“You take care of the people, and they will take care of the park.”
What kind of park manager did you grow up under? As simple as that question sounds, it has been sitting with me for over a decade. I first jotted down notes about the types of park managers I had encountered back when I was fresh in the field. But it wasn’t until a recent conversation with Phil Gaines, someone who’s lived and breathed every layer of park leadership, that I knew it was time to bring the conversation to life.
We explore four styles of park managers: People First, Park First, Process Driven, and Personality Driven. I started my park career under a People First manager. At the time, I thought that’s just how things were. You had a boss who believed in you, supported you, and built trust. What I didn’t realize then was how rare that leadership style can be and how deeply it shaped my career.
Phil and I didn’t hold back. We talked about the upsides and downsides of each style. Some bring structure. Others bring inspiration. Some can create tension, and others… well, let’s just say they make for interesting staff meetings.
What stuck with me most was that good leadership is about showing up with intention, being authentic, and adjusting as you grow. isn’t about fitting into one style.
Whether you’re leading a team or learning from one, this episode is a reminder that how we manage matters and that our legacy is built in the way we treat people, parks, and purpose.
Resources
https://parkleaders.com/about/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/theparkleaders/
Notable Moments
[00:01:26] Introduction to the four types of park managers
[00:02:04] Deep dive into People First management
[00:14:24] Park First leadership and its focus on stewardship
[00:26:56] Process Driven management: pros, cons, and structure
[00:36:14] Personality Driven management and its unpredictable nature
[00:45:14] Phil’s insight: success is found in a hybrid model