Johnson City Parks and Recreation
A Walk in the Park Your Parks and Recreation Connection
Special points of interest: ~Milestones Celebrated ~ Administration Highlights ~ Athletic Division Highlights ~ Park Services Division Highlights ~ Recreation Services Highlights - Kudos Corner ~ Calendar of Events
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Milestones Celebrated! Tannery Knobs Mountain Bike Park formally opened on June 14 when hundreds attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony and watched as a smiling Johnson City Mayor Jenny Brock led dozens of riders down one of the park’s seven trails. City and county officials, Parks and Recreation Advisory Board members and others who served on a task force to see the project through were on hand to celebrate. The park’s very popular asphalt pump track atop the downtown mountain was packed with riders throughout the afternoon, and a mix of young and old hit the color-coded trails based on the easiest to most challenging ventures. On May 31, a state historical marker was unveiled at the Keebler-Keefauver home, marking the home’s significance and serving as a reason for a joyful family reunion for Keefauver descendants. The house was built by Joseph Keebler in the late 1850s. The Keefauvers bought the home and roughly 54-acre dairy farm in 1950. Billy Joe and Jean Keefauver moved into the home and began operating the farm in 1964. Their four daughters were on hand for the ceremony. The city purchased Keefauver in 2009. Several years ago, the National Park Service approved the pastoral property as a replacement for Optimist Park, and recreational and other uses were considered. The 2 acres, which essentially is the original farm house and some out buildings, is not considered part of the conversion property. The Parks and Recreation Department maintains the property, and city commissioners will ultimately determine its use.