The Weekly Parks and Rec Post

March 22, 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

Neurodiversity & Leadership in Parks & Rec with Henry County Leaders

What happens when Parks & Recreation leaders stop asking “Why can’t we?” and start asking “How can we?”

In this powerful episode of The Rec Room on The Daily Parks and Rec Show, leaders from Henry County, Georgia Parks & Recreation pull back the curtain on neurodiversity in the workplace—from ADHD and dyslexia to burnout, executive function, and inclusive leadership strategies.

Why Parks & Recreation Leaders Are First Responders in a Crisis with Jay Brimhall

What happens when disaster strikes—and how does Parks & Recreation rise to the moment?

In this powerful Leadership Series episode of The Daily Parks and Rec Show, host Craig LeBlanc sits down with Jay Brimhall, Director of Parks & Recreation for Kerrville, Texas, to discuss leadership, servant leadership, and the critical role Parks & Rec plays during emergencies.

Careers in Parks & Recreation: Real Advice for Young Professionals

What does it really take to build a career in Parks & Recreation?

In this episode of the Young Professionals Network (YPN) on The Daily Parks and Rec Show, hosts Aidyn Tierney and Michael Morrow sit down with Jacob Linford, Assistant Parks & Recreation Director for Bryan County, Georgia, to talk about career paths, leadership, community impact, and real-life lessons from the field.

How Productive Parks Boosts Efficiency in Parks & Rec

In this episode of The Daily Parks and Rec Show, host Craig LeBlanc sits down with Mike Smith, co-founder of Productive Parks, to explore how parks and recreation agencies can dramatically improve efficiency, accountability, and long-term planning through purpose-built maintenance software.

Mike shares his journey from musician to IT consultant to software founder — and how real-world feedback from parks, facilities, aquatics, and grounds crews shaped Productive Parks into a CMMS designed specifically for Parks & Recreation.

Why Emotional Intelligence Matters in Parks & Rec Leadership

What does it take to become a respected leader, educator, and keynote speaker in Parks & Recreation?

In this powerful Leadership Series episode of The Daily Parks and Rec Show, host Craig LeBlanc sits down with Annie Frisoli—CEO, speaker, author, and longtime advocate for Parks & Recreation professionals nationwide.

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

parks-and-rec-post-newsletter-b90b18.beehiiv.com/p/vendor-spotlight-overview-insights-and-opportunities

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

Building Community on Base: The Power of Recreation in Military Life

Military life is defined by movement, mission, and sacrifice. For service members and their families, frequent relocations, demanding schedules, and time away from loved ones can make it challenging to build lasting connections. Yet within this unique environment, one powerful force consistently brings people together: recreation.

Across installations worldwide, Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) programs serve as more than just amenities—they are the heartbeat of community life on base.

Photo by: Hill Air Force Base

More Than Activities: Creating a Sense of Belonging

Recreation programs on military bases go far beyond sports leagues and fitness centers. They provide spaces where individuals and families can connect, decompress, and feel a sense of normalcy.

Whether it’s a youth sports league, a family movie night, or a community festival, these shared experiences help bridge the gap between strangers and neighbors. For new arrivals, especially those adjusting to a new duty station, recreation is often the first gateway to building relationships and finding their place within the community.

Strengthening Resilience Through Connection

Military life comes with unique stressors—deployments, long hours, and high-pressure responsibilities. Recreation programs play a critical role in supporting mental and emotional well-being.

Fitness classes, outdoor adventures, and wellness programs offer more than physical benefits. They provide an outlet for stress, promote healthy routines, and encourage social interaction. In these spaces, service members and families can recharge, connect, and support one another—strengthening resilience both individually and collectively.

Photo by: US Army MWR

Supporting Families, Empowering Communities

Behind every service member is a network of family members who also navigate the challenges of military life. Recreation programs are essential in supporting spouses, children, and caregivers by offering opportunities for engagement, growth, and connection.

From youth development programs to spouse networking events, these initiatives help families build support systems that make transitions smoother and life on base more fulfilling. When families feel connected and supported, the entire military community becomes stronger.

Photo by: Mountain Home Air Force Base

Building Community, One Experience at a Time

At its core, recreation is about connection. It’s about creating moments where people come together, share experiences, and build relationships that last beyond a single duty station.

In military life—where change is constant—these moments matter even more.

By investing in recreation, military installations are not just offering programs; they are building communities. They are creating spaces where service members and families can thrive, find support, and feel at home—no matter where they are stationed.

Photo by: The US Army

Closing Thought:

As the demands of military life continue to evolve, one thing remains clear: recreation is not a luxury—it’s a necessity. It is a powerful tool that strengthens communities, supports well-being, and honors the people who serve by ensuring they—and their families—are connected, supported, and valued.

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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:

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🤝 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