The Productive Parks 5-Minute Podcast
A podcast for Parks and Recreation professionals who are working to change the game in the field.
Episodes
Episode #108: Tips for Prioritizing Park Maintenance
We’re back! Welcome to season 4!
It’s the busy growing season. Your head is on a swivel. It seems like a never-ending stream of work requests, emails, phone calls, and meetings in the hallway are coming your way.
The work is piling up, and then the Executive Director calls you about an emergency issue at one of your parks. Just like that, the work you scheduled out for the week has to be re-juggl
Episode #107: Career Pathways in Park Maintenance
Can you make a long-lasting, fulfilling career out of park maintenance? Will you make enough to sustain your family and passions?
After all, for some, working in park maintenance is a dream job–being outdoors, solving problems, and making an impact on the community. Plus, many park operations jobs are projected for favorable or very favorable employment growth potential in the future.
But can you
Episode #106: Maintaining Picnic Shelters
Picnic shelters can serve several functions at your parks, from special events and recreation programming to family gatherings. The shelters also serve as an easy way to get out of the sun or get protection during a surprise downpour.
A well-maintained picnic shelter serves as a safe, accessible place where people can gather. Some routine tasks and inspections can help increase the lifespan of t
Episode #105: 5 Ideas to Boost Park Maintenance Operations
Park maintenance managers face continued pressure to do more with less. Their maintenance budgets get slashed. They have fewer staff. The expectations continue to grow despite the lack of resources.
It’s enough to spread any park maintenance team thin.
What’s the solution?
One thing you can do is review your current operations to see if there are alternative approaches that may improve efficiency.
Episode #104: Outdoor Fitness Equipment Maintenance
Working out in a gym isn’t for everyone. Some people prefer their exercise outdoors. As outdoor fitness equipment continues to evolve in our parks and open spaces, so does its popularity.
Outdoor fitness equipment enables parks and recreation agencies to offer their communities opportunities to expand and diversify their fitness routines. You want to make sure that the equipment remains safe, fun
Episode #103: Midsummer Reset: Evaluating and Optimizing Your Park Maintenance Plan
It’s the middle of summer. This time of year, you may get a chance to experience a very brief moment of respite. A little lull between the madness of the start of the growing season, special events, and other recreation programming.
Although this is often a time for a much-needed breather, it can also present an opportunity that will help you the rest of the summer.
A midsummer review of your mai
Episode #102: Teambuilding for Park Maintenance Staff
You have some park maintenance staff who can do some pretty amazing things for your agency. Individuals who can fix broken irrigation systems, set up for large events, and care for amazing-looking sports fields.
But even the best technicians can struggle when the team isn’t working well together. The entire park maintenance team feels the effects when issues arise with communication, engagement, t
Episode #101: Tips for Balancing Park Maintenance and Special Events
Late spring and early summer…It’s that time of year when just about every park maintenance crew is struggling to keep their heads above water. And now they are being asked to help with some of the special events.
We all know special events are a big part of programming for parks and recreation agencies, and summer is full of them.
So, how can you make it easier for an already stressed, overextende
Episode #100: Do Campgrounds Need Maintenance Management Software
There are a lot of different campgrounds out there. From the open space areas with strategically-placed bathrooms, grills, and garbage cans to resort-like sites with plenty of amenities.
One thing is common for all these campsites--they require maintenance to give visitors a safe, positive experience.
But do campsites need a maintenance management system (CMMS) software to help the maintenance te
Episode #99: What to Consider Before Purchasing Park Maintenance Equipment
There’s going to come a time when it is no longer feasible to repair some of your park maintenance equipment. You are going to have to replace the equipment.
You want to make sure you get your money’s worth out of the new equipment. And you want to make sure the maintenance equipment provides staff with the tools they need to effectively complete their tasks.
After all, misguided or hasty equipme
Episode #98: Tips for Training Seasonal Park Maintenance Workers
You worked hard to hire qualified seasonal staff to help with your parks maintenance operations. Well-trained seasonal staff helps your maintenance team operate more efficiently, provides support to full-time staff, and increases the chance that the seasonals will return next year.
Now it’s time to train the seasonal staff to set them up for success.
