Shows / ParkTalk Podcast
ParkTalk Podcast
Naperville Park District, serving a large Chicago suburb, shares stories of people passionate about health, nature, sports, community and everything related to parks and recreation. Visit our website for more information about each episode.
Episodes
ParkTalk PodcastGiving Back to the Community
While the holiday season is a jovial time for many, it can be a time of stress for others dealing with financial hardships or being away from loved ones. To…
ParkTalk PodcastCreating Memories and Traditions
Traditions make holidays feel special, and there is nothing better than having fun events to look forward to every year. Join Danny Rehm, Becca Oster, and…
ParkTalk PodcastContinuous Development in Youth Athletics
Program Managers Stephanie Ainslie and Fred Gusel join the ParkTalk Podcast to discuss the Naperville Park District's youth athletic programs and the…
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Decade of Health and Wellness
Since 2016, Fort Hill Activity Center has provided the community with a high-quality facility to accomplish health and wellness goals. In this episode of the…
ParkTalk PodcastStretching on the Beach
The Naperville Park District's popular Beach and Paddleboard Yoga programs bring yogis the cool waters of Centennial Beach. Yoga instructors Meg'n Braida and…
ParkTalk PodcastRecreation for All - Supporting Special Olympics
Special Olympics supports athletes with special needs across the country. Learn how Naperville Park District and their partners at Western DuPage Special…
ParkTalk PodcastConnecting Recreation and Mental Health
Providing the community with opportunities to live a healthier life, both physically and mentally, is one of the goals of the Naperville Park District…
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The Joy of Adult Recreational Leagues
Adult recreation leagues are a great way to stay active and social with friends and other members of the community. Naperville Park District Program Manager…
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Naperville Youth Soccer: 50 Years of Recreation
As the Naperville Park District celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Naperville Youth Soccer program, Soccer Coordinator Betsy Nyman discusses program…
ParkTalk Podcast2026 State of the Naperville Park District
2026 State of the Naperville Park District by Naperville Park District
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Winter Park Maintenance
Superintendent of Trades Operations Mike Piszynski, and Park Specialist II Trevor Stibbe discuss the work the Naperville Park District does to maintain parks…
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Influence of Music and Dance
Ahead of Magical Starlight Theatre's January 2026 production of "Shrek: The Musical", the show's Music Director John Apple and Choreographer Jeanne O'Connell…
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In-House Routines - Naperville Park District Gymnastics
The Naperville Park District offers a wide-array of gymnastics programs for the community, but the Winter In-House Gymnastics Teams offer a unique opportunity…
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Return of the Naperville Healing Field of Honor
Ahead of the 2025 Naperville Healing Field of Honor November 7-12, Operation Support Our Troops – America Executive Director, Linda Tuisl and former U.S…
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Prescribed Burns and Natural Maintenance
Naperville Park District conducts seasonal prescribed burns in many of its parks, but what exactly does that mean? Park Specialists Olivia Koehn and Tammy…
ParkTalk PodcastSafety in Exercise and Nutrition
While exercising and dieting are incredibly important to living a healthy lifestyle, engaging in those practices incorrectly can be counterproductive and lead…
ParkTalk PodcastHow Its Made - Park Planning & Development Edition
Residents throughout Naperville witness renovations and improvements to their favorite neighborhood amenities. But how does the Park District get to that…
ParkTalk PodcastAiding Naperville Seniors
With Naperville’s senior residents making up a significant amount of the population, it is important to support organizations who cater to the demographic’s…
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Situational Awareness and Staying Safe
With warm weather in the forecast and bigger crowds out at parks and events, it is important to be aware of your surroundings in case of an emergency. Park…
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Expanding Volunteer Outreach
As the nation prepares for National Volunteer Week beginning April 20, Volunteer & Events Manager Becca Krzyszkowski, and Park Specialist Trevor Stibbe…
ParkTalk PodcastSustainable Refueling with the B20 Club
As a community leader in sustainability, the Naperville Park District adopts various practices that is beneficial to the environment. Join Bailey Arnold of the…
ParkTalk PodcastState of the Naperville Park District 2025 E1 - Shaping a Sustainable Future in Parks and Recreation
Kick off the 2025 State of the Park District’s theme of Shaping a Sustainable Future in Parks and Recreation in addition to hearing highlights of 2024…
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State of the Naperville Park District 2025 E3 - Innovations That Better Serve Our Residents
This episode will address the ways that the District is leveraging technology now and into the future with a goal of creating greater efficiencies while…
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State of the Naperville Park District 2025 E4 - Partnerships Make Great Things Happen
Learn about key partnerships and affiliations of varying types that help the Park District serve the diverse recreation needs of the community and beyond while…
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State of the Naperville Park District 2025 E6 - Initiatives that Shape the District’s Future
Certain operational documents and processes are the driving force that propel the District forward in responding to community needs and meeting both short- and…
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State of the Naperville Park District 2025 E2 - Keeping Our Parks and Facilities "Green"
Join Naperville Park District parks and golf staff as they discuss the importance of the District’s environmental stewardship core value, the ways we put it…
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State of the Naperville Park District 2025 E5 - Goals that Move the District Forward
Each year, Districtwide goals set the stage for planned accomplishments of all kinds, from park and facility projects to operational enhancements that provide…
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Embarking on Your Health Journey
As we turn the calendar and head into the new year, there is not better time to set lifestyle goals and live a healthier life. However, beginning that journey…
ParkTalk PodcastPreparing for the Community Job Fair
The annual Community Job Fair is set for January 4, 2025. To prepare potential job seekers in the area, Naperville Park District Director of Human Resources…
ParkTalk PodcastExperiencing Change with Autumn
As the weather changes and the scenery shifts from summer green to fall yellow, ecologist Scott Kobal from the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County talks…
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Looking Back on a Lifetime of Dance at the Naperville Park District
Preparation for the Spring Dance Recital takes a lot of hard work. Dance Academy alumni, Mary Redgate and Ellie Laflamme, talk about their experiences dancing…
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Nurturing Nature: A Decade of the Knoch Knolls Nature Center
The Knoch Knolls Nature Center has been an environmental staple in the community since opening its doors in 2014. Ahead of the 10th Anniversary celebration…
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Growth In Naperville Golf
The game of golf has seen a boom in popularity across the country, and that surge has been felt at the Naperville Park District. Director of Golf, Kevin…
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Second Serve: Pickleball Five Years Later
In 2019, a ParkTalk Podcast series covered pickleball's popularity and health benefits. Five years later, we reexamine the sport and explore the growth in the…
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Naperville Runs: Lace Up and Go!
