The governing body of any municipality, park district, or school district may dedicate and set apart for use as playgrounds, recreation centers, and other recreation or character-building purposes and community centers, lands or buildings, or both, owned or leased by such municipality, school district, or park district, and not dedicated or devoted to another, inconsistent public use. A municipality, school district, or park district, in such manner as may now or hereafter be authorized or provided by law for the acquisition of lands or buildings for public purposes by such municipality, school district, or park district, may acquire or lease lands or buildings, or both, within or beyond the corporate limits of such municipality, school district, or park district, for community centers, playgrounds, recreation centers, or other recreation and character-building purposes. When the governing body of such municipality, school district, or park district, so dedicates, sets apart, acquires, or leases lands or buildings for such purposes, on its own initiative, it may provide for their conduct, equipment, and maintenance according to the provisions of this chapter by making an appropriation from the general municipal, school district, or park district funds.