Johnson City Parks and Recreation
A Walk in the Park Your Parks and Recreation Connection
Special points of interest: ~ Inaugural Pickleball Tournament a Big Dill! ~ Administration Highlights ~ Athletic Division Highlights ~ Park Services Division Highlights ~ Recreation Services Highlights - Kudos Corner ~ Calendar of Events
I s s u e
1 1
N o v e m b e r
2 0 1 8
Inaugural Pickleball Tournament a Big Dill! The Johnson City Senior Center Foundation’s Inaugural Indoor Pickleball Tournament held at Memorial Park Community Center on Nov. 2-3 came off without a hitch, drawing about 50 competitors in both the round robin and doubles tournaments. Sponsorship revenue from the event will help provide outreach and program support in the community for those 50 and older. Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in the U.S., with more than 2.8 million players in 2017. The local tournament offered opportunities for players at all skill levels, allowing a wide range of enthusiasts to test their skills in a competitive setting. A post-tournament survey revealed a five -star rating for organization and helpful staff and volunteers. The vast majority of respondents also said they will recommend the tournament to friends and that they appreciated the blend of competition and socialization. “It takes a lot of eye-hand coordination, thought about upcoming shots and strategy,” said Tammy Moore, a local emergency room physician and avid player. “It’s a smaller court, but it can be competitive for all ages. I think this has grown, and I think younger people are getting into it.” Ty Petty, a Jonesborough resident and national pickleball champion, conducted a demonstration and provided instruction at the MPCC gym on Nov. 1. All registered players received a plentiful breakfast and lunch, as well as refreshments and goodie bags filled with tournament T-shirts, assorted items and redeemable coupons. Players advancing to the top three divisions in both round robin and doubles play were awarded medals. Thanks to our sponsors: Johnson City Senior Center Foundation, Johnson City Convention and Visitors Bureau, Mooney’s Pharmacy, Chick-fil-A, Johnson City Crossing, Holiday Inn, Little Caesars, Olive Garden, Pickelball Central, Pickelball Rocks and Wheeler’s Bagels.
Page 2
Administration Highlights ~
Pavilion rentals ended on Oct. 31. Rotary Park playground remains open until 6 p.m. daily. The attendance for October was 5,556.
Carver Park - A check presentation was held on Oct. 25 for the splash pad.
Metro-Kiwanis - Chief Junaluska was rededicated on Nov. 1.
Tannery Knobs - Staff is exploring the purchase of a kiosk and guard shack for the site.
Congratulations to the 2018 Wall of Fame Inductees: Todd Fowler, Larry Manis and Barbara Stevens.
Athletics Division Highlights ~
Youth basketball practices have started and games are slated to start Dec. 1. Registration is open through Dec. 5. There are currently 699 registered for youth basketball.
Teams have until Nov. 16 to sign up for our Adult Basketball League.
Athletics is currently hiring for youth and adult basketball referees, scorekeepers and two gym attendants. If interested, please contact the Athletic Office at 423-283-5822.
Congratulations to all our youth soccer teams on a great season! Save the date for spring youth soccer registration to kick off on January 28, 2019!
Winged Deer Park hosted the NSA World Series tournament on Nov. 1 with 14 teams participating.
Metro-Kiwanis / Winged Deer Parks - Hosted USA No Place Like Home Tournament with 28 teams participating.
The Clippers - Girls Division 8-9 Champs
The Knights - Boys Division 8-9 Champs
Park Services Division Highlights ~
A Walk in the Park
Civitan / Winged Deer Parks - Sod installation on soccer fields.
Indian Trail - Crews conducted verification and seeding on the football and multi-use fields.
Winged Deer Park - Walking trails were cleared of debris.
Issue 11
Page 3
Recreation Services Division ~
Nature - Nature Program Coordinator Connie Deegan gave a presentation on skunk habitat and behavior to Lake Ridge Elementary Book Club. The book was titled Skunked. Jacob’s Nature Park - The new arboretum signage is complete. This is the only 30-tree arboretum in Washington County. Each sign includes codes that direct smartphone users to a Jacob’s Park Arboretum plants map link where visitors can identify trees by their scientific and common name. Washington County inmates have cleared the area for the new outdoor classroom. They also mulched and weeded the garden along the parking lot.
Aquatics - MPCC Pool - Pressure washed pool decks. Legion Street Pool - The annual Just Say Yes to Fishing and No to Drugs was held at Legion Street Pool on Oct. 12 and 13. Freedom Hall Pool - The UV filtration system was delivered the week of Thanksgiving. Installation is set for Dec. 3. The swim team will relocate to MPCC during the installation.
Carver Recreation Center - The annual Thanksgiving feast was held on Nov. 15.
MPCC– Hosted the 37th Annual Wall of Fame Banquet on Nov. 8 with over 250 attendees. The dinosaur-themed Mother-Son Date Night on Nov. 13 drew 25 participants. The Turkey Shootout also drew 15 participants. MPCC also hosted Teen Night Nov. 15 with trivia, pizza and fun for 12 participants. Parents Night Out will be held on Nov. 30. The center had 35 rentals this month, including the Olson’s Martial Arts competition, Pickleball tournament and Turkey Trot packet pick up.
“To catch the reader's attention, place an interesting sentence or quote from the story here.”
Golf Division ~
Johnson City Parks & Recreation 4137 Bristol Highway 4137 Bristol Hwy. Johnson City, Tennessee 37601 Johnson City, TN 37601 Phone: 423-283-5815 Phone: 423-283-5815 Fax: 423-283-5829 Fax: 423-283-5829 Email: jcparksinfo@johnsontn.org
Pine Oaks was selected as First Place winner in the JC Press Choice Awards as the favorite golf course.
Aerify/seed - front 9 and learning center fairways and collars. Bunker improvements continue. Drainage completed on hole 7. Fungicide has been applied to greens. Cut height lowered on green mowers to increase green speed. Began cleaning the #13 hillside with the help of inmate labor. Increased irrigation to promote seed germination and cleared and sprayed bank along University Parkway.
Hosted an introduction to golf for Northside Elementary.
Hosted year end POLO league golf event.
Upcoming Events November 22 & 23 - Closed - Happy Thanksgiving!
January 7 - Memorial Park Community Center - Afterschool program begins
December 1-20 - Memorial Park Community Center - Santa’s Mailbox
January 7-25 - Memorial Park Community Center - Registration opens for Daddy Daughter Dance online and in-house
December 3 - Youth and adult basketball league play begins
January 10 - Memorial Park Community Center - Teen Game Night begins every other Thursday
December 6 - Dining 2 Know - Memorial Park Community Center
January 11 - Memorial Park Community Center - Glow Stick Swim
December 7 - Memorial Park Community Center - Daddy Daughter Dance Ticket Flash Sale
January 21 - Carver Recreation Center - Martin Luther King Story Time
December 7 - Memorial Park Community Center - Friday Night Dance - Kids Our Age
January 21 - Carver Recreation Center - Martin Luther King blood drive
December 8 - Memorial Park Community Center - Rockin’ with Rudolph
January 21 - Carver Recreation Center - Martin Luther King dinner
December 19 - Memorial Park Community Center - Candy Cane Crew and Chase
January 24 - Memorial Park Community Center - Fitness Expo
December 21 - Memorial Park Community Center - Friday Night Dance - Jerry Pierce and the Nightlife Band
February 9 - Memorial Park Community Center - Daddy Daughter Dance
December 24 & 25 - Closed - Merry Christmas!
February 23 - Carver Recreation Center - Black History program
January 1 - Closed - Happy New Year!