The Best Two-Way Radios for Parks and Recreation
If you go out and buy the first radio that you see for your team, you might be in for a rude awakening. Static, poor battery life, messages that sound like a drive-through speaker...
That’s why you need a quality radio tailored to your team, and we’ve got you covered!
We don't want you to buy any radio just because you like the name or the price. We want you to make an educated decision and purchase the perfect radio within the scope of your needs, staff, and location.
We’ve sold thousands of radios and have compiled all that knowledge right here in this brief guide.
What do you need in a walkie talkie for parks and recreation?
The water main near the baseball fields just burst. Maintenance needs to be called in—now.
Over at the community center, the summer camp bus is running late and no one’s told the parents who are starting to crowd the front desk.
Meanwhile, the crew setting up for tonight’s concert in the park is short on chairs and can’t find the extra stack.
These are all common issues in a parks and recreation department - and they can easily be solved with clear, quality two-way radios.
Let's walk through some important components when comparing radios.
Coverage Considerations
When choosing two-way radios for your park, it is important to match radio power and coverage of your building size and layout.
Selecting a radio that is too powerful for your needs can lead to overpaying, while choosing one with insufficient coverage may result in poor quality and dead zones.
For smaller parks, 2 watts of power will do the trick - you can get 1-2 miles of coverage.
Larger Parks covering up 3-5 miles, require more powerful radios in the 3-4 watt range on analog (or 1 watt on digital) that can transmit clearly through walls and across larger distances.
For unlimited coverage, across multiple locations, consider radios that use LTE and Wi-Fi, like the Motorola WAVE PTX series.
Number of Channels Needed
Channels help segment team conversations, to simplify radio chatter.
Recommended groups for parks and recreation:
- Maintenance and Groundskeeping: Used for reporting and coordinating fixes like broken equipment, irrigation issues, or cleanup needs.
- Event Coordination: For staff running concerts, sports leagues, festivals, or community events to stay organized and on schedule.
- Security and Emergency Communication: Reserved for urgent situations—lost children, medical incidents, or safety concerns that need immediate attention.
Easy breezy. That’s concise and direct communication.
Channels can also be used to set up private conversations: “Sarah, call Tom on channel two.”
Sarah and Tom can then have an in-depth conversation over the radio without bothering the rest of the staff.
Quality Brands Make a Difference
You need a radio that is not going to fall apart within a year. You need one that will last so you’re not throwing away money.
Motorola and Kenwood two-way Radios are the most quality brands on the market because they are purpose-built for reliable communication with a durable build.
Designed to be easy to use and intuitive their radio series are affordable, cost-effective and eliminate monthly cell phone plans.
Tested for 5 years of field use, Motorola and Kenwood make sure you see a return on your investment.
Not to mention the included manufacturer warranty (1-3 years depending on model).
What features make a great parks and recreation radio?
- Long Battery Life: Staff are often working long shifts outdoors—radios need to last all day without needing a recharge.
- Durability and Weather Resistance: Radios should be rugged, water-resistant, and built to handle drops, dust, and sudden weather changes.
- Clear Audio Quality: With outdoor noise from crowds, equipment, or wind, radios need powerful speakers and noise cancellation for crystal-clear communication.
- Multiple Channels: Allows teams to split into groups (like maintenance, events, and security) without cross-talk or confusion.
- Long Range Coverage: Especially important for larger parks or multi-site operations—radios need to maintain strong signal across wide areas.
- Emergency Alerts or Panic Button: A built-in emergency function can instantly notify others when a staff member needs urgent help.
- Hands-Free or VOX Capabilities: Useful for staff who need both hands free for tasks like maintenance or setup, allowing them to speak without pressing a button.
- Repeater Compatibility (if needed): For very large park systems or facilities, the ability to connect to a repeater can extend range significantly.
- Easy-to-Use Controls: Staff from different departments and tech backgrounds should be able to pick up and use the radios with minimal training.
Our Top Two-Way Radio Picks for Parks and Recreation Teams
To help you with your selection, we've highlighted several different models below that are perfect for parks of every size.
These recommendations come from our own experience working with thousands of these radios. Each one has a rock-solid history and great reputation.
Smaller Parks
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One of the most durable radios on the market.
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If you’re looking for a tough and powerful UHF device, look no further than the Motorola RMU2080d.
With this device, you’re getting a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, reliable outdoor communications for up to two miles, and an indoor range of 20 floors or 250,000 square feet.
This is a heavier device than most on our list at nine ounces, but it makes up for that with raw power. This is a radio that has two watts of power and a massive eight channels that will let you segment a large staff.
The RMU2080d works on 99 UHF business exclusive channels and 219 PL/DPL codes, so your communications are going to be protected.
It’s also great at getting around steel and concrete.
This device is easy to clone and highly durable.
It’s made from a military standard design and can handle dust, wind, shock, vibration, and more.
It is also covered in an antimicrobial coating to curb the spread of bacteria.
The included display makes the radio easy to use and navigate.
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Advanced digital technology for clear audio and extended coverage.
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The Motorola Curve is another popular option because it is the most secure radio on the market.
This is a radio that will work well with a larger staff. It has 10 channels to choose from.
The Curve will also save you money in the long run. Because it operates on a digital band, you won't have to worry about paying any pesky FCC licensing fees.
This device is lightweight at only 4.2 ounces. It covers up to 20 floors or 300,000 square feet of range.
The Call Button compatibility can improve customer service with quick response times.
When it comes to protecting confidential information, the Curve has you covered with Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum technology and 10,000 different privacy codes.
Another great and beneficial feature of this device is its Page All and Call All Available functions. This allows you to reach out to the entire staff at once, and it is ideal in an emergency.
On the other side of the coin, there is also a Direct Call feature that allows you to contact just one person with sensitive information.
This device is going to be able to handle even the longest shift with a 14-Hour battery life. That's all thanks to the rechargeable lithium-ion battery that it comes with.
This is another two-way radio that has an anti-microbial coating to curb the spread of bacteria.
Do you think that the Motorola Curve is right for your team? Contact us today for a free personalized quote.
Larger Parks
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This is a powerhouse UHF radio.
First off, it features 16 different channels. It can clearly handle a sizable workforce.
With 4 watts of power, it sends sound out with a lot of energy. Think of it like a major league pitcher throwing a fastball. That signal is getting where it needs to go.
It has an outdoor range of up to three miles and an indoor range of 30 floors or up to 350,000 square feet. This is the power-packed radio that you want when you're looking for distance.
It can take a severe pounding. You're looking at a military-grade case with a metal die-cast chassis covered in polycarbonate.
It meets the MIL-STD 810 C-F standards. That means it can stand up to a combat mission.
This walkie talkie can withstand being submerged in mud or dropped from scaffolding. It can even take a blast from a firehose.
This is a device that can get around walls, trees, vehicles, and work well in a building.
The CP100d-UA also covers 89 business radio frequencies with privacy codes.
Check out the other CP100d radio models available for upgrades to digital and displays!
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Ultra-slim, durable, and superior audio clarity for larger coverage needs.
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Best Unlimited Coverage (LTE & Wi-Fi Enabled)
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Ideal for operations across multiple locations, cities or states.
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Request a Quote for Bulk Purchases
Need to equip your team? We want to help!
Make sure to request a quote for our best possible pricing.
We are here for you!
If you have any questions on which radio is right for your park – do not hesitate to reach out to our support team.
We have a very knowledgeable staff with over 25 years of experience in the two-way radio industry that can answer all your questions.
You can’t get rid of us that easily after purchase - we include lifetime tech support to be there for you every step of the way!