The Weekly Parks and Rec Post

NEW EPISODES ON OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL!

DPRS Media Co. Update: What’s Next For Parks & Rec!

Craig LeBlanc (aka The DoorMan) goes live with a BIG update on DPRS Media Co. and The Daily Parks and Rec Show! 🎙️ From celebrating 200+ episodes to unveiling new shows, a growing media team, and the future of Parks & Rec coverage, this episode is packed with insights for parks professionals, leaders, and community advocates.

Tennis, Pickleball & Building Community: Matt Hanlin’s Parks & Rec Playbook

From pro tennis player to leading Impact Activities, Matt Hanlin has built one of the nation’s largest municipal sports management companies—serving cities, players, and communities through tennis, pickleball, and more! 🎾🏓

Creating Impact Through Sports: Brad’s Journey with National Academy of Athletics

In this inspiring episode of The Daily Parks and Rec Show – Leadership Series, Craig LeBlanc sits down with Brad McAlear, franchise owner with the National Academy of Athletics, to uncover how he left a corporate career to build a thriving youth sports business. ⚽🏀⚾

CARE in Action Leading Parks & Rec with Purpose

From Junior Olympian to visionary Parks & Rec Director, Jonathon Penn shares his journey, leadership insights, and the powerful culture he's building at Henry County Parks and Recreation. In this candid conversation, we unpack:

• Why coaching kids is about character first

• How “CARE” became the heartbeat of their mission

• Bringing robotics, e-sports, and Pokémon GO into Parks & Rec

• Creating true equity in youth sports

• And the ONE facility he’d build with an unlimited budget 💰

How Erie, CO is Building Future-Proof Park

🏞️ Can kids really design parks? Luke Bolinger from Erie, Colorado says yes—and they’re surprisingly good at it. In this inspiring episode of the Leadership Series, host Craig LeBlanc chats with the Marine-turned-parks director about:

✔️Getting design inspiration from his kids

✔️ Creating inclusive parks for ALL abilities

✔️ Military leadership in Parks & Rec

✔️ Erie’s explosive growth & trail systems

✔️ How Colorado’s lottery funds public green spaces

✔️ Planning 15 years ahead in a fast-changing world

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.

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:

THE POWER OF PLAY: WHY RISKY PLAY MATTERS FOR EVERY CHILD

Playgrounds are more than just swings and slides. They are important spaces for kids to learn, grow, and take healthy, manageable risks. These controlled risks and opportunities for unstructured free play are essential to childhood development, giving children the freedom to explore, experiment, and push their boundaries in safe ways.

Yet over time, many children’s schedules have shifted away from spontaneous free play toward structured, adult-led activities. This change may be contributing to concerning trends in youth mental health, obesity rates, and overall emotional, social, and physical well-being¹.

It is important to understand the difference between risks and hazards. Hazards are dangers children cannot recognize or reasonably avoid, such as broken equipment or unsafe heights. These should be eliminated through proper maintenance and age-appropriate design. Risky play, on the other hand, is the kind of child-led, unstructured activity where the outcome is uncertain. It might lead to the occasional scrape or bruise, but those minor injuries help kids learn physical limits, self-confidence, and decision-making skills.

Well-maintained and thoughtfully designed playgrounds can strike the right balance: minimizing true hazards while still allowing kids to climb higher, run faster, and test what they can do. Studies show that risky play, when supervised appropriately, results in fewer serious injuries than many organized sports¹.

The benefits extend far beyond physical health. Risky play teaches problem-solving, conflict resolution, and independence. Unfortunately, not every child has the same access to these opportunities. Children in underserved neighborhoods, those with disabilities, and minority populations often have fewer options for safe, engaging play spaces¹.

Research shows that socioeconomic factors and neighborhood resources strongly affect how close children live to safe, high-quality playgrounds². If we want to support healthy, happy, and resilient children, ensuring equitable access to playgrounds that encourage risky play is a critical step.

Every child, no matter their zip code, deserves the chance to climb, explore, and discover just how high they can go.