You want to be sure that they have everything t
Episode #97: Organizing a Park Cleanup Event
A park cleanup event can be an excellent opportunity to address maintenance needs for your parks while getting the community involved. Community park cleanup events can help the maintenance team catch up on less skilled work like trash cleanup, weeding, removing invasive plants, and other beautification projects.
Don’t let that opportunity go to waste! A poorly planned cleanup event can mean work
Episode #96: Repair or Replace Equipment: What to Consider
As a park and recreation agency, we all come to this crossroads…should we keep repairing older playground equipment, or is it time to replace it?
You want to provide the best play environments for your community but probably have budget constraints and a maintenance backlog. Still, the repairs are starting to get more expensive and frequent. Is it time to finally replace the playground equipment?
Episode #95: 6 Common Park Maintenance Challenges & How to Approach Them
Is your park maintenance team dealing with issues? Are there things that constantly nag at your park and recreation agency? Well, you are not alone. As much as you’d like to think other parks departments have it all together, they are likely struggling with at least some challenges.
Despite parks and recreation agencies coming in all different shapes and sizes, they often encounter similar challe
Episode #94: Effective Communication for Park Operations
Communication. We do it every day. Conversations, phone calls, emails, and messaging…It seems nonstop. Yet communication remains to be one of the greatest challenges within many organizations–including parks and recreation agencies.
Technology may make communicating with one another easier, but it doesn’t necessarily make us better at it. Interactions among supervisory staff, administrators, and f
Episode #93: Maintaining Recreation Facilities in the Winter: Interiors
Winter usually means more people spending time indoors–and coming to your indoor recreation facilities, gyms, and workout centers. The weather conditions, additional programming, and increased foot traffic can all impact how staff need to maintain these facilities.
The challenges recreation centers face during the winter can be addressed with some planning, procedures, and maintenance routines. A
Episode #92: Maintaining Recreation Facilities for Winter: Exteriors
Harsh winter weather can be hard on recreation facility exteriors. If you are a facility manager, you’ve seen how freezing temperatures, heavy snow, high winds, and other winter weather can cause damage and hazardous conditions.
Luckily, with some planning and preparation, you can reduce the risk of common issues recreation facilities face during the winter. Help make sure your exteriors stay re
Episode #91: Park Maintenance Staff Adopting Maintenance Management Software
It can be an exciting time when parks and recreation agencies invest in computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) software. But it can also be a challenging time to adopt CMMS software.
After all, change isn’t always easy. Maintenance staff may not initially adopt CMMS software. It can be a stressful transition as the staff learns how to use maintenance management software.
Spending time
Episode #90: 7 Essential Fall Playground Maintenance Tasks
Now that the weather is starting to turn and some parts of the country are starting to face more wintery conditions, you may ask yourself if your playgrounds are ready for the change of season.
Late fall is a critical time to ensure playgrounds remain safe and functional during the winter. The playground inspections and preventative maintenance you do now can go a long way to ensure issues are add
Episode #89: Developing Training Programs for Park Maintenance Staff
Picture this…You started your maintenance team seasonal hiring. You found some perfect new additions for your maintenance department.
What happens on their first day? What kind of maintenance training is available during the onboarding process? Do they watch some standard videos that every new hire watches? Do that shadow an established maintenance staff for a few days? Are they left to their own
Episode #88: What is Park Maintenance?
Park maintenance is the backbone of a dynamic parks and recreation agency. The varied duties of a parks maintenance worker help ensure that recreation programming, special events, and visits to parks and facilities are safe and positive experiences for the public.
However, many people don’t understand all the responsibilities of a park maintenance worker and the skills necessary to complete them.
Episode #87: Managing Limited Park Maintenance Budgets
In the perfect world, your maintenance team would have all the funding and resources you need for general operations, necessary repairs, and special projects.
And then there is reality.
More often than not, budget constraints keep teams from doing everything that needs to be done. Backlogs of work pile up. Small issues get missed. Emergency repairs are needed.
Managers have to become creative to
Episode #86: Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for Parks & Recreation
Most people work better when they have a clear path to follow. When they understand what needs to be done and why. Unfortunately, not every agency has focused short- and long-term goals that give a sense of purpose and unity.
You may have heard of key performance indicators (KPIs) before. But do parks and recreation agencies really need KPIs?
