Section 242. Administration, equipment and operation

The authority to
  establish and maintain playgrounds and neighborhood  recreation  centers
  may  be  vested  in  the  park  board  or  other  existing  body or in a
  recreation commission as the board of estimate and apportionment, common
  council, board of aldermen or corresponding  legislative  body,  or  the
  governing  board  of  any such county, town or village, shall determine.
  The local authorities of any  such  municipality  designated  to  equip,
  operate  and maintain playgrounds and neighborhood recreation centers as
  authorized by this article, may equip such  playgrounds  and  recreation
  centers,  and  the  buildings  thereon,  and may construct, maintain and
  operate in connection therewith public baths and  swimming  pools.  Such
  local  authorities  may,  for the purposes of carrying out the object of
  such playgrounds or recreation centers, employ play leaders,  playground
  directors,  supervisors,  recreation  secretary,  superintendent or such
  other officers or employees as they deem proper.