Articles
Do More Than Show Up
Love Ishie knows all about challenges and, more importantly, overcoming them. Thanks to a basketball scholarship he earned to play at The Citadel, he left his family in Lagos, Nigeria, when he was 19 and moved more
Lead With Enthusiasm
Congratulations are in order. YouХve been elected to the Thompson Park and Recreation Board and/or Commission. You now have a tremendous responsibility to serve, and to serve well. Here are four thing
Simple Standards
The band Lynard Skynard recorded “Simple Man” in 1973, but the song peaked in popularity in the mid- to late-1970s, and by the time I left for college in 1979, it was basically the anthem of young men searching for
Multi-Tasking In Maintenance
When the editor of Parks and Rec Business and I were discussing the topic for this issue—facility maintenance—I realized the definition of a facility is a matter of interpretation.
Family Ties
Growing up, Sheila Lillis had a front-row seat observing the power of sports and what it takes to provide quality youth programming. Sheila Lillis says every child should have the chance to be part
Take Time To Teach
Over the holidays this year my son finally mastered the art of tying a necktie. I was also around 15 or 16 when my dad taught me.
Be Your Own Best Quality Control
A recent class-action lawsuit is being advertised on television and radio. The lawsuit claims the quality of earplugs used by soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan between 2003 and 2015 were of inferior quality, resulting
For The Love Of The Game
One of the most vivid memories I have from my days playing youth and high school baseball is the importance that was put on the best pitchers of those teams. Whether it was 12-year-old all-stars playing
Teaching Toughness
Comedian/actor Dennis Leary has written several books that have the same common-sense, knock-you-upside-the-head candor. Also, Leary's voice can be heard on the Ford truck commercials urging viewers t
Aquatic Maintenance Is "Serious" Fun
Because aquatic facilities are usually some of the most popular of parks and recreation offerings, maintenance professionals should focus on keeping these areas safe and clean.
Marketing Parks
A few years ago, we at the Genesee County Parks in Flint, Mich., realized that the citizens didn't know nearly as much about the parks as we thought they did, and some of what they said they knew wasn
Making Memories
Kim Turner loved competing in track during her high-school days. She thoroughly enjoyed being a member of the school's cheerleading squad, too. But her favorite memoriesСthe ones that still resonate a
Make Integrity A Mainstay
“Now I have come to the crossroads in my life. I always knew what the right path was. Without exception, I knew. But I never took it. You know why? It was too damn hard. Now here's Charlie. He's come to the
Coordinate Efforts
During a recent visit to Beaufort, S.C., my wife and I discovered the Naval Heritage Park in adjacent Port Royal. The amenity that first attracted us was a huge skate park, open on all sides with a metal roof.
The Problem Coaches
Here it comes again—another youth-sports season approaching quickly! I keep telling myself that this year will be better than the last. When I first started working with youth-sports coaches, I took the opportunity to
Emergency Action Plans
Early in 2018, I asked some key staff members what they thought were the biggest challenges facing youth-sports administrators in today’s world. We went beyond the typical talk about dealing with
Ode To Mom
She’s the first person you see. You’re fortunate, too, because in your life, you will never know someone who cares for you this deeply from the second you arrive. In fact, she was caring for you for months before you
Forging Friendships
Grateful for all of the friendships she forged while playing sports, Leslie Brinson is intent on making sure youngsters who participate in programs at the city of Bloomington’s (Ind.) Parks & Recreation Department
Focus On First Impressions
No matter the region of the country, the transition from winter to spring is a busy one for parks and recreation maintenance workers.
Master Difficult Conversations
One of the ironies of our technologically connected world is that people have great difficulty communicating with each other face-to-face. Managers who have to approach situations with political