Johnson City Parks and Recreation
A Walk in the Park Your Parks and Recreation Connection
Special points of interest: ~New Series a Hit ~ Administration Highlights ~ Athletic Division Highlights ~ Park Services Division Highlights ~ Recreation Services Highlights - Kudos Corner ~ Calendar of Events
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Bert Street Music Series a Hit! July’s Bert Street Music Series marked the first time since its opening in December 2012 that Memorial Park Community Center’s outdoor amphitheater has been programmed for consecutive weekly public events. The Marketing Office began planning in May to schedule a limited test run, if you will, of evening summer events that did not conflict with Johnson City Cardinal home games, could be held on successive weeks and did not coincide with any planned events at the center.
Dates were set for Tuesdays, July 9, 16, 23 and 30, and an extensive search ensued to secure local talent of various genres. That search yielded Beach Nite Band, Tennessee Champagne, Southern Rebellion and The Billy Crawford Band. When performers were locked in, the Marketing Office reached out to potential sponsors, with the Johnson City Press agreeing to place four, color, quarter-page weekly promotional ads each Monday in its Mountain Mischief section. WQUT 101.5 Tri-Cities Classic Rock also came on board to spread the word via radio. The Washington County Sheriff’s Office also supplied bottled water to keep the musicians’ whistles wet. Ads and signs were crafted as were announcements and flyers that were posted on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram prior to each event. Full press releases that included bios and photos were assembled and distributed to media and the public through the Communications and Marketing Department. Flyers also were distributed to Johnson City businesses, music venues and eateries for further exposure. During the first concert, Beach Nite Band singer Don Hagy asked those in the audience to raise their hands if they had never been to MPCC’s amphitheater. More than 90 percent did. Park Services, MPCC staff and Senior Services provided support, which included setup, electrical, teardown and other needs, a medical/information tent and a senior bus that transported visitors to and from the amphitheater. Both concert-goers and performers gave positive feedback on the series, and band members expressly stated their wishes to return.
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Administration Highlights ~
Keefauver property - A meeting was held June 14 to discuss Boones Creek Historical Society’s potential use of the property, and it was determined this was not a priority use at this time.
The department will begin mandatory training for CPR, First-Aid and AED, active shooter and workplace violence in the fall.
Keystone Pavilion - Currently working with Bob DeVane to schedule a dedication ceremony for Dr. Frank Anderson in recognition for his contributions to Little League Baseball and parks and recreation. The ceremony should take place in August or September.
Special Events - Lakeside Concert Series has been plagued with rain with the first concert rained out. Attendance for 4 concerts 1,026. The Bert Street Music Series kicked off on July 9 with 250+ in attendance. The Sesquicentennial Committee is sponsoring a concert by the Johnson City Community Band on July 27 at Winged Deer Park’s Goulding Amphitheater.
Athletics Division Highlights ~
The adult softball season wrapped up June 27 with First Christian Church winning the Coed Church Tournament and Balls or Bust claiming the coed Division 3 Tournament title. Fifty-three teams participated this season. Registration is now underway for the adult fall softball fall season. Games begin Aug. 19.
Adult Volleyball League registration is underway with games beginning in September. Team fee is $200 and includes divisions for men and coed.
Youth Soccer registration is underway. Registration is $25 for Johnson City residents and $30 for non-residents. Late registration ($20 additional fee) begins August 10. Practices begin Aug. 10 with games starting the first week in September.
Park Services Division Highlights ~
Metro Kiwanis Park - New foul poles for field #1 have been purchased for the start of the high school season.
TVA Credit Union Ballpark - Backflows were installed at the Perch, and additional outfield drainage work is underway.
Training - Skid steer / fork lift training conducted.
Memorial Park Community Center - Preparations for Bert Street Music Series each Tuesday in July.
A Walk in the Park Your Parks and Recreation Connection
Issue 7
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Golf Division Highlights ~
Buffalo Valley Golf Course - Mowing is complete.
Pine Oaks - Hosted the Sports Monster Show with Bill Meade on June 21 from 3-6 pm.
Recreation Services Division ~
Memorial Park Community Center - Open gym attendance has increased to an average of 50 per week. Teena Sparks attended a Train the Trainer class.
Summer Camps - Camps are winding down for the summer. Half-day sports camps ended July 26 and included a fun and challenging Bike Camp with 15 participants and Mix It Up Sports Camp with 22 participants. The seven-week Jump Start JC, which averaged 55 participants daily, and Carver Recreation camps also wrapped up. Campers enjoyed trips to the Kingsport Aquatic Center and Wetlands Water Park in Jonesborough.
Campers enjoyed a variety of field trips to Quantum Leap, Putt Putt, Bays Mountain, Real to Real, Bright’s Zoo, Bristol Caverns, Fender’s Farm, Holiday Lanes, Just Jump, Johnson City Library, and Warriors Path State Park. They cooled off in Legion Street pool and soaked up some knowledge from special guest speakers throughout the season.
Six nature camps were conducted from June 3—July 19, including Watchable Wildlife, Outdoor Life, Animal and Plant Adaptations, Amazing Amphibians & Rad Reptiles, Survival Challenge and Teen Adventure Quest, which ended July 19 with a 5.5-mile rafting trip down the Nolichucky River courtesy of USA Raft.
Senior Services - Hosted their annual Year in Review on July 9 with 107 in attendance.
“To catch the reader's attention, place an interesting sentence or quote from the story here.”
Kudos this month to Recreation Services Manager Sam Miller for his support of staff who oversee MPCC, 4137 Bristol Hwy. Legion Street Pool and Freedom Johnson City, TN 37601 Hall Pool. The quiet but cagey Miller Phone: 423-283-5815 also coordinated the hiring of staff 4137 Bristol Highway Fax: 423-283-5829 Johnson City, Tennessee 37601for The Langston Centre, as well as Email: the purchases of the new facility’s Phone: 423-283-5815 jcparksinfo@johnsoncitytn.org furnishings. He also headed the Fax: 423-283-5829 Website: research for the proposed Carver www.johnsoncitytn.org Park splash pad project and Like us on Facebook continually provides assistance with @jcparkstn other department projects and Follow us on Twitter and programs. Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition, Sam! Instagram @jcparkstn
Upcoming Events July 24-28 - Winged Deer Park - USA Softball 10U National Championship
August 12 - Memorial Park Community Center - Afterschool program begins.
July 25 - Winged Deer Park - Lakeside Concert - Jae Marie Project
August 10 - Youth Soccer Practice Begins
July 30 - Memorial Park Community Center - Bert Street Music Series - The Billy Crawford Band
August 15 - Winged Deer Park Goulding Amphitheater - Tri-Cities Jazz Orchestra
August 1 - Winged Deer Park Goulding Amphitheater—Sound Travelers
August 16—18 - Winged Deer Park - USA Line Drive Classic
August 2 - Adult softball registration opens
August 17 - Memorial Park Community Center - Tot Triathlon
August 2 -4—Winged Deer Park - USA Back to School Bash
August 19 - Adult softball league play begins
August 7 - Winged Deer Park athletic office - Fall adult soccer coaches meeting
August 23-25 - Winged Deer Park - Fall Ball Clash
August 8 - Winged Deer Park Goulding Amphitheater - Barefoot Movement
August 30 - Girl’s softball registration concludes
August 9-11 - Winged Deer Park - USA 3 Up 3 Down Classic
September 7 - Legion Street Pool - Dog Swim
August 10 - Youth soccer practice begins