Open Space Radio

National Recreation and Park Association

Open Space Radio is a podcast for park and recreation professionals and outdoor advocates that aims to share inspiring and engaging stories about community, connection, and the impact of local parks and recreation. New episodes are released every other Tuesday. Open Space Radio is the official podcast of the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) — Because everyone deserves a great park.

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Top 10 Open Space Radio Episodes

Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Open Space Radio episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Open Space Radio for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Open Space Radio episode by adding your comments to the episode page.

From Newcomer to Seasoned Professional: Navigating the NRPA Annual Conference — Episode 162

Open Space Radio

10/01/24 • 35 min

We are getting very excited to travel to Atlanta (in just one week!) to connect with thousands of our closest park and recreation friends at the 2024 NRPA Annual Conference. And on today’s episode, we’re talking with someone who is local to the Atlanta area and might have some insider tips if you’ll be joining us next week.

Jamiah Flagg, CPRP, is the operations coordinator at Douglasville Parks and Recreation in Georgia, and after sharing a blog post with us about her 2023 conference experience, we knew we wanted to chat with her further since this year’s conference is right in her backyard.

We discussed what receiving NRPA’s Diversity Scholarship in 2023 meant to her, how her conference experience motivated her to become a Certified Park and Recreation Professional, and the boost in confidence she feels with another year of experience under her belt.

Tune in below to learn more about Jamiah, her conference tips and more. You’ll also learn:

What inspired Jamiah to get into the field of parks and recreation
What Jamiah’s 2023 NRPA Annual Conference experience meant to her
What she’s looking forward to at the 2024 NRPA Annual Conference
Tips for conference attendees and recommendations for first-time Atlanta visitors
Why Jamiah feels like parks and recreation is where she belongs
And much more!

Have feedback about this episode or Open Space Radio overall? Share it with us!

If you enjoyed this episode or learned something that might help you make a positive impact in your community, please consider donating to NRPA to not only support our storytelling efforts, but also our mission to advance parks, recreation and conservation efforts that enhance the quality of life for all at nrpa.org/donate.

Inclusive Adventures: Building Belonging Through Adaptive Recreation — Episode 157

Open Space Radio

07/23/24 • 38 min

As we continue to celebrate Park and Recreation Month, we’re excited to highlight a story that truly embodies our theme of “Where You Belong.” Today’s episode is all about ensuring opportunities to recreate and spend time in nature are available to all, regardless of ability. And, it’s perfect timing because July is also Disability Pride Month!

We are so thrilled to chat with Caitlin Marcotte, an operations specialist IV adaptive manager at Charlottesville (Virginia) Parks and Recreation, and Sarah Kyriacopoulos, a member of the Charlottesville community who has participated in the city’s adaptive program for years. They both shared so much wonderful insight, and it was really inspiring to hear how the programs that Caitlin and the agency offer are having a positive impact on Sarah and others in the community.

Tune in to the full story below to learn more about Charlottesville Parks and Recreation’s adaptive recreation program. You’ll also learn:

What adaptive recreation is and why it’s so important
How Charlottesville Parks and Recreation is committed to serving the diverse needs of its community, especially its disabled population
What types of adaptive recreation programs are available to the community (and there are a lot!)
What programs Sarah enjoys and how they have benefitted her
Why creating a sense of belonging really comes down to making space for building community
And much more!

Learn More:

Pictured: Charlottesville Adaptive Recreation Department staff and program participants go on a whitewater rafting excursion on the James River in Richmond, Virginia. Photo by RVA Paddle Sports.

Make an Impact by Leading with a Mentoring Mindset — Episode 150

Open Space Radio

01/23/24 • 68 min

As you may know, January is National Mentoring Month, and all month long, NRPA has been sharing content around how mentoring through parks and recreation is helping youth develop positive connections with trusted and caring adults, which we know can support their long-term success.

National Mentoring Month is an annual opportunity to spread awareness of the power of mentoring. It serves as a reminder of the critical role park and recreation professionals play in providing youth development and youth mentoring services in local communities across the country.

We were thrilled to have a conversation with three individuals who have a lot of experience when it comes to the power of mentoring: Katlin Okamoto, director of Coach-Mentor Training at U.S. Soccer Foundation; Char Barnes, a park and recreation professional who previously worked in Columbus, Ohio; and Kent Hunt, NRPA’s program manager of health.

These three shared some wonderful insight on mentoring, and while they all shared from different perspectives, it all boiled down to one thing: Mentoring is essential, and park and recreation professionals are likely already serving as mentors in their communities, whether they realize it or not.

