Johnson City Parks and Recreation Special points of interest: ~ Parks and Rec Bounces Back in 2021 ~ Administration Highlights ~ Athletic Division Highlights
~ Park Services Division Highlights ~ Golf Division Highlights ~ Recreation Services Division
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Parks and Rec Bounces Back in 2021 Heading into 2021, Johnson City Parks and Recreation was determined to become stronger than before the pandemic, and we certainly appear to be on course. In April, a measured, multi-phased reopening of Memorial Park Community Center, Carver Recreation Center and Langston Centre began based on stringent guidelines aimed at safely allowing activities to resume. Carver began a major transformation that resulted in the addition of a new, state-of-the art splash pad and a completely upgraded Carver Community Gardens. The splash pad dedication was followed by a rush of Parks and Recreation summer camp kick-offs, pool and splash pad openings, team sports and other activities, helping move enthusiastic community members of all ages outdoors.
Winged Deer Park came to life this summer with several major tournaments, including the Future Stars of Sports World Series, which sported 76 teams from 13 states featuring 10U, 12U, 14U and a high school division. The USA Girl’s 14U Class “A” National Championships followed bringing more than 70 teams. Johnson City Convention & Visitors Bureau Executive Director Brenda Whitson estimated the total economic impact of the two tournaments at more than $7.2 million. The 18-hole Winged Deer Park Disc Golf Course hosted play for the well-received and well-attended 2021 Pro Masters Disc Golf World Championships. Both the Lakeside Concert Series and Bert Street Music Series also drew robust numbers, with many new faces expressing their happiness about getting out and seeing friends. As 2021 began to come to a close, Parks and Recreation’s traditional Halloween events were celebrated with a few restrictions. MPCC’s Super Spooky Saturday and Pups & Trucks Trunk or Treat drew unexpectedly ample numbers as did Carver’s annual Halloween Festival. The Johnson City Senior Center Foundation’s Paddles Up! Indoor Pickleball Tournament also bounced back strongly in 2021, as that sport continues to expand. There’s a lot to be thankful for and a lot to look forward to in 2022. We hope you have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
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Administration Highlights ~
Kiwanis Park - The BlueCross BlueShield Healthy Place dedication took place on Dec. 8. Keefauver Farm - Public input meeting was held on Dec. 9. Retirement party was held for Mary Ann Kinch, Marketing and Events Coordinator on Dec. 7 at Memorial Park Community Center. The annual Christmas Party for the department was held on Dec. 14 at Memorial Park Community Center.
Athletic Highlights ~
Signups for a new girls youth volleyball league for 8-12 year olds begins Jan. 3 and runs through Feb. 3. Youth basketball registration drew 676 participants; adult basketball, 14 teams with 12-15 on each roster Wrapped up a successful soccer and softball season.
Park Services Highlights ~
Legion Street pool: Remodeling pool office. Buffalo Valley Golf Course: Dismantled cart rental building. Building will be repurposed for use elsewhere in the park system. Jacobs Nature Park: Expanding parking area. Winged Deer Park lakefront: Replaced slide on playground equipment. Winterization underway of restroom facilities. TVA Credit Union Ballpark: Grading warning track to improve drainage. Trimming trees and bushes all locations.
Golf Highlights ~
Annual passes are now on sale for 2022.
A Walk in the Park Your Parks and Recreation Connection
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Recreation Services Highlights ~
Memorial Park Community Center entered their first float in the Johnson City Christmas Parade Aquatics, Park Services, Recreation Services and Senior Services staff combined their talents to plan and construct their Nutcracker entry.
MPCC hosted a homeschool year-end party with 20 participants. Teamed up with the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots Program, gave out 100 toys to children at the Holly Jolly Rudolph Party on Dec. 10, which had 40 total attendees. Also hosted a teen Christmas party for some of the local neighborhood teens, giving out “tween” toys to the 10 attendees.
“To catch the reader's attention, place an interesting sentence or quote from the story here.”
Began gathering letters to Santa and sending responses in December and teamed up with Salvation Army to hand out 40 gifts to children.
Senior Services Highlights ~
Johnson City Senior Chorale along with JPC Ringers and Harpist, Martha E. Painter presented “My Favorite Christmas” Christmas concert at the Johnson City Senior Center on Dec. 9.
Congratulations! Cameron Crawford, a part-time recreation worker at Carver Recreation Center, who graduated Dec. 11 from ETSU with a major in sports management and a minor in sports medicine.
Administrative Office - Winged Deer Park - 4137 Bristol Highway - Johnson City, TN Phone: 423-283-5815 Fax: 423-283-5829 Email: jcparksinfo@johnsoncitytn.org - Website: www.johnsoncitytn.org Like us on Facebook and Follow us on Twitter and Instagram
Upcoming Events January 1 - First Day Sunrise Hike - Buffalo Mountain Park
January 29 - Nature’s Garden Seed Swap & Share Memorial Park Community Center
January 1 - First Day Hike Nature Hike - Willow Springs Park
January 31 - National Hot Chocolate Day - Memorial Park Community Center
January 3 - Girl’s Youth Volleyball Ages 9-12 Registration Begins
February 1 - Youth Soccer Registration Begins
January 5 - Afterschool Institute Begins - Langston Centre
February 3 - Adult Softball Registration Begins
January 7 - Glow Stick Swim - Memorial Park Community Center
February 4 - Girls Youth Volleyball Registration Concludes
January 13 - Therapeutic Recreation Winter Wonderland Craft Night - Memorial Park Community Center
February 5 - A Night Under the Stars - Daddy Daughter Dance - Memorial Park Community Center
January 15 - Hot Chocolate Hike - Winged Deer Park
February 10 - Girls Volleyball Practice Begins
January 15 - Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Breakfast— Memorial Park Community Center
February 14 - Love Muffins Valentines Day - Memorial Park Community Center
January 17 - Martin Luther King Jr. Story Time - Carver Recreation Center
February 22 - Girls Softball Registration Begins
January 17 - Martin Luther King Jr. Dinner - Carver Recreation Center
February 24 - Taste of the Community and Black History Program - Carver Recreation Center
January 17 - Blood Drive - Carver Recreation Center
February 25, 26, 27 - USA Preseason Friendly - Winged Deer Park
January 21 - Indoor Movie Night - Memorial Park Community Center
February 25 - Family BINGO Night - Memorial Park Community Center
January 25 - Family BINGO Night - Memorial Park Community Center
February 26 - Give Parents a Break - Memorial Park Community Center
January 27 - Park Advisory Board Meeting - Winged Deer Park
February 26 - Girls Volleyball Season Begins February 28 - Youth Soccer Registration Concludes