Johnson City Parks and Recreation
A Walk in the Park Your Parks and Recreation Connection
Special points of interest: ~ Jacob’s Nature Park Adds Digital Arboretum! ~ Administration Highlights ~ Athletic Division Highlights ~ Park Services Division Highlights ~ Recreation Services Highlights - Kudos Corner ~ Calendar of Events
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Jacob’s Nature Park Adds Digital Arboretum! Jacob’s Nature Park at Sinking Creek will host the official opening of its latest environmental learning feature on Monday, Oct. 29, from 4:30-6 p.m. The Tennessee Urban Forestry Council has certified the feature as a Level I arboretum, making Jacob’s Nature Park Arboretum the third in Washington County to be certified. The arboretum includes signage identifying nearly three dozen tree species, with more signs planned. Signs will include codes that direct smartphone users to a Jacob’s Park Arboretum link on PlantsMap.com, on which visitors can identify each tree by its scientific and common names, as well as the butterfly and/or moth species supported by the tree type. “I was very moved when I read the story of how Jacob’s Park came into existence, and this arboretum seems a perfect addition to such a natural, peaceful setting,” said Jill Smith, TUFC executive director. Attendees will gather at the park where information will be provided about the arboretum, how the idea came about, what it adds to the park’s value, how the digital resource makes learning more robust, and how the arboretum was joined with the park’s pollinator element. Attendees can tour the park’s lower section and ridge, time permitting. Jacob’s Nature Park at Sinking Creek is a city park consisting of 28 acres of restored wetlands and steep wooded slopes. Its development was spearheaded by local attorney Bill Francisco in honor of his son Jacob, who died in 2004 of a bacterial infection caused by E. coli thought to have come from the creek.
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Administration Highlights ~
Metro-Kiwanis Park – Repairs are underway to the Chief Junaluska sculpture. City Schools Practice Fields – Roger Cox presented a plan to the Park Advisory Board identifying the four sites that will be improved after school is dismissed for the 2018 school year. Carver splash pad - The director and assistant city manager attended a mandatory grant meeting in Farragut,
Athletics Division Highlights ~
The Athletic Field Policy was approved by the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board at their September meeting.
Fall youth soccer tournament play begins the end of October.
Adult and youth basketball registration is underway through October 31.
Park Services Division Highlights ~
A Walk in the Park
Civitan Park/WDP Soccer Fields – Continuing to top dress, top seed and fill low areas. Plans have been submitted for Bermuda sod for the goal mouths at Civitan and WDP.
Lions Park – This park improvement plan was completed in late September. All needed repairs, painting and general park maintenance was accomplished.
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Recreation Services Division ~
Nature presentations — Towne Acres Elementary thirdgrade, Animal Adaptation, 87 participants. Lake Ridge Elementary, Food Web Program, two, fourth-grade classes, 55 participants.
Keystone Community Center – The teen center opened this month with full access now available to our gaming systems, billiards, table tennis and monitored use of the gymnasium.
Memorial Park Community Center -Homeschool programs, adaptive recreation, new preschool programs, and open gym programs, including teen nights are underway. A fall break camp was held early this month with 40 students participating. Start Smart Basketball began this month with 20 participants enrolled in the program. The new Treasure Hunt event that included deciphering clues at several city parks had 20 participants. This year’s Super Spooky Saturday event on Oct. 20 drew about 1,000 participants and included the Haunted Walk, costume contest, face painting, crafts, loads of games, inflatables, a cake walk, balloon twisting and a pumpkin patch. More than 100 children participated at the Oct. 25 event, Transportation Station, at which emergency and heavy vehicles were displayed and candy given out.
Senior Services - Two Friday night dances were held this month with 231 in attendance. Senior’s participated in outings to the Museum of Appalachia, Dixie Stampede, Tennessee Riverboat and an ETSU football game. Outings had a total of 142 participants.
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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
Kudos to Memorial Park Community Center Supervisor Kelly Finney for her organization of the successful 2018 Super Spooky Saturday. Considering the weather, Kelly did a great job in overseeing the changes made to the setup to better accommodate the public. She ensured a safe and enjoyable event for the community. Great job Kelly and the boo crew!
Upcoming Events October 26: Memorial Park Community Center - Pumpkin Swim
November 15 - Carver Recreation Center - Thanksgiving dinner
October 26-28: Winged Deer Park - Future Stars of Sports Halloween Classic
November 16 - Memorial Park Community Center Pool Cardboard Boat Race
October 27: Carver Recreation Center - Halloween Festival
November 16 - Memorial Park Community Center - Friday Night Dance Shooter Band
October 27: Winged Deer Park - Behold the Bat Hike
November 20 - Memorial Park Community Center - Turkey Shootout
October 31: Athletics - Youth basketball registration ends
December 1-20 - Memorial Park Community Center - Santa’s Mailbox
October 31: HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
December 3 - Youth and adult basketball league play begins
November 1: Memorial Park Community Center - Pickleball Clinic
December 7 - Memorial Park Community Center - Daddy Daughter Dance Ticket Flash Sale
November 2-4: Winged Deer Park - NSA World Series Tournament
December 7 - Memorial Park Community Center - Friday Night Dance - Kids Our Age
November 6 - Memorial Park Community Center - Teen Trivia Night December 8 - Memorial Park Community Center - Rockin’ with Rudolph November 7 -Winged Deer Park Athletic Office - Youth basketball coaches meeting
December 19 - Memorial Park Community Center - Candy Cane Crew and Chase
November 8: Memorial Park Community Center - Wall of Fame Banquet
December 21 - Memorial Park Community Center - Friday Night Dance - Jerry Pierce and the Nightlife Band
November 12 - Deadline for adult basketball registration