Tune in to our full conversation below to hear from Katlin, Char and Kent. You’ll also learn:

How mentoring changes the lives of youth and adults
What it means to have a “mentoring mindset”
How to embrace and implement a mentoring mindset approach in your programs
Advice for starting a mentoring program in your community
Resources available to support your mentoring programs
And much more!

Additional Resources:

How Las Vegas Is Leading the Way in Technology and Recreation — Episode 141

Open Space Radio

08/29/23 • 52 min

On today’s episode of Open Space Radio, we are diving into the dynamic world where recreation and technology intersect.

The Las Vegas Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs department has always been at the forefront of innovative ideas, and today's episode is all about one of their latest projects — the Becker Technology Center and Recreation Park. I’m excited to be joined by some incredible individuals who've been driving this innovative space forward.

My guests today from Las Vegas Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs are Priscilla Scott, a recreation coordinator; Phillip Payne, a recreation leader; and Jasmine Barrett, a recreation leader. They are joining me today from the Becker Technology Center – and specifically from their very cool podcast studio, which I’m a bit envious of.

Tune in to the full episode below to learn about the center and how it’s benefiting members of the community when it comes to bringing together the energy of play and the endless possibilities of technology.

You’ll also learn:

How the Becker Technology Center will increase access to technology, recreation and learning opportunities for the community
How the center bridges the gap between traditional recreational activities and modern digital engagement
How the center is contributing to youth development in Las Vegas
How the team has taken concerns around technology contributing to a sedentary lifestyle into account to promote a healthy balance
How they are ensuring the center is accessible and user-friendly for individuals of all ages, abilities and tech proficiency levels, and much more!

Listener note: The audio at the beginning of this episode may be a bit choppy, but listening at a slightly faster speed on your preferred podcast player tends to help.

This episode of Open Space Radio is brought to you by support from our partners at the Bobcat Company.

To the passionate visionaries taking on ambitious challenges everyday with Bobcat equipment. The parks maintenance technicians turning playgrounds into community spaces. The program coordinators turning recreation programs into limitless futures. The park development planners keeping pace with shrinking resources and a growing world. And, all those who push through to accomplish more than anyone dared dream of. Bobcat is proud to support park and recreation professionals across the country. Learn more at Bobcat.com.

Where Community Grows in Glenwood Springs, Colorado — July Bonus Episode

Open Space Radio

06/22/23 • 35 min

It may still be June, but it is officially Park and Recreation Month in our hearts, as the July issue of Parks & Recreation magazine was released today. As you may know, each year NRPA hosts a cover contest leading up to July, with the winner being featured on the July issue of the magazine.

If you’ve seen this month’s cover (also pictured on this page), you will notice a smiling young boy in adaptive climbing gear scaling a climbing wall. We are so grateful that Joe Van Wyk, the marketing coordinator for City of Glenwood Springs Parks and Recreation in Colorado, captured this moment and submitted this photo of Isaac Alonso, which captured all of our hearts immediately.

Once we learned the story behind the photo, we knew we had found our winner.

I am so thrilled to be joined on today’s episode by Laine Fabijanic, the community and therapeutic recreation supervisor for City of Glenwood Springs. Laine has been instrumental in building the community’s therapeutic recreation program, and is doing some really incredible work when it comes to providing access to recreational opportunities for all, despite their perceived or actual limitations.

Laine has been a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist since 1998, and over the years she has worked across the country and throughout the Roaring Fork Valley in Western Colorado in clinical settings, outdoor adventure and community recreation.

Tune in to the full episode below to learn more about Laine and the impact she is making, as well as how this program is helping Isaac, the boy in the photo, and so many others. You’ll also learn:

The unique challenges that children with disabilities face when it comes to recreational activities and how therapeutic recreation addresses them
How Glenwood Springs’ climbing program adapts the climbing experience to meet the needs of each climber
Why Laine has loved watching Isaac participate in this program and how his family has been involved
How community engagement is at the center of this program
The importance of meeting the specific needs of all members of your community, and much more!

Related Links:

How the NRPA Young Professional Network Is Amplifying the Voices of the Next Generation — Episode 137

Open Space Radio

05/30/23 • 36 min

If you are an NRPA member, you may know that NRPA provides exclusive member networks to support your professional needs and development. These networks, ranging from Aquatics, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Armed Forces, Leadership Development, and more, are an opportunity to collaborate and connect with like-minded professionals from across the county.

