The Productive Parks 5-Minute Podcast

Episode #80: Leaf Blower Maintenance

You know the sound as soon as you hear it…the whir of a leaf blower doing its job.
Despite the name, leaf blowers can help with various cleaning and clearing tasks. And if you work in parks maintenance, they are likely one of your trusted tools throughout the day. 
And, like most landscaping equipment, they need regular maintenance to operate at their best and last their longest.
In this episode of the Productive Parks 5-Minute Podcast, we take a closer look at leaf blowers and how to maintain them. Get some strategies to help maintain your gas or electric leaf blowers so they work well for your team all season long.
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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 #79: Deferred Maintenance in Parks and Recreation

We’ve all been there. Somebody calls off. An emergency repair is needed. Something breaks down in the field. In these instances and others, maintenance managers have to make tough decisions about what tasks to do and what needs to be deferred. 
With a growing list of deferred maintenance tasks, more things start slipping through the cracks, and even more work gets deferred. Soon, your team is in over its head with deferred maintenance.
Deferred maintenance is not a new problem for parks and recreation agencies. It’s an issue many industries face.
In this episode of the Productive Parks 5-Minute Podcast, we take a closer look at deferred maintenance for parks and recreation, how it happens, and the effects of having a large backlog of work. Then, get some strategies to help manage deferred maintenance and efficiently start chipping away at it.
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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 #78: Cicadas and Park Maintenance

Certain parts of the United States will soon experience a surge of visitors, but they may not be the typical visitors we’re used to seeing. 
Billions, even trillions of cicadas, will emerge from the ground in some areas as two overlapping Broods come out to mate. 
Are you not even sure what that means? And how will it affect your parks and landscaping? No problem. We have you covered.
This episode of the Productive Parks 5-Minute Podcast is all about cicadas. Learn more about this interesting insect and how it is probably more beneficial than harmful to your assets…that is, with a little preparation. 
We’ll discuss what to do before the cicadas emerge and how your agency can adjust and temporarily coexist with these loud, but mostly harmless insects.  
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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 #77: Retaining Park Maintenance Employees

Parks maintenance workers are on the frontlines of ensuring our parks, playgrounds, green spaces, and facilities remain beneficial community resources. 
The work can be hard and sometimes only gets noticed if a problem arises. When individuals feel heard and appreciated, you will have a better chance of retaining your park maintenance staff. 
Agencies that have more success filling roles and keeping them filled often examine and refine their approaches to employee culture and morale.
In this episode of the Productive Parks 5 Minute Podcast, we discuss the challenges parks and recreation agencies face with staffing and some ways to boost morale to keep teams happy and engaged with their vital work. 
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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?
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 #76: Asset Management for Parks and Recreation

From playgrounds and gyms to paths and ballfields, parks and recreation agencies have a lot going on and many different types of assets. 
Managing and tracking those assets can be a complicated balance of scheduling, budgeting, and labor management. Without a clear plan for managing parks and recreation assets, things will fall through the cracks.
And little issues are going to become big, expensive problems.
The good news is that once you have a system to manage your park and facility assets, fewer things will fall through the cracks, and you will have a plan for when troubles arise.
In this episode of the Productive Parks 5-Minute Podcast, learn more about asset management, why it’s important for parks and recreation agencies, and get tips to improve your asset management 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?
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 #75: Sustainable Landscape Management for Parks

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. 
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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 Maintenance Management Software- https://productiveparks.com/demo

Episode #74: Playground Maintenance for the Spring

As the weather gets nicer, more children and families will head to your parks and playgrounds. Are your playgrounds ready for the extra traffic?
One of the most important responsibilities of park maintenance workers is ensuring playgrounds are safe, free of hazards, and ready for action. 
Do you have a plan to make sure your outdoor assets are prepared for the increased traffic?
In this episode of the Productive Parks 5-Minute Podcast, learn what to look for and do to help ensure your playgrounds are safe for visitors this spring. Plus, get a couple of ideas on how to get the community involved in playground safety. ___________________________________________________________________________
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

Episode #73: Tips for Hiring Seasonal Employees

As we get closer to the spring and summer seasons, you probably have some extra seasonal staff openings that need to be filled. 
Attracting great seasonal employees takes more than putting a “We’re Hiring” sign in front of your administration building.
So how can you reach potential employees and get them excited to work for your agency?
In this episode of the Productive Parks 5-Minute Podcast, learn the dos and don’ts of attracting seasonal employees. Also, learn how to focus your efforts to find the best available candidates. And then we will give you some actional ideas to help boost your seasonal employee recruiting. 
___________________________________________________________________________
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