Parks and recreation agencies are constantly balancing business strategy with community impact. In this issue, we explore how Hyland Hills Park and Recreation District in Colorado, leverages its popular water park to fund important community programs. Hear about their best practices and lessons learned.

A different model for funding public services

Water World funds community programs by generating revenue from park admissions and operations, which is then used by the district to subsidize services like parks, youth sports, and senior programs—reducing the need for higher local taxes. The park continues to thrive by focusing on safety and delivering meaningful community impact through jobs, experiences, and long-term connections.

The result: more revenue for your organization, more efficient operations, and higher employee retention.

Key takeaways:

• Think strategically about revenue-generating services that support your mission 

• Focus on fundamentals, regardless of scale 

• Treat staffing as a long-term investment 

• Let the customer experience drive your marketing 

• Continuously reinvest in relevance 

• Build strong safety and community partnerships

Podcast

“Let’s Talk Parks: Behind the Slides: The Strategy, Staffing, and Community Impact of Water World”

In this episode of “Let’s Talk Parks,” Ryan Hegreness and Becky Dunlap sit down with Hyland Hills Park and Recreation District Deputy Director of Enterprise Services Bob Owens and Community Relations and Communications Manager Kellie Flowers to explore Water World. You’ll hear insights on marketing and operational strategies focusing on guest experience and retention, including Bob’s observations over his 42-year career at Water World.