A city by its council or an incorporated village, at an annual meeting, may appropriate such sums of money as it deems best, not exceeding four percent of its grand list, for the purchase of public playgrounds and lands, and for the construction and maintenance of buildings and equipment on public playgrounds or lands, for public recreational purposes. This section shall not apply to a city or incorporated village whose charter or bylaws authorize the appropriation.
31 V.S.A. § 201