The Weekly Parks and Rec Post

April 12, 2026

DPRS Media Network is the official media production arm of The Daily Parks and Rec Show, a storytelling-driven platform dedicated to elevating voices in the Parks & Recreation and Youth Sports communities. We create compelling content that educates, entertains, and empowers professionals, athletes, and local leaders alike.

Through our growing podcast network, livestream shows, community-based video series, and documentary-style storytelling, DPRS Media is redefining how impactful stories are told at the intersection of community, recreation, and youth development.

OUR MISSION

To provide high-quality media production that strengthens community impact, showcases leadership in parks and rec, and builds lasting partnerships with brands aligned with youth, health, education, and positive development.

NEW EPISODES ON OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL

The Hidden Cost of Artificial Turf (What Cities Aren’t Told)

What does it take to maintain one of the largest multi-sport complexes in the Midwest?

In this episode of the Facility Maintenance Show, we sit down with Alex Miller, Superintendent in Grimes, Iowa, to talk about the realities of maintaining a 38-acre, $30M sports complex that generates over $1.2M annually — all without taxpayer funding.

Growing Parks & Rec Through Internships & Digital Media

How do we grow the next generation of Parks & Recreation professionals?

In this episode of the Young Professionals Network (YPN) on The Daily Parks and Rec Show, host Craig LeBlanc sits down with Michael Morrow and Luca Twohie.

📌 Together, they dive into:

How to attract high school & college students to Parks & Rec
The power of internships in building future leaders
Why soft skills matter more than ever
Leveraging LinkedIn & short-form content for recruitment
How YPN can grow from 350 members to 3,500 nationwide

How YMCA Leadership Shapes Modern Parks & Rec

In this episode of The Daily Parks and Rec Show, Craig LeBlanc sits down with Matt Hancock, Parks Director for Tulsa County, to explore how 18 years at the YMCA shaped his leadership philosophy, culture-building strategies, and vision for modern parks systems.

From implementing the Energy Bus leadership principles to building trust-driven culture, embracing smart park technology, and leveraging Tulsa’s powerful philanthropic partnerships, this episode dives deep into what it takes to lead in today’s Parks & Recreation industry.

How to Build a Winning Parks & Rec Team with Julie Garretson

What does it take to lead a fast-growing Parks & Recreation department in Florida?

In this Leadership Series episode of The Daily Parks and Rec Show, host Craig LeBlanc sits down with Julie Garretson, Parks & Recreation Director for the Plant City, located in the Tampa Bay region.

Why Elected Officials Must Champion Parks & Rec

What does it take to step into the arena and run for Governor of New York?

In this powerful episode of The Daily Parks and Rec Show, we sit down with Marvin Suber-Williams, candidate for New York Governor 2026, Air Force veteran, former federal commission leader, and public servant with a mission to bring people together.

YOUTH SPORTS MASTERY: ELEVATING THE NEXT GENERATION OF ATHLETES

Every Thursday, join us for a game-changing episode of Youth Sports Mastery, sponsored by the National Academy of Athletics and hosted by Aaron Locks, CEO of the National Academy of Athletics, to brings you expert insights, tips, and strategies to help shape the future of youth sports.

This Show is for Anyone Who Cares About Kids, Community, and the Power of Play

Whether you're a coach, parent, recreation professional, or youth sports enthusiast, Youth Sports Mastery offers practical insights, fresh ideas, and real stories that help you create fun, inclusive, and impactful sports programs. From coaching tips and parenting wisdom to managing in-house programs or outsourcing them, we dive into what really works to build healthy kids, strong communities, and a lifelong love of sports.

Tune in, get inspired, and help us keep the joy in youth sports alive!

Join Us Each Thursday:

Don't miss out on this incredible opportunity to learn from the best in the business. Tune in every Thursday at 1:30 PM EST to Youth Sports Mastery and get the insights you need to help the next generation of athletes reach their full potential.

Aaron Locks (CEO of National Academy of Athletics)

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 866-90-SPORT / 707-527-2071

Website: http://www.NAofAFranchise.com

Want to know more? Read the full article here: 👇🏻

Vendor Spotlight: Youth Sports Mastery

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HER SPORTS: THE VOICE OF WOMEN’S SPORT IN SAN DIEGO

Her Sports is creating a space where anyone can follow the women’s game and celebrate its impact on our community. By connecting fans, athletes, and institutions, we’re building a city-wide network that champions women’s sports, strengthens visibility for female athletes, and ensures their stories are seen, heard, and celebrated. At Her Sports San Diego, we’re on a mission to elevate the voice of women’s sports in our city. National media coverage of women’s athletics remains shockingly low at less than 15% overall and under 8% for professional sports. The numbers don’t lie- women’s athletics are underrepresented. We aim to change that by providing accessible, high-quality coverage of San Diego’s professional and collegiate women athletes.

THE ATHLETE’S COMMUTE PODCAST

The Athlete’s Commute is a podcast from Her Sports that features candid conversations with guests on their way to training. Hosted by Jourdan Ziff, the show captures athletes and people contributing to the women’s sports movement in a relaxed, in between moment, creating space for authentic stories about their routines, careers, community ties, and life beyond the game.

Be Part of the Movement Elevating Women’s Sports

Join Her Sports San Diego as we amplify the voices, stories, and impact of women athletes across our city. Follow along, share the stories, and help us build a stronger, more visible future for women’s sports.

🔗 Explore Her Sports San Diego: https://hersportssd.substack.com/

HOW OUTDOORLINK HELPS PARKS DO MORE WITH LESS

Outdoorlink supports Parks & Recreation departments in managing today’s parks more efficiently by providing cellular-based remote device management technology. Designed for teams working with limited staff and tight budgets, the platform allows park professionals to monitor and control critical infrastructure without needing to be physically on site.

