Johnson City Parks and Recreation
A Walk in the Park Your Parks and Recreation Connection
Special points of interest: ~ Senior Center Hosts Community Input Day ~ Administration Highlights ~ Athletic Division Highlights ~ Park Services Division Highlights ~ Recreation Services Highlights - Kudos Corner ~ Calendar of Events
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Senior Center Hosts Community Input Day About 80 people attended Tuesday's Senior Center Community Input Day at Memorial Park Community Center on March 5. The center hosted its third event at which comments and suggestions were gathered about the center's operations for use in its reaccreditation process. “This was very well-attended, and it helps us gather information that’s used to help develop strategies for the next five years,” said Senior Services Manager Deb Fogle. “At each table, at least one of the nine standards which we have to address for accreditation was reviewed. This includes things such as which programs seniors like or don’t like, and the opportunity for them to make suggestions for future programming.” Jeanna Mikki Johnson, ETSU College of Public Health, Department of Community and Behavioral Health clinical instructor, explained accreditation and facilitated the input process. Fogle said the Community Input Day not only allows seniors to have an active voice in the programs and services they receive, but also an opportunity to more fully understand the function and importance of accreditation. Senior Services also will host a year-end review at which staff will inform members and visitors about successes and accomplishments. The Johnson City Senior Center was the first in Tennessee to gain accreditation.
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Administration Highlights ~
To date, over 1,200 youth have registered in the department ‘s soccer program!
Tannery Knobs - Pricing estimates have been secured for the pre-fab vaulted restroom and the expenditure has been included in the FY20 budget proposal.
James Ellis and Amanda Hollifield attended the TRPA NE District workshop on March 13 in Athens, TN.
Buffalo Mountain Park - Staff is working with BrightRidge on lighting the park entrance, relocating gate closer to the entrance and constructing a guard station.
Langston Community Center - The center supervisor position has been posted. Some furnishing will be purchased from this year’s budget and the remaining in FY20.
Pete Zannis Tennis Complex - Project work has begun.
A job fair held in late February resulted in eight seasonal positions being filled.
Athletics Division Highlights
Youth soccer practices started on March 16. Registration will continue through April 12.
Adult softball registration is ongoing. Practices began on March 18.
Park Services Division Highlights ~
Bo Toft has joined the department as Park Services Manager.
Staff has completed construction of the fence area inside the building at the Main Street office to secure the building, equipment, tools and other items.
Roger Cox attended the Simplot Turf Seminar in Chattanooga on March 12 and 13.
Golf Division Highlights ~
Mike Jennings retired on March 1. Jim Hughes has been assigned to oversee the daily golf operations until a golf manager is hired.
Potential learning center and club house improvements were discussed at the March 20 golf board meeting.
Bill Fuller attended the Simplot Turf Seminar in Chattanooga on March 12 and 13.
A Walk in the Park Your Parks and Recreation Connection
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Recreation Services Division ~
Nature - The Washington County Inmates are extremely valuable to the Nature Program. Recently, they removed encroaching saplings that were eliminating the view on the Huckleberry Knob Overlook. This is one of the most popular destinations in the park due to its close proximity to the parking lot. The knob faces west toward Johnson City and people can easily pick out ETSU, Science Hill, the VA, Tannery Knob and other landmarks. Nature program coordinator conducted a program on bats for Senior Services with 32 participants. Conducted Realistic Wilderness Survival for Kids program at the Johnson City Public Library with ETSU. There were 120 participants in the program.
Memorial Park Community Center - On March 9, Senior Services and Recreation Services hosted a Wacky MPCC Mini Golf Challenge with 120 in attendance. Various groups designed the 18 -hole course and Tracy Burton and American Trail Life Troop 6123 earned the most creative hole award. Spring Break Camp for Johnson City Schools was held March 11-15 with 55 in attendance. Campers enjoyed a week of swimming, organized games and activities, arts and crafts, movies and two field trips. A new teen fitness class began this month with six participants enrolled. NBA 2K was held March 28 in the Keystone Teen Room and a dodgeball tournament is set for March 30 with six teams signed up.
Senior Services - Four new fitness classes were added this month: High Performance, Willow, On the Ball and Pilates. Classes in beginning guitar and French also were added.
Aquatics - Norwell will be providing replacement boilers for the pool at Memorial Park Community Center at a cost not to exceed $6,000. These boilers do meet certification requirements and will be installed at Norwell’s expense. The chlorinator on the teaching pool at MPCC is now fully operational with the assistance of Public Works. Park Services worked with staff to identify a new location for chemical containers at Legion Street Pool. This will enable staff to convert the chlorination systems from calcium hypochlorite (solid) to sodium hypochlorite (liquid). Park Services prepared the storage room for the conversion. Clothing hooks were installed in the men’s locker room at Freedom Hall Pool for patrons’ convenience.
Carver Recreation Center - ETSU and Carver hosted Taste of the Community, which was held in late February with 110 in attendance. Area African-American police officers were honored at the banquet.
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4137 Bristol Hwy. Johnson City, TN 37601 Phone: 423-283-5815 4137 Bristol Highway Fax: 423-283-5829 Johnson City, Tennessee 37601 Email: Phone: 423-283-5815 Fax: 423-283-5829
jcparksinfo@johnsoncitytn.org
Website: www.johnsoncitytn.org Like us on Facebook @jcparkstn Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @jcparkstn
Upcoming Events April 1 - Summer Camp Registration opens
April 18 - Memorial Park Community Center - Flashlight Easter Egg Hunt
April 4 - Memorial Park Community Center—Start Smart Basketball April 19 - Memorial Park Community Center - Girls Night Out April 4 - Memorial Park Community Center - Spring Sock Hop
April 19-21 - Winged Deer Park - USA April Classic
April 5-7 - Winged Deer Park - USSSA Dugout Challenge
April 26-28—Winged Deer Park - USSSA Hardball Invitational
April 12-14 - Winged Deer Park - USA Duel on the Diamond
April 27 - Winged Deer Park Meredith Pavilion - Boone Lake Clean Up
April 13 - Winged Deer Park - Wedding
April 27 - Winged Deer Park Bike Trail - Popcycle Ride
April 13 - Winged Deer Park Festival Plaza - Easter Egg Hunt Poplar May 1 - Athletics - Youth/adult tennis registration begins Ridge Church April 14 - Winged Deer Park - Trek Bicycle Day
May 4 - Memorial Park Community Center - Mother’s Day Tea
April 15 & 16 - Carver Recreation Center - Easter Crafts & Egg Color- May 16 - Powell Square Park - Time Capsule Burial ing April 18 - Carver Recreation Center—Easter Egg Hunt & Cookout
May 16 - Rotary Park - 75th Birthday Luncheon