In short, Yes!
Parks and recreation agencies with clea
Episode #85: Improving Park Maintenance Inventory Management
How important is inventory management for parks and recreation?
We often take our inventory for granted until we unexpectedly run out of something...at the worst possible time. Or maybe someone orders too much of something, and there is nowhere to put it. Then, inventory comes into full focus.
Being proactive with inventory allows your agency to take the mystery out of storage closets and cabinets
Episode #84: How a CMMS Saves Parks Agencies Money
Maintenance management software can automate some processes and organize a maintenance team, but how does it pay for itself?
Computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) software is an investment for a parks and recreation agency. As with any investment, you want to see it start paying off as soon as possible.
You may be surprised at how quickly your agency will start seeing a return on the i
Episode #83: Common Misconceptions When Implementing a CMMS
When a parks and recreation agency chooses maintenance management software to help streamline operations, individuals often have ideas about what the software can and cannot do.
Some may think choosing computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) software will solve all their problems. Others may believe that “Big Brother” will be watching over them, tracking their every move.
After all, cha
Episode #82: Preventing Heat-Related Illness in Park Maintenance Staff
With record heat reaching through most of the country, it’s crucial to keep your staff and visitors safe from the excessive temperatures.
Maintenance staff working outdoors in the elements exposed to heat, humidity, and sunlight are especially vulnerable. Being aware of heat-related illness symptoms allows staff to monitor themselves, their coworkers, and any visitors exposed to prolonged periods
Episode #81: Managing the Busy Growing Season
For parks and recreation maintenance teams, it’s the middle of the busy season. Everyone is probably feeling the strain. Workers have to manage heat, special events, and more visitors–along with their other regular duties–to ensure parks and properties are looking and functioning their best.
Most maintenance managers have been through this chaotic time before. But they want to go through it bette
Episode #80: Leaf Blower Maintenance
You know the sound as soon as you hear it…the whir of a leaf blower doing its job.
Despite the name, leaf blowers can help with various cleaning and clearing tasks. And if you work in parks maintenance, they are likely one of your trusted tools throughout the day.
And, like most landscaping equipment, they need regular maintenance to operate at their best and last their longest.
In this episode o
Episode #79: Deferred Maintenance in Parks and Recreation
We’ve all been there. Somebody calls off. An emergency repair is needed. Something breaks down in the field. In these instances and others, maintenance managers have to make tough decisions about what tasks to do and what needs to be deferred.
With a growing list of deferred maintenance tasks, more things start slipping through the cracks, and even more work gets deferred. Soon, your team is in o
Episode #78: Cicadas and Park Maintenance
Certain parts of the United States will soon experience a surge of visitors, but they may not be the typical visitors we’re used to seeing.
Billions, even trillions of cicadas, will emerge from the ground in some areas as two overlapping Broods come out to mate.
Are you not even sure what that means? And how will it affect your parks and landscaping? No problem. We have you covered.
This episode
Episode #77: Retaining Park Maintenance Employees
Parks maintenance workers are on the frontlines of ensuring our parks, playgrounds, green spaces, and facilities remain beneficial community resources.
The work can be hard and sometimes only gets noticed if a problem arises. When individuals feel heard and appreciated, you will have a better chance of retaining your park maintenance staff.
Agencies that have more success filling roles and keepi
Episode #76: Asset Management for Parks and Recreation
From playgrounds and gyms to paths and ballfields, parks and recreation agencies have a lot going on and many different types of assets.
Managing and tracking those assets can be a complicated balance of scheduling, budgeting, and labor management. Without a clear plan for managing parks and recreation assets, things will fall through the cracks.
And little issues are going to become big, expensi
Episode #75: Sustainable Landscape Management for Parks
Are you looking to cut your parks maintenance supply and labor costs? Has your parks and recreation agency developed a sustainability plan requiring more environmentally friendly practices?
Do you want safe places your visitors can enjoy and be proud of?
Sustainable landscape management and natural lawn care limit or eliminate the use of harmful, dangerous chemicals while ensuring the areas are he
Episode #74: Playground Maintenance for the Spring
As the weather gets nicer, more children and families will head to your parks and playgrounds. Are your playgrounds ready for the extra traffic?