With real-time visibility over assets such as lighting, signage, gates, and other powered equipment, Outdoorlink helps reduce manual checks and speed up issue resolution. The result is more reliable daily operations, better use of existing resources, and greater confidence managing multiple facilities.

Why It Matters

Parks departments are being asked to manage more facilities, more technology, and more expectations with fewer resources. Outdoorlink helps meet that challenge by simplifying operations and reducing unnecessary site visits.

With Outdoorlink’s platform, park teams can:

Monitor lighting and powered assets in real time
Receive instant alerts when outages or issues occur
Remotely turn systems on or off and reboot equipment
Automate schedules based on local sunrise and sunset
Manage multiple parks and facilities from one centralized dashboard

By reducing after site visits and manual inspections, Outdoorlink helps departments save time, control operational costs, and improve overall system reliability.

Outdoorlink’s cellular-based technology also removes the need for complex network infrastructure, making it easier to deploy across both urban and rural parks. The result is a more efficient, scalable approach to park operations that supports sustainability goals and long-term asset performance.

Discover how Outdoorlink simplifies monitoring, automation, and asset management—without complex networks or added staffing.

Vendor Spotlight: Smart Parks Forward: Lighting the Way to Smarter, Safer, and More Efficient Parks

parks-and-rec-post-newsletter-b90b18.beehiiv.com/p/vendor-spotlight-how-outdoorlink-is-helping-parks-recreation-departments-work-smarter

ON THE FRONTLINE: SPOTLIGHTING THE VOICES OF MILITARY RECREATION PROFESSIONAL

On the Front Line – The Military Rec Show expands The Daily Parks and Rec Show’s reach as a powerful addition to the DPRS Media Network, shining a spotlight on military recreation professionals serving armed forces communities around the world. Airing every Tuesday at 1:30 PM EST, the show focuses on the individuals who support millions of service members and their families across the Department of Defense under uniquely demanding conditions.

At the helm of the show is host and content coordinator John Prue, whose nearly four decades of service in Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) with the United States Navy bring unparalleled depth and credibility to the podcast. John’s career includes leadership roles such as MWR Program Analyst for Navy Region Mid-Atlantic, where he evaluated program effectiveness across 23 installations in nine states, and Installation Program Director at Naval Station Great Lakes—home to the Navy’s only boot camp.

Beyond his operational leadership, John has been a longtime advocate and contributor within the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), serving the organization for more than 30 years through conference leadership, presentations, published articles, and board service. Today, as Founder and CEO of JDP Services – Management Consulting, he continues to support and guide Parks and Recreation professionals nationwide.

Want to know more? Read the full article here: 👇🏻

Vendor Spotlight: Voices of Military Recreation Professionals

parks-and-rec-post-newsletter-b90b18.beehiiv.com/p/vendor-spotlight-voices-of-military-recreation-professionals

🌳 How the Community Can Help Protect Our Parks

Parks are more than just green spaces—they are the heart of our communities. They provide places to play, gather, exercise, and connect with nature. But keeping parks clean, safe, and thriving isn’t just the responsibility of parks and recreation professionals—it’s something the entire community can take part in.

🌱 Small Actions, Big Impact

Protecting our parks starts with simple, everyday habits. Visitors can make a big difference by properly disposing of trash, respecting park rules, and leaving natural areas undisturbed. Even small actions—like picking up litter or staying on designated trails—help preserve the beauty and health of these shared spaces.

Encouraging children and families to practice these habits early fosters a culture of respect for public spaces that lasts for generations.

🤝 Volunteer and Get Involved

Community involvement goes beyond individual actions. Volunteer programs—such as park clean-up days, tree planting initiatives, and habitat restoration projects—allow residents to actively contribute to park preservation.

These events not only improve the parks but also strengthen community bonds. When people come together for a shared purpose, they build a deeper connection to the spaces they’re helping protect.

📣 Advocate and Educate

Community members can also play a vital role by advocating for parks. Supporting local funding initiatives, attending public meetings, and voicing the importance of green spaces can influence decisions that impact park development and maintenance.

Sharing knowledge—whether through social media, schools, or community groups—helps raise awareness and encourages others to take action.

🌍 A Shared Responsibility

Protecting parks is a collective effort. When communities take pride in their local parks, those spaces become cleaner, safer, and more welcoming for everyone.

By working together—through small daily actions, volunteerism, and advocacy—we can ensure our parks remain vibrant and accessible for generations to come.

✨ Feature Wrap-Up

Strong parks build strong communities—and strong communities protect their parks. Whether it’s picking up litter, volunteering time, or educating others, every effort counts. Together, we can preserve these vital spaces and keep them thriving for years ahead.

UPCOMING SHOWS SCHEDULE

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FEATURE WRAP UP

Thank you for reading!

Thanks for reading this week’s edition of The Weekly Parks and Rec Post! Here’s what’s new across The Daily Parks and Rec Show:

📣 Want to be part of the story?

Share how your favorite park has shaped your life or neighborhood. Your story might be featured in an upcoming edition of The Weekly Parks and Rec Post!

📺 Catch All New Episodes:

Don’t forget to check out the latest episode of The Daily Parks & Rec Show on our YouTube Channel for exciting updates and insights!

🔗 https://youtube.com/@thedailyparksrec-q8l?si=48OpUSw63to_pZKw

🤝 Want to Co-Create a Show with Us?

If you're a vendor or agency with deep expertise in a particular Parks and Rec field, DPRS wants to hear from you. Co-producing a show can elevate your visibility and serve the greater mission of educating and inspiring parks professionals across the country.

🔗 Get in touch with us via LinkedIn to explore collaboration ⬇️ www.linkedin.com/company/the-daily-parks-and-rec-show