What’s Your Funniest Moment on the Job? — Episode 044

It’s no secret that working in parks and recreation comes with
its share of unpredictable, funny moments. You must really be
ready for anything — and many times these moments provide those
deeply-satisfying laughs you can feel throughout your entire body
(whether it’s instantly or one of those “this will be funny when
we look back on it” moments).


We’ve been asking you to share your funniest moments while on the
job with us on our Instagram page, and the responses we’ve
received are hilarious (we promise we’ve been laughing with you
all). On this episode of Open Space Radio, we had the opportunity
to chat with a few folks to get the full story behind their
responses to our Instagram post.


On this episode you’ll hear from:


Eryn Mann, Marketing Coordinator, Henrico County
Recreation and Parks (Virginia)


Eryn shares about the time a traveling cat circus inquired about
using one of their venues for a performance. Sadly, the request
was not approved, but the Acro-Cats (and the Rock Cats — an
all-cat rock band) appear to still be touring.


Eryn also shared a couple other funny moments with us — the time
she was chased by a cow during a farm animal Halloween photo
shoot (the cow has been known to chase people) and the time she
found a tree in one of their parks fitted with custom-made pants.
Fun fact: Eryn’s only been with the department for two years — we
have a feeling she’s in for some more funny moments!


Nicole DiCicco, CPSI, Assistant Director, Dover Parks
& Recreation (Massachusetts)


Nicole shares about the time there was an accident in a very
large tube slide (think poo emoji). According to Nicole, “there
isn’t anything as funny as seeing two grown men having to squeeze
into a (very stinky) tube slide AND one having to hold the other
by the ankles to be able to reach the smeared mess to clean up!”


The mess was from the very top of the slide all the way to the
bottom of what Nicole describes as “the tallest playground.” This
will most likely be a legendary story in Dover for years to come.


Stephanie Harden, Center Director, Warren Road Community
Center and T. Garrett Gymnasium (Georgia)


Stephanie shares about the time that one of her summer campers
was answering her phone. Although presumably embarrassing,
Stephanie couldn’t help but laugh when she walked over to her
phone to find the summer camper say, “No worries, Miss Stephanie
— I answered all your calls, took messages and told everyone you
were in the restroom!”


As you can imagine, Augusta residents got a laugh — and according
to Stephanie, everyone knows this summer camper and thought it
was the funniest thing ever. You never really know what you’re
going to get working with kids!


And we couldn’t let a “funniest moments” podcast end without
sharing a few of our own funniest moments while on the job.
Roxanne reflects on the time a person in a gorilla costume was
chasing a person in a banana costume through the Starbucks that
she worked at, and Cort talks about the time he was called “Curt
Johnson” repeatedly on a live interview (Cort Jones, Curt
Johnson, same thing).


We also reminisce on a hilarious video that NRPA staff put
together back in 2015 to celebrate Park and Recreation Month!


Tune in to the show to listen to hear the full story!