Steve Constantelos and Joe Suchecki from the DuPage Birding Club talk about birdwatching in the Naperville area and how to get started.

S22 Episode 02: Bird Watching

Pat Miller, a master naturalist, master gardener and conservation specialist, tells the story of the monarch butterfly, its amazing migration to and from Mexico, its plight and how everyone can help.

S22 Episode 03: Appreciating Monarch Butterflies

Lee Meyer, a fleet technician for the Naperville Park District, explains the latest improvements that make the District’s vehicles and equipment cleaner, greener, safer and more efficient.

S25 Episode 02 Driving A Cleaner, Greener Fleet

After a 40-year career in the health care field, Don retired and then found not just one, but several fun, part-time jobs at the Naperville Park District. In this episode, he explains how these different jobs have enriched his life.

S30 Episode 02 - Finding A Fun Retirement Job

District staff discuss the many ways that residents and businesses support the Park District beyond tax dollars and program fees. Aspects highlighted in this episode include sponsorships and advertising, the Remembrance Program, donations, and volunteers.

Guests: Community Development Manager Sue Omanson, Volunteer and Events Manager Becca Kryzkowski, and Sales and Sponsorship Manager Stacey Fontechia

S33 - Episode 05 - Community Support That Makes the Park District Stronger

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 District staff what key plans are being developed, including goals and capital projects, and how they will impact recreation in Naperville

Guests: Executive Director Brad Wilson, Director of Recreation Andrea Coates, and Director of Planning Eric Shutes

S33 - Episode 02 - Exploring What’s Ahead for Parks and Recreation in Naperville

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 across the organization in addition to providing a retrospective of 2022 and a high-level overview of the aspects to be covered in the subsequent 2023 SoPD episodes.

Guests: Executive Director Brad Wilson and Board President Mary Gibson

S33 - Episode 01 - Introduction to the 2023 State of the Naperville Park District Address

Brad Wilson, executive director of the Naperville Park District, recalls highlights of his internship, which began his career at the District over 24 years ago. He shares advice for college students currently seeking internships.

S34 Episode 01: Internships

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 opportunities for her in the field of parks and recreation.

S34 Episode 02: Careers for New College Graduates

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 Plots. Our guests are Priyanka, who rented a plot for the first time, and Barb, who has maintained a plot for many years and is a Master Gardener.

The Rewards Of Gardening

Guests Kirsten Mullinax from NorthShore -  Edward-Elmhurst Health, and Amy Phillips from The Conservation Foundation discuss the annual Take a Hike! Challenge and the benefits of walking in nature.

Take A Hike - The Benefits Of Walking in Nature

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 honor of this farm that brought polo to Naperville and is part of the farming and equestrian heritage of our community.

Remembering Fairlane Farms

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 ParkTalk Podcast and what she loves about the Park District all while introducing the podcast’s new host, Danny Rehm.

Passing the Mic

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 high-level overview of the aspects to be covered in the subsequent 2024 SoPD episodes.

Guests: Executive Director Brad Wilson and Park Board President Mary Gibson

S37 - Episode 01 - Growing into the Future

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 facility space challenges, and what the District expects to see in 2024.

Guests: Director of Recreation and Facilities Andrea Coates and Superintendent of Facilities Sue Buziecki

S37 - Episode 02 - Where Do We Grow From Here

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 recreation amenities to the community while investing in efficiencies and operational improvements.

Guests: Director of Planning Eric Shutes and Director of Parks Tim Quigley

S37 - Episode 03 - Managing Growth In The Parks

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: Commissioner John Risvold

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: Commissioner Chris Jacks

S37 - Episode 04B - Meet Our New Commissioners - Chris Jacks

Learn about key community partnerships between the Naperville Park District and other entities that facilitate the smooth operation of recreation programs, offer exceptional experiences for residents and visitors, and help establish priorities and accomplish projects for the benefit of Naperville and beyond.

Guests: Executive Director Brad Wilson, Director of Planning Eric Shutes, Director of Recreation and Facilities Andrea Coates and Sales and Sponsorship Manager Stacey Fontechia

S37 - Episode 05 - Growing Community Partnerships

Hear about upcoming anniversary celebrations for Springbrook Golf Course and the Knoch Knolls Nature Center in addition to learning some history and background on these key District facilities and why they’re integral to the community.

Guests: Director of Golf Kevin Carlson and Nature Center Manager Angelique Harshman

S37 - Episode 06 - Milestones to Grow on

Western DuPage Special Recreation Association Inclusion Manager, Maddy Manden, and Naperville Park District Superintendent of Recreation, Jackie Gonzalez, join the podcast to discuss the partnership between WDSRA and Naperville Park District and the agencies’ efforts to provide recreational programs to the community and create an inclusive society.

WDSRA and Naperville Park District: A Special Partnership

Youth baseball and softball coaches, Brian Kelly and Doug Diederich,  share their experiences coaching for the Naperville Park District and the importance of instilling good sportsmanship while teaching the fundamentals of baseball and softball.

Opening Day: Coaching The Fundamentals

Marissa Hird from the Naperville Running Company, a partner of the Naperville Park District, talks about the partnership between the organizations, the health benefits of running, and gives tips for beginner runners.

Naperville Runs: Lace Up and Go!

Award-winning wood carver Shelly Weiser tells how he began carving at age 75, learned from a master carver and now teaches kids and adults at the Naperville Park District.

S4 Episode 03: Wood Carving

Listen as yoga teacher Sarah Weyenberg leads you through a meditation: Start Your Day With Gratitude.

S12 Episode 03: A Meditation - Start Your Day With Gratitude

Listen as yoga teacher Sarah Weyenberg leads you through a meditation to release tension.

S12 Episode 04: A Meditation - Releasing Tension

Zumba teacher Temeka tells how she discovered Zumba dancing and how it transformed her life and fosters creativity, energy and social connections for her students.

S14 Episode 01:  Zumba For Creativity And Energy

Preschool teachers and program managers share their excitement about a new curriculum that helps kids learn and thrive.

S16 - Episode 01 - The “Why” Behind our New Preschool Curriculum

Rotary Hill and the Paddleboat Quarry have become an oasis in the pandemic. Ray McGury tells how the new Midday Spray came about, and we talk with families enjoying the water at these favorite locations.

S19 Episode 01: Paddleboats and Rotary Hill

Tennis program coordinator Meredith Pollack explains why tennis is a great sport to play or try for the first time during the pandemic.

S19 Episode 02: Tennis In The Pandemic

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.

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