ParkTalk Podcast

Providing the community with opportunities to live a healthier life, both physically and mentally, is one of the goals of the Naperville Park District. Clinical therapists Christina Mondragon Schrader and Bryce Goll join the ParkTalk Podcast to discuss the connection parks and recreation has with mental health.

Adult recreation leagues are a great way to stay active and social with friends and other members of the community. Naperville Park District Program Manager Brock Atwell and long-time participant of the Park District adult softball league Mark Knoll discuss the benefits adult recreation leagues provide and the joy they bring to participants every season.

As the Naperville Park District celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Naperville Youth Soccer program, Soccer Coordinator Betsy Nyman discusses program traditions, how it has evolved, and her own personal connection to the program.

2026 State of the Naperville Park District by Naperville Park District

Superintendent of Trades Operations Mike Piszynski, and Park Specialist II Trevor Stibbe discuss the work the Naperville Park District does to maintain parks and facilities during the winter months.

Ahead of Magical Starlight Theatre's January 2026 production of "Shrek: The Musical", the show's Music Director John Apple and Choreographer Jeanne O'Connell discuss the impact music and dance have on musicals independently and together.

The Naperville Park District offers a wide-array of gymnastics programs for the community, but the Winter In-House Gymnastics Teams offer a unique opportunity for gymnasts to experience the sport in a competition setting. Current Gymnastics Coordinator Kara Gagan and former Gymnastics Coordinator Karen Schmidt join the ParkTalk Podcast to talk about the in-house competition program and the sport of gymnastics.

Ahead of the 2025 Naperville Healing Field of Honor November 7-12, Operation Support Our Troops – America Executive Director, Linda Tuisl and former U.S. Marine Chopper Pilot and Vietnam Veteran, Wayne Fischer, discuss their work on the event, its impact on veterans, and ways the community can show their support for veterans and active duty service members.

Naperville Park District conducts seasonal prescribed burns in many of its parks, but what exactly does that mean? Park Specialists Olivia Koehn and Tammy Peterson join the ParkTalk Podcast to educate listeners on the practice of prescribed burns and how the Park District uses them as a natural management tool.

While exercising and dieting are incredibly important to living a healthy lifestyle, engaging in those practices incorrectly can be counterproductive and lead to other health issues. Neil Deatrick, a personal trainer from Fort Hill Activity Center, joins the podcast to share some tips and advice on working out and eating in a healthier, safer manner.

Residents throughout Naperville witness renovations and improvements to their favorite neighborhood amenities. But how does the Park District get to that stage? For this episode of the ParkTalk Podcast, Naperville Park District Project Managers, Jessica Burgdorf and Peggy Motta, sit down to explain the District’s capital improvement process.

With Naperville’s senior residents making up a significant amount of the population, it is important to support organizations who cater to the demographic’s specific needs. Lisa Kirchner from Dementia Friendly Naperville, an organization formed to specifically support dementia patients, joins to discuss the benefits of the organization and their work in supporting seniors in the community.

With warm weather in the forecast and bigger crowds out at parks and events, it is important to be aware of your surroundings in case of an emergency. Park Police Chief Steve Schindlbeck and RJM Strategy President Ray McGury join the ParkTalk Podcast to remind residents in and outside of Naperville how to stay safe and situationally aware in public.

As the nation prepares for National Volunteer Week beginning April 20, Volunteer & Events Manager Becca Krzyszkowski, and Park Specialist Trevor Stibbe, discuss volunteer’s impact to the Naperville Park District.

As a community leader in sustainability, the Naperville Park District adopts various practices that is beneficial to the environment. Join Bailey Arnold of the American Lung Association, as well as Clint Burnell and Lee Meyer from the Naperville Park District discuss biodiesel fuel and the purpose of the B20 Club.

