“… they don’t have to make conservation their top priority. So you combine those 2, and they are really doing some innovative things around camping.” The increasing demand for camping in natural parks has impacted the future of camping. Companies are taking notice and working to proactively prepare for this growing interest. During this conversation, […]
Reviewing the 2023 State Park Director’s Conference
“What you’re doing is making a difference not only for this generation, but if you do it right, it’s making a difference for future generations.” Phil Gaines and I had the chance to record an episode together while attending the 2023 State Park Director’s Conference at the Mormon State Historic Site in Genoa, Nevada. It […]
Managing the Capacity Dilemma
Capacity is a big challenge for this generation, especially post-pandemic. We need to rethink how we get people into these special places while preserving their natural beauty and ensuring a meaningful and enjoyable experience. – Phil Gaines As national park attendance continues to increase, managing visitor numbers has become crucial. The pressure is on park […]
Transforming Neglected Parks into Community Assets
“The more interaction you have with nature, the healthier you are mentally and physically.” – Dan Biederman Dan Biederman is an expert in urban redevelopment, who discovered a profound love for the outdoors at a young age. He dreamed of becoming a forest ranger, but lacked the scientific background. Instead, he found himself as a […]
Searching for Missing Hikers
“I really wanted to tell the truth behind the beautiful scenery.” In a world of rugged landscapes and unpredictable elements, park rangers and first responders face challenges that test their limits. Sometimes that work can include critical tasks such as searching for missing hikers. Andrea Lankford is a former National Park Service ranger who joins […]
The Role of an Assistant Park Manager
“The exposure that assistant managers have to total park operations is tremendous.” Managing a park isn’t a one-person job. It’s a combination of efforts from different individuals. Phil Gaines and I explore the hidden challenges and crucial responsibilities within the role of an assistant park manager. An assistant park manager has to understand how that […]
The Politics of Parks
“Focus on common objectives and goals, you can get to where you want to be without being divisive.” When people first enter the world of park management, they don’t expect to be involved in politics. Yet, as time goes on it’s not uncommon to find yourself at the center of political discussions on issues like […]
Dealing with Park Visitors Who Misbehave
“The customer is rarely right, but they’re always the customer.” Phil Gaines joins to discuss the surge in misbehavior among park visitors after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. There are a number of factors that could have caused this increase. One is the increase in new visitors who were not familiar with the park’s […]
Conversations for Park Professionals
In this episode of the Park Leaders Show I am joined by Donald Forgione, retired director of Florida state parks. Now I also get to welcome him as the host of the podcast, Tailgate Talks, which offers more conversations for park professionals. Donald’s diverse skillset made him a valuable asset among park professionals. As he […]
Get Your Park Ready for Summer
“If you educate and train your employees on the very front end, it makes for so much better summer season.” Spring is here and the parks are already starting to get busy with visitors. That is why it is important that you get your park ready for summer well in advance of their arrival. Part […]