The PARKS DIRECT software offers many different options for program categorization. Taking advantage of these different program categories makes registration easier for customers (such as multiple ticket purchases, guest purchases, or reservation blocks) as well as providing programmers with tools to help administer their programs (such as league schedules, rental packages, or billing options).
With so many different options available, it is important to understand their differences to determine the best fit for your program-- not only to locate and manage it within PARKS DIRECT, but to communicate with customers on where to find and register.
The Help Desk continually reviews and revises programming categorizations to help take advantage of these benefits, and we welcome these conversations with programmers! The charts below are a starting point for understanding your options within PARKS DIRECT and can help the conversation on best representing programs to customers.
How to use the charts below:
- The different green blocks are different “modules” within PARKS DIRECT, or different ways to represent your program in the software. They allow for different options based on the type.
- The questions in the flowchart can help determine which module may be the best fit, or at least where we can start. It may be determined later that a different module works equally or better.
- After arriving at a module, there are still a number of configuration options available. The configuration worksheet contains questions that can be asked of any offering within PARKS DIRECT to ensure we are offering the best experience to our customers.
(Note: these questions should be used as guides, not a comprehensive checklist or requirements.)
| Module | Description |
|---|---|
| POS Service Item | A fee that does not record attendance or inventory. Examples include: late fees, donations. |
| Daily Pass | Daily admissions, ongoing public access, or special events without preregistration. Examples include: daily fitness, museum admissions, drop‑in programs. |
| POS Inventory | A fee for merchandise or physical inventory. Examples include: gift shop items, equipment. |
| POS Ticket | A special event offering that supports preregistration, ticket blocks, or restrictions. Examples include: workshops, seminars, most special events. |
| Membership | Ongoing, unattended access to facilities. Examples include: aquatics passes, fitness passes. |
| Activity and Section | Ongoing or multi‑class programs. Examples include: dance programs, instructional recreation offerings. |
| Trip | Programs that travel offsite to a non–Parks and Recreation facility. Examples include: dinner theaters, sightseeing cruises. |
| League / Tournament | Supports league scheduling, tournament scheduling, rosters, and team registration. Examples include: volleyball, softball. |
| Rental Item | Reservation of a pre‑built amenity or package. Examples include: canoe/kayak rentals, picnic area rentals. |
| Facility Reservation | Reservation of a customizable or complex amenity. Examples include: historic site/mansion reservations, community center rentals. |
