The Unauthorized

Stoughton Parks and Recreation
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Summer (mid May-August)

Typical summer daily schedule

Get in early, check weather for the day

Set assignments and aid in preparation

Go over mowing priorities for the day

Update work schedule and rough plan the day

Return late phone messages

Set up work for Serenity crew

Plan for post break assignments

Get mail, pay bills

Review park tour report from crew

Make sure mowing crew is in for break

During break: Set up post break, make calls

Address crew on concerns and news for the day

Make sure mowers get returned to sites

Give post break instructions to those that need it

Check in with Karl and Recreation Dept.

Aid project crews

Check on Serenity Crew

Make sure mowers get in for lunch

Hand out PM assignments

Help with preparation for PM

Check on crews bring water on hot days

Be available for incoming crews needing assignments

Work on reports, budgets, grants, purchases, bills, time sheets, and evaluations

Take PM reports from crew and inspect work

Praise workers

Handle shut down

Fall (September-November)

Mowing

Weed control

Trail maintenance

Leaf grinding/removal

Shelter closedown

Pool close down

Barrels/tables/nets take down

Ice rink prep (Norse shelter sides/mats/equipment)

Tree trimming and planting

Daily park check/clean

Budget process

Supervision of three seasonal

Projects (diamond facelifts, roofing at Norse)

Winter (December-Mid March)

3-4 weeks of vacation mixed in as appropriate

Ice Rink preparation and daily maintenance

Supervision of Ice rink attendants

Table and barrel painting

Snow removal

Bidding and purchasing

Seasonal hiring process

Grants for summer work crews

Spring (mid March- mid-May)

Supervise 3 seasonal, 1-2 Community Service

Complete seasonal hiring process

Close down ice rink (shelter sides and mats)

Get ball diamonds ready for the season (equipment, changes)

Groom trails

Daily park check and clean up

Put out barrels, tables, nets

Spring restroom opening

Pumping out/cleaning/prep of swim pond

Mowing and trimming

Flower planting (East, Schefelker, and 4th Main parking lot, work with volunteer at Division

Clean parking lots

Bush and tree trimming

Prepare ball diamonds for high school

Prepare the budget

In late July and August we begin putting the budget together for the next year. Looking at our wish and need lists we make changes on the budget lines that we keep on Excel. I work with Karl Manthe and Carles Fristed to make sure we are all on the same page about future needs at the Street Department. Upgrading our budget each year is very simple.

Purchasing

In January we start bidding for items that are either large or in high quantity. Efforts are made to purchase locally whenever possible. On mowers and other large equipment I work with Carles Fristed. Through out the rest of the year I handle the purchases needed to keep us going. Monthly, purchase orders are filled out and sent to Lois Benson.

Safety inspections

Twice a year I inspect the parks for safety. This is comprehensive and done with checklists. We work off the lists in between other jobs. Our crew does daily checks for obvious problems such as broken equipment and broken tree branches. CVMIC provides detailed inspections every few years that help us with more detail.

Responsible for employee safety

I have been responsible for the safety of all of our crew and volunteers. This means being up on child labor laws as far as who can do what kind of work with what equipment, providing protective equipment, and education on the safe use of the equipment and chemicals. We notify Diggers Hotline for digging projects.

Hiring

In February we start the seasonal hiring process. We run ads in the local papers for two weeks. After receiving the applications we send a questionnaire to all eligible candidates. We use this to find out information needed for hiring such as age and drivers license. Next we run license checks to make sure they are valid. We select the most qualified though interviews if needed. Lately we have not had enough qualified candidates to interview.

Training

I have been responsible for making sure the crews have the training needed to use our equipment. Carles explains the operation and care of the equipment, while I handle the methods and safety. We also train for diamond maintenance, daily park inspections etc.

At the pool I train the personnel on methods and safety of chlorine distribution.

Project planning and coordination

One of the most time consuming jobs is running a project. Our crews spend most of the afternoons working on projects that require equipment supplies and instruction. We do things like reconditioning ball fields, painting facilities, clearing trails, constructing tables and benches and setting basketball goals.

Daily planning and coordination

Each day the crew is given assignments that best fit the needs of the parks that day. Choosing the right people and groupings is critical. Knowing who the "perfectionists" are, who works well together, who works well with time restrictions is important. We start each day with scheduled combinations and tasks. The schedule is developed in May to allow the crew varied work and education in all areas. The crews report in at the breaks for updates and needs. Site visits are made when possible or necessary.

Long term planning

I work with Karl, Jim Mattke and the Park and Recreation committee on future parks needs in the maintenance or upgrade area.

Coordinate volunteers

We have been lucky to have so many volunteer opportunities. Some are recruited while others find us. Working with the volunteers requires time and effort to make sure that their needs are met. By creating situations, supplying materials, giving direction, and showing appreciation, these groups will continue wanting to work with the city.

Coordinate use of community service employees

We are fortunate to be a site for community service opportunities. We work with Stoughton Peer Court, Community Adolescent Programs, and Dane County Deferred Prosecution. The workers ages range from 14- 25. We use them in ways that are most beneficial to the city. By treating them with respect we are able to get good quality from them.

Grant writing and coordination of County work programs

Each year that we have had an appropriate project, we have written for and received a grant from Dane County to supply a work force for a city park project. During the 2-3 week project block we keep in daily contact, providing supplies and .

Picnic table replacement program

We have developed a way that businesses and citizens can purchase picnic tables with their name or dedication routed into the center board. In the first year we met or goal of 24 new tables for the Mandt Shelter as well as several others scattered around the parks. We are currently putting together 5 more. These tables only cost the city the labor to put together. In most cases we use community service workers to do this.

