Episodes

Sunday Aug 28, 2022
Episode #12: Using Standing Work Orders
Sunday Aug 28, 2022
Sunday Aug 28, 2022
Do you know one of the best things most maintenance teams love about paperwork? Finding ways to reduce it!
Reducing paperwork and simplifying processes is the idea behind standing work orders. Creating standing work orders can save time and administration costs. But there are some things to consider before adding them to your workflow.
In today’s episode, we are going to talk about what is a standing work order and the benefits of using them in a maintenance department. We will also give you some things to consider to make more effective standing work orders.
Finally, we will give you a quick example of how industry-specfic maintenance management software can make the standing work order process easier.
Let’s get started!
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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

Thursday Aug 25, 2022
Episode #11: 7 Important Facility Maintenance Inspections
Thursday Aug 25, 2022
Thursday Aug 25, 2022
Our facilities need attention to stay operational. Scheduling facility maintenance tasks and inspections help your agency detect and resolve issues before they become big problems.
When done correctly, facility maintenance often goes unnoticed. Instead of waiting for something to go wrong, preventative maintenance addresses needs before they affect programming and operations.
In this episode, we are going to talk about 7 areas of a facility that need regular inspections. We will also go over some tips on what to look for during these inspections.
With a little extra time spent checking, monitoring, and reporting findings, you’ll have a more reliable and comfortable facility for the patrons and staff.
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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 - https://productiveparks.com/demo

Thursday Aug 18, 2022
Episode #10: Park Maintenance and Public Safety
Thursday Aug 18, 2022
Thursday Aug 18, 2022
Parks & recreation departments provide safe, attractive, and fun environments for visitors to enjoy. The daily work of the maintenance department helps ensure public safety as they enjoy our assets.
Sometimes it’s easy to take for granted the ways parks maintenance departments help keep the public safe. But when we take a closer look at all they do to ensure public safety, we realize just how important it is to instill a culture of safety among the crew.
In this episode, we explore the ways the maintenance department promotes public safety. We will also talk about some ways you can solidify a culture of safety in your team.
Help make your visitors safer and your risk management professionals less stressed out--give the episode a listen!
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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
Schedule a Demo of Productive Parks - https://productiveparks.com/demo

Thursday Aug 11, 2022
Episode #9: Commercial Outdoor Lighting Maintenance
Thursday Aug 11, 2022
Thursday Aug 11, 2022
Parks and Recreation Departments accommodate busy schedules by providing after-dark programming. As we head into late summer and the days inevitably get shorter, evening activities taking place outside require outdoor lighting.
Agencies need to ensure areas where programming occurs get lit appropriately. It’s often a delicate balance. Not enough light and the programming may become unsafe and unenjoyable. Too much light causes light pollution and may get complaints from the neighbors.
Today we will talk about commercial outdoor lighting systems and why they are important.
We also will list some commercial outdoor lighting maintenance tasks you may want to incorporate into your inspection and preventative maintenance schedules.
Hopefully, this episode sheds some light on your commercial outdoor lighting.
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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
Schedule a Demo of Productive Parks - https://productiveparks.com/demo

Tuesday Aug 02, 2022
Episode #8: Playground Safety Inspection Checklists: What to Include
Tuesday Aug 02, 2022
Tuesday Aug 02, 2022
Playground safety is one of the most critical responsibilities of a parks and recreation department. The work we do to ensures the safety of playgrounds so children and families can safely enjoy our assets and create memories.
Playground safety inspections benefit just about everyone--the public, your agency, and the maintenance department.
Regular playground safety inspections are one of the most effective ways of discovering and addressing safety issues before they become a significant problem--or painful injury.
Today will take a closer look at playground safety inspections and give some tips and resources to help you set up a system for inspecting your agency’s parks.
Help your colleagues out! If you have any playground safety inspection tips, please share them by commenting below.
Ready? 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.
What’s Next?
SUBSCRIBE to Stay Updated About Future Productive Parks Podcasts
SEE A QUICK VIDEO of Productive Parks in Action
Let’s Connect!
Schedule a Demo of Productive Parks

Tuesday Aug 02, 2022
Episode #7: Summer Lawn Care: Helping Turfgrass Survive Droughts
Tuesday Aug 02, 2022
Tuesday Aug 02, 2022
Carefully planning lawn care for hot, dry weather can help turfgrass bounce back when the weather becomes more moderate.
For parks and recreation agencies, lawn care is even more tricky. Summer programming and visitor usage can take a toll on already stressed turfgrass. Remaining observant and proactive to the needs of the soil and turf is crucial during droughts.
Today we are discussing lawn care before, during, and after a drought. When we care for turfgrass assuming there will eventually be drought-like conditions, we’re making the lawn healthier regardless of what the weather brings.
These lawn care and mowing tips will help make conditions more favorable for turfgrass to establish a robust root system and survive drought
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.
What’s Next?
SUBSCRIBE to Stay Updated About Future Productive Parks Podcasts
SEE A QUICK VIDEO of Productive Parks in Action
Let’s Connect!
Schedule a Demo of Productive Parks

Tuesday Aug 02, 2022
Episode #6: Should You Reconsider Mowing Habits?
Tuesday Aug 02, 2022
Tuesday Aug 02, 2022
Gas prices are at an all-time high (and they don’t seem to be going down anytime soon). Parks and Recreation agency operating budgets are feeling the strain. Is it time to change mowing habits for good?
Your team may have a set mowing routine they’ve been doing for years, but maybe it’s time to reconsider.
Today we’re going to talk about some lawn mowing tips and tricks to help your agency save some money.
By mowing less and mowing smarter, you could reduce fuel costs and free up some time for other projects. You may find changing your mowing habits now can save on fuel costs each growing season.
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.
What’s Next?
SUBSCRIBE to Stay Updated About Future Productive Parks Podcasts
SEE A QUICK VIDEO of Productive Parks in Action
Let’s Connect!
Schedule a Demo of Productive Parks

Friday Jun 10, 2022
Episode #5: Reducing Scheduling Conflicts Between Staff and Visitors
Friday Jun 10, 2022
Friday Jun 10, 2022
How do we complete our task and job scheduling so it doesn’t interfere with the visitor experience?
Parks and recreation departments have a lot of moving parts. Keeping everything working seamlessly is no small task.
And let’s face it: Those using our parks and facilities have little knowledge or interest in the maintenance and job scheduling required to keep things running smoothly. The only time visitors even consider maintenance work is when an area is in an unacceptable condition or the maintenance crew distracts from their experience.
So how can we make sure all maintenance work gets completed without being distracting?
Today, we’re going to talk about 4 things to consider for minimizing conflicts during job scheduling.
____________________________________________________________________________
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.
What’s Next?
SUBSCRIBE to Stay Updated About Future Productive Parks Podcasts
SEE A QUICK VIDEO of Productive Parks in Action
Let’s Connect!
Schedule a Demo of Productive Parks

Productive Parks 5-Minute Podcast
The podcast for Parks and Recreation professionals who want to change the game.