The Weekly Parks and Rec Post

NEW EPISODES ON OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL

The Leadership Mindset That Transforms Public Service

In this powerful episode of The Daily Parks and Rec Show, host Craig LeBlanc sits down with Mayor Wade Evans, mayor of Central, to discuss servant leadership, innovation in local government, and why Parks & Recreation must be treated as an essential service, not a luxury.

Mayor Evans shares how the 2016 Louisiana floods pushed him into public service, how Central pioneered creative flood-control solutions that double as recreational spaces, and why listening, humility, and service-first leadership are critical to building effective park systems and communities.

The Power of Belief in Parks & Recreation with Thomas White

What happens when leaders truly believe in people?

In this powerful episode of The Daily Parks & Rec Show, Craig LeBlanc sits down with Thomas White from Henry County Parks and Recreation at the LRPA Annual Conference in Louisiana to discuss leadership, storytelling, humility, and the transformational power of belief in public service.

Why Young Professionals Are Choosing Parks & Recreation

What’s it really like to work in Parks & Recreation and why do so many professionals say it’s more than just a job?

In this LRPA episode of The Daily Parks and Rec Show, we sit down with Evy Brown from Ponchatoula Parks & Recreation, a second-year professional who quite literally grew up in the park she now works in.

How a Small Parks & Rec Department Earned CAPRA Accreditation

How does an 18-person Parks & Recreation department achieve national CAPRA accreditation—especially during COVID?

In this episode of The Daily Parks and Rec Show, Craig LeBlanc sits down with Patrick Wesley, Director of Caddo Parish Parks & Recreation in Shreveport, Louisiana, to break down their inspiring journey to becoming one of only a few CAPRA-accredited agencies in the state.

Why Parks & Rec Is Preventative Care for Communities

What makes Parks & Recreation an essential service, not just a “nice to have”?

In this powerful episode of The Daily Parks and Rec Show, we sit down with Kristine Stratton, President & CEO of the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), live from the 80th Anniversary of LRPA in Louisiana.

Kristine shares why Parks & Recreation is critical to community health, safety, equity, and joy, how the profession creates upstream solutions that prevent larger social issues, and why Parks & Rec may be one of the most purpose-driven and future-proof careers today.

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

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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: 👇🏻

SAFE SPACES IN GREEN PLACES

By Thomas White, MPA, Henry County Parks and Recreation

I am writing this without a filter or plan. Those of you familiar with editorial writing will know how absolutely terrible of an idea that is. Devoid of filter or plan, writing tends to wander, especially mine. The shroud of ADHD looms heavy over me, constantly enticing me to random strings of thought that have absolutely nothing to do with my intended subject. Nonetheless, I am persisting. I am pushing forward, endeavoring to create something worthy of the written word, a literary safe space surrounded by the greenery of parks and recreation.

A safe place in green spaces.

Those quirks appear odd, especially in traditional professional environments. The neurotypical do not understand that we are trying to navigate in a world that is, quite literally, not meant for us. The world in which we walk is geared to those that do not have our impairments, meaning that we often stick out. We become the subject of judgement, and from that judgement, grows shame, depression, imposter syndrome, and other subtle cognitive distortions.

A disproportionate number of neurodivergent professionals find a home in the chaotic world of parks and recreation. Within us resides a desire to do something meaningful, emerging from past experiences that made us feel small or different. We want to change the world, to make it better, more inclusive, more understanding. We know what it is like to navigate a society that is not meant for us. We want to make the path more manageable for those who follow us.

Our success in the profession depends on the environment in which we work. While the parks and recreation profession, by nature, is chaotic, it does not mean that our unique outlook will be accepted by our coworkers or supervisors. We require a flexible environment that can challenge organizational norms. Our struggles to conform to the norms can make us appear uncaring or unorganized. The negative reactions garnered by our work style reinforce our already diminished self-image, making us question our abilities and purpose.

But in an open environment, one that encourages diverse thinking, we flourish. Our unique ways of thinking and doing things help us create possibilities that others would not consider. We do not just step outside of the box. For us, there is no box. The borders of the box are the antithesis of our being, mental barriers that prevent us from reaching an intangible brilliance. When we are unleashed from the barriers, allowed to move and think freely, our creativity, empathy, and resilience give birth to innovative programs, unusual events, and unexpected fun.

All we need is the space to be free, a safe space in our green workplace.

Creating that safe space starts with professional culture, not just organizational culture. It requires the profession as a whole to look at how we design our classes, training, and expectations. Are we doing enough? Are we accessible? Are we unintentionally restrictive due to professional norms? What can we do to create a culture where differences are celebrated?

Answering those questions starts with a conversation — one that is honest, unfiltered, and rooted in lived experience. These reflections cannot stay internal. They deserve space, structure, and community within our profession.

Starting in March, the first Wednesday of every month at 1:30 will be dedicated to an hourlong discussion about mental health and neurodivergence in the parks and recreation profession. You’ll hear real stories from real people about the mental health challenges they face and how their teams help them overcome those challenges. Raw, unedited, and unfiltered, we will delve into the realms of mental struggle that many of us have navigated alone.

Together, we will create Safe Places in Green Spaces.

OUR HOSTS

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:

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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!

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

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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