Marissa Hird from the Naperville Running Company, a partner of the Naperville Park District, talks about the partnership between the organizations, the health…
ParkTalk PodcastOpening Day: Coaching The Fundamentals
Youth baseball and softball coaches, Brian Kelly and Doug Diederich, share their experiences coaching for the Naperville Park District and the importance of…
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WDSRA and Naperville Park District: A Special Partnership
Western DuPage Special Recreation Association Inclusion Manager, Maddy Manden, and Naperville Park District Superintendent of Recreation, Jackie Gonzalez, join…
ParkTalk PodcastS37 - Episode 06 - Milestones to Grow on
Hear about upcoming anniversary celebrations for Springbrook Golf Course and the Knoch Knolls Nature Center in addition to learning some history and background…
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S37 - Episode 05 - Growing Community Partnerships
Learn about key community partnerships between the Naperville Park District and other entities that facilitate the smooth operation of recreation programs…
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S37 - Episode 04B - Meet Our New Commissioners - Chris Jacks
Meet the District’s new park board commissioners who were seated in 2023 and learn more about them and their aspirations for recreation in Naperville. Guests…
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S37 - Episode 04A - Meet Our New Commissioners - John Risvold
Meet the District’s new park board commissioners who were seated in 2023 and learn more about them and their aspirations for recreation in Naperville. Guests…
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S37 - Episode 03 - Managing Growth In The Parks
This episode will highlight park development in 2023 and plans for 2024 as the District continues to add to its outdoor facility inventory and bring new…
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S37 - Episode 02 - Where Do We Grow From Here
Join District staff as they explore growth in recreation programs and facility use at the Park District, discuss how that growth has contributed to indoor…
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S37 - Episode 01 - Growing into the Future
In this episode, we kick off the 2024 State of the Park District’s theme of “Growing into the Future” in addition to providing a retrospective of 2023 and a…
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Passing the Mic
ParkTalk Podcast host, Sue Omanson, has retired after 22 years with the Naperville Park District. To celebrate her career, Sue talks about the history of the…
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Remembering Fairlane Farms
Naperville resident Dick Kuhn shares stories from Fairlane Farms, where his family raised horses. Fairlane Farms Park will be developed in 2024 and is named in…
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Take A Hike - The Benefits Of Walking in Nature
Guests Kirsten Mullinax from NorthShore - Edward-Elmhurst Health, and Amy Phillips from The Conservation Foundation discuss the annual Take a Hike! Challenge…
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The Rewards Of Gardening
In this episode, we hear from two gardeners about the joys, challenges and surprises of the 2023 gardening season at the Naperville Park District’s Garden…
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Summer Camp Reflections
Day camp staff members Cori and George reflect on the summer day camp experience, noting kids' creativity, fun memories and strengths of the program.
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Senior Softball Legends
Two 89-year-old ball players from the Naperville Park District's Over 50 Softball League explain why they love the game and what keeps them coming back year…
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Naperville's Unique Centennial Beach
Learn what makes Naperville's Centennial Beach a favorite summer destination. Two staff members familiar with Beach operations explain how it is unique and why…
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S34 Episode 03: Science-based Careers in Parks
Ben Palczynski, Park Specialist II with the Naperville Park District, tells how his career has given him flexibility and the opportunity to apply his knowledge…
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S34 Episode 02: Careers for New College Graduates
Marissa Kula, a Naperville Park District staff member, tells how a part-time position in customer service at the Park District opened doors to new career…
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S34 Episode 01: Internships
Brad Wilson, executive director of the Naperville Park District, recalls highlights of his internship, which began his career at the District over 24 years…
ParkTalk PodcastS33 - Episode 05 - Community Support That Makes the Park District Stronger
District staff discuss the many ways that residents and businesses support the Park District beyond tax dollars and program fees. Aspects highlighted in this…
ParkTalk PodcastS33 - Episode 04 - Exploring the Health of Golf in Naperville and Beyond
In this episode, we discuss the recent renovations at Naperbrook and Springbrook Golf Courses in addition to considering the overall health of the sport of…
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S33 - Episode 03 - Natural Area Restoration Projects Promote Ecological Health Locally
Parks and Planning staff explore the importance of the Park District’s community-wide restoration projects that are designed to restore the health and…
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S33 - Episode 02 - Exploring What’s Ahead for Parks and Recreation in Naperville
Following a year of soliciting community feedback through a wide variety of channels, the District is ready to put that feedback to good use. Explore with…
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S33 - Episode 01 - Introduction to the 2023 State of the Naperville Park District Address
The purpose of this episode is to kick off the 2023 podcast series and introduce this year’s theme of sustainability as it pertains to District operations…
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S32 Episode 02: Lifelong Fitness in All Seasons
Diana, a fitness member and part-time customer service representative at Fort Hill Activity Center, recounts her fitness journey from her early years as a…