One of the most important responsibilities of park maintenance workers is ensuring playgrounds are safe, free of hazards, and ready for action.
Do you have a plan to make sure your outdoor assets are prepared for the increased traffic?
In this episode of
Episode #73: Tips for Hiring Seasonal Employees
As we get closer to the spring and summer seasons, you probably have some extra seasonal staff openings that need to be filled.
Attracting great seasonal employees takes more than putting a “We’re Hiring” sign in front of your administration building.
So how can you reach potential employees and get them excited to work for your agency?
In this episode of the Productive Parks 5-Minute Podcast, le
Episode #72: Recreation Facility Winter Parking Lot Maintenance
During the winter, there’s a good chance your recreation facilities get a workout. Recreation Center parking lot maintenance ensures your guests and employees can park their vehicles and get to your facilities safely.
But winter is hard on parking lots. Extreme weather, freeze-thaw cycles, and snow removal equipment can damage parking lots and surrounding landscaping--especially when proper precau
Episode #71: Parks and Recreation Trends for 2024
What parks and recreation trends will define 2024?
After all, staying on top of the latest parks and recreation trends helps keep the public engaged and makes your agency more relevant.
If the start of this decade has taught us anything, it’s to expect the unexpected. However, we feel a few trends will emerge or continue to be on the radar of several parks and recreation agencies in 2024.
In this
Episode #70: Preventive Maintenance for Recreation Facility HVAC Systems
During the winter months, many parks and recreation agencies switch the focus to their facilities. The public takes advantage of community centers, recreation complexes, and gyms for their leisurely pursuits.
The maintenance department plays a key role in ensuring these facilities are safe, comfortable, and clean. Developing a preventive maintenance plan for HVAC systems ensures guests and staff
Episode #69: Questions to Ask Before Choosing a CMMS
Maintenance management software is an investment to improve operations for your agency. You want to ensure you're getting the best option for your money.
The implementation process is a crucial step while transitioning to a CMMS. If the implementation doesn’t go well, you may be paying for software that no one uses--and you’ll probably have to answer some tough questions next time budget meetings
Episode #68: Addressing Winter Playground Issues
Making outdoor playgrounds available to visitors is important for every season. After all, even during winter, many children and families brave the elements for physical outdoor play. BUT…Winter weather--like snow, ice, and fluctuating temperatures--can hasten the wear and tear of playground equipment. Extreme winter weather can create hazards and unsafe conditions on playgrounds.
A parks maintena
Episode #67: Benefits of Native Plantings in Parks
Are you looking to reduce labor and maintenance costs? Maybe decrease the wear and tear on your equipment and vehicles?
Do you have large areas of turfgrass that hardly ever get used?
Then we may have a solution for all these issues and a lot more.
Replacing turfgrass areas with locally native plants can positively affect maintenance operations, the community, and the environment.
But it will tak
Episode #66: Solutions for Noisy Pickleball Courts
You heard the public's demand for pickleball courts. You transformed some older, hardly used tennis courts into pickleball courts.
And now you're hearing the public's complaints about pickleball noise!
Ironically, a sport created decades ago allowing families and friends of all ability levels to play together is causing a serious rift between Picklers (Pickleball players) and non-players living n
Episode #65: Choosing Trash Receptacles for Your Sites
You want your recreational areas to be a source of pride for your department and joy for the public. Preventing and eliminating litter is a top priority.
Public parks offer many benefits for those who use them. Litter, however, can distract and degrade the experience. In fact, poorly maintained sites with visible debris distract from patrons' perceived quality and safety of an experience.
It'
Episode #64: Planning Parks Maintenance for Next Year
You’ve just about made it through another busy growing season. Chances are you had some smooth patches and some challenges along the way. The season has added to your parks maintenance wisdom.
So put that wisdom to good use! As things start slowing down for the season, now is an excellent time to prepare for next year.
Sure, you may not even want to think about next year’s park maintenance right
Episode #63: 2 Common Methods for Parks Preventative Maintenance
If your team finds its workflow disrupted by equipment breakdowns, facility issues, and constant park repairs, it may be time to examine your preventative maintenance plan.
