The Weekly Parks and Rec Post

April 19, 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

What It Really Takes to Maintain a Park System with David Kozlowski

What does it really take to maintain a park district?

In this Facilities Maintenance Edition of The Daily Parks & Rec Show, Craig sits down with David Kozlowski, Superintendent of Facilities at the Downers Grove Park District, to explore the behind-the-scenes world of park maintenance, safety, ADA compliance, project management, robotics, and leadership.

The Future of Parks & Rec: Robotics, Revenue & Reinvention

How is Parks & Recreation evolving in 2026?

In this episode of the Leadership Series on The Daily Parks and Rec Show, we sit down with Greg Bisson, Director of Parks & Recreation for Exeter, to discuss:

Robotics in park maintenance
Creative funding strategies (Beer Festivals, Sponsorships & Grants)
Building senior centers that fight isolation
Why Parks & Rec is an essential service
Developing the next generation of Parks & Rec leaders

How Champaign Park District Builds Community & Inclusion

In this episode of The Daily Parks & Rec Show, host Craig LeBlanc sits down live at the Illinois conference with leaders from Champaign Park District to discuss:

Inclusion programming for adults with disabilities
Aquatics & tennis operations management
Lifeguard recruitment and retention strategies
Why Parks & Recreation is an essential public service
The power of community impact through local park districts

Inside the Park District of Highland Park: Building Stronger Communities

What does it really mean to build community through Parks & Recreation?

In this episode of The Daily Parks & Rec Show, we sit down at the Illinois Parks & Recreation Association (IPRA) Annual Conference in Chicago with Jessica and Julie from the Park District of Highland Park.

How Smart Parks Save Money & Improve Safety with Joseph Dziedzic

How can parks and recreation departments save money, improve safety, and control facilities remotely?

In this episode of The Daily Parks and Rec Show, host Craig LeBlanc sits down with Joseph Dziedzic of Outdoorlink live from the Illinois Park and Recreation Association (IAPD/IPRA) Conference to break down how smart park technology is transforming communities across America.

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

🌳 Weekend Park Picks: Simple Ways to Make the Most of Your Park Time

Weekends don’t need big plans to feel meaningful. Sometimes, the best memories are made right in your local park—with fresh air, a little creativity, and the people you enjoy being around. Here are a few easy, low-cost ideas to turn an ordinary weekend into something special:

🧺 Picnic + Play Combo

Pack your favorite snacks, bring a mat, and claim a shady spot. After eating, turn it into playtime—frisbee, tag, or even a quick nap under the trees. Simple, but always a win.

🚶‍♀️ Walk, Talk, and Reset

Take a slow walk around the park trails. No rush, no pressure—just conversation, people-watching, or quiet time to clear your head.

🎨 Get Creative Outdoors

Bring a notebook, sketchpad, or even your phone for photos. Parks are full of inspiration—trees, textures, and moments you don’t notice during busy weekdays.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Game Hour

Turn open spaces into your own mini game zone. Think relay races, tag, or capture the flag—fun for all ages.

🌅 Catch the Golden Hour

Stay a little longer and watch the sunset. It’s a simple way to end the weekend on a calm, refreshing note.

No matter how you spend it, parks offer something we all need—a place to slow down, connect, and recharge.

This weekend, step outside. Your park is waiting. 🌿

UPCOMING SHOWS SCHEDULE

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EDITOR’S PAGE

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