One of these networks, which is highly engaged and doing a lot of amazing work in the profession, is the Young Professional Network, or YPN. The YPN serves NRPA members who are students and young professionals under the age of 35.

I’m thrilled to be joined today by the co-chairs of the YPN’s publications committee to discuss how they’re working to lift up the voices and experiences of young professionals. Joining me is Rachel Smith, a certified park and recreation professional and the operations manager at James City County Parks and Recreation in Virginia, and Colton Patak, the program supervisor at City of Mason in Ohio.

Tune in to our full conversation below to learn how Colton and Rachel are helping amplify the voices and experiences of young park and recreation professionals. You’ll also learn:

Why being part of the YPN is so beneficial for young park and recreation professionals
Why it’s so important for professionals — especially young professionals — to share their stories, experiences, challenges and successes with their peers
What types of topics the YPN Publications Committee is interested in exploring for future publications
How being part of the YPN has been valuable for Rachel and Colton, and why you should join (and a lot more)!

Related Resources:

Celebrating How Parks and Recreation Keeps Communities Healthy and Connected — Episode 136

Open Space Radio

05/16/23 • 32 min

We are just a few weeks away from NRPA’s Family Health & Fitness Day, which is taking place on Saturday, June 10. Family Health & Fitness Day is an annual celebration that promotes the importance of parks and recreation in keeping communities healthy.

I’m thrilled to be talking more about Family Health & Fitness Day on today’s episode, as well as all the ways parks and recreation provides accessible, close-to-home health and wellness opportunities in communities across the country.

Joining me is Cina Makres, a program specialist on NRPA’s health team, who is leading up NRPA’s Family Health & Fitness Day efforts this year, as well as Daniel Hatcher, the senior director of strategic partnerships at Alliance for a Healthier Generation.

Tune in as we discuss how you can join in on the Family Health & Fitness Day celebrations in your community, as well as why parks and recreation is so well-positioned to build healthier communities. You’ll also learn:

Why Family Health & Fitness Day is a great opportunity to build awareness around the health and well-being benefits of the spaces and programs your agency manages
Why partnerships are critical to building healthier communities and how you can leverage them on Family Health & Fitness Day
How you can use the Family Health & Fitness Day Toolkit to assist with your marketing and promotions efforts
What other resources are available (see below!) to help you communicate the importance of parks and recreation as it pertains to overall health
Ideas for celebrating Family Health & Fitness Day with your own family (or chosen family), and much more!

Additional Resources Discussed in this Episode:

CAPRA Volunteers: Together We Grow Parks and Recreation — Episode 128

Open Space Radio

02/07/23 • 37 min

NRPA's Commission for Accreditation of Park and Recreation Agencies (CAPRA), is the only national accreditation of park and recreation agencies and is a valuable measure of an agency’s overall quality of operation, management and service to the community. Achieving CAPRA accreditation is the best way to demonstrate that your agency and your staff provide your community with the highest level of service.

But, there is one thing that this program cannot do without – it’s dedicated volunteers. CAPRA volunteers have the opportunity to review, visit and mentor agencies and solidify personal recognition of the defined standards of excellence that accredited park and recreation agencies are held accountable to.

CAPRA volunteers also become part of a broader network of professionals who understand the benefits of accreditation for park and recreation agencies and are trained to bring back these standards to their own agencies.

As we look ahead to NRPA’s CAPRA volunteer acquisition campaign coming up in March, I’m excited to welcome two individuals to the show today to discuss their experience being a CAPRA volunteer. Joining me is Rod Tarullo, the director of parks, recreation and golf for City of Golden, Colorado, and Christi Giles-Reed, the community program coordinator for City of Dallas, Texas.

Tune in to the full episode below to learn why adding “CAPRA volunteer” to your resume may be your next move, as well as how serving as a volunteer can strengthen your skills and experience as a park and recreation professional. You’ll also learn:

How being CAPRA volunteers has impacted Rod and Christi professionally and personally
How serving as a volunteer will benefit your own agency and agencies across the county
Tips on how to become a CAPRA volunteer
The benefits of accreditation for park and recreation agencies
Rod and Christi’s favorite stories from their time serving as CAPRA volunteers, and much more!

Related Links:

Creating a Safe Space for Youth and Teens — Episode 119

Open Space Radio

09/06/22 • 37 min

It’s hard to believe September is already here and in just a couple weeks, park and recreation professionals from across the country will gather in Phoenix, Arizona, at the 2022 NRPA Annual Conference. If you’ve been fortunate enough to experience this conference in the past, you know that this is the premier event for park and recreation professionals seeking to grow their network, check out some of the latest and greatest products and services, and take advantage of top-tier learning opportunities.

