The Weekly Parks and Rec Post

NEW EPISODES ON OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL

What Every City Should Know About Inclusive Parks with Skylar LeBlanc & Peanut

In this leadership episode, host Craig LeBlanc sits down with Skylar LeBlanc, co-founder of the Parks & Rec Done Right Facebook community. Skylar opens up about building online connection during COVID, her work in LED sports lighting, her experiences at TRAPS conferences, and her inspiring journey raising her daughter Eloise (“Peanut”).

This episode is full of heart, leadership lessons, industry insights, and a powerful message about inclusion in Parks & Rec.

Johnathan Skinner on Leading & Serving Communities

In this powerful episode of the Daily Parks & Rec Show Leadership Series, three-time guest Jonathan “Papa John” Skinner, Director of Recreation for the City of Lake Elsinore, returns to talk legacy, leadership, young professionals, senior programming, and the future of Parks & Recreation.

Inside YPN: Marketing, AI & Growing Future Parks & Rec Leaders with Michael Morrow

Meet Michael Morrow, marketing student, former college baseball player, and the first official intern and future host of the Young Professionals Network (YPN) on The Daily Parks and Rec Show.

💡 In this inspiring and insightful episode, Michael opens up about:

✔️ His journey from sports to marketing

✔️ What today’s young professionals are learning in college

✔️ The power of digital media, AI, and short-form content

✔️ His passion for storytelling and personal growth

✔️ Why YPN matters and how future interns can grow through real-world experience

✔️ How nerves, mindset, and repetition build confidence—on the field and on camera

✔️ The future of Parks & Recreation and what young leaders need today

Funding Parks & Rec the Smart Way: Strategies That Save Cities Millions

In this episode of The Daily Parks & Rec Show, consultant and industry veteran Subhajeet “Seve” Ghose breaks down one of the biggest challenges cities face today: money. From budget cuts to deferred maintenance, from self-taxing MAPS programs to strategic partnerships, Sebi shares real-world financial strategies that work — and the cities using them successfully.

Growing Stronger Communities: Michelle Johnson on Sports, Events & Essential Services

In this episode The Daily Parks & Rec Show, we sit down with Michelle A. “Maxwell” Johnson, Assistant Director of Recreation & Special Events for Peachtree City, Georgia. With more than 30 years in Parks & Recreation, Michelle shares her incredible journey from collegiate gymnast to longtime recreation leader, plus how programming, special events, and evolving community needs shape the future of Parks & Rec.

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 two powerhouses in the industry: Aaron Locks, CEO of the National Academy of Athletics, and Craig LeBlanc, founder of The Daily Parks and Rec Show. This dynamic duo 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

What You Can Expect:

Each week, Aaron and Craig dive into the essential topics that every youth sports coach, athlete, and parent needs to know to succeed in the world of youth athletics. Whether you're looking to improve your coaching skills, enhance an athlete’s performance, or learn about the latest trends in youth sports, Youth Sports Mastery is your go-to resource.

Key Topics:

• Building Strong Athletic Foundations: Aaron and Craig discuss how to lay the groundwork for athletes at all levels, from youth beginners to aspiring professionals. They'll focus on physical conditioning, mental toughness, and the importance of fostering a love for the game.

• Coaching Strategies for Success: Coaches, this segment is for you! Get practical advice on developing effective practice plans, creating a positive team culture, and motivating young athletes to perform at their best while maintaining fun and enjoyment.

• Parent and Athlete Relationships: Youth sports are not just about the athletes—they're about the families supporting them. Aaron and Craig share ways parents can foster growth, confidence, and resilience in their young athletes while ensuring the experience remains positive and fulfilling.

• Tackling the Mental Game: One of the most critical aspects of youth sports is the mental side. Aaron and Craig delve into how athletes can develop focus, discipline, and a winning mindset, teaching young athletes how to push through challenges and stay mentally strong on and off the field.

• Injury Prevention and Recovery: Keeping athletes healthy is paramount. Learn from the experts on how to minimize the risk of injury through proper training techniques, recovery strategies, and maintaining peak physical condition.

Our Guest

Each week, we’re joined by an incredible lineup of guests, ranging from:

• Sports Coaches

• Professional Athletes

• Youth Sports Program Managers

• Parks & Rec Leaders

• Sports Officials

Why You Should Tune In:

• Expert Insights from Industry Leaders: With years of experience in both coaching and sports management, Aaron and Craig provide a wealth of knowledge on building athletic talent and achieving success in youth sports.

• Practical, Actionable Tips: Whether you're a coach or a parent, every episode is filled with strategies you can implement immediately to make a difference in your athlete’s performance and development.

• A Community of Support: This show is not just for listeners; it’s a platform for like-minded individuals to connect and share ideas, challenges, and successes. Through this community, we aim to create a supportive environment where youth athletes and those guiding them can thrive.

The Secrets to Building Better Athletes & Better Humans

On this episode of The Daily Parks and Rec Show, Youth Sports Mastery host Aaron Locks teams up with internationally respected coach John Saintignon to unpack what really matters in youth sports.

From decades of coaching experience — spanning high school, college, and nine countries of pro basketball — Coach John reveals the secrets behind building confident, resilient young athletes.

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.

