Parks and Recreation

Behind the scenes, Parks Service staff coordinate people, resources, and planning to keep Racine’s 88+ parks and public spaces running year-round. With limited staffing, every hand counts to keep up with the demand.

Leadership & Structure

• The department is led by the Parks Superintendent, who oversees 3 Labor Supervisors.
• Together, they coordinate daily operations, manage crews, schedule staff, and ensure work is completed across parks, beaches, athletic fields, and public spaces.

Our Team

• The department runs with about 40 employees total, but only 20 are full-time year-round staff.
• From April through November, we bring on about 20 seasonal employees—many of them students—who help with mowing, litter pickup, landscaping, and event support during peak park use.
• Seasonal staff make up half of our workforce during the busiest time of year, yet Racine’s park system is one of the largest in Wisconsin, with more than 88 parks, beaches, trails, and facilities to maintain.
• Interested in joining PRCS? Keep an eye out for our open positions at: PRCS Job Openings

Specialized Forestry Crew

• A portion of our full-time staff is dedicated exclusively to Forestry, requiring specialized training and certifications to safely perform arborist work.
• These crews plant and care for Racine’s trees, remove storm damage, and maintain tree health throughout the city.

Scheduling & Coordination

• Staff schedules are carefully managed to cover the surge of summer events, festivals, and daily maintenance.
• With limited staff, employees often juggle multiple responsibilities across parks, playgrounds, beaches, and facilities.

Budget & Planning

• In fall, the team prepares the city’s Parks budget for the following year, aligning funding with staffing needs, equipment replacement, and seasonal programs.
• In winter, full-time staff handle equipment inspections, facility upkeep, forestry operations, and planning for the upcoming season.

Spring

• Hire and train seasonal employees (April–November)
• Remove snow fencing and plow markers from park grounds
• Repair sod and turf damaged by snow and salt
• Begin seasonal mowing of hillsides, fields, and paths
• Clear trails, brush, and fence lines after winter storms

Summer

• Daily litter pickup in all parks, beaches, and medians
• Extra litter pickup on weekends and during special events
• Regular mowing of turf, fields, and boulevards
• Playground, picnic, and trail safety checks
• Brush and weed tree removal along fence lines and paths
• Seasonal staff provide critical support during peak use

Fall

• Mulch and remove leaves from parks and boulevards
• Seed and repair turf areas
• Continue mowing until the end of the growing season
• Support fall community events and prep facilities for winter
• Budget planning for the upcoming year

Winter

• Limited litter pickup in open areas
• Snow fence installation where needed
• Forestry staff perform tree and brush trimming in accessible areas
• Winter equipment maintenance and prep for spring