Beyond the Park Bench: A PRPS Emerging Leaders Podcast

Pennsylvania Recreation and Park Society

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Beyond the Park Bench: A PRPS Emerging Leaders Podcast

Mar 17

Powered by Play: A Look at the 2026 PRPS Conference

In this episode of Beyond the Park Bench: A PRPS Leadership Podcast, Tyler sits down with Matt and Ally, co-chairs of the 2026 PRPS Annual Conference, to discuss everything that goes into planning Pennsylvania’s largest gathering of parks and recreation professionals. Taking place March 24–27, 2026 at Spooky Nook Sports in Manheim, PA, the PRPS Annual Conference & Expo brings together professionals from across the state for education, networking, and inspiration. Matt and Ally share a behind-the-scenes look at the months of planning, collaboration, and volunteer leadership required to make the conference possible each year. They also talk about the importance of professional involvement, how volunteering with PRPS can help you grow as a leader, and practical ways professionals at any stage of their career can get more engaged with the organization. Whether you’re preparing to attend your first PRPS conference or you’ve been attending for decades, this episode offers helpful insight into what makes the conference such a valuable experience for the parks and recreation profession. Key Topics Discussed ✅ The planning process behind the 2026 PRPS Annual Conference & Expo ✅ How Matt and Ally balance their professional roles with PRPS volunteer leadership ✅ Ways parks and recreation professionals can get involved with PRPS committees and leadership opportunities ✅ Highlights and things to look forward to at the 2026 conference at Spooky Nook ✅ Advice for first-time attendees and seasoned professionals attending the conference

38 min
11/09/2025

Building Better Communities with Lance Welliver

In this episode of Beyond the Park Bench: A PRPS Leadership Podcast, we sit down with Lance Welliver, Director of Butler County Parks and Recreation, to discuss what led his department to be recognized as the PRPS Agency of the Year. Lance shares how Butler County’s innovative programs, strong community partnerships, and commitment to service have set a new standard for excellence in parks and recreation across Pennsylvania. We also explore how the county supports local municipalities through grant programs and technical assistance—helping communities enhance recreation opportunities for residents. Lance reflects on his own professional journey, from early internships to leading an award-winning department, offering valuable insights into leadership, teamwork, and community impact. Key Topics Discussed: ✅ What made Butler County Parks and Recreation the PRPS Agency of the Year ✅ How the county assists municipalities through local grant programs and collaboration ✅ The importance of innovation and partnership in public recreation success ✅ Lance’s career journey—from internships to directing an award-winning department ✅ Leadership lessons and advice for parks and recreation professionals at every stage

23 min
03/12/2025

PRPS University with Judy Houck

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

19 min
03/04/2025

Setting the Standard: The CAPRA Journey

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.

30 min
03/04/2025

Climbing the Rec Ladder with Sarah Prebis

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!

21 min
03/03/2025

Trailblazing Leadership: Insights from Karen Lutz

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.

15 min
03/02/2025

A Legacy of Recreation: Leading the Way with Tim Herd

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

37 min
03/02/2025

Small but Mighty: How Park Agencies of All Sizes Make A Difference

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

36 min
03/01/2025

Making Waves in Leadership: Growing Teams in Aquatics

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!

28 min

9 Episodes

Beyond the Park Bench: A PRPS Emerging Leaders Podcast

Creator

Pennsylvania Recreation and Park Society
Years Active

2K
Episodes

9
Rating

Clean
Show Website

Beyond the Park Bench: A PRPS Emerging Leaders Podcast