Texas Recreation and Park Society hosts the competition each year.
ALLEN, Texas — With winter finally in the rearview, parks departments all over Texas are springing into action and doing … donuts?
On a basketball court?
“They sometimes see us go a little crazy and they’re like, ‘tsk, tsk, that’s not right,’” said Rey Rodriguez, a parks department employee in the city of McAllen. “But they don’t know that we’re actually practicing.”
Rodriguez says his career with McAllen Parks and Rec prepared him for this: the Texas Recreation and Parks Society’s (TRAPS) Statewide Maintenance Rodeo.
It’s the Olympics of parks and recreation.
“This is like our Christmas here where we just get to come out, have fun, and enjoy ourselves,” Rodriguez said.
“Just various activities that you’ll see parks employees doing when you’re out and about in your parks,” said TRAPS executive director Erin Franz.
Yeah, normal stuff like lifting weights with a backhoe or leaf blowing tennis balls through an obstacle course.
Typical park maintenance, of course.
“There’s definitely a twist,” Franz laughed. “It’s a fun way to bring the skills to life.”
The competition is held in a different city in the state each year. This year it was held at Celebration Park in Allen.
Franz said after conquering regional competition, they came to the state competition for the chance to learn, network, and throw shade.
“I’m feeling good and I feel like I’m the champion today again,” said Augustin Martinez, a competitor from Flower Mound.
Martinez has won the nail drive competition, testing participants’ ability to fully hammer a nail with the fewest swings, multiple times.
Franz said every competitor is among the most talented parks and rec workers in the state. They’re the people who keep local parks and public spaces shining, often without recognition or fanfare.
This state competition is a chance to honor and thank them.
“They’re the unsung heroes often,” Franz said. “It’s just a fun way for us to recognize them and celebrate the work that they do.”
The hope is that next time park visitors see one of these champions, maybe they’ll stop and say thank you.
Or at least ask for an autograph.
“Hopefully so,” Rodriguez joked. “I’m available three days a week cause the other two I’ve got to rest.”
Being the best is no walk in the park.