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, expensive problems. The good news is that once you have a system to manage your park and facility assets, fewer things will fall through the cracks, and you will have a plan for when troubles arise. In ..read more

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 the Productive Parks 5-Minute Podcast, learn what to look for and do to help ensure your playgrounds are safe for visitors this spring. Plus, get a couple of ideas on how to get the community in ..read more

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, learn the dos and don’ts of attracting seasonal employees. Also, learn how to focus your efforts to find the best available candidates. And then we will give you some actional ideas to help boost y ..read more

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 precautions and maintenance aren’t used.  The good news: a little planning, preparation, and training could go a long way in ensuring your recreation facility parking lots are cleared, safe for visitor ..read more

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 will remain comfortable throughout their visit. In this episode of the Productive Parks 5-Minute Podcast, we review the importance of HVAC preventive maintenance and give some guidelines to help ..read more

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 come around. The good news: Choosing the most appropriate software that offers support during implementation can help make that transition go smoothly--and the ROI quickly becomes evident.  How c ..read more

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 maintenance team that takes proper safety precautions and promptly addresses weather-related issues allows children to safely use playground equipment in any season. In this episode of the Productive Parks 5 ..read more

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 near the courts.   It's not an uncommon situation. Pickleball is America's fastest-growing sport. In fact, participation in the sport nearly doubled in 2022. An estimated 60 new courts e ..read more

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's probably not the most glamorous decision you'll make, but choosing suitable trash receptacles adds to a site's aesthetic appeal and cuts down on litter.  In this episod ..read more

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 now. But starting to plan how to maintain your parks can make next year go so much smoother. In this episode of the Productive Parks 5-Minute Podcast, we’ll review some things you and your ..read more