The Productive Parks 5-Minute Podcast

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
 

Episode #88: What is Park Maintenance?

Park maintenance is the backbone of a dynamic parks and recreation agency. The varied duties of a parks maintenance worker help ensure that recreation programming, special events, and visits to parks and facilities are safe and positive experiences for the public.
However, many people don’t understand all the responsibilities of a park maintenance worker and the skills necessary to complete them. 
So today, we are answering the question, “What is Park Maintenance?”
In this episode of the Productive Parks 5-Minute Podcast, we are going back to the basics for those interested in learning more about park maintenance. Learn the different types of park maintenance workers, examples of their duties, and available training and certifications. We’ll also discuss essential skills for park maintenance workers to be successful in their work.
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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 #87: Managing Limited Park Maintenance Budgets

In the perfect world, your maintenance team would have all the funding and resources you need for general operations, necessary repairs, and special projects. 
And then there is reality.
More often than not, budget constraints keep teams from doing everything that needs to be done. Backlogs of work pile up. Small issues get missed. Emergency repairs are needed.
Managers have to become creative to stretch their budgets or secure additional help and funding. 
In this episode of the Productive Parks 5-Minute Podcast, we look at how park maintenance managers can navigate limited budgets and still complete the work necessary for safe, functioning, and aesthetically pleasing community resources. Get some hints and tips to help stretch your park maintenance budget further. ____________________________________________________________________________
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 #86: Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for Parks & Recreation

Most people work better when they have a clear path to follow. When they understand what needs to be done and why. Unfortunately, not every agency has focused short- and long-term goals that give a sense of purpose and unity. 
You may have heard of key performance indicators (KPIs) before. But do parks and recreation agencies really need KPIs?
In short, Yes!
Parks and recreation agencies with clear goals and key performance indicators (KPIs) are more focused on their jobs and serving the public.
In this episode of the Productive Parks 5-Minute Podcast, learn about key performance indicators and why they are beneficial. Then, get some KPI examples specific to parks and recreation agencies and maintenance teams.  ____________________________________________________________________
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 #85: Improving Park Maintenance Inventory Management

How important is inventory management for parks and recreation?
We often take our inventory for granted until we unexpectedly run out of something...at the worst possible time. Or maybe someone orders too much of something, and there is nowhere to put it. Then, inventory comes into full focus.
Being proactive with inventory allows your agency to take the mystery out of storage closets and cabinets. Effectively managing inventory also allows staff to have the products they need in stock for the best possible price. 
In this episode of the Productive Parks 5-Minute Podcast, get some tips on effective inventory management. Then, see how technology like maintenance management software can help make the process even 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
 

Episode #84: How a CMMS Saves Parks Agencies Money

Maintenance management software can automate some processes and organize a maintenance team, but how does it pay for itself?
Computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) software is an investment for a parks and recreation agency. As with any investment, you want to see it start paying off as soon as possible.
You may be surprised at how quickly your agency will start seeing a return on the investment. When a maintenance team adopts a CMMS and uses it daily, the software pays for itself–and quite a bit more! 
In this episode of the Productive Parks 5-Minute Podcast, learn some of the ways a CMMS can start saving money almost immediately. Learn some of the reasons that it pays to start using a CMMS, as well as some specific examples of almost immediate savings. 
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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 #83: Common Misconceptions When Implementing a CMMS

When a parks and recreation agency chooses maintenance management software to help streamline operations, individuals often have ideas about what the software can and cannot do.
Some may think choosing computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) software will solve all their problems. Others may believe that “Big Brother” will be watching over them, tracking their every move. 
After all, change can be a difficult thing. When faced with it, the mind can go to all sorts of places. One of the best ways to temper misconceptions about maintenance management software is by having a clear understanding of what it is capable of and what it doesn’t do. (Spoiler alert: simply logging into the software won’t solve all your problems.)
In this episode of the Productive Parks 5-Minute Podcast, learn some of the common misconceptions people have about CMMS software and the realities of the maintenance team using this powerful tool. 
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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