The Productive Parks 5-Minute Podcast

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 over its head with deferred maintenance.

Deferred maintenance is not a new problem for parks and recreation agencies. It’s an issue many industries face.

In this episode of the Productive Parks 5-Minute Podcast, we take a closer look at deferred maintenance for parks and recreation, how it happens, and the effects of having a large backlog of work. Then, get some strategies to help manage deferred maintenance and efficiently start chipping away at it.

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The Productive Parks 5-Minute Podcast is for busy professionals working to change the game in Parks and Recreation. If you liked this episode, please check out more of our park and recreation maintenance podcasts or view some articles on our blog (https://productiveparks.com/blog).

SHOW SOME LOVE– Like the Episode and Subscribe to the Podcast!

SEE A QUICK VIDEO of Productive Parks in Action - https://productiveparks.com/features/overview

LEARN MORE and Schedule a Demo of Productive Parks Maintenance Management Software- https://productiveparks.com/demo

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 of the Productive Parks 5-Minute Podcast is all about cicadas. Learn more about this interesting insect and how it is probably more beneficial than harmful to your assets…that is, with a little preparation.

We’ll discuss what to do before the cicadas emerge and how your agency can adjust and temporarily coexist with these loud, but mostly harmless insects.

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The Productive Parks 5-Minute Podcast is for busy professionals working to change the game in Parks and Recreation. If you liked this episode, please check out more of our park and recreation maintenance podcasts or view some articles on our blog (https://productiveparks.com/blog).

SHOW SOME LOVE– Like the Episode and Subscribe to the Podcast!

SEE A QUICK VIDEO of Productive Parks in Action - https://productiveparks.com/features/overview

LEARN MORE and Schedule a Demo of Productive Parks Maintenance Management Software- https://productiveparks.com/demo

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 keeping them filled often examine and refine their approaches to employee culture and morale.

In this episode of the Productive Parks 5 Minute Podcast, we discuss the challenges parks and recreation agencies face with staffing and some ways to boost morale to keep teams happy and engaged with their vital work.

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The Productive Parks 5-Minute Podcast is for busy professionals working to change the game in the Parks and Recreation field. If you liked this episode, please check out more of our park and recreation maintenance podcasts or view some articles on our blog (https://productiveparks.com/blog).

SHOW SOME LOVE– Like the Episode and Subscribe to the Podcast!

SEE A QUICK VIDEO of Productive Parks in Action - https://productiveparks.com/features/overview

LEARN MORE and Schedule a Demo of Productive Parks Maintenance Management Software- https://productiveparks.com/demo

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 this episode of the Productive Parks 5-Minute Podcast, learn more about asset management, why it’s important for parks and recreation agencies, and get tips to improve your asset management plan. ___________________________________________________________________________

The Productive Parks 5-Minute Podcast is for busy professionals working to change the game in the Parks and Recreation field. If you liked this episode, please check out more of our park and recreation maintenance podcasts or view some articles on our blog (https://productiveparks.com/blog).

SHOW SOME LOVE– Like the Episode and Subscribe to the Podcast!

SEE A QUICK VIDEO of Productive Parks in Action - https://productiveparks.com/features/overview

LEARN MORE and Schedule a Demo of Productive Parks Maintenance Management Software- https://productiveparks.com/demo

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 healthy and resilient. These practices can also help reduce costs and labor hours at parks while improving public opinion about your sustainability efforts.

In this episode of the Productive Parks 5-Minute Podcast, learn more about sustainable landscape management, its benefits, and steps you can take to make your assets more sustainable.

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The Productive Parks 5-Minute Podcast is for busy professionals working to change the game in the Parks and Recreation field. If you liked this episode, please check out more of our park and recreation maintenance podcasts or view some articles on our blog (https://productiveparks.com/blog).

