Parks and recreation departments know their work goes beyond providing and maintaining green spaces. In addition to this valuable part of how they serve communities, parks and rec departments can offer classes, events, and programming for all ages throughout the year. This programming can come with some administrative challenges, but with the right approach, parks and rec departments can offer quality programming that allows staff and the community to flourish.

The Value of Parks and Rec Programming

The typical parks and rec agency offers 200 programs each year, according to the National Recreation and Park Association. That’s a lot of opportunities for community members to learn and grow together! For most departments, this includes parks and recreation day camps, summer camps, out-of-school (OST) programs, and programming geared toward certain populations (such as specific age groups or those with disabilities).

Parks and rec programs serve communities in valuable ways, such as:

• Encouraging health and wellness through physical activity.
• Getting people outdoors.
• Providing new educational experiences.
• Inspiring civic responsibility and activism.
• Enhancing community connections.

These programs are well worth pursuing because of their benefits, but they can also be a challenge to organize and execute. Fortunately, it’s doable—it just takes a proactive approach that sets your agency up for success.

How to Enhance Your Parks and Rec Programs 

From an administrative standpoint, there are a few ways you can make a big difference in your parks and rec programs. Focus on improving these key areas to enhance your program's success.

Program Registration

Efficient and well-organized participant registration is the cornerstone of a successful parks and recreation department. Whether it’s a one-time special event or an ongoing program, you need an organized means of registering participants. Make registration convenient for community members by offering it online. Online registration also sets you up for success because it makes it easy to access all the relevant details you collect whenever you need them. For example, you can check for allergies, ensure kids only go home with pre-approved adults, keep waivers on file, and more. 

Communications Strategy

Getting folks to sign up for programming isn’t enough; you want to keep them engaged throughout the program and beyond. The right communications strategy can make a big difference here. Distribute a regular newsletter or send messages within your digital platform to notify participants of other upcoming events, share additional resources, and share important updates. 

When it comes to kids’ programming, try to get the whole family involved. Share fun updates with parents on what kids have been learning. You can also host an event at the end of a class or camp so participants can show off what they’ve learned with family and friends, fostering lasting connections within the community.

Staff Professional Development 

Your program leaders and teachers (including both paid staff and volunteers) deserve to enjoy a fulfilling experience. Onboarding training helps get staff members started on the right foot, but it shouldn’t stop there. Empower staff to deliver the very best programming by investing in their ongoing learning through professional development. Self-paced, online training can be the perfect avenue to help staff sharpen their skills and renew their passion for educating and engaging their community.

Arly Makes Program Administration a Walk in the Park

Although organizing parks and recreation programs may present challenges, a proactive approach centered on family engagement, staff professional development, and streamlined program registration can pave the way for success. 

Arly helps parks and recreation departments stay organized and enhance their programming through practical tools and resources. Learn more about our digital solution for parks and recreation departments, and see what it could mean for your community!