Certain operational documents and processes are the driving force that propel the District forward in responding to community needs and meeting both short- and long-term goals. In this episode, we will explore two main initiatives for 2025 and their impact: a new strategic plan and the next phases of the Indoor Recreation Space Needs Assessment. Guests: Executive Director Brad Wilson, Director of Recreation and Facilities Andrea Coates, and Director of Planning Eric Shutes

Learn about key partnerships and affiliations of varying types that help the Park District serve the diverse recreation needs of the community and beyond while supporting the expansion of programs and services. Guests: Sales and Sponsorship Manager Stacey Fontechia, Wintrust Naperville Market President Grant Cowen, and Naperville Little League Baseball Vice President Jim Meurer

This episode will address the ways that the District is leveraging technology now and into the future with a goal of creating greater efficiencies while improving the overall customer experience across the organization. Guests: Director of IT Steven Mertes, Director of HR Katie Sepe and Creative Services Manager Spencer Huard

Kick off the 2025 State of the Park District’s theme of Shaping a Sustainable Future in Parks and Recreation in addition to hearing highlights of 2024 accomplishments, 2025 goals/plans, and an overview of the 2025 State of the Park District podcast. Guests: Executive Director Brad Wilson and Park Board President Mary Gibson

Each year, Districtwide goals set the stage for planned accomplishments of all kinds, from park and facility projects to operational enhancements that provide momentum and an emphasis on continuous improvement for the benefit of the Naperville community. Guests: Executive Director Brad Wilson and Director of Planning Eric Shutes

Join Naperville Park District parks and golf staff as they discuss the importance of the District’s environmental stewardship core value, the ways we put it into action, and how “green” practices are being leveraged across the District’s operations for the betterment of the organization and community as a whole. Guests: Director of Parks Tim Quigley, Director of Golf Kevin Carlson, and Riverwalk and North Parks Operations Manager Tiffani Picco

As we turn the calendar and head into the new year, there is not better time to set lifestyle goals and live a healthier life. However, beginning that journey can be difficult without the right guidance. Join Naperville Park District's Wellness Manager, Kim Monti and personal trainer Heather Grier as they discuss the ins and outs of starting and maintaining your healthy lifestyle.

The annual Community Job Fair is set for January 4, 2025. To prepare potential job seekers in the area, Naperville Park District Director of Human Resources Katie Sepe, along with KidsMatter CEO and Executive Director Nina Menis, and KidsMatter Director of Programs Sherilyn Hebel, discuss the background of the job fair, the importance of the event to both organizations and how job seekers should prepare for the upcoming fair.

As the weather changes and the scenery shifts from summer green to fall yellow, ecologist Scott Kobal from the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County talks about the environmental changes during nature's transition to fall.

Preparation for the Spring Dance Recital takes a lot of hard work. Dance Academy alumni, Mary Redgate and Ellie Laflamme, talk about their experiences dancing for the Park District and their passion for the artform.

The Knoch Knolls Nature Center has been an environmental staple in the community since opening its doors in 2014. Ahead of the 10th Anniversary celebration, Naperville Park District Executive Director Brad Wilson and Nature Center Manager Angelique Harshman join the podcast to discuss the Nature Center's impact on the community over the last decade.

The game of golf has seen a boom in popularity across the country, and that surge has been felt at the Naperville Park District. Director of Golf, Kevin Carlson and Springbrook Head Golf Professional, Mike Lyzun sit down to discuss the the growth of Park District golf and the golf facilities at the Naperville Park District.

In 2019, a ParkTalk Podcast series covered pickleball's popularity and health benefits. Five years later, we reexamine the sport and explore the growth in the last half decade and how the culture around pickleball can continue to change.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Day camp staff members Cori and George reflect on the summer day camp experience, noting kids' creativity, fun memories and strengths of the program.

Two 89-year-old ball players from the Naperville Park District's Over 50 Softball League explain why they love the game and what keeps them coming back year after year.

Learn what makes Naperville's Centennial Beach a favorite summer destination. Two staff members familiar with Beach operations explain how it is unique and why people love it.

Ben Palczynski, Park Specialist II with the Naperville Park District, tells how his career has given him flexibility and the opportunity to apply his knowledge of horticulture in his daily work.

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.

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.

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

In this episode, we discuss the recent renovations at Naperbrook and Springbrook Golf Courses in addition to considering the overall health of the sport of golf in Naperville and how it positively impacts people of all ages and abilities. Guests: Director of Golf Kevin Carlson and Mike Lyzun