Naperville parks launches podcast

Naperville residents now have another way to connect with the park district and the community: a new ParkTalk podcast presenting a variety of stories, insights and information in an easy-to-access audio format.

With the recent launch of a new, mobile-friendly website at napervilleparks.org, the park district seeks to provide better access to services and information for people wherever they are.

"Our residents are busy and active, accessing more and more information from their phones," said Sameera Luthman, director of marketing and communications.

"Podcasts are becoming popular among teens and adults as an on-demand, downloadable form of radio, allowing people to listen to their favorite shows while driving, walking or doing chores around the house. We are excited to take advantage of this low-cost, accessible media to provide useful, timely content to our community."

The first podcast series begins in February with an all-audio State of the Park District show. Over the past several years, the park district has invited the public to attend a Saturday morning State of the Park District presentation, with attendance ranging between 70 and 90 people.

The intent of the new podcast is to make the same information available to a larger and more diverse audience.

The 2018 State of the Park District podcast series will include interviews with commissioners, staff and others about topics such as the park district's expanded use of organic park maintenance products, new special events and partnerships and insights into the district's budget and stewardship of tax dollars.

"Changing the format of the State of the Park District to a podcast is a cost effective way of reaching our community," Executive Director Ray McGury said. "We also intend it to be interactive, as listeners are invited to submit questions to our mailbag, which will be a regular segment of our podcast."

Following the release of the State of the Park District series, the podcast will continue throughout 2018, covering a variety of topics. Examples include "What's New in the World of Golf," "Earth Week Naperville" and "New Sports and Recreation Trends."

Future guests so far include a nationally certified golf fitness trainer, a beekeeper, and a Naperville field hockey mom and coach.

An introduction to the ParkTalk podcast is available at napervilleparks.org/podcasts.

SoundCloud users can follow us at soundcloud.com/naperparks. The park district invites listener feedback through its social media channels on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram at #NaperParks or through a form on the district's website at napervilleparks.org/podcasts.