Johnson City Parks and Recreation Special points of interest: ~ Langston Centre Opens to Packed House! ~ Administration Highlights ~ Athletic Division Highlights ~ Park Services Division Highlights ~ Golf Division Highlights ~ Recreation Services Division
A Walk in the Park Your Parks and Recreation Connection I s s u e :
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Langston Centre Opens to Packed House! On Sunday, November 17, 2019, more than 500 Johnson City residents participated in the Langston Centre grand opening. Elected officials, Langston High School alumni and business/ community leaders were on hand to celebrate the nearly three-year renovation project. Washington County’s segregation-era high school for African Americans has been repurposed to focus on multicultural arts, education and leadership. Adam Dickson, Langston Centre supervisor, emceed the occasion and stressed the significance of understanding history and exactly why the school was built in the first place. Mayor Jenny Brock conveyed the city’s appreciation to key donors who helped to make the event a reality. She also celebrated the rich diversity in the room that afternoon and emphasized the worth of community. The event also included remarks from individuals connected to the Centre. ETSU student Drew Keith shared his thoughts on how the Langston Centre could become a “healing agent” for genuine communitybuilding. Langston Education and Arts Development (LEAD) Chair Michael Young expressed gratitude for the community’s support in constructing the Centre. Young also announced anonymous donors and ETSU’s College of Education will provide two scholarships in the amount of $1,000 each. The scholarships were named after former Washington County Commissioner and longtime community activist Mary Alexander. Callie Redd stole the show as she recounted her time as a student and teacher at Langston. She had the audience in stitches as she remembered with clarity how she was asked to come to Langston to teach. The ceremony ended with an impromptu but appropriate recognition of Dr. C.H. Charlton and his public service to Johnson City and the Northeast Tennessee region. Dignitaries expressing their appreciation included State Sen. Rusty Crowe; U.S. Rep. Phil Roe and ETSU President Brian Noland.
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Administration Highlights ~
Several team members attended the TRPA State Conference in Chattanooga Nov. 18-20
Steve Kasacek with Trail Solutions was in town Oct. 30-Nov. 1 to meet with stakeholders and staff regarding a feasibility study on mountain bike trails at Buffalo Mountain Park.
Staff conducted final walk-through at Princeton Arts Center Nov. 1. to identify items that could be used within the department. Remaining items will be removed and the building will be cleaned prior to Dec. 31.
Design of the proposed restroom facilities at Rotary, Tannery Knobs and Carver are being finalized by Randy Trivette and an RFP should be issued prior to Dec. 31. The new facility is expected to be ready for an April 1, 2020 opening.
Athletics Division Highlights ~
Online registration for youth basketball is closed. Registration is still available in person at the Athletic office at Winged Deer Park.
Soccer season wrapped up on November 5. CB United (pictured) took home 2nd place in the 8-9 girls tournament.
Youth basketball practices are underway with nearly 700 youth registered in the program. Games for both youth and adult will start the week
Park Services Division Highlights ~
Work continues on the Christmas float. Carnegie fence repair and replacement complete.
Placed 6,000 lbs. of overseed on WDP, Liberty Bell, Kiwanis Park and Lions Park fields and started winterization of playing field sprinkler systems.
Indian Trail, Winged Deer Park, Liberty Bell aerified and placed 2,000 lbs. of grass seed. Applied 8,000 lbs. of fall fertilizer on more than 30 acres of playing surface.
Golf Division Highlights ~
2019 green and cart fees and miscellaneous merchandise sales had outgained 2018 revenues. Aerified, seeded and edged and improved all sand traps at Learning Center. Clearing trees and limbs on right side of hole #10 to allow more sunlight and air flow. Completed mowing at Buffalo Valley.
A Walk in the Park Your Parks and Recreation Connection
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Recreation Services Division ~
Memorial Park Community Center - Super Spooky Saturday was again a big hit with the community with 1,000 plus in attendance for the activities. Thanks to the JC Cardinals and TVA Credit Union for pitching in to help make this year’s event a big success. The weather certainly did not hamper the fun! Costumes, Candy and Cars took place Oct. 24 with a variety of vehicles lining the parking lot filled with candy. On Halloween, Treat . All. Out. took place at the center saving Halloween from the elements. The center quickly filled with droves of trick-or-treaters snapping up the candy and enjoying the games for some indoor fun despite the inclement weather conditions outdoors. WJHL did a segment on Oct. 9 on homeschool families The group was entertained with some trick or treating fun and games. Teen Trivia Night had 5 participants. The Miniature Art Exhibit reception also took place Nov. 8 with 19 in attendance, along with Girl’s Night Out with 18 in attendance. Mother and Son Date took place Nov. 19 with 27 participants. On Nov. 20, the Adaptive Book Club had 50 in attendance. The center hosted the Wall of Fame Banquet on Nov. 14 with 160 in attendance. Turkey Trot registration and packet pick up will take place on Nov. 26 and 27.
One hundred twenty students, teachers and parents met in the outdoor classroom at Winged Deer Park in early November on a very chilly morning for a program on the Food Web/Nature Connections and then took a nature hike.
Carver Recreation Center - Just down the street from MPCC the crowds enjoyed the annual Halloween Festival participating in carnival games, costume contests and plenty of treats. The Annual Thanksgiving held Nov. 21 with 200+ in attendance. The Annual Johnson City Christmas Card competition yielded two winners from Carver Recreation Center. Their artwork will appear on the city’s Christmas card.
Senior Services - Spirit of the Community Celebration took place Nov. 9, The event, organized by Cherry Smith the Senior Center Chorale director, brought various community talent together for a memorable musical evening. The Chorale also provided the entertainment for the Chamber Breakfast held at the center.
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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
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Kudos this month to Parks and Recreation staff from all divisions who joined in to help make Treat. All. Out. a success. With severe rain and wind forecast for Halloween, Johnson City departmental staff, the Chamber of Commerce and Parks and Rec decided to quickly transform Memorial Park Community Center into an indoor trick-or-treat center so kids would not have to sit it out this year. Congratulations to staff who set up tables and games, greeted about 5,000 visitors, directed traffic, hand out candy and made visitors feel at home. This one’s for YOU!
Upcoming Events December 2-20 - Santa’s Mailbox - Memorial Park Community Center
December 20 - Parks and Recreation Employee Christmas Party Memorial Park Community Center
December 2 - Youth and adult basketball leagues begin
December 24 & 25 - Closed Merry Christmas!
December 3 - NBA2K20 - Memorial Park Community Center
January 1 - First Day Hike - Keefauver Farm
December 6 - Daddy Daughter Dance Flash Sale - Memorial Park Community Center
January 1 - Closed Happy New Year!
December 13 - City Employee Christmas Luncheon - Memorial Park Community Center
January 15 - Adult volleyball registration opens
December 14 - Youth Basketball Holiday Tournament
January 23 - Teen Trivia Night - Memorial Park Community Center
December 19 - Carver Youth Christmas Party