The Productive Parks 5-Minute Podcast

Episode #20: Types of Parks and Recreation Software

Many park districts, parks & recreation departments, and municipalities streamline their operations, registration, marketing, and maintenance tasks with the help of software. 
Let’s face it. The days of managing complicated operations tasks with just word documents, spreadsheets, and an email account are becoming a thing of the past.
And for a good reason!
Good software is designed to make our lives easier. When software is created with our specific industry in mind, the benefits and features address the unique challenges we face daily.
In today’s episode, we discuss the types of parks and recreation software available and how they help the everyday operations of agencies.
Join us with an open mind as you discover what is possible with the help of parks and recreation software! __________________________________________________________________________
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 & Schedule a Demo of Productive Parks - https://productiveparks.com/demo

Episode #19: Snow Thrower Preparation & Safety

For many parts of the country, snow removal is an inevitable part of the winter workflow.  The mowers get placed in storage. The snow throwers come out. 
So are your snow throwers ready for the inevitable snowfall?
Does your team know how to operate them safely?
Is your crew prepared for snow removal during non-business hours if needed?
In this episode, we talk about what you need to do with your snow throwers--and the team using them--before it snows. Then we’ll go over what to do after it snows and why it’s important to track the time spent with 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 & Schedule a Demo of Productive Parks - https://productiveparks.com/demo

Episode #18: Tips for Using and Maintaining Chainsaws

When chainsaws are maintained and used correctly, they are powerful, useful tools helping with tree care and removal, clearing thick brush, and cutting fallen branches into movable pieces.
Conversely, chainsaws could be one of the most dangerous pieces of small equipment your team uses when handled and maintained incorrectly.
(Just ask anyone that unexpectedly had the chainsaw kick back at them.)
In this episode, we will discuss chainsaw maintenance and safety. We will also review some things to keep in mind before, during, and after using a chainsaw.
Let’s get those chains sharpened and 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 & Schedule a Demo of Productive Parks - https://productiveparks.com/demo

Episode #17: Sustainability Plans for Parks & Recreation Agencies

More parks & recreation departments are adopting sustainability plans to ensure better health for the planet and find ways to save energy, work more efficiently, and preserve the land they manage.
A sustainability plan provides strategies to address an agency's impact on the social, economic, and environmental health of the community and beyond. It also allows agencies to reasonably continue programs, partnerships, and activities in the long term.
In this episode, we will discuss sustainability plan benefits and some of the common initiatives parks and recreation departments are adopting in their plans.
You will also hear a couple of tips on how to get started creating a sustainability 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 & Schedule a Demo of Productive Parks - https://productiveparks.com/demo

Episode #16: 4 Essential Maintenance Manager Skills

Running a maintenance department requires a special set of leadership skills. Maintenance managers must possess a particular skill set to ensure their crew gets on the same page and executes the tasks that need completion. 
Sure, there are obvious skills any leader should have, like communication, integrity, accountability, and the ability to delegate. We’re not going to head down that well-worn trail of obvious leadership qualities. 
In this episode, we’re going to look at some of the unique or overlooked skills that can help parks and recreation maintenance managers excel in their vocations. 
Here are 4 essential leadership skills we’ve noticed in the maintenance leaders we worked with…
__________________________________________________________________
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 & Schedule a Demo of Productive Parks - https://productiveparks.com/demo

Episode #15: Standard Operating Procedures for Maintenance Management

In the perfect world, everyone on the maintenance crew is on the same page about what needs completion and how to get it done. Just like your mowers and equipment, you want to be sure employees are working in harmony to efficiently complete tasks.
But that isn’t always the case. There are plenty of reasons maintenance crews fall out of sync…that topic probably deserves its own podcast.
Instead, we’re going to focus on getting the team back in sync. 
Standard operating procedures (SOPs) are a way to get your maintenance team aligned and focused on the correct, safest, and most efficient ways of doing things. 
In this episode, we discuss what a standard operating procedure is, how it can benefit a parks and recreation maintenance team, and tips for writing effective SOPs.
If you’re looking to create new standard operating procedures or revise existing ones, this episode will help you better focus on focusing your team.
____________________________________________________________________________
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 & Schedule a Demo of Productive Parks - https://productiveparks.com/demo

Episode #14: Winterizing Commercial Lawn Mowers

What do you do with your commercial mowers once the growing season is over? After all, they probably got a good workout--maybe even dinged up a little by the seasonal workers.
After the last mowing, don’t just roll the mowers to the back of the garage and forget about them until spring. The end of the mowing season is a perfect time for inspecting and winterizing commercial lawn mowers. 
In this episode, we will discuss some things to do before the mowers make it into storage for a well-deserved break. 
We’ll talk about the essential tasks to do so your mowers are ready for that quick-growing springtime turf. Because, as we all know, spring comes fast, and needing to service mowers due to improper storage will throw off workflow at a crucial time.
Finally, we’ll touch on why it’s important to keep records of all your mower maintenance tasks to save time and money.
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 & Schedule a Demo of Productive Parks - https://productiveparks.com/demo

Episode #13: Time Management for Maintenance Teams

Is your maintenance team struggling with time management? Does the backlog keep piling up? Not sure what your team is doing on their shift?
Often, time management problems for the maintenance team reflect underlying issues. When planning, scheduling, and effective communication get established, time management begins falling into place. 
In today's episode, we talk about the process of planning and scheduling tasks, who should do it, and how everything needs to be communicated. 
You will also get a few tips for communicating time management better.
If you’re interested in creating a tighter workflow, more productivity, and better asset management, this episode is a great starting point. 
___________________________________________________________________________
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 & Schedule a Demo of Productive Parks - https://productiveparks.com/demo