Johnson City Parks and Recreation
A Walk in the Park Your Parks and Recreation Connection
Special points of interest: ~Parks and Rec turns 75! ~ Administration Highlights ~ Athletic Division Highlights ~ Park Services Division Highlights ~ Recreation Services Highlights - Kudos Corner ~ Calendar of Events
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Parks and Rec Celebrates 75th Anniversary! The Johnson City Parks and Recreation Department officially began its journey on May 18, 1944, and its 75th anniversary was cause for both reflection and celebration this month. In that time, we’ve moved from organizing ball games and events on makeshift playing fields and inside warehouses, to operating and programming state-of-theart parks and facilities that are the envy of Tennessee and beyond. On May 16, a time capsule filled with memorabilia and documentation reflecting the department’s history and accomplishments was buried at Powell Square Park, established in 1888. City officials, Parks and Recreation Advisory Board members and others attended the dedication. The time capsule will be reopened in 2044 to mark the department’s 100 anniversary. A celebratory luncheon followed at Rotary Park, the city’s 10.4-acre park featuring one of the department’s crown jewels, the all-inclusive playground and splash pad. The celebration moved to the 67,000square-foot, multigenerational Memorial Park Community Center on May 18, where more than 350 attended Candyland Carnival. The spring carnival offered old-fashioned games, face painting, candy station, 75th birthday cupcakes, a magician and balloon artist, entertainment and inflatables. The celebration will conclude on May 25 with a free swim at Legion Street Pool at which free hotdogs and drinks will be given to the first 200 people. A Parks and Recreation Board was first established in 1944, when city leaders approved an ordinance to better organize recreation activities and programs. Today, that purpose and commitment to the community remains rock solid and continues to blossom. The department now provides a growing number of widely recognized and award-winning facilities and programs, and the journey is constantly in motion.
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Administration Highlights ~
Cardinal Park - The USA Patriots (Wounded Warrior Amputee) softball team played an exhibition game against the Fire and Police Departments. Estimated attendance was 300.
Athletic complex - Mr. Stahl, Jonathan Kinnick and James Ellis met with Ed O’Hara withCHA to review schematic drawings for the Winged Deer Park South and lakefront properties. A copy was submitted to the City Manager for review.
Kermit Tipton Stadium - Awaiting City Manager approval to move the scheduling process of this facility to Science Hill High School.
Langston Centre - Center Supervisor position recommendation has been submitted to Human Resources.
The department celebrated their 75th Anniversary at Powell Square and Rotary Parks.
Athletics Division Highlights ~
Youth soccer’s regular season wrapped with an end of season tournament on May 13.
Registration is open for volleyball camp (July 16-19 and Tennis Camp (June 3– July 12.
Park Services Division Highlights ~
Civitan Park - An additional roll of sod was installed on field #3. Topdressing, aerification and seeding is taking place weekly.
Tannery Knobs - Park Services is acquiring needed materials for guard station, bollards, trail tools and signage.
Buffalo Mountain Park - Guard shack has been installed. Gate relocation will take place this month.
Keefauver - Plumbing issues have been corrected.
Administration office - Plumbing issues have been corrected.
Golf Division Highlights ~
Greens mowing height was dropped to increase smoothness and speed.
New slope mower is helping tremendously with many steep areas that used to require stringtrimming.
The Kermit Tipton Scholarship tournament was held on May 17 with 17 teams.
A Walk in the Park Your Parks and Recreation Connection
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Recreation Services Division ~
Memorial Park Community Center - Memorial Park Community Center - An LED light has been installed at the kitchen entrance to provide better security for the area. In addition, an electrical outlet near the dumpsters has been installed to allow placement of the restroom trailer during outdoor events. Mother’s Day Tea was held on May 4 with 20 in attendance. Start Smart Baseball had 20 enrolled. The end of year party for the homeschool preschool was held on May 9 with 50 in attendance. Mountain View Elementary utilized the center for their end of school field trip. Staff assisted with games and activities for 90 students. The city employee picnic was held on May 17 with 200+ in attendance. Candyland Carnival and the departments birthday celebration took place on Saturday, May 18 with 300+ in attendance. Participants enjoyed a variety of games and activities, entertainment, a balloon artist and free birthday cupcakes. Four new yoga classes were introduced this month including Mommy and Me Yoga, Beginning Yoga, Prenatal Yoga and Kids Yoga.
Senior Services - The Senior Prom was held on May 17 with 152 in attendance. The Roaring Twenties theme was a success and a prom king and queen was crowned.
Aquatics - Installed new message board at Memorial Park Community Center. New heaters have been installed in the therapy and teaching pools at MPCC. Painting is complete at the Legion Street Pool and preparation for season opening is underway.
Carver Recreation Center - Currently on track for the Splash Pad contract to be issued for our original timeline estimate opening of 2020. Homeless activity center supervisor is communicating with the JCPD to increase patrols.
Keystone - Cleaned elevator, organized cleaning closet and reported broken window in the city classroom.
Nature - Program coordinator passed the DOT physical to maintain full CDL license to enable her to drive a bus for summer camp.
Summer Camps - Secured $3,000 donation for summer camp T-shirts.
Langston Centre - Furniture and electronic purchases are moving forward out of the FY19 budget.
Bike Summit - Summit will bring together bike shops and advocacy groups together for the advancement and organization of cycling efforts in Johnson City.
“To catch the reader's attention, place an interesting sentence or quote from the story here.”
Mary Ann Kinch and Gary Gray diligently pieced together needed elements for the time capsule buried at Powell Square 4137 Bristol Hwy. Park on May 16 in celebration of the Johnson City, TN 37601 department’s 75 anniversary. When the Phone: 423-283-5815 items are unearthed in 2044, Parks and 4137 Bristol Highway Fax: 423-283-5829 Recreation and city officials will find Johnson City, Tennessee 37601 inside a well-described outline of our Email: Phone: 423-283-5815 history, of our accomplishments and jcparksinfo@johnsoncitytn.org Fax: 423-283-5829 awards, as well as our goals. Kinch and Website: Gray gathered memorabilia, scoured www.johnsoncitytn.org history books, articles, meeting minutes, Like us on Facebook scrapbooks, photos and other documentation to compile an accurate @jcparkstn account of the Johnson City Parks and Recreation Department’s genesis and its noteworthy highlights and benchmarks throughout the years. Follow us on Twitter and
Instagram @jcparkstn
Upcoming Events May 24-26 - Winged Deer Park - NSA Memorial Day Border Battle
June 17 - 23 - All parks - Pollinator Week Treasurer Hunt
May 24 - Carver Recreation Center - End of School Block Party
June 21 - 23 - Winged Deer Park - Hard Ball Classic
May 31 - June 1 - Memorial Park Community Center - Twirling and Cheering Mini Camp
June 24 - Adult fall softball registration opens.
May 25 - Legion Street Pool - Free swimming day
June 28 - Kermit Tipton Stadium - Olympic Day
May 27 - Legion Street Pool opens for the season
June 28—30 - Winged Deer Park - USA Firecracker Classic
May 31 - Keefauver Farm - Historic Marker unveiled
July 1 - Adult Volleyball League registration opens
June 3 - Youth and adult tennis registration opens. June 7 - 9 - Winged Deer Park - USA June Jam Softball Classic June 8 - Legion Street Pool - Mountain Games June 14-16 - Winged Deer Park - Milligan Summer Showcase