The Productive Parks 5-Minute Podcast

Episode #68: Addressing Winter Playground Issues

Making outdoor playgrounds available to visitors is important for every season. After all, even during winter, many children and families brave the elements for physical outdoor play. BUT…Winter weather--like snow, ice, and fluctuating temperatures--can hasten the wear and tear of playground equipment. Extreme winter weather can create hazards and unsafe conditions on playgrounds.
A parks maintenance team that takes proper safety precautions and promptly addresses weather-related issues allows children to safely use playground equipment in any season.
In this episode of the Productive Parks 5-Minute Podcast, learn more about common issues playgrounds face in winter weather and how to help prevent unsafe conditions. 
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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 #67: Benefits of Native Plantings in Parks

Are you looking to reduce labor and maintenance costs? Maybe decrease the wear and tear on your equipment and vehicles?
Do you have large areas of turfgrass that hardly ever get used?
Then we may have a solution for all these issues and a lot more. 
Replacing turfgrass areas with locally native plants can positively affect maintenance operations, the community, and the environment.
But it will take some planning and possibly an upfront investment.
In this episode of the Productive Parks 5-Minute Podcast we discuss the benefits of native plants, how it positively affects parks maintenance operations, and what to consider when planning native plant areas. 
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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 #66: Solutions for Noisy Pickleball Courts

You heard the public's demand for pickleball courts. You transformed some older, hardly used tennis courts into pickleball courts. 
And now you're hearing the public's complaints about pickleball noise!
Ironically, a sport created decades ago allowing families and friends of all ability levels to play together is causing a serious rift between Picklers (Pickleball players) and non-players living near the courts.  
It's not an uncommon situation. Pickleball is America's fastest-growing sport. In fact, participation in the sport nearly doubled in 2022. An estimated 60 new courts emerge each month. 
In this episode of the Productive Parks 5-Minute Podcast, we discuss what’s causing pickleball court noise complaints and some ways to reduce the noise.
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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 #65: Choosing Trash Receptacles for Your Sites

You want your recreational areas to be a source of pride for your department and joy for the public. Preventing and eliminating litter is a top priority.    
Public parks offer many benefits for those who use them. Litter, however, can distract and degrade the experience. In fact, poorly maintained sites with visible debris distract from patrons' perceived quality and safety of an experience. 
It's probably not the most glamorous decision you'll make, but choosing suitable trash receptacles adds to a site's aesthetic appeal and cuts down on litter. 
In this episode of the Productive Parks 5-Minute Podcast, we talk about finding the most appropriate trash receptacles for your site to complement litter control efforts. We’ll give you some considerations to help with the decision-making process. ___________________________________________________________________________
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 #64: Planning Parks Maintenance for Next Year

You’ve just about made it through another busy growing season. Chances are you had some smooth patches and some challenges along the way.  The season has added to your parks maintenance wisdom.
So put that wisdom to good use! As things start slowing down for the season, now is an excellent time to prepare for next year. 
Sure, you may not even want to think about next year’s park maintenance right now. But starting to plan how to maintain your parks can make next year go so much smoother.
In this episode of the Productive Parks 5-Minute Podcast, we’ll review some things you and your team can do to evaluate this past growing season and plan your maintenance for next year.
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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 #63: 2 Common Methods for Parks Preventative Maintenance

If your team finds its workflow disrupted by equipment breakdowns, facility issues, and constant park repairs, it may be time to examine your preventative maintenance plan.
The best way of dealing with problems in parks and facilities is by catching them before they become major issues. Scheduling routine preventative maintenance for your assets helps prevent breakdowns, injuries, and workflow disruptions. 
Of course, parks and recreation agencies have a lot of moving parts. Finding the time to work around programming schedules and other routine tasks may be difficult. But successfully implementing a preventative maintenance plan makes a huge difference in overall operations. Once it’s in place, you may wonder how you survived without it.
In this episode of the Productive Parks 5-Minute Podcast, we look closer at preventative maintenance for parks agencies, why it’s essential, and the most common ways this type of maintenance gets scheduled. .___________________________________________________________________________
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 #62: Effective Recreation Facility Maintenance Management

A well-maintained recreation facility gives the public a safe, welcoming, functional environment to enjoy programming and events. As the winter months approach, you may find your recreation facility getting even more use…and abuse.
Is your recreation complex, fitness facility, or community center ready for it?
Like our playgrounds and park assets, facilities benefit from routine inspections and maintenance tasks to catch minor issues before they lead to damage or disruptions.
In this episode of the Productive Parks 5-Minute Podcast, we look at the components of facility maintenance. We will discuss the difference between asset management and facility management. And, of course, we’ll give you some tips on creating an effective facility maintenance plan.
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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 #61: Five Steps to Developing a Maintenance Program

If not already, there will probably come a time when everything your maintenance department does will need to be outlined in a maintenance program. For those who have worked in the field for a long time, this may mean taking everything that’s become instinctual and turning it into something tangible. 
In other words…no small task.
You may not even know where to begin.
Initially, organizing your maintenance program may feel overwhelming. The benefits, however, will make it well worth your time. 
In this episode of the Productive Parks 5-Minute Podcast, you’ll see how creating a maintenance program helps, steps to start the organization process, and some tips to help the process go smoother.
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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