The Weekly Parks and Rec Post

NEW EPISODES ON OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL

The Passion That Powers Parks & Recreation

What does it really mean to work in Parks & Recreation? 🌳⚽

In this episode of The Daily Parks & Rec Show, host Veronica sits down with Otis and Dave live from Day 3 of the GRPA Conference to talk about passion, purpose, athletics, maintenance, and the behind-the-scenes work that makes community memories possible.

From award-winning park maintenance to athletics as the backbone of Parks & Rec, to why this profession is truly a calling, this episode is packed with insight for both seasoned professionals and first-time conference attendees.

From Entry-Level to Leadership in Parks & Recreation

What makes a career in Parks & Recreation so impactful? 🌳💙

In this episode of The Daily Parks & Rec Show, recorded live at the 2025 GRPA Conference on Jekyll Island, host Veronica sits down with Marie (Cobb County Parks) and Steven (City of Decatur) to talk about real career journeys, community impact, and why parks and recreation is truly a calling.

From arts and cultural programming to aquatics, recreation centers, and signature community events, this conversation highlights how Parks & Rec professionals shape lives, build inclusive communities, and create memories that last a lifetime.

How a Lifeguard Became a Facilities Leader with Kim Whatley

What does it really take to manage parks, facilities, capital projects, and aquatic centers in a growing community? 🌳🏊‍♀️

In this episode of The Daily Parks and Rec Show, host Craig LeBlanc sits down with Kim Watley, Facility Operations Manager for the City of Decatur, Georgia, live from the GRPA Conference on Jekyll Island.

Kim shares her inspiring journey from lifeguard to facilities leader, breaking barriers in a traditionally male-dominated role. She dives into what it’s like managing multiple capital projects at once, working with contractors, maintaining community spaces, and why parks and recreation is a powerful, lifelong career path.

How Decatur, GA Became a UNICEF Child-Friendly City

What does it really mean to be a UNICEF-recognized Child-Friendly City—and how can Parks & Recreation lead the way?

In this episode of The Daily Parks & Rec Show, host Craig LeBlanc sits down live at the 2025 GRPA Annual Convention with Claire and Nancy from Decatur, Georgia Parks & Recreation. They share the behind-the-scenes journey that made Decatur the third Child-Friendly City in the United States, recognized by UNICEF USA.

How Great Parks & Rec Leaders Stay Calm Under Pressure

What does it really take to lead in Parks & Recreation today?

In this episode of The Daily Parks and Rec Show, host Craig LeBlanc sits down with Justin Cutler, Commissioner of Atlanta Parks & Recreation, to unpack real-world leadership lessons, from emotional intelligence and staying present, to avoiding burnout and leading with authenticity.

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

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:

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.

What sets On the Front Line apart is its blend of professional insight and personal storytelling. Each episode explores relevant industry topics, innovative programs, and best practices while also highlighting the real experiences, challenges, and perspectives of military recreation professionals, turning lived experience into meaningful education for the broader Parks & Recreation community.

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.

For Parks & Recreation professionals seeking insight, inspiration, and perspective from one of the most specialized sectors of the field, On the Front Line – The Military Rec Show is essential listening.

Learning Outside the Lines: Homeschool Programming

By Tina Fuss, Henry County Parks and Recreation

Homeschooling, at its core, is an educational approach where parents or guardians teach their children at home instead of in a traditional classroom setting. It’s flexible. It’s personalized. It’s creative. Sometimes, it involves learning fractions at the kitchen table while someone’s dog is barking and a sibling is loudly debating snack choices. That’s real life, and that’s exactly why the Henry County Parks and Recreation Homeschool Program exists.

At Henry County Parks and Recreation, we believe homeschooling should be engaging, flexible, and enriching without sucking the joy out of learning. Education doesn’t have to stay inside four walls, and it definitely doesn’t have to be boring. Our homeschool programming is designed to support families, spark curiosity, and give students opportunities to learn, grow, move, explore, and occasionally outsmart adults in chess.

