it 
yields an understanding of urban recreational needs and problems. A 
“rural” planner who has no knowledge of metropolitan living is no better 
than a “city” planner insensitive to the preservation of wilderness. 
If a recreation planner has any “expertise,” it is his ability to consult 
with various specialists in landscape architecture, recreation, parks, fish, 
game, forestry, engineering, etc., and rationalize their programs into a 
comprehensive outdoor recreation plan. Beware of any person claiming an 
ability in all of these areas, for he may not be a planner! 
Someone must have the overal planning responsibility to avoid dupli- 
cation and conflicting efforts. The forester cannot be expected to be an 
expert on fish biology, nor can the game biologist be aware of the engineer- 
ing limitations of a proposed project; but the planner can perceive the 
overall dimensions and effects of their individual efforts in terms of a 
common goal. His responsibility is the whole rather than the parts. His 
charge is balance, order and foresight. His mission is to analyze, evaluate 
and recommend. He generally does not initiate, coordinate or administer 
anything or any one. 
