The Association was founded in 1990 and it operates in the area of Häme Region. The Association has 15 municipalities as members: Forssa, Hämeenlinna, Riihimäki, Hattula, Hauho, Humppila, Janakkala, Jokioinen, Kalvola, Lammi, Loppi, Renko, Tammela, Tuulos and Ypäjä. The municipalities of Luopioinen and Valkeakoski also take part in the activities of the Association.

The objective of the Häme Recreation Area Association is to secure and develop the recreational opportunities of local people and visitors alike, and to preserve and protect the distinctive character of nature and scenery in the province. This means in practical terms that the Association is involved in land acquisition and coordinates maintenance and development work. Each recreation area has its own appointed maintenance board responsible for caretaking and development in the area.

Municipalities, societies and private citizens outside the province of Häme can act as support members of the Association. The Association may also accept financial support and donations.

Regional recreation areas are owned jointly by municipalities. Each area has a different ownership basis, but inhabitants of all municipalities participating in the project are entitled to use all the areas. State land acquisition subsidies are funnelled to land purchases through the Recreation Area Association. By 2001, the municipalities had made a total of 12 purchases jointly through the Association, covering about 170 hectares of waterfront land and 17 kilometres of shoreline for recreational use.

The Recreational Area Association operates in conjunction with the Regional Council of Häme. The address of the Association is Niittykatu 5, 13100 Hämeenlinna, Finland, and the phone number is +358 03 647 401. Jukka Ojanen is Association ombudsman, Hannu Raittinen is in charge of land acquisition and planning, and Pentti O. Turunen is in charge of administration.