Johnson City Parks and Recreation
A Walk in the Park Your Parks and Recreation Connection
Special points of interest: ~Anderson recognized ~ Administration Highlights ~ Athletic Division Highlights ~ Park Services Division Highlights ~ Recreation Services Highlights - Kudos Corner ~ Calendar of Events
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Dr. Frank Anderson recognized A dedication ceremony was held at Keystone Park Tuesday, Aug. 13 for the late Dr. Frank Anderson in recognition of his civic-minded contributions to Johnson City National Little League Baseball and the Johnson Parks and Recreation Department. Anderson’s wife and son were in attendance, as was Parks and Recreation Director James Ellis, Assistant City Manager Charlie Stahl, Mayor Jenny Brock, City Commissioner Todd Fowler and others. “Mr. Anderson was best remembered for his support and dedication of youth baseball and parks and recreation,” said Parks and Recreation Director James Ellis. “He served three terms on the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and supported all programming and furthered the development of our city parks and facilities.” The well-known dentist was inducted into the Parks and Recreation Wall of Fame in 1988, and served three terms on the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. He was a member of the Lions Club for 50 years and served as Little League Baseball’s player agent for 21 years, sponsoring one of the teams, the Dental Art Sockers from 1995-2015. His family has been involved in Little League as team sponsors, league officers, managers, coaches and players for more than 25 years. Anderson, an East Tennessee State University graduate, served in the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Naval Reserve from 1952-1982. He was selected in 1978 to serve as the Naval Reserve rear admiral – the youngest officer ever to be selected for flag rank (ranking officer) in the Dental Corps at that time. In 1979, ETSU’s College of Dentistry named him “Dental Alumnus of the Year.” He also served on the University of Tennessee Board of Governors and was a UT Public Affairs and Legislative Committee member. In 1982, he was selected “Outstanding Alumnus of the Year. Anderson served Anderson also was a member of ETSU’s President’s Trust, served as the university’s School of Dental Hygiene Advisory Committee chairman and was inducted int0 ETSU’s Military ETSU Hall of Fame in 2012.
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Administration Highlights ~
Keystone Park - A dedication ceremony was held on Tuesday, Aug. 13 for Dr. Frank Anderson in recognition of his contributions to Little League Baseball and parks and recreation.
Special Events - City Manager Pete Peterson has requested two additional Bert Street Music Series performances this fall at MPCC’s amphitheater. The Jae Marie Project is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 3, and JP Southern Band will perform Thursday, Oct. 10. The events are from 7-9 p.m.
Athletics Division Highlights ~
Adult fall softball season began Aug. 19, with 32 teams registered.
Fall youth soccer registration reached 1,201 and practices are underway. Games begin Sept. 3.
Adult volleyball registration is ongoing.
Park Services Division Highlights ~
Kermit Tipton Stadium - Final preparations being made for football season.
Jacob’s Nature Park - Assisted with work on the new outdoor classroom .
Metro-Kiwanis Park - Foul pole sleeves installed.
Indian Trail - Rugby field painted.
Elementary schools - Soccer fields painted.
Arthur Lady Field - Sewer backflow installed at concessions.
A Walk in the Park Your Parks and Recreation Connection
Issue 8
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Golf Division Highlights ~
Sept. 3-6 aeriating scheduled for all greens.
Tri-Cities First Tee program started Aug. 26. The program runs through Oct. 4.
Recreation Services Division ~
Nature - Met with Mayor Jenny Brock, Dr. T.J. Jones and Dr. Darrel Moore to discuss options for the future of Buffalo Mountain Park. The mayor is interested in a community meeting to consider public opinion. Participated in the Roan Mountain State Park Naturalist Rally leading two snake hikes.
Carver Recreation Center held Back to School Bash at Legion Street Pool Aug. 15, where free backpacks filled with school supplies were given away and trips to Memphis were awarded is a raffle.
Memorial Park Community Center - Tot Triathlon drew 35 participants. Art programs had 20 participants. Yoga classes for new moms and expecting mom is averaging 10 weekly. The staff hosted JC 101 on August 13 with 25 in attendance. The participants enjoyed dinner and toured the facility. Adaptive Recreation has resumed with 30 enrolled in the program.
Senior Services - Hosted the First Tennessee Area Agency on Aging and Disability Senior Brain Games with 8 senior centers from the East Tennessee area represented. Johnson City’s team consisted of Martha Dodd, Rudy Baumann and John Martin. Each team had 3 members and one alternate. They competed in 4 rounds of trivia for a total of 20 questions. The Johnson City team tied for 3rd place with the Church Hill Senior Center taking the trophy. They will go on to compete in Knoxville. A total of 75 were in attendance for the games.
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Kudos this month to Park Services Manager Bo Toft In his short tenure, Bo has implemented new procedures to ensure 4137 Bristol Hwy. proper training is conducted and tracked. His previous experience has proven invaluaJohnson City, TN 37601 ble, including construction of the outdoor Phone: 423-283-5815 classroom at Jacob’s Nature Park at Sinking 4137 Bristol Highway Fax: 423-283-5829 Creek, as well as completion of ballfields at Johnson City, Tennessee 37601the elementary schools in much less time due Email: Phone: 423-283-5815 to his experience with heavy equipment. Bo jcparksinfo@johnsoncitytn.org has scheduled work days beyond his normal Fax: 423-283-5829 Website: schedule to meet unusual workloads and has worked alongside his employees to accomwww.johnsoncitytn.org plish many tasks. He has a strong interest in Like us on Facebook furthering his knowledge in the field, and has requested to attend the state and @jcparkstn national recreation conferences. Bo is a very dedicated professional who strives to provide the highest level of service to our citizens and patrons alike. Follow us on Twitter and Congrats and thanks, Bo!
Instagram @jcparkstn
Upcoming Events August 30 - September 1 - Winged Deer Park - USA Labor Day Classic
September 12 - Carver Recreation Center - Blue and Gold and Maroon and Gold
September 2 - Athletics - Girl’s softball practice begins
September 13-15 - Winged Deer Park - Milligan Fall Classic
September 3 - Athletics - Youth soccer league play begins
September 16 - Athletics - Girl’s softball league play begins
September 3— Tweetsie Trail - Taco Trek Group Ride
September 16 - Memorial Park Community Center - Family Fun Night
September 5 - Carver Recreation Center - Grandparents Day
September 19 - Memorial Park Community Center - GO . All . Out . And Run
September 6 - Legion Street Pool - Summer lifeguard party
September 20-22 - Winged Deer Park - Fall Ball Classic
September 6-8 - Winged Deer Park - Future Stars of Sports Labor September 23 –October 7 - Various Parks - Johnson City Parks Day Classic BioBlitz September 7 - Legion Street Pool - Dog Swim
September 26 - Carver Recreation Center - Community Memorial Day
September 10 - Carver Recreation Center - First Responders Day
September 27-29 - Winged Deer Park - USA Play for the Cure Classic
September 10 - Memorial Park Community Center - Wall of Fame Nominating Committee meeting