The Weekly Parks and Rec Post

NEW EPISODES ON OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL

Inside the Best-Run Parks & Recreation System in America

Parks & Recreation is more than programs and playgrounds; it’s an essential public service.

In this episode of The Rec Room Podcast, we go behind the scenes with Henry County, Georgia Parks & Recreation, widely regarded as one of the best-run park systems in America. This high-energy conversation explores how professional associations, leadership development, emergency preparedness, and cross-department collaboration are shaping the future of Parks & Rec nationwide.

Breaking Into Parks & Recreation: Advice for Students & Young Professionals

The future of Parks & Recreation is here and it’s being built by young professionals, interns, and students stepping into leadership early. 🌱

In this episode of the Young Professionals Network (YPN) on The Daily Parks and Rec Show, host Craig LeBlanc sits down with interns Michael Morrow and Aidyn Tierney to talk about:

✅ Breaking into the Parks & Recreation industry

✅ Using LinkedIn for networking and career growth

✅ Building a personal brand as a student or young professional

✅ What it’s really like working behind the scenes in Parks & Rec

✅ Why Parks & Recreation is a growing, future-proof industry

Joseph Dziedzic on Outdoorlink’s Game-Changing Tech

Discover how former Parks & Recreation Director Joseph Dziedzic transitioned from 30 years of public service to helping modernize park systems across the country through OutdoorLink’s smart, cellular-based control technology.

Live from LRPA’s 80th Anniversary Convention, Joseph talks with Craig LeBlanc of The Daily Parks and Rec Show about authenticity, leadership, efficiency, smart cities, and why Parks & Rec will always be an essential service.

How Pro Sports Are Powering Youth Leagues Nationwide

How are professional sports leagues like the NFL, NBA, MLS, and NHL partnering with local Parks & Recreation departments to grow youth sports participation? 🏈⚽🏀

Recorded from the 2025 LRPA Convention (80th Anniversary), host Craig LeBlanc sits down with Cam Haslam, Senior Manager of Strategic Partnerships at RCX Sports, to discuss how RCX works behind the scenes with Parks & Rec agencies nationwide to deliver turnkey, pro-branded youth sports leagues.

How Parks & Recreation Can Win with Digital Marketing + AI

How can Parks & Recreation departments modernize marketing, control their online presence, and prepare for an AI-driven future?

In this LRPA episode of The Daily Parks and Rec Show, we sit down with Jared Moore, co-founder of Athletify, live from the LRPA Conference. Jared shares powerful, practical insights on digital marketing, Google listings, AI search, social media strategy, and why Parks & Rec agencies must take ownership of their online footprint.

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.

🔗 See How Outdoorlink Works: https://outdoorlink.com/

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: 👇🏻

Finance as baby James

By James Tremor, Henry County Parks and Recreation

Hello everyone, my name, as you probably read in the title, is “Baby James.”

You’re likely wondering how a grown adult ends up with a nickname like that. To be honest, I’m still trying to figure it out. The original excuse was that I was the youngest in the office, which turned out not to be true. Then it shifted to me “acting like a baby,” which also isn’t accurate… especially considering the number of invoices and deadlines I deal with daily. Not to mention the other people I work with in the office.

So let me properly reintroduce myself.

My name is James, and I’m an Operations Specialist for Henry County Parks and Recreation. I’m 22 years old and have been in this role for nearly two years. Before that, I worked as a part-time Recreation Leader at one of our recreation centers, mainly at the front desk, where I mastered the art of answering the same question 47 times a day with a smile.

When I was hired into this position, I’ll be honest, I wasn’t sure why Henry County chose me. I had no real-world finance experience outside of school. My resume included being a barista and dressing up as superheroes and princes for birthday parties and events. Somehow, the county trusted me with budgets instead of a cape, and I’m still grateful they did.

Since being hired, I’ve graduated with a BBA in Finance, got engaged, and bought my first home. In a short amount of time, this job has played a huge role in shaping my life, both personally and professionally.

So, what does finance look like in parks and recreation?

Daily, I handle financial operations that most people never see but rely on constantly. I process payments, manage purchase orders, and ensure utilities like water and electricity stay on for our parks and facilities. It’s a surreal feeling to pay bills for baseball fields I grew up playing on. Not long ago, I was worried about striking out, now I worry about water meters, account codes, and whether a PO was entered correctly.

Finance in parks and recreation isn’t about flashy numbers or corporate boardrooms. It’s about making sure programs happen, instructors get paid on time, and community events run smoothly. Every spreadsheet represents real service, a real park, or a real family enjoying something we helped make possible.

Being in this role has shown me what it truly means to serve a community. Behind every open park gate and every successful event there is someone making sure the numbers add up. Getting to be part of that process, especially at my age, is something I don’t take lightly (even if my nickname suggests otherwise).

If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that finance doesn’t always look like people expect. Sometimes it looks like we keep the lights on at a park. Sometimes it looks like a last-minute payment before an event. And sometimes, it looks like a 22-year-old named “Baby James” realizing he’s exactly where he’s supposed to be.

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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:

💵 Finance as Baby James

In “Finance as Baby James,” James Tremor of Henry County Parks and Recreation share his journey from part-time Recreation Leader to Operations Specialist for Henry County Parks and Recreation.

At just 22 years old, he manages the financial operations that keep parks and programs running, from processing payments and purchase orders to ensuring utilities stay on.

Though he had little real-world finance experience when hired, the role has shaped both his professional and personal life, helping him earn his BBA in Finance, get engaged, and buy his first home.

James highlights that finance in parks and recreation isn’t about corporate boardrooms, it’s about supporting community programs, paying instructors on time, and making sure every event and open park gate is possible.

His story is a reminder that behind every successful park and program is someone ensuring the numbers add up.

📣 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