In this episode of Beyond the Park Bench: A PRPS Leadership Podcast, we sit down with Judy Houck, Director of Parks for the Township of Spring, to discuss the upcoming PRPS Conference at the Hershey Lodge from March 16th to March 19th 2025. With over 50 educational sessions, an expansive expo hall, and endless networking opportunities, this event is a must-attend for parks and recreation professionals.

Judy, a PRPS Conference veteran who attended her first conference in 1990 and has only missed two since, shares her insights on what makes this event so impactful. From professional growth to the latest industry trends, Judy highlights why PRPS is a game-changer for parks and recreation professionals at all stages of their careers.

Key Topics Discussed:

✅ Judy’s career journey in parks and recreation and her leadership in the Township of Spring

✅ Why the PRPS Conference is a must-attend event for professionals in the field as well as her advice to first-time attendees

✅ What to expect at this year’s conference, including how the conference has evolved to meet the needs of parks and recreation professionals

In this episode of Beyond the Park Bench, we sit down with Monica Tierney, who leads the first-ever CAPRA-accredited park and recreation agency in Pennsylvania! Monica shares her experience navigating the rigorous accreditation process through the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) and what it took to achieve this milestone.

This episode showcases:

✅ What CAPRA accreditation is and why it matters

✅ The biggest challenges and wins along the journey of accreditation

✅ Key lessons for agencies considering accreditation

✅ How the process strengthened her department and improved services

If you’re curious about elevating your agency’s standards, this episode is packed with insights and inspiration.

In this episode of Beyond the Park Bench, we sit down with Sarah Prebis, the Director of Upper Gwynedd Township, to explore her journey in the field of parks and recreation. Sarah shares her story—how she got started, the challenges she faced along the way, and what ultimately led her to take the next step into a parks and recreation director role.

Listeners will gain insight into:

✅ The career path from entry-level recreation to director

✅ How to recognize when it's the right time to take on more responsibility

✅ How to develop and expand a team in a new place

✅ Advice for emerging professionals looking to grow in the field

Whether you’re just starting your career or eyeing your next big opportunity, Sarah’s experience and wisdom will leave you inspired and ready to take action!

In this episode of Beyond the Park Bench, we sit down with Karen Lutz, former Director of the Mid-Atlantic Region of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. With over 30 years of experience in parks and recreation, Karen reflects on her career, the trail development projects she helped bring to life, and the dedicated teams and volunteers who made it all possible.

We explore the power of volunteerism, the importance of providing purpose and guidance to those who volunteer, and Karen’s advice for emerging leaders looking to make an impact in the field.

💡 Key Takeaways from This Episode:

✅ How Karen led and accomplished several major trail development projects

✅ The role of volunteerism and how to inspire and guide volunteers

✅ Leadership lessons from a 30+ year career in parks and recreation

✅ Advice for emerging leaders looking to grow in the field

✅ The importance of teamwork, collaboration, and a shared vision

Karen’s passion for trails, conservation, and leadership shines through in this inspiring conversation.

In this episode of Beyond the Park Bench, we sit down with Tim Herd, CEO of the Pennsylvania Recreation and Park Society, to discuss his journey in parks and recreation leadership. Tim shares how his early career experiences shaped his leadership style, how he navigated adversity, and all the lessons he’s learned along the way.

We also explore how the field of parks and recreation is essential, especially in a post-COVID world, and why relationship-building is at the heart of strong leadership and a critical part of the field. Tim’s insights offer inspiration for professionals at every stage of their careers.

💡 Key Takeaways from This Episode:

✅ How Tim’s leadership was shaped through challenges and adversity

✅ The evolving importance of parks and recreation in today’s society

✅ Lessons learned from a lifetime in recreation leadership

✅ The power of relationship-building in leading successful teams and organizations

✅ Insights on the future of parks, recreation, and community engagement

This episode is packed with wisdom, inspiration, and real-world leadership advice from one of the most influential voices in the field.

Podcast intro music: Alon Peretz, A Walk in the Park, licensed purchased for use from Artlist

In this episode of Beyond the Park Bench, we explore how even the smallest park agencies can create a big impact. We sit down with Paula Willis, Parks and Recreation Director at South Fayette Township, who shares her journey of growing a thriving parks and recreation department—starting as its only employee!

Paula dives into the power of community partnerships, innovative programming, and how she found creative ways to thank and engage her supporters, including her Thanks for Giving Luncheon. She also highlights the importance of marketing and communications strategies within her township team to increase visibility, engagement, and participation.

💡 Key Takeaways from This Episode:

✅ How Paula built and expanded a parks department from the ground up

✅ The role of community partnerships in growing parks and recreation services

✅ Unique ways to recognize and appreciate partners and volunteers

✅ Leveraging marketing and communications to amplify program success

✅ Leadership insights on taking risks, trying new things, and making an impact

Whether you’re part of a small team or leading a large department, this episode is packed with inspiration and actionable insights to help you grow your impact!

Podcast intro music: Alon Peretz, A Walk in the Park, licensed purchased for use from Artlist

Making Waves in Leadership: Growing Teams in Aquatics

In this inaugural episode of Beyond the Park Bench, we dive into the world of aquatics leadership with Chris Biswick, an aquatics professional from Southwestern PA who found his way into the field in an organic and unexpected way. Chris shares his insights on building and growing a large-scale team of both part-time and full-time professionals, creating a pipeline of programming to develop future leaders, and the challenges and rewards of leading multi-generational teams.

💡 Key Takeaways from This Episode:

✅ How Chris built a sustainable pipeline for developing aquatics professionals

✅ Strategies for recruiting, training, and retaining a strong team

✅ The importance of mentorship and leadership development in aquatics

✅ Managing and motivating multi-generational teams in a dynamic work environment

✅ Chris’s personal journey into aquatics and why passion and purpose drive great leadership

Whether you're an aquatics professional, a parks and recreation leader, or someone passionate about building great teams, this episode is packed with valuable insights you won’t want to miss!