The Daily Parks & Rec Show

The Daily Parks & Rec Show The Daily Parks & Rec Show is Live Weekdays at 12PM EST.

We highlight Professionals in the Parks & Rec Community, Raise awareness of the Parks & Rec as a career choice for the youth and also share best practices to the overall community.

12/18/2025

Ep #382 Tom Mitchell Sports Psychology Coach & Author
& Host Aaron Locks w/ The National Academy of Athletics
on The Daily Parks & Rec Show - Youth Sports Mastery
Thursdays 1:30pm EST
Produced By: DPRS Media Network

If you create online content I recommend this software. Craig LeBlanc
Want to create live streams like this? Check out StreamYard:

12/16/2025

Are your park system’s master plans filled with "unicorns and rainbows" but no way to pay the bills? In this replay episode, host Craig LeBlanc sits down with industry veteran Jamie Sabbach to pull back the curtain on the financial realities of modern Parks and Rec. Jamie shares how to move past the "popularity contest" of new facilities and instead embrace business principles to protect the multimillion-dollar assets that anchor our communities.

Key takeaways include:
-The "Spine" of Sustainability: Why understanding the total cost of service—including indirect and administrative expenses—is the only way to achieve true financial resilience.
-Needs vs. Demands: How to identify which services are essential heartbeats of the community and which are duplicative or unnecessary drains on resources.
-Impact Above Service: Shifting the mindset from "providing everything for everyone" to measuring the actual impact on quality of life.
-Navigating the Backlog: Practical strategies for tackling deferred maintenance and creating defensible policies to handle political "flavor of the day" requests.

� Subscribe on our YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/-q8l?si=nJmUcI62Gg7qGbi_

� 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



If you create online content I recommend this software. Craig LeBlanc
Want to create live streams like this? Check out StreamYard:

12/16/2025

Join Youth Sports Mastery host Aaron Locks and special guest Laree Mancour as they dive into the pickleball craze!

Laree, an instructor with five years of experience, discusses why pickleball is the fastest-growing sport and how its low barriers to entry (cheap equipment, accessible courts) and unique, welcoming community are drawing in players of all ages, from "gray hairs" to young children like 9-year-old "Scout."

Key takeaways for Parks & Rec Professionals and Parents:
-Community Building: Learn how pickleball fosters an incredible, supportive community that brings families and generations together.
-Youth Development: Discover why pickleball is an excellent multi-sport activity for kids, building confidence and crucial hand-eye coordination.
-Getting Started: Explore how Parks & Rec can utilize existing facilities (like old tennis courts or even indoor spaces) to start pickleball programs and camps, leveraging the "talk, teach, play" method.
-Resources: Learn about key resources like Pickleheads (an app to find courts and manage community play) and the importance of certified, trained coaches.

�Want to bring a successful pickleball program to your community? Visit NationalAcademyofAthletics.com or contact Laree at [email protected] to discuss camps and franchising opportunities.

� Subscribe on our YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/-q8l?si=nJmUcI62Gg7qGbi_

� 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



If you create online content I recommend this software. Craig LeBlanc
Want to create live streams like this? Check out StreamYard:

From ice skating to holiday markets, parks are where the festive fun comes alive! ⛸️🎄Which holiday activity do you look ...
12/15/2025

From ice skating to holiday markets, parks are where the festive fun comes alive! ⛸️🎄

Which holiday activity do you look forward to the most? ❄️

12/15/2025

🌲 What does it take to lead a state park system? 🌲

Join Craig LeBlanc on the Leadership Series of The Daily Parks & Rec Show as he sits down with Shawn Settle, Park Manager at Tennessee State Parks, to uncover the journey from Army veteran to park leader.

Discover the behind-the-scenes of running 60+ parks:
✅ Law enforcement, firefighting & medical response
✅ Search & rescue operations with drones, dogs & trackers
✅ Financial self-sustainability & innovative programs
✅ Accessibility & inclusion for all visitors

Whether you’re an aspiring ranger, parks professional, or outdoor enthusiast, this episode gives a rare inside look at the calling, challenges, and rewards of protecting natural spaces for communities. 🌿

💬 Comment your favorite state park memory!
🔔 Subscribe & watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/o1lhR8A5taM

📧 Love Parks & Rec insights? Subscribe to The Weekly Parks & Rec Post for exclusive stories, tips, and behind-the-scenes updates straight to your inbox!
🔗 https://parks-and-rec-post-newsletter-b90b18.beehiiv.com/subscribe

12/12/2025

In this inspiring replay episode of The Daily Parks and Rec Show, Craig sits down with Jaydin Johnson and Rick Hatkowski, two standout leaders shaping the next generation of Parks & Recreation.

Together, they break down:
� What true leadership looks like in Parks & Rec
� How to communicate and inspire teams effectively
� The importance of building culture and community trust
� Strategies that help departments thrive, not just survive
� Why collaboration is the new superpower in local government

From on-the-ground challenges to big-picture vision, this episode offers real insights from real leaders who are making a meaningful impact in their communities every single day.

Whether you're a director, frontline staff, student, or someone passionate about public service, you’ll leave energized and motivated.

� Tell us in the comments: What leadership trait has made the biggest difference in your Parks & Rec journey?

� Subscribe on our YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/-q8l?si=nJmUcI62Gg7qGbi_

� 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



If you create online content I recommend this software. Craig LeBlanc
Want to create live streams like this? Check out StreamYard:

12/11/2025

What does it take to build a Parks & Rec legacy from the ground up? Jason Hendrix. Recreation Supervisor for the City of Mesa, AZ, joins Craig LeBlanc to break it all down.

