The Productive Parks 5-Minute Podcast

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? 
 
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. 
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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).
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

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 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.
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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).
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

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 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.  
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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).
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

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. 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

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 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. 
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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

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 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. 
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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).
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

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 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
 

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 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.
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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).
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