And, speaking of learning opportunities, I’m thrilled to be joined today by one of this year’s education session presenters, Sydney Elliott, MBA, CPRP. Sydney is a Certified Park and Recreation Professional and the youth and business coordinator for City of DeSoto Parks & Recreation in Texas. Sydney will be presenting on teen engagement at this year’s conference, and I’m excited for the opportunity to learn more about her work and get a preview of her session on today’s episode.

Tune in to our full conversation below to learn more about Sydney, how her career in parks and recreation began, and get a preview of her upcoming session. You’ll also learn:

Some of the biggest challenges to engaging youth, specifically teens, in park and recreation programming
Creative ways Sydney is engaging youth and teens in her community
Why creating safe spaces for youth and teens is critical to their development
The importance of partnerships in helping teen engagement programs thrive
What Sydney is most looking forward to the 2022 NRPA Annual Conference, and much more!

Related Links:

This episode of Open Space Radio is brought to you by support from Niagara Water. This Summer, Niagara Water is providing communities across Texas and Florida with a chance to upgrade their local park to the outdoor space of their dreams. 10 parks are nominated. 3 will be selected to win a $75,000 refresh. Vote daily for your favorite park through September 12 at NiagaraPerkYourPark.com. Niagara Water. Now that’s refreshing.

Building Belonging: Neurodivergent Perspectives in Parks and Recreation (Part 2) — Episode 154

Open Space Radio

05/14/24 • 59 min

As you may recall, our final episode of 2023 was part one of our conversation around neurodiversity and parks and recreation. It was a wonderful conversation with Kande Jones, the Development Director for Mulvane Recreation Commission, and Dave McDaniel, the Operations Coordinator for City of Mobile Parks and Recreation about their experience as neurodivergent individuals. Well, we’re finally back with part two of the conversation!

The inspiration for these episodes came from a 2023 NRPA Annual Conference session, “Neurodiversity and Inclusive Workplaces: Insights from Park and Recreation Professionals.” The session explored the individual strengths neurodivergent professionals bring to their work and the strategies and accommodations that have helped them succeed, as well as ways to find workplace champions and allies.

The presenters also offered suggestions for how organizations can better support and include neurodiverse individuals in the field in a number of ways, and we’re excited to chat with two more of the presenters on the show today: Tammy Schwab, manager of education and outreach for the resource management division of Fairfax County Park Authority in Virginia, and John McGovern, principal-in-charge for The WT Group, LLC Accessibility Practice.

Tune in to our conversation below to hear from Kande and Dave as they share their experience as neurodivergent individuals and how it relates to their careers in parks and recreation. You’ll also learn:

· How a career in parks and recreation can contribute to a positive working environment for neurodivergent individuals

· Some of the challenges neurodivergent individuals face in the workplace (and solutions!)

· How leaders, coworkers and peers can create a culture of belonging and safety for neurodivergent staff

· What it meant to Tammy and John to have the opportunity to discuss neurodiversity at the 2023 NRPA Annual Conference, and much more!

Have feedback about this episode or Open Space Radio overall? Share it with us! If you enjoyed this episode or learned something that might help you make a positive impact in your community, please consider donating to NRPA to not only support our storytelling efforts, but also our mission to advance parks, recreation and conservation efforts that enhance the quality of life for all at nrpa.org/donate.

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FAQ

How many episodes does Open Space Radio have?

Open Space Radio currently has 203 episodes available.

What topics does Open Space Radio cover?

The podcast is about News, Non-Profit, Conservation, Management, Community, Local, Podcasts, Business, Trends and Government.

What is the most popular episode on Open Space Radio?

The episode title 'Having Fun and Doing the Right Thing in San Antonio — Episode 151' is the most popular.

What is the average episode length on Open Space Radio?

The average episode length on Open Space Radio is 33 minutes.

How often are episodes of Open Space Radio released?

Episodes of Open Space Radio are typically released every 14 days.

When was the first episode of Open Space Radio?

The first episode of Open Space Radio was released on Jul 31, 2017.

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Open Space Radio

National Recreation and Park Association

Top 10 Open Space Radio Episodes

FAQ

How many episodes does Open Space Radio have?

What topics does Open Space Radio cover?

What is the most popular episode on Open Space Radio?

What is the average episode length on Open Space Radio?

How often are episodes of Open Space Radio released?

When was the first episode of Open Space Radio?

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