17289. ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING CHALLENGE: DIVERSITY IN LEISURE OPPORTUNITIES. This paper considers the challenges and opportunities environmental planners face in creating leisure opportunities for diverse communities. It is noted that diversity is an issue of importance in environmental planning and the provision of leisure opportunities because society as a whole is in the process of becoming increasingly diversified. Considers the issue from a social justice perspective, which holds that it is important to seek inclusion of all social groups in leisure opportunities as well as in other areas of social interaction. Notes the obstacles to inclusion and diversity, including stereotypes, institutional barriers, funding constraints and individual prejudice. KEYWORDS: urban planning environmental planning leisure diversity inclusion. Written 2005. 12 pages, 25 footnotes, 10 bibliographic sources. 2,656 words.