For Franchise Opportunities:

SMARTER PARKS, HAPPIER PEOPLE, FEWER GUESSY SPREADSHEETS: THE ADVENT OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

By Thomas White, MPA and Michael Lowe

Once upon a time, artificial intelligence lived far away in tech labs, sci-fi movies, and the IT department’s locked closet. Today, AI has wandered into local government. Yes, even into parks and recreation. Don’t panic. It’s not here to replace rangers, program coordinators, or the legendary clipboard. It’s here to help leadership teams make smarter decisions, stretch limited budgets, and maybe, just maybe, make accurate predictions about how many people will show up for Movie Night in the Park.

Parks and recreation departments are already community anchors. With AI, they’re also becoming innovation playgrounds. From predicting visitor demand to monitoring safety and protecting natural resources, AI offers practical tools that improve efficiency, equity, and the overall visitor experience, all while helping local governments level up their digital skills without losing their soul.

One of the most useful, and least intimidating, applications of AI is attendance forecasting. By analyzing weather patterns, holidays, historical usage, and other data points, AI can predict visitor demand with impressive accuracy. Translation for leadership: better staffing schedules, smarter resource allocation, and fewer “why did we schedule six staff members for three people?” moments.

Tools like Data Calculus and CityData.ai help departments anticipate peak times, plan events, and visualize movement patterns using dashboards instead of guesswork. The result? Better service for residents and more responsible use of taxpayer dollars. AI won’t stop people from showing up late, but it will help you be ready when they do.

Safety is always the number one priority in parks and recreation, and AI-powered computer vision gives leadership teams a proactive way to manage risk. Smart cameras can detect things like trespassing, vandalism, overcrowding, or unusual activity in real time, alerting staff to issues before they become front-page news.

The key is leadership with guardrails. Ethical safeguards like avoiding facial recognition, anonymizing footage, and being transparent with signage ensure safety improvements don’t turn into privacy nightmares. Used responsibly, AI helps protect visitors, staff, and the agency’s reputation.

AI also shines when it comes to environmental stewardship. Tools like NDVI and computer vision models applied to satellite imagery allow parks departments to monitor vegetation health, track drought conditions, identify invasive species, and spot areas in need of restoration, all without walking every acre daily.

For leadership, this means data-backed decisions about trail maintenance, habitat restoration, and disaster recovery. Instead of reacting after damage occurs, departments can plan proactively. The grass still won’t tell you it’s stressed, but AI will.

There are a few things to consider when deciding how to implement AI in your agency.

• Operational Efficiency

  What works in parks works elsewhere. Predictive analytics used for fields and facilities can also optimize libraries, transit, and community centers. AI helps leaders do more with less without burning out staff or sacrificing service quality.

• Equity and Accessibility

  AI-driven mapping tools can identify neighborhoods lacking access to green space and guide investments where they’re needed most. For leadership, this means equity goals supported by data, not just good intentions.

• Transparency and Public Trust

  AI requires clear communication. Residents deserve to know how technology is used, how data is protected, and why it benefits them. Parks departments are well-positioned to model ethical, transparent AI use and build trust.

• Scalability Across Departments

  Parks can serve as the pilot program for smarter government. Lessons learned here about forecasting, safety, and environmental monitoring can scale across departments, making AI a shared asset rather than a siloed experiment.

• Challenges (Because Nothing Is Ever Plug-and-Play)

  AI isn’t magic. Privacy concerns must be addressed, staff must be trained to interpret alerts correctly, and policies need to evolve alongside technology. Most importantly, AI adoption should be a partnership between government and the community, not a surprise rolled out via press release. Proactively addressing concerns with transparency and honesty will quiet some of the distrust people have of AI.

AI is poised to transform parks and recreation into safer, more efficient, and more equitable systems, but its impact goes far beyond playgrounds and trails. Parks are a microcosm of local government. By leading thoughtfully with AI, parks and recreation professionals can help municipalities build the expertise, policies, and public trust needed for smarter governance overall. For leadership teams, AI isn’t about replacing people. It’s about replacing guesswork with data, foresight, and maybe a little less stress before the next big event.

OUR SHOW HOSTS

UPCOMING SHOWS SCHEDULE

EDITOR’S PAGE

FEATURE WRAP UP 

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:

🎙️ Special Guest

We've lined up some incredible guests in these episodes. Don’t miss out on their inspiring stories, insights, and behind-the-scenes perspectives!

🌿 Smarter Parks, Happier People, Fewer Guessy Spreadsheets: The Advent of Artificial Intelligence 

Artificial intelligence isn’t a futuristic concept reserved for tech giants—it’s already reshaping how parks and recreation departments plan, protect, and serve their communities. From predicting attendance and improving safety to supporting environmental stewardship and equity-driven decisions, AI offers leadership teams practical tools to replace guesswork with insight.

The real opportunity isn’t just adopting new technology—it’s leading with intention. When implemented ethically, transparently, and with community trust at the center, AI can help parks departments do more with less while staying true to their mission of people-first service.

As community anchors, parks and recreation agencies are uniquely positioned to model responsible innovation for local government as a whole. By starting here, leaders can build smarter systems, stronger public trust, and more resilient communities—one data-informed decision at a time.

Smarter parks don’t replace human leadership—they empower it.

📣 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!

🤝 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