Securing a Vast, Historic, and Highly Distributed Park System
Many MPRB facilities were built decades ago, long before modern security systems or network infrastructure were standard. As needs evolved, technology was often added incrementally, driven by immediate concerns at individual locations rather than a centralized strategy.
“We did things historically in an ad hoc way,” said Jennifer Garrison, IT Project Manager for MPRB, explaining that security decisions were once made at the site level. “It wasn’t centrally managed, and that made consistency really hard.”
Over time, this approach created a fragmented environment across 185 properties, limiting visibility and making investigations more complex. Infrastructure constraints, particularly in older buildings, compounded the issue. As Garrison put it, “We’re trying to fit current technology into our history, and still respect where these buildings came from.”
Staffing dynamics added further pressure. MPRB supports approximately 500 year-round employees, with staffing levels expanding to more than 2,500 total employees during peak seasons. Managing access for thousands of seasonal staff across dozens of facilities required consistency that disconnected systems struggled to deliver.
Moving from Isolated Systems to a Unified Security Strategy
Rather than continuing to address security one site at a time, MPRB moved toward a unified, organization-wide approach. The goal was to create a consistent framework that could scale across all facilities, regardless of age or infrastructure.
“We had to flip the narrative,” Garrison said. “You’re not just an individual site. You’re part of the Park Board, and it should look and feel similar everywhere.”
Centralizing video, access control, and alarm management under a single operational view reduced variability and made systems more predictable for administrators and on-site staff. At the same time, the approach remained flexible enough to accommodate historic spaces and uneven infrastructure.
MPRB treated the transition as an ongoing process. Periodic platform evaluations helped clarify priorities and establish a clearer roadmap. “We move fast and react to needs,” Garrison noted, “so having guidance on what comes next really mattered.”
"Parallel helped us step back and look at how everything should work together, not just site by site."
Consistency, Confidence, and Operational Efficiency
Today, MPRB operates with clearer visibility into security operations across its park system. Centralized management allows teams to identify issues and respond more efficiently, without navigating multiple systems.
Investigations are simpler and more consistent. “It makes investigations a lot easier,” Garrison said, noting that staff can quickly determine whether an incident requires follow-up.
Standardized access workflows have reduced administrative friction, particularly during seasonal hiring surges. “They come in, they get their badge, they get their access, and it works,” she said. “Before, it was emails here, systems there, and things getting missed.”
Ongoing support through ProCare managed services helps sustain these improvements, providing day-to-day support and long-term guidance as the park system continues to evolve. As Garrison summarized, “Parallel moves with us when we need to pivot, and that makes all the difference.”