From launching a department from scratch, to shaping youth sports, designing inclusive parks, and inspiring the next generation… this episode is PACKED with insight for every Parks & Rec pro, student, and city leader. 🎤💡

If you believe Parks & Rec is more than a job, it’s a calling, you need this conversation.

🔗 Watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/Y5_kT2-GOkk

📬 Don’t miss more stories, leadership tips, and youth sports insights. Subscribe to The Weekly Parks & Rec Post: https://parks-and-rec-post-newsletter-b90b18.beehiiv.com/subscribe

12/11/2025

In this replay episode, Craig sits down with Jason Peters, founder of GovTech Innovators, to break down one of the hottest topics in government today, Artificial Intelligence and how it’s transforming Parks & Rec.

Jason shares how AI is reshaping daily workflows, customer service, program design, deep research, policy-making, and the future of community engagement. From custom AI agents and automation to protecting against risks, misinformation, and bias, this conversation brings clarity to a topic everyone is trying to understand.

You’ll hear:
� How AI helps rec programmers, HR teams & facility staff
� What “agents” and “deep research” really mean
� Why AI policies matter before tools are adopted
� How cities are training staff and rolling out real AI solutions
� What AI means for youth, seniors & community learning
� Why this moment is the “tractor replacing the mule” for government operations

If your department is curious, overwhelmed, or ready to level up, this is the episode to watch.

� Subscribe on our YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/-q8l?si=nJmUcI62Gg7qGbi_

� 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











If you create online content I recommend this software. Craig LeBlanc
Want to create live streams like this? Check out StreamYard:

12/10/2025

In this powerful Youth Sports Mastery replay episode, national referee trainer and former NCAA/WNBA official Shelley Russi joins host Aaron Locks for one of the most important conversations in youth sports today.

Shelley breaks down the real issues behind the referee shortage, why kids are quitting sports, and how Parks & Rec can bring community-based leagues back to life. From her CYO upbringing to 20 seasons in Division I basketball to leading Refology and Blast Equality Collab, she explains how officiating builds confidence, leadership, empathy, and resilience in young people.

They dive into:
� Why refereeing is one of the best life-skill builders
� “Refology” and the practice of being present, aware, and respectful
� How to train teens to become confident youth officials
� The parent problem and cultural solutions
� Why community leagues matter now more than ever
� Real tools Parks & Rec professionals can use to rebuild rec sports
� And how one program can change the culture of youth sports for good

One of the most insightful and impactful episodes yet.

� Subscribe on our YouTube Channel: https://youtube.com/-q8l?si=nJmUcI62Gg7qGbi_

� 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














If you create online content I recommend this software. Craig LeBlanc
Want to create live streams like this? Check out StreamYard:

12/10/2025

Ever wondered how a 17-year-old camp counselor becomes a county-level Parks Administrator and a podcast host with a voice for community stories?

Meet Ashika Lal, Parks Administrator for San Joaquin County, longtime Parks & Rec pro, and host amplifying unheard voices. 🌟

In this episode of The Daily Parks & Rec Show, Ashika dives into:
🎪 Running special events (egg hunts, concerts & more!)
🤝 Building community through partnerships
🎧 Her podcasting journey from a fortune teller in Mexico to iHeartRadio
📝 Leadership lessons, content creation grind & why knowing your “why” matters
🌱 Advice for emerging Parks & Rec leaders

This conversation is packed with inspiration, real-talk leadership gems, and creative ideas for pros at ANY stage of their Parks & Rec career.

👉🏻 Watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/n28Q7ZtI8XA
💬 Drop a comment: What inspired you most from Ashika’s story?

🔔 Subscribe for weekly leadership stories & Parks & Rec insights!
📧 Join The Weekly Parks & Rec Post newsletter for more community-building stories: https://parks-and-rec-post-newsletter-b90b18.beehiiv.com/subscribe

12/09/2025

🌳 What happens when a small town, big traditions, and a Parks & Rec leader with a PhD come together? You get one inspiring conversation. 🎙️✨

In this episode, Craig LeBlanc sits down with Jill Sellers, Parks & Recreation Director of China Grove, NC, where serving a town of under 5,000 means wearing every hat and shaping community life at every turn.

From childhood playground risks to festival planning, small-town politics, and preserving the iconic 45-year Farmer’s Day Festival 🚜, Jill’s story is a masterclass in passion-driven leadership.

🎧 Tune in to learn:
✔️ How risky play builds confidence in kids
✔️ The shift from big-city recreation to small-town leadership
✔️ Navigating mayors, councils, & community expectations
✔️ Keeping tradition alive while embracing innovation
✔️ Why Parks & Rec isn’t just a job, it’s a calling ❤️

👉🏻 Watch the full episode on YouTube and hit Subscribe to never miss a new Parks & Rec leadership story!
🔗 https://youtu.be/vXZypcwb1VI

💭 What’s YOUR most meaningful park memory? Share below!
📬 Stay inspired: Subscribe to The Weekly Parks & Rec Post for more stories & insights.

🌳 The Unsung Leadership PipelineEver wonder where tomorrow’s strongest leaders are being built? Look no further than you...
12/09/2025

🌳 The Unsung Leadership Pipeline

Ever wonder where tomorrow’s strongest leaders are being built? Look no further than your local Parks & Rec department. From coaches to coordinators, this field is quietly shaping the future of leadership in ways most people never see. 💪🏻✨

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