Improving Park Asset Management With the Asset Request Tool (ART)

Wednesday, September 30 from 12:30 PM - 12:55 PM EST

Exhibit Hall: Speed Sessions Section A (Booth #2747)

Session Type: 20-Minute Speed Session

Topic(s):
Communication, Data and Evaluation, Operations and Maintenance, Technology

Description:
Montgomery Parks manages more than 37,000 acres of land and more than 15,000 GIS-enabled assets across 415 parks in Montgomery County, Maryland. With many divisions responsible for installations and updates, keeping asset data accurate and up to date has been a persistent challenge. To address this need, the Data Analytics Team at Montgomery Parks created the Asset Request Tool (ART), a system designed to strengthen communication and improve asset visibility across the organization. ART gives every park employee the ability to help maintain accurate asset records through a straightforward interface. Built into a browser-based map and paired with a simple survey, the tool allows staff to request asset updates in real time. These asset requests improve coordination without compromising data quality. Because ART is mobile friendly, it can be used both in the office and in the field, making it accessible to a wide range of staff. By presenting ART at NRPA, we aim to demonstrate how the tool can make asset management in public parks more efficient, collaborative and welcoming. Attendees will gain insight into how the tool was developed, how it functions, and how the Data Analytics Team has encouraged adoption among park employees.

Learning Objectives:

1. Attendees will gain insight into the development of the Asset Request Tool, including an overview of the platforms and technologies that support it, such as Web Maps, ArcGIS Online and Survey123.

2. Attendees will learn how the Asset Request Tool functions, with a walkthrough of submitting new asset requests, removing assets from the map, and updating existing asset information.

3. Attendees will explore effective strategies for encouraging adoption and collaboration across wide-ranging staff roles.

This session will be pre-recorded and available on-demand via the NRPA app as part of the 2026 NRPA Virtual Conference.

Speaker(s):
Niels Lykke