Park Spark

Florida Recreation and Park Association
  • 5.0 (2)
  • GOVERNMENT

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.

  1. 06/09/2025

    Episode 13 | Community AgroTourism - Programs and Plans

    On this episode of Park Spark, we are joined by Tammy Peterson from Pinellas Park Recreation & Community Outreach and Autumn Reich with Safety Harbor Leisure Services who share with us their experiences running farms...in the city! We explore programming for agro-tourism facilities, how these farms came about, and ask the question, "do chickens and rabbits really get along?!". Patti Johnson Farm: https://www.pinellas-park.com/1810/Patti-Johnson-Farm Folly Farm Nature Preserve: https://www.cityofsafetyharbor.com/962/Folly-Farm-Nature-Preserve *Post episode note: the new barn at Patti Johnson holds around 100 people, not 150.

    52 min

  2. 09/26/2023

    Episode 12 | What's in a Name?

    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?

    56 min

  3. 11/08/2022

    Episode 11 | Award Winning Programs

    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.

    1 hr

  4. 06/06/2022

    Episode 10 | Working with Teens is Special

    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]

    1h 3m

  5. 05/04/2022

    Episode 9 | Senior Programs through COVID and Beyond

    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.

    35 min

  6. 02/24/2022

    Episode 8 | Awards Season is Upon Us!

    Join guest host Becky Gunter with City of Seminole Recreation to talk about FRPA's Awards Program. 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 annually in March.

    43 min

  7. 12/21/2021

    Episode 7 | From Recreation to Administration

    Hear from four current Municipal and County Administrators about their transition from directors of parks and recreation to city/county managers. 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.

    1h 19m

  8. 11/16/2021

    Episode 6 | Meet the Board

    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.

    47 min
See All (13)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Florida Recreation and Park Association
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2025
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Florida Recreation and Park Association
  • Show Website
    Park Spark