We’ve been proudly offering homeschool programming for over two and a half years, and what started as a small group of about 20 dedicated parents has grown into a thriving community of more than 100 families. These families are united by a shared passion for flexible, hands-on education and a willingness to try new things like hiking a trail, coding a robot, or politely pretending not to notice when my boss, Thomas, confidently sits down to play chess… then loses. Again. (We keep inviting him back. It builds character.)

Our mission is simple: help families create a flexible and enriching learning environment while fostering a strong sense of community. Along the way, we’ve supported countless homeschool students with personalized education, engaging activities, and opportunities to connect with peers in meaningful ways. Learning doesn’t just happen in textbooks. It happens on trails, in gyms, around chess boards, and sometimes while holding a controller for a drone that’s about to take flight.

Our recreational offerings are anything but ordinary. Open Gym let students burn off energy, practice teamwork, and discover new games (or rediscover how competitive dodgeball can be). Pickleball has become a surprise favorite, proving that players of all ages are capable of mastering a sport that somehow combines tennis, ping-pong, and fierce competition. Hiking and bike rides get students outside, exploring local parks, learning about nature, and reminding us of all that fresh air is good for the brain.

Then there’s chess, a program that sharpens critical thinking, patience, and strategy. Students learn to think several moves ahead, problem-solve, and occasionally defeat adults who thought they “used to be pretty good at this.” Thomas, if you’re reading this, we admire your persistence. The kids really do learn a lot from you. Mostly that confidence is important, even when your queen disappears five moves in.

Beyond recreation, our educational programs give homeschool students opportunities to build confidence, creativity, and real-world skills. Classes like Creative Writing, Public Speaking, and Theater encourage self-expression and help students find their voices. These programs inspire students to step outside their comfort zones, collaborate with peers, and develop skills they’ll carry well beyond their homeschool years.

We also collaborate with experienced instructors and specialized programs to expand what homeschool education can look like. From beekeeping and CSI-style investigations to SEA and STEAM-based programming, students are exposed to subjects that spark curiosity and encourage hands-on learning. Our STEAM classes, robotics programs, and drone avionics offerings bring science and technology to life. There’s nothing quite like watching a student light up when they realize they can build something, program it, and then watch it actually work.

Field trips add another layer of excitement, turning lessons into experiences and helping students connect what they’re learning to the world around them. Each year, we work hard to introduce new and exciting opportunities for both younger and older students, ensuring that every homeschooler has a place to belong and a way to thrive.

What truly sets our homeschool program apart isn’t just the variety of classes or activities, it’s the heart behind it. We are deeply committed to homeschool students and their families. We listen, adapt, and grow alongside our community. We celebrate curiosity, encourage creativity, and believe that learning should feel meaningful, supportive, and fun.

At Henry County Parks and Recreation, homeschooling isn’t just an alternative to traditional education. It’s an opportunity to learn outside the lines, build connections, and create experiences students will carry with them long after the lesson ends. If along the way we get a good laugh, enjoy a hike, fly a drone, or witness another valiant (but doomed) chess match, then that’s just added fun.

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:

📚 Learning Outside the Lines

In Learning Outside the Lines, Tina Fuss of Henry County Parks and Recreation shares how Parks & Rec can play a meaningful role in supporting homeschool families through flexible, engaging, and community-driven programming.

Over the past two and a half years, Henry County’s Homeschool Program has grown into a vibrant community of more than 100 families, offering hands-on learning experiences that blend recreation, education, and creativity. From outdoor adventures and sports to chess, STEAM, robotics, and creative arts, the program encourages curiosity, confidence, and real-world skill building beyond the classroom.

At its core, the program is rooted in connection, listening to families, adapting to their needs, and creating an environment where learning is meaningful, active, and fun. Henry County Parks and Recreation shows that when education happens outside the lines, it leaves a lasting impact.

📣 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