John Considine* - Detroit

John J. Considine was born in Ireland, attended public school in Ireland moving to New York City graduating from high school in Yonkers, N.Y. He enlisted as a private in the US infantry (World War I-1914) and in 1918 was honorable discharged as a First Lieutenant. He became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1917 while serving in the Armed Forces. After being discharged he attended the University of Detroit and the University of Michigan. He was affiliated with the Detroit Department of Recreation for 42 years.

His experience in the professional field of recreation and parks started in Detroit (1921). John was hired as a playground leader. He then became Head Supervisor for men and boys activities, Assistant General Superintendent-coordinator of special events and lastly General Superintendent. He organized the Detroit Bicentennial which served as a model for the Detroit Tercentennial.

Through his vision, respect and understanding of the importance of recreation and park services for all people, his emphasis of equal opportunities that he began in the 1930's is still in operation today. Few public servants have contributed as much to any city as John did. He advocated for women and minorities at a time when the city of Detroit was under tremendous racial tension.

John was General Superintendent of Detroit during an era of explosive growth for the city, in large measure it was John's leadership, innovative ideas and integrity that kept public recreation facilities abreast of the needs of the broad constituent groups that came to these facilities. When John became General Superintendent there were 25 playgrounds in Detroit, when he retired the number of playgrounds had increased to 444. In addition, he was a strong supporter of providing specialized recreation opportunities for persons with disabilities - blind, deaf, and older persons. Detroit has numerous public recreation facilities because of John's hard driving insistence. Detroit's new generations will find a better quality of life because John had a vision and the determination to make that vision come alive.

Appropriately John was recognized for his distinguished professional career as a provider of recreation and park services to the citizens of Detroit. The City of Detroit purchased from the Jewish Welfare Federation, the Arron Deroy Community Center and it became the property of the Parks and Recreation Department. The Center was renamed the John J. Considine Recreation Center (located on Woodward Avenue). The Center was renovated and a professional staff of 12 full, partime and custodial staff was hired to operate the building from 9:00 AM to 11:30 PM, seven days a week.

The Center is often utilized for special school classes and special school programs. In addition, the John J. Considine Spirit of the Games Award conceived in 1963, is a rotating trophy given to the Detroit Cities Youth Fitness Program team that best exhibits enthusiasm, preparedness, contact and attitude at the meet. This award is a tribute to John who personified positive direction often demonstrated by his personal relationships with participants and colleagues throughout his professional career. He was instrumental in developing and implementing the first Youth Fitness Program in 1957. The event was held on Belle Isle and appropriately John welcomed the participants. Another award that had professional significance for John was his receiving the First Fellow Award presented by RAM (with Jim Reid and Henry Schubert).

John J. Considine, a person who not only believed in diversity but he lived it!