The best way of dealing with problems in parks and facilities is by catching them before they become major issues. Scheduling routine preventative maintenance for your assets helps prevent breakdowns, injuries, and workflow dis
Episode #62: Effective Recreation Facility Maintenance Management
A well-maintained recreation facility gives the public a safe, welcoming, functional environment to enjoy programming and events. As the winter months approach, you may find your recreation facility getting even more use…and abuse.
Is your recreation complex, fitness facility, or community center ready for it?
Like our playgrounds and park assets, facilities benefit from routine inspections and ma
Episode #61: Five Steps to Developing a Maintenance Program
If not already, there will probably come a time when everything your maintenance department does will need to be outlined in a maintenance program. For those who have worked in the field for a long time, this may mean taking everything that’s become instinctual and turning it into something tangible.
In other words…no small task.
You may not even know where to begin.
Initially, organizing your ma
Episode #60: Trail Maintenance to Avoid Common Issues
Trails are excellent features that encourage the public to get active and enjoy nature.
Carefully planned and constructed trails can be a major attraction at a park or natural area.
And that means they can also get a lot of traffic. And, as you probably know, lots of traffic can cause trail issues.
Even well-constructed trails need routine inspections and maintenance. Resolving any emerging drai
Episode #59: Benefits of Playground Inspections
Playgrounds are one of the most popular features in our parks. They are an excellent place for kids to blow off some steam, socialize, and develop their strength and motor skills.
In most areas, more children and families use playgrounds during the summer months. As the summer wears on, the increased usage often means a greater risk of damaged equipment or unsafe conditions.
Regular playground in
Episode #58: Understanding Playground Surfacing: Unitary Materials
Park surfacing is a key feature of a safe playground. We’ve come a long way from the sand and gravel playgrounds of future generations.
In the last episode, we discussed the various loose-fill materials used for playground surfaces. For some playgrounds, loose-fill materials make a suitable playground surface solution. However, this type of playground surfacing has some drawbacks, which may make
Episode #57: Understanding Playground Surfacing: Loose Fill Options
Playgrounds are some of a parks and recreation agency’s most important assets. But they could also be some of the most dangerous. According to the National Playground Safety Institute (NPSI), over 79% of all playground accidents are from children falling onto improper or poorly maintained surfacing. In fact, surfacing is number 1 of the NPSI’s Dirty Dozen playground hazards.
Choosing and maintain
Episode #56: Late Summer Turfgrass Management
Your turfgrass survived another summer. With a lot of hard work--and a little luck--it still looks pretty good.
Great! It’s time to keep the momentum going because the end of summer will come soon enough. As we get closer to the cooler, shorter days, we're easing into a critical time for turfgrass health. It's an opportunity to provide the conditions to help lawns recover from summer and grow stro
Episode #55: Maintaining Asphalt Paths
If you have trails and paths that joggers, cyclists, and moms with strollers all use, there’s a good chance they’re made of asphalt.
And it makes sense. Asphalt has plenty of benefits. It provides a smooth surface. The color allows for high-contrast markings helping manage pedestrian traffic. The flexibility of asphalt allows it to withstand freeze-thaw cycles and last longer.
When properly insta
Episode #54: Light Pollution and What We Could Do About It
As the weather gets nicer, more activities get held outdoors. Some of those activities may go on until well after dark. Many parks have lighting systems to accommodate those that prefer evening recreation.
But what impact are those lights having on the local area?
Light pollution is an often overlooked and misunderstood problem affecting our communities and ecosystems. Many parks agencies have l
Episode #53: Natural Playgrounds: Is Old New Again?
One type of playground gaining more popularity may be surprising. Some parks and municipalities go more “natural” with their playground features.
After all, there are so many benefits of being in nature. As parks agencies, we have the opportunity and obligation to encourage those of all ages to reconnect with nature.
Natural playgrounds provide unique, stimulating play places for children to expl
Episode #52: Common Fungal Lawn Diseases and How to Treat Them
When you notice something strange happening to your turf, there’s a good chance that fungus is to blame. Fungal lawn diseases are common lawn issues--Some fungal more severe than others.
Luckily there are ways to prevent and help your turf bounce back from fungal lawn diseases. It starts with understanding the often subtle differences among the diseases to help you know the most appropriate way t
Episode #51: Holding Effective Maintenance Team Huddles
It may be just 10 or 15 minutes of your morning, but it could significantly impact how your team handles the rest of the day. Yes, team huddles can be effective--essential even.