SUBSCRIBE to Stay Updated About Future Productive Parks Podcasts - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCm3w8OBmlidtNLntib1-6cw?sub_confirmation=1

SEE A QUICK VIDEO of Productive Parks in Action - https://productiveparks.com/features/overview

LEARN MORE and Schedule a Demo of Productive Parks Maintenance Management Software- https://productiveparks.com/demo

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 involved in playground safety. ___________________________________________________________________________

The Productive Parks 5-Minute Podcast is for busy professionals working to change the game in the Parks and Recreation field. If you liked this episode, please check out more of our park and recreation maintenance podcasts or view some articles on our blog (https://productiveparks.com/blog).

SUBSCRIBE to Stay Updated About Future Productive Parks Podcasts - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCm3w8OBmlidtNLntib1-6cw?sub_confirmation=1

SEE A QUICK VIDEO of Productive Parks in Action - https://productiveparks.com/features/overview

LEARN MORE and Schedule a Demo of Productive Parks Maintenance Management Software- https://productiveparks.com/demo

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 your seasonal employee recruiting.

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The Productive Parks 5-Minute Podcast is for busy professionals working to change the game in the Parks and Recreation field. If you liked this episode, please check out more of our park and recreation maintenance podcasts or view some articles on our blog (https://productiveparks.com/blog).

SUBSCRIBE to Stay Updated About Future Productive Parks Podcasts - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCm3w8OBmlidtNLntib1-6cw?sub_confirmation=1

SEE A QUICK VIDEO of Productive Parks in Action - https://productiveparks.com/features/overview

LEARN MORE and Schedule a Demo of Productive Parks Maintenance Management Software- https://productiveparks.com/demo

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 visitors, and undamaged during the snow removal process.

In this episode of the Productive Parks 5-Minute Podcast, learn how winter affects parking lots, how to prepare parking lots for winter, and what to do when winter weather strikes. Then, stick around for some pro tips on parking lot snow removal.

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The Productive Parks 5-Minute Podcast is for busy professionals working to change the game in the Parks and Recreation field. If you liked this episode, please check out more of our park and recreation maintenance podcasts or view some articles on our blog (https://productiveparks.com/blog).

SUBSCRIBE to Stay Updated About Future Productive Parks Podcasts - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCm3w8OBmlidtNLntib1-6cw?sub_confirmation=1

SEE A QUICK VIDEO of Productive Parks in Action - https://productiveparks.com/features/overview

LEARN MORE and Schedule a Demo of Productive Parks Maintenance Management Software- https://productiveparks.com/demo

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 of the Productive Parks 5-Minute Podcast, we highlight some of the more popular recent trends, and some of the potential ones, that parks and recreation agencies may encounter this coming year.

Let’s get started with a great year!

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The Productive Parks 5-Minute Podcast is for busy professionals working to change the game in the Parks and Recreation field. If you liked this episode, please check out more of our park and recreation maintenance podcasts or view some articles on our blog (https://productiveparks.com/blog).

SUBSCRIBE to Stay Updated About Future Productive Parks Podcasts - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCm3w8OBmlidtNLntib1-6cw?sub_confirmation=1

SEE A QUICK VIDEO of Productive Parks in Action - https://productiveparks.com/features/overview

LEARN MORE and Schedule a Demo of Productive Parks Maintenance Management Software- https://productiveparks.com/demo

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 you create an effective plan to keep your systems working reliably. Help your HVAC systems operate reliably, efficiently, and as long as possible--let’s get started!

___________________________________________________________________________

The Productive Parks 5-Minute Podcast is for busy professionals working to change the game in the Parks and Recreation field. If you liked this episode, please check out more of our park and recreation maintenance podcasts or view some articles on our blog (https://productiveparks.com/blog).

SUBSCRIBE to Stay Updated About Future Productive Parks Podcasts - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCm3w8OBmlidtNLntib1-6cw?sub_confirmation=1

SEE A QUICK VIDEO of Productive Parks in Action - https://productiveparks.com/features/overview

LEARN MORE and Schedule a Demo of Productive Parks Maintenance Management Software- https://productiveparks.com/demo