Work with Pool Supervisor

Although some of the swim pond maintenance is done by the pool staff, we still are needed as a resource for equipment, labor, and consulting. We are in contact and providing assistance several times a week.

Attend meetings

I have been attending meetings representing the parks for the street department for all 18 years in the position. I attend the monthly Park and Recreation Committee as well as Personnel, Community Affairs, and City Council, when issues of parks maintenance or seasonal hiring needs representation.

Daily coordination with Recreation Department

Parks maintenance and the Recreation Department work closely on ball diamonds, the swim pond, and park shelter reservations. Many park concerns and complaints come through the Recreation Department. Each week we get a report of diamonds and shelters to prepare for. Never does a day go by without a message going one way or the other.

Ice Rink preparation and attendant supervision

During late fall we prepare the Norse park shelter for the ice season. During ice season we clean off the ice, make a layer of ice, and clean the shelter each day. In the month of December I supervise the scheduling of the ice rink supervisors. When snow falls, and the plowing is completed, I remove the snow from the ice rink.

Makes weather related decisions

One of the key but unnoticed parts of the job is the decision making based on the weather. Anytime it rains during ball field season I need to be aware of the extent of the rain and how we are going to prepare the evening schedule after it stops. Sometimes we cut back on the dragging, and sometimes we are throwing everyone we have at the fields at the last minute. We consistently play games after rain when area communities are calling them off. This is due to experience, keeping close to the situation, and the pride of the crew.

Works weekends when needed for comp or flex

My position was set up to handle weekend work when necessary. During the summer we schedule the seasonal staff but during the spring and fall, I go in for park clean up and shelter prep.

Respond to off-hours park problems

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Operate chain saw

I am qualified to operate the chain saws. Our seasonal staff aren't allowed to, unless they can prove they are qualified. Most of the chainsaw operation comes with broken limbs after storms.

Run loader and use CDL to aid operations

Many of our projects require loader operation or large truck assistance. I use my CDL to keep the other Street Department regulars from having to help us more than they do.

Train seasonal crew in CDL

Each year we like to have a couple of our seasonal part time with Commercial Drivers Licenses. We help them with preparing for the written, take them driving, then prepare them for the walk around test. We have 100% passing on the tests.

Handle and return phone calls for park related matters

On a normal day there will be 7-9 messages to return as well as the numerous calls that get answered during the day.

Coaching, praising, cheering, motivating

The most essential part of the job has to do with getting the most from the workers. Our seasonal staff does not return each year for the money. It’s different for each one, but I know that our efforts to empower them to own the job, has a lot to do with it. The kids on community service gain acceptance and praise for good work. This really works like a team. Players are motivated in different ways. All respond to praising. If I'm doing my job in this area then the city is really getting its money's worth.

Winterizing and opening restrooms

One of the most important jobs we do from a cost standpoint is the winterizing of the restrooms in the shelter and at the pool. Attention to detail and working with plumbers or the Water Department help this be successful. In the spring we prepare them again for water.

Mowing/Trimming

I work in mowing and trimming during the spring and fall seasons. During the summer months I set the priorities for the mowing based on event needs and weather. We mow over 120 acres each week including parks, greenways, parking lots and the Business Park. We do this with three mowers. We add another during the month of June when its hard to keep up. Hand mowers and trimmers hit the small stuff each Thursday.

Weed control

We do a round of weed spraying and trimming in the spring and fall, as well as on a weekly basis in the summer. Fence line weeds are still our worst area of maintenance.

Ball Diamonds

We prepare diamonds from April through August. From June through July we are doing about 12 per day. I do them in the spring while 3 crew members prepare diamonds during mid-morning in the summer. We are very efficient in this area.

Pool Preparation

In early May we pump out the swimming pool, clean the bottom, bring in new sand, set up aeration, and fill it back up again before the start of the season. We also paint when needed, remove weeds and drag the beach. The beach is also groomed on a daily basis by the diamond crew.

Daily clean up

Our bread and butter. The one single most important function we do. Known as the "park tour" we start everyday with a minimum two hour trip through all the parks. We clean the restrooms, dump the barrels, pick up litter and brush, sweep shelters, safety check playgrounds, and water flowers.

Repairs

The park tour generally turns up small repairs or vandalism that needs attention. I handle the big jobs, but the crew tries to deal with them at the time of the discovery or after the tour. I handle these during the fall, winter, and spring.

Barking

One of our summer staples is putting bark around all the young trees, as well as bush beds, in our parks and the Business Park. The bark is free from our chipping stockpile. Barking helps protect the trees from the mowers as well as keeps the weeds down.

Flowers

We plant and maintain flowers at several parks though out the city. Our flower volunteer gets us going at Division St. Park but we weed and water the rest of the growing season.

Tree/ bush trimming

This summer we spent two weeks trimming bushes at Norse, and Division St. Parks. There are bushes that need trimming in all of the parks and this year we did a good job getting to most of them.

Building and shelter maintenance

Our buildings suffer a lot of damage from vandalism. We replace locks, light fixtures, re-paint doors and walls. Graffiti comes at all times of the year. Recently we repainted the skateboard bowl at Mandt.

Leaf removal and grinding

In the fall I work grinding leaves with the seasonal crew. Our mowers get the open areas while I haul leaves from the tennis courts and fence lines.

Seasonal setup and take down

Spring and Fall bring the set up and take down of tennis nets, barrels and picnic tables.

Trail development and maintenance

We are becoming a city known for its bike/hike trails. We have two long sections that get attention for mowing, litter pick-up and wash out repair. Over the years our summer crew has done a significant amount of the development of Business Park trail.

Winter Maintenance

During the winter months when snow removal is not the priority I work on picnic table and trash barrel repairs and painting, in between other winter duties.