In the perfect world, our park maintenance budgets would have the funds to complete everyday operations, necessary repairs, and improvement projects. However, the reality of limited budgets has many maintenance managers making tough decisions about what needs to get done and what needs to be deferred until more funds are available. 

Park maintenance is the backbone of a dynamic parks and recreation agency. The varied duties of a parks maintenance worker help ensure that recreation programming, special events, and visits to parks and facilities are safe, positive experiences for the public.

Let’s explore park maintenance and better understand its critical role for parks and recreation agencies.

Most people work better when they have a clear path to follow–when they understand what needs to be done and why. 

Unfortunately, some teams aren’t as focused on their agency’s short and long-term goals. They may come to work and do what they believe is right but still fall short of the agency's overall vision. 

We often take our inventory for granted until we unexpectedly run out of something at the worst possible time. Or someone accidentally overorders something, and there is no place to store it. 

At some point, when deciding if software can help improve the operations of your maintenance department, you’ll be faced with some questions.

Is computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) software worth it for my parks and recreation agency?

As summer kicks into full swing, visitors fill parks and outdoor facilities to enjoy recreation programming and amenities. 

Summer also means more of your staff work outdoors in the elements, exposed to heat, humidity, and sunlight.

You know the sound as soon as you hear it–the whir of a leaf blower doing its job.

If you work in park maintenance, you likely have a leaf blower as one of your trusted tools. After all, despite the name, leaf blowers can help with various cleaning and clearing tasks.

Like most equipment, they need regular maintenance to operate at their best. 

Certain parts of the Midwest will have extra visitors in the late spring and early summer. But they may not be the type of visitors you’re expecting.

Billions, even trillions, of cicadas will emerge from the ground.

Somebody calls off, an emergency repair is needed, a large event gets rescheduled, and the weather cancels outdoor maintenance tasks…these are all things that can lead to deferred maintenance for parks and recreation agencies.