Johnson City Parks and Recreation Special points of interest: ~ Daddy Daughter Dance Dazzles! ~ Administration Highlights ~ Athletic Division Highlights ~ Park Services Division Highlights ~ Golf Division Highlights ~ Recreation Services Division Highlights
A Walk in the Park Your Parks and Recreation Connection I s s u e :
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Daddy Daughter Dance Dazzles! The 2020 My Little Valentine Daddy Daughter Dance proved once again that it is one of the Johnson City Parks and Recreation Department’s most popular and fastest-growing events. A sold out crowd of 650 danced the night away on Saturday, Feb. 8 during this festive and increasingly popular annual event at Memorial Park Community Center. The event has become a community showcase. “Seven years ago, we became aware of a similar event and we began coming up with ideas,” said Kelly Finney, MPCC supervisor. “We were the first to start a Daddy Daughter Dance in this area, and the recreation staff did everything, because we never thought it would get this big.” Finney says the dance is a win-win for fathers and their daughters. “Year after year, I hear dads say more and more, I can’t miss this,’” she said. “This provides a great opportunity for one-on-one time – personal time. It helps create memories neither will forget.” Finney said she, as well as Parks and Recreation staff who work the event, learn something each year that can be incorporated into the next year’s event.
“Kelly and I have been involved to some degree since we held the first dance in 2014 with around 200 participants,” said Amanda Hollifield, Athletics manager and former MPCC operations manager. Hollifield said the positive experience had by dads, daughters and their families was spread largely by word of mouth the first few years. And though the event is marketed to schools, on social media and through television appearances, the Daddy Daughter Dance is simply an event people love coming to. “It sells itself, and that is a true testament to the Parks and Recreation team’s hard work over the past seven years,” she said. “It has truly become our signature event with new dads coming, but more importantly repeat dads that come.” Thanks to this year’s sponsors TVA Employees Credit Union and DoubleTree Hotel, and special thanks to the Johnson City Parks and Recreation staff and volunteers.
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Administration Highlights ~
Carver Splash Pad - TDEC has approved the Great Southern Proposal and the city has been cleared to sign the proposal for construction. Prior to construction TDEC will need to review and approve plans. The next step is to send the proposal to City Commission for consideration.
Athletic Complex – CHA has been directed to provide the city with drawings and construction costs by Feb. 28. These plans will be reviewed by staff and discussed during the budget process.
Athletics Division Highlights ~
The Hot Shots took first place in the girls 10-11 basketball league regular season.
Athletic manager spoke with SHHS officiating class along with Human Resources Director Steve Willis on Jan. 29 in an attempt to secure additional officials and scorekeepers.
Athletics staff met with SHHS athletics director and SHHS lacrosse coach concerning their request for field space.
Facility use agreements for Indian Trail Intermediate School with Johnson City Railcats (lacrosse club) and Johnson City Social Sports.
Park Services Division Highlights ~
Metro-Kiwanis Park - Replaced fencing due to a downed tree.
Winged Deer Park - Repaired entrance gate.
Little League - Replaced entry devices at all Little League parks and TVA Credit Union Ballpark.
Made continued improvements to Civitan and Winged Deer Park rectangular fields by top dressing. The re-sodding of fields was resumed this month. The City Commission approval for 16,000 sq. ft. of sod.
Golf Division Highlights ~ Due to warm temperatures, total rounds played in 2019 reached 26,809. January revenues for 2020 surpassed revenues for January 2019.
A Walk in the Park Your Parks and Recreation Connection
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Recreation Services Division ~
Aquatics - Glow Stick Swim had 25 participants. A trial run for afternoon lap swim at Freedom Hall Pool has been unsuccessful with an average of one in attendance. Aquatic supervisor is manually controlling the chemicals at Freedom Hall Pool until the chemical box relay replacement is obtained.
Carver Recreation Center - Received a donated air hockey table for the teen room.
Senior Services - A spring pickleball tournament is scheduled for March 27. The Sweetwater Troubadours serenaded seniors with a concert on Feb. 14. The Big Band Theory provided a night filled with dancing for the Sweetheart Dance on Feb. 21 with 140 in attendance. The Treasure Your Health Wellness Fair was held on Feb. 25.
Langston Centre - Produced and distributed the first Community Update to Langston patrons. Exploring a partnership with Coalition for Kids and Rise Up for their youth to participate in the after-school program. Met with local business owners to host an entrepreneurs expo.
Memorial Park Community Center - Open gym had 60 participants. Daddy Daughter Dance had a sold out crowd with 650 in attendance. Resolution Boot Camp had 25 in attendance and Homeschool Preschool had 40 participants. Homeschool Art is still a popular program with 10 participants. The center hosted a retirement party for Jim Hughes on Feb. 26. A job fair was held on Feb. 25. Group Guitar has six enrolled.
Nature - Jacob’s Nature Park at Sinking Creek performed exactly as wetlands should during major rain events this month, tempering downstream flooding and acting as a sponge thanks to the soil’s ability to absorb water. Depressions associated with wetlands also fill up. This is known as groundwater recharge and helps habitats around wetlands survive drought later in the season.
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Compliments and congratulations this month go to Parks and Recreation staff 4137 Bristol Hwy. whose concerted effort in planning and Johnson City, TN 37601 hosting the 7th Annual My Little Phone: 423-283-5815 Valentine Daddy Daughter Dance at 4137 Bristol Highway Fax: 423-283-5829 Memorial Park Community Center Johnson City, Tennessee 37601 Email: paid off once again. Staff from MPCC, Phone: 423-283-5815 jcparksinfo@johnsoncitytn.org Senior Services, Athletics and Park Fax: 423-283-5829 Website: Services as well as volunteers served a www.johnsoncitytn.org festive, sold out crowd of 650 on Like us on Facebook Saturday, Feb. 8. The event has grown @jcparkstn in popularity over time and has become Follow us on Twitter and one of the department’s premiere offerInstagram @jcparkstn ings thanks to the hard work and dedication of our employees.
Upcoming Events March 5 - Youth Soccer Coaches Meeting - Athletic Office
March 20-22 - East Tennessee Classic - Winged Deer Park
March 6-8 - USSSA 1st Pitch Invitation - Winged Deer Park
March 21 - Wacky MPCC Mini Golf Challenge - Memorial Park Community Center
March 13-15 - USA Diamond Classic - Winged Deer Park
March 25 - Girls Softball Registration Concludes
March 14 - Community Breakfast - Langston Centre
March 30 - Spring Break Camp Washington County Schools Memorial Park Community Center
March 16 –20 - Spring Break Camp Johnson City Schools Memorial Park Community Center
April 3 - Adult Softball Registration Deadline
March 16-20 - Spring Break Adventure Camp - Carver Recreation April 3-5 - East TN Ball Yard Bash - Winged Deer Park Center March 16 - Youth Soccer Practices Begin
April 7 - Intro to Mountain Biking - Memorial Park Community Center
March 16 - Adult Softball Practices Begin
April 8 - Doggie Egg Hunt - Memorial Park Community Center
March 16 - Family Fun Night - Memorial Park Community Center April 9 - Annual Easter Egg Hunt & Cookout - Carver Recreation Center March 17 - St. Patrick’s Day Crafts - Carver Recreation Center
April 10-12 - USA Duel on the Diamond - Winged Deer Park