Leaders who take advantage of team huddles can align the team, focus on the day, and help build rapport with each other.
Are you ready to lead your maintenance team into the busy growing season? Then maybe it’s time to le
Episode #50: Ballfield Maintenance for Safer Softball and Baseball Games
It’s that time of year again. Baseball and softball leagues are squaring off on your baseball diamonds. Maintaining ballfields helps keep the players safe and the fields looking great.
Your fields will probably take a beating throughout the summer. The best way to keep your fields maintained: scheduling ballfield preventative maintenance early…and often.
Routine inspections and maintenance can hel
Episode #49: Paper vs. Digital Work Order Systems
We’re doing fine with paper work orders. Why bother with digital work orders?
As a maintenance manager, you’ll probably deal with this comment at some point. Everything is going more digital, paper records are becoming a thing of the past. So is it time to switch to a digital work order system?
Every agency is different. The personnel, procedures, and data needed are more complicated than a one-s
Episode#48: Developing and Maintaining a Community Garden
Increasing concerns about food sources have a lot of people considering growing their own food. Growing food in a garden provides fresh organic produce for a healthier lifestyle. There’s also a sense of satisfaction after harvesting your own fruits and vegetables.
Community gardens offer an excellent opportunity for both gardening enthusiasts and novice green thumbs to have a space to grow their
Episode #47: Linear Parks and Their Maintenance
Linear parks are growing in popularity in many urban areas. They offer a unique opportunity to transform old, unused infrastructure into spaces for recreation.
These parks do more than breathe new life into unused land. Linear parks also offer the community several social, economic, and environmental benefits.
In this episode of the Productive Parks 5-Minute Podcast, we take a closer look at what
Episode #46: Tips for Planting and Maintaining Trees
Making the best use of your time when planting new trees or shrubs for your outdoor assets.
Investing a little extra time in the planning and preparation of a planting site helps to ensure your trees or shrubs establish and flourish for many years to come.
In today’s episode of the Productive Parks 5-Minute Podcast, we discuss the best practices for ensuring your trees and shrubs get planted in a
Episode #45: Should Your Agency Create a Dog Park?
You’ve probably heard…There was a pet owners boom during the pandemic.
Over 23 million households (about 19% total) bought a pet during the pandemic.
And many of those pets and their owners will be looking for something to do for the next ten years or so.
Inflation and other economic issues are causing more people--including pet owners--to choose apartments or smaller residences. They often need
Episode #44: Tips to Improve Your Work Order System
When a park or facility has a maintenance issue, time matters. Minor issues often become big problems if they are not addressed promptly.
Establishing a work order system is one of the best ways to identify and fix issues efficiently. Work orders play a fundamental role in most maintenance departments. When the system operates well, maintenance managers and their teams stay organized, prioritize
Episode #43: Spring Turf Maintenance: Preparing for the Growing Season
Few things are as satisfying as seeing lush, full lawns in your parks or athletic fields. It takes a lot of work to get them there. And just as much--if not more-- turf maintenance to get them through the growing season.
Taking care of your turf in early spring helps prepare it for the growing season. Strong, healthy lawns are more resilient to weather conditions, foot traffic, and recreational p
Episode #42: Sign Maintenance and Graffiti Removal
Signs convey an important message and impression to those who see them. Depending on the type of sign, they could be a sizable investment. And, with any investment, you want to make sure you get the most out of it.
Protecting that investment from the elements and vandalism ensures signs serve their purpose for as long as possible.
Sign maintenance may not be at the forefront of everyone’s mind, b
Episode #41: Tips for Adding Signs to Your Assets
Signs serve a vital purpose in our parks and facilities.
In fact, park and facility signs may be one of the biggest amenities most people take for granted. Visitors use them for direction, instruction, education, and even their own protection.
Often, signs are the first thing that welcomes visitors and are present throughout the whole user experience.
So you want to make sure your signs serve the
Episode #40: Networking at Conferences and Trade Shows
Now that many conferences and trade shows are returning as in-person events, it’s a great time to brush up on the best practices to make the most of these networking opportunities.
Networking at a conference is an excellent opportunity to connect with potential mentors, support systems, and future employers.