Works Cited

¹ Beaulieu, Emilie. Risky Play and Child Development. MD MPH FRCPC, 2024.

² Cradock, Angie L., ScD. Socioeconomic Factors and Access to Safe Playgrounds. 2005.

HOW DENTON TURNED HALLOWEEN INTO AN ECONOMIC & COMMUNITY WIN

In October 2024, the City of Denton, Texas, made national headlines by officially renaming itself “Halloween, Texas” for the entire month. What started as a bold experiment quickly became a case study in how parks, recreation, and community engagement can transform a city’s cultural and economic landscape.

👻 A Month-Long Festival of Community

The inaugural 31 Days of Denton Halloween drew an incredible 660,000 visitors to the city. Each day offered something new—pumpkin drops, haunted history tours, spooky film screenings, costume parades, live concerts, and even coffin races.

Downtown Denton became a month-long canvas for creativity, activating public spaces with immersive decorations, performances, and pop-up events that brought families, students, and visitors together.

💰 Local Businesses Thrived

Halloween wasn’t just fun—it was profitable. Restaurants created spooky-themed dishes for “Food & Booze Tours,” retailers stayed open late with Halloween pop-ups, and local bars and coffee shops joined in the seasonal spirit.

The result? A surge of economic activity that demonstrated how community celebrations, when well-coordinated, can fuel small business growth and tourism.

🏆 Recognition Beyond Denton

The city’s communication strategy made Denton Halloween a national model. Denton’s social media campaign won Best Brand Voice and Best Paid Campaign from the Government Social Media Association.

Their creative approach—witty posts, bold visuals, and strong community storytelling—sparked a 300% jump in Facebook engagement and an astonishing 1,286% increase on Instagram.

🏛️ Building Toward State Recognition

The celebration was so successful that Denton leaders are now pursuing official recognition as the Halloween Capital of Texas. State Rep. Richard Hayes has already introduced legislation to grant the city that title through 2035.

🎉 What’s Next in 2025?

According to DentonHalloween.com, the city is preparing even bigger festivities for 2025, including:

• Expanded Food & Booze Tours 🍴

• Interactive Haunted History Tours 🕯️

• More Halloween-themed pop-ups 🎭

• A growing lineup of family-friendly and late-night events 🎶

🌳 Why This Matters for Parks & Rec

Denton’s success highlights what happens when recreation, tourism, and local business development work hand-in-hand. By centering community identity around a creative theme, the city elevated its parks, cultural assets, and public spaces into powerful economic drivers.

It’s a model that parks & recreation professionals across the country can look to: bold branding, community buy-in, and creative activation of public space can turn seasonal events into long-term economic and cultural wins.

Learn more and explore upcoming events at DentonHalloween.com.

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:

🎬 Fresh Episodes Now Streaming

Catch the latest conversations and community highlights on our YouTube channel! New episodes feature insights from park leaders, facility experts, and youth sports advocates. Be sure to like, subscribe, and share with fellow parks and rec pros.

🎤 Special Guests:

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

🛝 The Power of Risky Play

Playgrounds aren’t just for fun—they’re critical spaces where kids build confidence, problem-solving skills, and resilience through risky play. Unlike hazards, which should be eliminated, risky play gives children the freedom to climb, explore, and test limits in safe, developmentally beneficial ways. Research shows that kids who engage in unstructured, adventurous play gain social, emotional, and physical benefits that structured activities often can’t provide. Ensuring equitable access to safe, well-designed playgrounds is essential so every child—regardless of zip code—has the chance to learn, grow, and discover their potential.

Written by Jill Sellers, M-PRTSM, CPRE, CPSI

🎃 Denton’s Halloween Success

Denton, Texas turned October into a city-wide celebration, drawing 660,000 visitors for its month-long “Denton Halloween” festival. The event boosted local businesses, won national awards for its creative outreach, and even sparked legislation to name Denton the official Halloween Capital of Texas. With 2025 bringing expanded tours, pop-ups, and community events, Denton has shown how parks, recreation, and creative branding can turn a holiday into an economic and cultural powerhouse.

Source: DentonHalloween.com

📺 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