The Weekly Parks and Rec Post

NEW EPISODES ON OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL

Why Serving Your Community Is a Calling with LaKendra Jordan & Veronica Duarte

What does it look like to build a Parks & Recreation career from the ground up? 🌱

In this GRPA 2025 live episode of The Daily Parks & Rec Show, host Craig LeBlanc sits down with LaKendra Jordan (Warner Robins) and Veronica Duarte (Cobb County Parks & Rec) to talk about their incredible journeys from seasonal staff to full-time leaders.

Why Parks & Rec Professionals Are Community Heroes

What makes Parks and Recreation more than just a career? According to Tanita Cook-Nelson, Program Coordinator for Gwinnett County Parks & Recreation, it’s a calling rooted in connection, community, and confidence.

In this episode of The Daily Parks and Rec Show, recorded live at the GRPA 2025 Annual Convention in Jekyll Island, Tanita shares her journey from collegiate athlete to parks and recreation professional, her passion for serving youth, adults, and seniors, and why Parks & Rec must be viewed as an essential service in every community.

Why Young Professionals Should Choose Parks & Rec

Join us from the GRPA Conference in Jekyll Island as Craig LeBlanc sits down with Jordon Gonzalez of Acworth Parks, Recreation & Community Resource Department.

Jordon shares powerful insights on:

🌟 Navigating GRPA as a first-time attendee

🌟 Her volunteer leadership journey

🌟 The impact of networking and stepping outside your comfort zone

🌟 Why Parks & Recreation is more than a career — it’s a calling

🌟 Personal stories of mentorship, community-building, and service

Why Parks and Rec are The Greatest Profession with Trevor Welcher

Join us live from GRPA 2025 as Craig LeBlanc sits down with Trevor Welcher of Thomson-McDuffie, GA Parks & Recreation, a former Division I basketball athlete turned community leader.

Trevor shares his powerful journey, from being a nationally ranked athlete to discovering his calling in Parks & Recreation.

Creating Shade for Tomorrow: Tim Petrea on the True Legacy of Parks & Rec

From disc golf to storytelling, legacy to leadership — this inspiring GRPA 2025 conversation with Tim Petrea (Director, Tift County, GA Parks & Rec) is packed with wisdom for every Parks & Recreation professional.

Recorded live at the Georgia Recreation and Park Association (GRPA) Annual Convention in Jekyll Island, Tim shares his 25-year journey across Georgia, Wyoming, and North Carolina, plus his passion for storytelling, essential services, and preparing the next generation of Parks & Rec leaders.

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:

Inclusivity in Youth Sports: Creating Space for Autistic Children to Thrive

By Kevin Patterson, CYSA, Henry County Parks and Recreation

Youth sports are meant to teach teamwork, confidence, and resilience. For many families, they are also a place of belonging and joy. For families of autistic children, however, those values are only realized when inclusivity and understanding are intentionally practiced by everyone involved. Coaches, officials, administrators, and parents can create an environment in which every child feels like they belong.

Recently, a situation involving a six-year-old child playing 7U baseball in a county recreational league highlighted both the challenges and opportunities surrounding inclusivity in youth sports. After striking out, the child experienced an emotional meltdown at the plate. His coaches, who were aware of his disability, immediately began redirecting him off the field while the next batter prepared to hit. The game continued with minimal interruption. Despite this, an umpire warned that if the child behaved this way again, he would be removed from the game.

For autistic children and those with ADHD or other developmental differences, emotional regulation can be especially difficult, particularly in high-stimulation environments like competitive sports. Crying, frustration, or brief meltdowns are not acts of defiance or unsportsmanlike conduct; they are expressions of emotion that require patience, empathy, and appropriate support. Treating these moments as grounds for ejection risks excluding children for behaviors directly related to their disability.

Importantly, county officials later clarified that there is no rule permitting removal of a child for emotional outbursts unless they rise to the level of unsportsmanlike conduct, such as profanity or threats. The county also reaffirmed its commitment to non-discrimination, noting that many children with autism and other disabilities successfully participate in its programs. This response underscores a critical point: inclusivity is not just about policy, but about consistent understanding and implementation at every level.

One practical step toward inclusion is proactive communication. When umpires are informed ahead of time that a team includes children who may experience emotional outbursts, they are better prepared to respond with compassion rather than punishment. Training officials on disability awareness and age-appropriate behavior is equally vital, especially in younger age groups where emotional development is still emerging.

Ultimately, inclusive youth sports are not about lowering standards or disrupting competition. They are about recognizing that every child deserves the chance to play, learn, and grow. By leading with empathy, education, and collaboration, youth sports organizations can ensure that autistic children are not merely allowed to participate but are truly welcomed.

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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:

🎙️ Special Guest

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

⚽ Why Inclusion Matters in Youth Sports

Youth sports are more than games—they are formative spaces where children learn teamwork, resilience, and confidence. As this story reminds us, those lessons only truly take hold when inclusion is intentional.

A recent situation involving a six-year-old autistic child in a 7U recreational baseball league highlights the importance of understanding, communication, and empathy at every level of youth sports. While emotional outbursts can be challenging in high-energy environments, they are often expressions of regulation difficulties—not misconduct. How adults respond in these moments can either reinforce belonging or unintentionally create barriers.

The county’s response reaffirmed a vital truth: inclusive policies must be matched by consistent implementation. Clear communication, disability-awareness training for officials, and age-appropriate expectations are essential tools for creating supportive environments where every child can succeed.

The takeaway? Inclusive youth sports aren’t about lowering standards—they’re about raising awareness. When coaches, officials, administrators, and parents work together with empathy and education, youth sports become what they’re meant to be: welcoming spaces where every child has the chance to play, grow, and belong.

Let’s continue building programs where inclusion isn’t the exception—it’s the standard.

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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.

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