For many, conversations initiated during unstructured times of conferences are just as i
Episode #39: Playground Planning Trends for 2023 and Beyond
Playground technology has come a long way since most of us were kids. And playground trends have changed. Complete playground systems have replaced the days of the slide, swings, monkey bars, and teeter-totters. These playgrounds are safer, more interactive, and provide enjoyment for a diverse range of youth and young-at-heart.
And there are so many design options these days!
That’s right. You won
Episode #38: Risk Management in Parks and Recreation
Parks and recreation agencies have the responsibility to protect the safety of those using their parks and facilities. This responsibility includes identifying, addressing, and minimizing risk in areas and programming.
Risk occurs when a hazard may cause personal injury, property or environmental damage, economic loss, or death. Hazards are conditions unknown or misunderstood by visitors that may
Episode #37: Winter Roofing Issues for Recreation Facilities
Winter is tough on facility roofs, especially in the northern climates of the United States. A roofing issue can lead to a variety of problems affecting the operations of a facility.
But, as we’ve all witnessed, winter weather can strike just about any place in the country. The snow, wind, ice, and frigid temperatures can quickly turn a minor roofing issue into a big deal.
In this episode of the
Episode #36: Developing a Leadership Mindset
Some great leaders are born that way. But, in reality, most aren’t.
In fact, it’s estimated only 10 percent of people are natural-born leaders.
So how do the others develop effective leadership skills?
They learn how to lead. They cultivate excellent leadership skills through trial and error and spend time in self-examination. These emerging leaders accept feedback and enlist the help of mentors.
Episode #35: Maintenance Planning for Gyms and Recreation Centers
The beginning of the year is when many people try to create (and stick to) healthier routines. According to IHRSA, gym membership usually spikes 4 percent points in January, accounting for 12% of all new annual memberships.
Another significant number to consider: about 50% of new gym members are lost by six months.
There are several reasons people quit their gym memberships—some you can’t control
Episode #34: Do Your Natural Areas Need Prescribed Burns?
In 2022, the National Interagency Fire Center reported over 7.4 million acres were burned by 65,646 wildfires--the most recorded in the past ten years.
We’ve all seen the headlines about wildfires. They cause disruptions to transportation, communications, utilities, and water supplies. Wildfires cost the economy billions annually. Uncontrolled fires result in losses in property, crops, resources,
Episode #33: What Plow Drivers Should Keep in Their Trucks
If you live in certain parts of the country, snow is inevitable.
If your agency does snow removal in-house, drivers will face some hazardous conditions. Routine vehicle inspections and staying stocked with emergency equipment like fire extinguishers, reflective warning devices, and road flairs are good starting points for preparing your plows.
But you'll want to go that extra mile...
Ensuring the
Episode #32: Motivating Employees for Better Job Satisfaction
Seasonal and lower-wage positions are common for many maintenance teams. Parks maintenance managers often struggle to keep these employees motivated.
We all wish there were enough money to pay higher rates for all the help, but budgets only stretch so far. While pay can be a strong motivator, it’s not the only thing compelling people to show up and do their duties each day.
So how do you keep tea
Episode #31: Managing Invasive Plant Species in Our Parks
To those that don't know, invasive plant species can be attractive, fragrant, and even welcomed additions to gardens and landscaping.
Actually, many invasive plants started in people’s gardens.
They got introduced to an area from different countries. Since they lacked natural predators, they were able to thrive. And then they started taking over…
In today’s episode of The Productive Parks 5-Min
Episode #30: Managing Burnout in Maintenance Teams
We all want to love our careers, especially if we work in parks and recreation. Being outdoors, using our skills for better parks and facilities, and making a difference in the community can be very rewarding.
But almost every job has some level of stress. A parks maintenance team gets pulled in a lot of directions. The growing season can get extremely busy. Issues pop up at multiple sites. Equip
Episode #29: Nature Based Solutions for Parks Departments
Climate change has brought its fair share of challenges. Heat waves, severe weather, and uncontrolled wildfires are becoming more frequent and intense. We’re dealing with more losses to property, natural habits, and life.
One way to help reduce the impacts of these hazards is through nature-based solutions. This green infrastructure practice involves finding more natural ways to prevent and manage
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