The Productive Parks 5-Minute Podcast

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 the shelter while finding smaller problems before they become expensive fixes.   In this episode of the Productive Parks 5-Minute Podcast, learn how to keep your picnic shelters and pavilions in the best possible condition so your visitors have a safe, positive experience. Also, get some tips on seasonal picnic shelter maintenance to keep your structures in great shape all year long.  _______________________________ 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

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. Tweaking your systems and processes could be the difference between barely keeping your head above water and cultivating a confident, productive team  In this episode of the Productive Parks 5-Minute Podcast, we will discuss ideas on how to approach your processes differntly so you and your maintenance team can work smarter, not harder. _______________________________ 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

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, functional, and in good condition. In this episode of the Productive Parks 5-Minute Podcast, learn how to create a maintenance plan to keep your outdoor fitness equipment in its best possible condition all year round. Also, hear about some of the common maintenance issues and solutions for outdoor fitness equipment. _______________________________ 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

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 maintenance plan can allow you to make some adjustments that will help your park maintenance team be more focused and efficient.  But making changes midseason could seem pretty daunting. It doesn’t have to be. In this episode of the Productive Parks 5-Minute Podcast, get the steps and insights to briefly pause and evaluate your maintenance program midseason. Then get some tips on how to roll out the changes and adjustments.  ____________________________________________________________________________ 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

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, trust, and motivation. Luckily, there are some ways maintenance managers can improve how a team operates. In this episode of the Productive Parks 5-Minute Podcast, explore why you want your  park maintenance team operating at its best and how teambuilding can play a role. Additionally, gather some starting points for engaging team-building activities that will help strengthen your maintenance team. ____________________________________________________________________________ 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

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, overextended park maintenance team? In this episode of the Productive Parks 5-Minute Podcast, learn some ways to help your agency get on the same page while providing the maintenance team the support and resources they need for special events during this busy time. ____________________________________________________________________________ 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

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 wasn’t completed correctly and the volunteers had a negative experience.   In this episode of the Productive Parks 5-Minute Podcast, learn how to make your next park cleanup event a success! From a small volunteer group to a community event, here are some steps to help plan, execute, and evaluate your next volunteer cleanup event. ____________________________________________________________________________ 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

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 challenges. From aging infrastructure to interactions with the public, parks and recreation teams often find creative, proactive ways to address these problems. In this episode of the Productive Parks 5-Minute Podcast, explore 6 common challenges parks maintenance teams face. Also, get some ideas and inspiration by learning how other parks agencies have successfully approached them. ____________________________________________________________________________ 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

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 front-line workers need to be clear, concise, and respectful to foster a positive parks and recreation agency environment. In this episode of the Productive Parks 5-Minute Podcast, we explore how to improve communication between park maintenance teams, other departments, and administrators. Also, get tips and insights on how to promote a culture of open communication throughout your agency.   ____________________________________________________________________________ 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

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. Also, training staff can help create a culture focused on safe, functional, and clean facilities.  In this episode of the Productive Parks 5-Minute Podcast, get some actionable steps to help keep your facilities safe, functional, and looking their best this winter. Also, learn some of the unique maintenance needs for the more specialized areas in your recreation centers. ____________________________________________________________________________ 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

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 resilient throughout winter, and the nearby areas are safe for your staff and visitors. In this episode of the Productive Parks 5-Minute Podcast, get some ideas for planning exterior facility maintenance in the winter. Also, learn some inspections and maintenance tasks helping to prepare and monitor your facility during the winter.  ____________________________________________________________________________ The Productive Parks 5-Minute Podcast is for busy professionals working to change the game in Parks and Recreation industry. 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

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 better this time around. Is it even possible? In this episode of the Productive Parks 5-Minute Podcast, we go over some tips and insights to help you and your team manage the busy season and beyond. Get actionable steps to keep your maintenance team organized and productive all summer long.  ___________________________________________________________________________ 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  

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

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 teams? Maintenance management software can help campgrounds organize and prioritize their maintenance tasks, communicate more effectively, and keep better track of their assets In this episode of the Productive Parks 5-Minute Podcast, explore some ways maintenance management software can improve maintenance in campgrounds. Also, learn some things to consider if you think your campground needs a CMMS. ____________________________________________________________________________ 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

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 equipment purchasing decisions can lead to breakdowns, disruptions in workflow, and equipment that is not appropriate for your agency.   In this episode of the Productive Parks 5-Minute Podcast, learn some of the things you may want to do before purchasing new park maintenance equipment. ____________________________________________________________________________ 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

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 they need to complete their tasks successfully throughout the season. A thorough, concise training program empowers your seasonal staff and prepares them for the busy growing season.  In this episode of the Productive Parks 5-Minute Podcast, get some tips and strategies to help create and implement an effective seasonal park maintenance staff training program. ____________________________________________________________________________ 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

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?    In this episode of the Productive Parks 5-Minute Podcast, get help answering the age-old question for park agencies–Should I repair or replace this aging playground equipment? We’ll talk about what to consider, what data you should be collecting now, and how to make the decision easier.  ___________________________________________________________________________ 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

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 upfront with training, collaboration, and accountability can make your CMMS investment pay off much sooner.  In this episode of the Productive Parks 5-Minute Podcast, we explore some strategies to help staff understand the benefits of CMMS software and how it helps make their jobs easier. Also, learn ways to encourage maintenance staff buy-in during the CMMS implementation process.  ____________________________________________________________________________ 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

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 addressed before the lead to more complicated, expensive repairs come the spring.  In this episode of the Productive Parks 5-Minute Podcast, get some actionable steps and tasks to keep playgrounds safe and welcoming year-round. Also, learn one of the most overlooked tasks that can make a big difference in your future playground maintenance planning.  ____________________________________________________________________________ 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  

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 devices to figure it out? We all know how overwhelming and stressful the first day on the job can be. Maintenance onboarding training–and ongoing training–gets staff to start on the right foot and keep their stride when challenges come their way. In this episode of the Productive Parks 5-Minute Podcast, learn more about setting up an effective training program for maintenance staff and how to implement it. Then, get some ideas for essential topics to cover for maintenance training. ____________________________________________________________________________ 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