Park Spark - An FRPA Podcast

Park Spark is brought to you by the Florida Recreation and Park Association. Each episode will feature guests in the park and recreation field that will converse about different topics that are relative and timely. Have an idea for a podcast topic? Email us!

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Latest Episode

This episode features a conversation between Mike Jefferis, Community Enrichment Administrator with the City of St. Petersburg, FL and Eleanor Warmack, CEO of FRPA. The recent name change from St. Petersburg Leisure Services to the Community Enrichment Department has sparked some discussion around the state in reference to what departments are named and do their names encompass the true breadth of what they do in and for their community?

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Join us for the first ever Park Spark Podcast, with guest host Jennifer Cirillo. Jennifer sat down with Neelay Bhatt, Principle with Pros Consulting and 2020 FRPA Annual Conference General Session Speaker to discuss the importance of parks in a community.

We sat down with two Young Professionals, fairly new to FRPA, and chatted about why they love their jobs, how they've connected with FRPA, and what makes them look forward to each day. Meet Brooke Spruell with Haines City Parks and Recreation and Kyle Pryce with Collier County Parks and Recreation.

Becky Gunter and Alex Koagel, both with Seminole Recreation, talk about esports and how they have incorporated this inclusive and fun programming into their recreational offerings. Becky is the guest host for this episode of Park Spark.

On this episode we talk with Pattie Roberts from Port St Lucie, Florida about some unique and important programs that focus on mental health. Pattie shares how her department started these programs and a little about why they are so personal to her.

Lynn Clarke with City of Naples Community Services and Dawn Lewellyn with the Bay Pines VA Healthcare chat about the importance of inclusion in recreation programming, the advantages of having a CTRS on staff, and some personal stories of making a difference in the lives of their citizens.

We got the chance to talk with each of the 2021-22 Board members either at Conference or shortly thereafter. This episode will give you an inside glimpse into their thoughts on service to their professional association, what the future looks like for park and recreation professionals, and some personal stories to get to know them better.

Join T. Michael Stavres, Deputy City Manager of WInter Haven, Gina Peebles, Assistant County Manager and Chief of Staff with Alachua County, Tony Lopez, Chief Operating Officer with the Town of Miami Lakes, and Don Decker, City Manager with City of Weston as they discuss the ups, downs, and sideways of city and county management and how their park and recreation careers helped them prepare for their current career.

Our latest episode of Park Spark features guest host Becky Gunter with City of Seminole Recreation. She is joined by Ashley Edwards, Director for the Tallahassee Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Affairs Department and Allison Hughes, Program Coordinator with Hillsborough County Parks and Recreation. They discuss the FRPA Awards Program and share some helpful hints for applying. FRPA's Annual Awards Program opens next week!

Join Guest Host Kristy Carter, Assistant Program Supervisor with the City of Tallahassee - Senior Center and she talks with Mary Jo McKay, Nutrition and Wellness Manager with the Hillsborough County Aging Services Department and Sally Marvin with St Petersburg Parks and Recreation about the joy of working with seniors as they navigated COVID and beyond.

Our guests for this episode have a joy for working with the teen population and you can hear it in their voices. Join us as we talk through some successful teen programs and life lessons with Erin Paige from West Palm Beach, Luz Deroseney and ANthony Carter with Deerfield Beach, and Jamal Jefferson with Tampa. [some references are to events taken place previously] Link to Deerfield Beach Flyer referenced

We connected with some of our 2022 FRPA Innovative Programming Award Winners to hear about their programs. Hear from Kim Lehto with St Petersburg Parks and Recreation, Lisa Pugliese-LaCroix with Love Serving Autism, Andi Mohl and Wendy Tatum with Palm Beach Gardens Recreation, and Mary Palacios with Broward County Parks and Recreation.

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Thank you to REP Services, Inc. for sponsoring Park Spark.