Benchmarks
Benchmarking is a process used in strategic management, in which organizations evaluate various aspects of their processes in relation to best practice with the goal of increasing efficiency and quality of service, while reducing costs. It opens organizations to new methods, ideas and tools to improve their effectiveness. There is not one universal set of standards for parks and recreation due to the fact different agencies serve different communities with unique needs, desires and challenges. This area contains resources applicable for park and recreation providers to build customized benchmark reports.
Quick Resource Guide to the MS4 Program
PA Department of Environmental Protection, 2018
This guide was written for municipalities that own and operate Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems(MS4s). Stormwater regulations associated with the Federal Clean Water Act (CWA) are administered under the MS4 Program by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
SAMPLE - Successful Green Infrastructure Grant for Parks
Cleveland Metroparks, 2018
Example grant application of an awarded project to the Ohio EPA for their Encouraging Environmental Excellence (E3) Program - which recognizes an organization’s exceptional achievements in environmental stewardship.
Maintenance Task Efficiency Calculator
Pennsylvania Park Maintenance Institute
Template task efficiency and budgeting tool to help you collect data for actual costs for specific tasks, and measure them against your annual budget on a monthly basis.
How to track your data with Excel
ForeverMore Training
This video demonstrates practical ways to implement a simple maintenance log using Excel.
Putting Your Fields to Bed - Participant Resources
Pennsylvania Park Maintenance Institute
This slide deck is from our Shop Talk with Jeff Fowler from Penn State Extension highlighting the essential steps to fall turf management for athletic fields.
Swimming Pool Closure and Winterization Best Practices
Pennsylvania Park Maintenance Institute
This slide deck is from our Shop Talk with Todd Roth from Centre Region Parks and Recreation highlighting important reminders for outdoor pool managers to assist with seasonal closure tasks.
IPM for Invasive Species
County of Santa Clara
Best practices and alternative approaches to pest management.
Integrated Pest Management for Park Managers - A Training Manual
William Olkowski and Helga Olkowski
This manual is designed to aid parks landscape and building personnel, supervisors and assistants, within public agencies or private institutions. The text is meant to be used bythe person who will actually design the IPM program for a particular geographic area and then coordinate the implementation of theprogram.
A National Road Map for Integrated Pest Management
US Environmental Protection Agency
The goal of the IPM Road Map is to increase adoption, implementation and efficiency of effective, economical and safe pest management practices, and to develop new practices where needed.
Field Maintenance - A Basic Guide for Baseball & Softball Fields of All Levels
Baseball Tomorrow Fund
The information in this document is provided as a general referenceguide for the maintenance of a baseball or softball field or facility.Professional and international baseball and softball federations andorganizations follow similar guidelines pertaining to the dimensions andneeds for field development.
Model Maintenance and Operation Agreement with Commentary
Pennsylvania Land Trust Association
This model document with commentary is intended to help local governments and nonprofit organizations better define their partnerships for providing outdoor recreational opportunities to the public and lessen the possibility of misunderstandings when carrying out their respective activities, tasks, and duties.
Best Management Practices Usedat Urban Parks
National Park Service
This report looks at best management practices used at a variety of urban parks in national and international locations.
Comprehensive Parks Maintenance and Operations Plan
Roanoke Parks and Recreation
Sample Comprehensive Parks Maintenance and Operations Plan from a small city
Alabama's Gulf State Park Master Plan
Gulf State Park
This sample Park Master Plan considers operational recommendations to support the physical enhancements, ensuring maximum long-term park revenue potential.
Useful Key Performance Indicators for Maintenance
Lifetime Reliability
A useful Maintenance Key PerformanceIndicator (KPI) drives reliability growth while guiding your choices for improving maintenanceeffectiveness and efficiency.
