The second largest subseries in the collection after the Facilities subseries, these files contain information about Recreation programs, projects, and City-wide activities that affected the Parks Department, as well as the department's relationship with public schools and other local organizations. Several files hold material on national and local professional recreation groups such as the American Institute of Park Executives and National Park Association. The most extensive files relate to the Park Board. They date from 1916 to 1979 and include correspondence and newspaper clippings.

There is a series of “History” files containing newspaper clippings relating to the history of the City, the Parks Department, and the parks; information on the history of the parks is also found in the Olmsted Brothers files. The files titled “Ethnic Matters” contain newspaper clippings relating to race issues and ethnic events as well as issues of “Northwest Ethnic News.”

The files of Playground Reports dating from 1925 to 1931 are detailed summer reports by playground of recreation activities at that location. The reports cover activities for both boys and girls and include program evaluations, suggestions for improvements, comments on children’s behavior, and favorite games. Photographs are included with the 1925 Garfield playground report. Weekly Fieldhouse Reports, dating from 1923 to 1944, are primarily statistical, including number of boys and girls attending, and types of organized games played. Other subjects documented in the Administrative Subject Files are attendance and customer satisfaction, fundraising and financing, education of recreation professionals, and Forward Thrust.

Records in the Administrative Subject Files, although they vary according to the file, include reports, news clippings, employee newsletters, financial statements, memoranda, journal articles, catalogs, notes, sketches, maps, and conference papers and proceedings.

The files are arranged alphabetically by subject.