Johnson City Parks and Recreation
A Walk in the Park Your Parks and Recreation Connection
Special points of interest: ~ Autumn’s in the Air! ~ Administration Highlights ~ Athletic Division Highlights ~ Park Services Division Highlights ~ Golf Division Highlights ~ Recreation Services Division Highlights
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Autumn’s In The Air! Summer doesn’t technically end until September 22, but as we move into fall, it’s a great time to be outside. That’s good news during a pandemic. Need some ideas to enjoy fall with the family this year? Especially since most traditional festivities and events won’t be happening. Here are a few ideas.
Festivals have been canceled, but you can do many of the typical activities in your own backyard, including pumpkin bowling, caramel apple eating and relay races.
Not comfortable going to the movie theaters this fall, have your own movie marathon at home with some fall-themed films and TV specials. Like “It’s the great pumpkin, Charlie Brown” or Hotel Transylvania.”
Take the family for a drive and take in all the fall colors our area is beautiful this time of year.
Jump in a pile of leaves!
If you have a fire pit, dress in sweatshirts and head out for a fall bonfire. And, of course, make some s’mores.
Take a virtual class at Langston Centre.
Halloween parties may not be safe this year. Send the kids on a candy treasure hunt or do a social distance costume parade in your neighborhood. You don’t have to leave the house to have a haunted house. Let the kids set up one in the basement, their bedroom or the garage. Learn to face paint you can use your skills as part of the family’s Halloween costume, or just for fun.
Have a family board game marathon. Play silly games like Apples to Apples, classic games like Clue, Monopoly or Candy Land, and card games like Crazy 8’sor Go Fish.
Make your kids’ homework time (or virtual school time) more interesting by changing up their location every few days. Let them do their work in a blanket fort one day, in your bed another day and in their backyard playset or trampoline a third day. At the end of the school day, let your child pick a place to drive for a special drink or snack. Talk about the school day on your way back home.
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Administration Highlights ~
The department welcomed Matthew Southerland as the new Park Services Manager and Joe Ebarb as Athletic Manager.
Park Services Highlights ~
Improvements continue throughout the park system. The Winged Deer Park boardwalk project is nearing completion with board pressure washing, board replacement, staining and light installation.
Recreation Services Highlights ~
Carver Recreation Center - Splash Pad construction has begun. The Housing Authority will be addressing the cleaning of the tunnel. Washington County inmates clear overgrowth from the creek banks. Afterschool program has with 20 youth enrolled. Doggie potty stations have been installed on track and near playground.
Langston Centre - Ralph E. Davis Academy has 6 students enrolled. This program is in partnership with the LEAD ground and ETSU. A new media lab program began in September featuring minority owned businesses with 10 enrolled in the program. The centre is seeking a bus driver for approximately 10 per week. Virtual programs are continuing.
Golf Highlights ~
Yamaha cart fleet bid submitted. Double cart riders began first week of August.
Hosted SHHS JV match during this report period. University High delayed the start of their golf season until mid-August. Hosted Traveling Senior Ladies on Aug. 31. First Tee classes have begun on Mondays and Wednesdays, 4-6 p.m., Fridays 10 a.m. to noon and Saturdays from 3—5 p.m.
Cart path repairs hole #13, Tee box repairs #9 and repairs complete on hole #10 storm drain. Aerification took place after the Labor Day weekend.
A Walk in the Park Your Parks and Recreation Connection
Issue: 8/9
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Park Improvements ~
On the following pages are just a few photos of the recent improvement throughout the park system.
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4137 Bristol Hwy. Johnson City, TN 37601 Phone: 423-283-5815 4137423-283-5829 Bristol Highway Fax: Johnson City, Tennessee 37601 Email: Phone: 423-283-5815 jcparksinfo@johnsoncitytn.org Fax: 423-283-5829 Website: www.johnsoncitytn.org Like us on Facebook @jcparkstn Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @jcparkstn