AI in Parks and Recreation
GovTech Innovators has been on the move recently, sharing our expertise in artificial intelligence in parks and recreation at several recent conferences. With sessions delivered at the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) conference, the Kansas Recreation and Park Association (KRPA) Executive Forum, and the CIRCLE Fall Conference, we had the opportunity to present to over 500 parks and recreation professionals. Across these three events, Jason Peters and Sam Lunt led engaging discussions on the role of AI in streamlining operations, supercharging marketing tasks, and guiding policy decisions within Parks and Rec. These sessions highlighted the progress, opportunities, and challenges the industry faces in adopting AI.
Session Highlights
.
National Recreation and Park Association Conference
Artificial Intelligence Productivity and Pitfalls (Sam Lunt contributed to this session)
Implications of Artificial Intelligence (Co-presented by Sam Lunt)
AI Panel Discussion (Co-presented by Sam Lunt)
At NRPA, the growing curiosity around AI in parks and recreation was palpable. Parks and recreation professionals are increasingly recognizing mainstream AI tools, and while many attendees were familiar with basic AI applications like drafting emails, there was genuine interest in exploring how AI could offer broader value—from automating basic customer service tasks to enhancing community engagement through personalized content.
Kansas Recreation and Park Association Executive Forum
Artificial Intelligence for Parks and Recreation Professionals (Sam Lunt)
Parks and Recreation Marketing with AIÂ (Sam Lunt)
Simplify Parks and Rec with AI: How to Build a Custom GPTÂ (Sam Lunt)
Tech Trends in Parks and Rec (Jason Peters)
AI Policy and Security Considerations for Parks and Rec Pros (Jason Peters)
The sessions at KRPA emphasized practical applications of AI in parks and recreation, sparking discussions on automating administrative tasks and making marketing campaigns more effective. We addressed common barriers such as concerns over data privacy and the perception that AI is only for tech experts. Jason and Sam provided examples of AI tools that parks and recreation professionals could begin implementing immediately to boost productivity and efficiency.
Central Illinois Recreation Council for Leisure Experience Fall Conference
From Playgrounds to Processors: AI Revolution in Parks and Rec (Jason Peters)
Tech Trends in Parks and Rec (Jason Peters)
At CIRCLE, Jason delivered sessions that underscored the transformative potential of AI in Parks and Recreation, highlighting both the success stories of early adopters and strategies for overcoming barriers to entry. The focus was on leveraging AI not just as a tool for today, but as a strategic partner in shaping the future of recreation services. As Karyn Regner, President of CIRCLE, put it:
"Jason was incredibly knowledgeable in teaching our members about current trends in parks & recreation. He was thoughtful in explaining how AI is impacting our industry and answering our many questions. Our members walked away with new and beneficial information on how we can start implementing AI into our roles and how to stay up to date on technology and trends in our field. We are so thankful for his time and expertise. I highly recommend Jason Peters and GovTech Innovators for your next conference!"
Key Takeaways
One of the key takeaways from these conferences was the evident enthusiasm for AI's potential in transforming day-to-day operations—whether through automated communication, marketing optimization, or predictive analytics for program needs.
However, it’s also clear that while there’s excitement, there’s a knowledge gap on how to move beyond basic uses and leverage AI in more transformative ways. Many professionals are curious but overwhelmed by the rapid pace of technological advancement.
We also learned that AI in parks and recreation is still primarily being used as a basic writing assistant—mostly for tasks like drafting emails. The broader capabilities of AI, such as data analysis, intelligent assistants, and other advanced features, are not well-known or widely applied in parks and recreation. For instance, there are so many untapped possibilities where AI could be used to streamline operations, such as using predictive analytics to forecast community program needs, analyzing participant feedback to enhance program offerings, or helping with budget optimization. It became clear that while professionals are excited about the idea of AI, there remains a gap in understanding how to move beyond the simplest applications to leverage AI in a truly transformative way.
Another insight was the apprehension regarding data security and job displacement. Addressing these fears directly, we emphasized that AI is here to enhance the capabilities of parks and recreation professionals, not replace them. By starting with small, achievable AI projects—like automating email responses or using AI to draft marketing content—professionals can build confidence and realize the potential of these tools to improve efficiency and service quality.
Join Our Virtual Workshops: Hands-On Learning for Parks and Rec Professionals
To continue building on the momentum from these conferences, GovTech Innovators is hosting a series of virtual workshops (CEU eligible) aimed at helping parks and recreation professionals understand how to integrate AI into their daily work. These workshops are designed to be practical, hands-on, and accessible, breaking down how AI can be applied in specific areas such as finance, marketing, HR, and community programming.
Whether you’re interested in using AI to improve customer service, create more inclusive programming, streamline financial management, or better understand your community through data-driven insights, our workshops provide a supportive environment to help you get started. We focus on real-life use cases to ensure you leave with actionable strategies and the confidence to apply them.
Unlock the full potential of AI in your department and sign up for our upcoming workshops today!
Let's Keep the Momentum Going
We’re inspired by the enthusiasm we’ve seen and are committed to helping parks and recreation professionals leverage AI as an essential tool in their work. With just a few simple techniques, anyone can start using AI to make their day-to-day operations more efficient and effective. Together, we can shape a future where parks and recreation departments are empowered to do more with the resources they have—using AI as a key enabler.
This post was written in partnership between Sam Lunt, Jason Peters and Artificial Intelligence.
Comments