The Weekly Parks and Rec Post

March 15, 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

Why Women Are Becoming the Strongest Leaders in Parks & Rec

What does leadership look like in Parks & Recreation — and how are women shaping its future?

In this episode of The Daily Parks and Rec Show, host Craig LeBlanc sits down with Tracy Houk (Assistant Director, Town of Huntersville, NC) and Kristen Herndon (Client Experience Manager, Withers Ravenel) live from the North & South Carolina Parks & Recreation Conference.

Building Safe Spaces for Youth in Parks & Rec

What does it really take to lead in Parks & Recreation and why are teen centers, equity, and community spaces more essential than ever?

In this episode of The Daily Parks and Rec Show – Leadership Series, we sit down with Jonelle Bailey, Executive Director in Sycamore, Illinois, to explore her powerful journey through Parks & Rec, from conservation and teen programming to executive leadership and national advocacy.

The Real Career Path to Parks & Recreation Leadership

What does it really take to build a successful career in Parks & Recreation?

In this episode of the Young Professionals Network on The Daily Parks and Rec Show, host Michael Morrow sits down with Kazuma Kaneko, Programs & Facilities Director at Williston Parks & Recreation, to break down his journey from a college internship to a leadership role overseeing facilities, programs, and operations.

World Cup Impact on Youth & Parks and Rec with Seve Ghose

In this episode of The Daily Parks and Rec Show, we dive deep into Leadership in Parks & Recreation and explore how once-in-a-generation global events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup, create massive opportunities for local parks and recreation agencies.

Leadership in Parks & Rec: From Lawn Mower to General Manager

What does it really take to grow into a leadership role in Parks & Recreation?

In this episode of Leadership in Parks & Rec, we sit down with Patrick Larkin, General Manager of the Cordova Recreation & Park District (CA), to explore his incredible journey—from mowing lawns at 12 years old to leading one of California’s fastest-growing park districts.

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

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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

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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

The Daily Parks and Rec Show Highlights Conversations at CPRS Connection 2026

The Daily Parks and Rec Show recently wrapped up two engaging days of conversations and connections at CPRS Connection 2026, bringing the voices of parks and recreation professionals directly from the conference floor to the broader community.

With our mobile podcast studio set up onsite, the DPRS Media Network team spent the event capturing insights, stories, and perspectives from leaders and professionals who are shaping the future of parks and recreation.

The first day of CPRS Connection 2026 kicked off with excitement as attendees gathered to share ideas, attend sessions, and reconnect with colleagues from across the parks and recreation field.

Throughout the day, The Daily Parks and Rec Show hosted conversations with professionals who discussed leadership, innovation, and the growing impact of parks and recreation programs in communities. The mobile studio quickly became a hub for attendees who stopped by to share their experiences and highlight the work happening in their agencies.

These conversations reflected the collaborative spirit that conferences like CPRS foster—bringing together professionals who are passionate about creating healthier, stronger, and more connected communities.

The energy continued into the second and final day of the conference, with more interviews, networking, and meaningful discussions.

Guests shared perspectives on topics ranging from workforce development and leadership to community engagement and the evolving role of parks and recreation departments. Beyond the interviews, the conference provided an opportunity for professionals to connect, exchange ideas, and celebrate the impact of their work.

Amplifying the Profession’s Voice

By bringing our podcast studio directly to the conference floor, The Daily Parks and Rec Show created a platform for parks and recreation professionals to share their stories beyond the event itself. The conversations recorded during CPRS Connection 2026 will be featured in upcoming episodes and digital content across the DPRS Media Network.

As the conference concludes, the insights and relationships built during these two days will continue to inspire conversations across the profession—highlighting the important role parks and recreation play in strengthening communities everywhere.

OUR HOSTS

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