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. ___________________________________________________________________________ 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). What’s Next? 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. ___________________________________________________________________________ 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). What’s Next? 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. ___________________________________________________________________________ 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). What’s Next? 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). What’s Next? 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. _________________________________________________________________________ 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). What’s Next? 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). What’s Next? 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. ___________________________________________________________________________ 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). What’s Next? 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. ___________________________________________________________________________ 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). What’s Next? 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! ___________________________________________________________________________ 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). What’s Next? 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). What’s Next? 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

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 can you ensure you’re making the right CMMS choice? The answer goes beyond looking at features and pricing structures. In this episode of the Productive Parks 5-Minute Podcast, learn what to consider before purchasing software, during implementation, and as your agency evolves. ___________________________________________________________________________ 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). What’s Next? 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

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-Minute Podcast, learn more about common issues playgrounds face in winter weather and how to help prevent unsafe conditions. ___________________________________________________________________________ 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). What’s Next? 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

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 take some planning and possibly an upfront investment. In this episode of the Productive Parks 5-Minute Podcast we discuss the benefits of native plants, how it positively affects parks maintenance operations, and what to consider when planning native plant areas. .___________________________________________________________________________ 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). What’s Next? 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

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 emerge each month. In this episode of the Productive Parks 5-Minute Podcast, we discuss what’s causing pickleball court noise complaints and some ways to reduce the noise. .___________________________________________________________________________ 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). What’s Next? 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

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 episode of the Productive Parks 5-Minute Podcast, we talk about finding the most appropriate trash receptacles for your site to complement litter control efforts. We’ll give you some considerations to help with the decision-making process. ___________________________________________________________________________ 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). What’s Next? 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

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 team can do to evaluate this past growing season and plan your maintenance for next year. ___________________________________________________________________________ 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). What’s Next? 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

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 disruptions. Of course, parks and recreation agencies have a lot of moving parts. Finding the time to work around programming schedules and other routine tasks may be difficult. But successfully implementing a preventative maintenance plan makes a huge difference in overall operations. Once it’s in place, you may wonder how you survived without it. In this episode of the Productive Parks 5-Minute Podcast, we look closer at preventative maintenance for parks agencies, why it’s essential, and the most common ways this type of maintenance gets scheduled. .___________________________________________________________________________ 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). What’s Next? 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

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 maintenance tasks to catch minor issues before they lead to damage or disruptions. In this episode of the Productive Parks 5-Minute Podcast, we look at the components of facility maintenance. We will discuss the difference between asset management and facility management. And, of course, we’ll give you some tips on creating an effective facility maintenance 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). What’s Next? 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

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 maintenance program may feel overwhelming. The benefits, however, will make it well worth your time. In this episode of the Productive Parks 5-Minute Podcast, you’ll see how creating a maintenance program helps, steps to start the organization process, and some tips to help the process go smoother. .___________________________________________________________________________ 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). What’s Next? 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

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 drainage, erosion, and tread issues quickly saves time, money, and resources in the long run. In this episode of the Productive Parks 5-Minute Podcast, we discuss some of the more common trail problems. Then we will dive into a few trail maintenance tasks to consider scheduling in your workflow. ____________________________________________________________________ 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). What’s Next? 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