Johnson City Parks and Recreation Special points of interest: ~ Centers Reopen: Athletics, Camps on Tap! ~ 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 : 4
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Centers Reopen: Athletics, Camps on Tap! Johnson City Parks and Recreation staff is excited to welcome back its patrons of all ages, sizes and interests following a yearlong pause in activities. On April 12, Johnson City Parks and Recreation began a measured, multi-phased reopening of Memorial Park Community Center, Carver Recreation Center and Langston Centre based on stringent guidelines aimed at safely allowing activities to resume. “We’re just really excited to get back,” said MPCC Supervisor Kelly Finney. “It’s like opening for the first time. It’s nice seeing people we know coming back, but we’re also seeing a lot of new people preregistering for activities. People have been very willing to work with us on our social distancing and other policies. There have been zero snags so far, and I couldn’t be happier.”
Required preregistration began April 5 for the first phase of the reopening, which limits the number of participants in each activity, includes a mandatory screening process and temperature checks and verbal health questionnaires. MPCC is offering limited participation in Aquatics (and Freedom Hall), homeschool/preschool PE, open gym, fitness room, pickleball, group exercise classes and billiards. Carver is registering participants for its afterschool program. Its fitness room is open and limited slots are available for open gym. Langston’s Afterschool Institute began April 12, and community programs are forthcoming. Meanwhile, the facility continues to provide virtual learning opportunities.
Registration also kicked off on April 19 for 23 summer camps designed to keep kids 6-12 active, engaged and connected to their friends and community. Jump-Start JC, Carver Recreation, biking, sports/specialty, nature and Langston Centre camps are being offered. Camp capacities were limited to maintain social distancing requirements. Athletics opened registration this month for summer high school and adult fastpitch, as well as adult slow-pitch softball leagues, and youth T-ball and softball practices began April 1. Registration for the summer tennis and pickleball camps begin May 1.
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Administration Highlights ~
King Commons - Park Services crew is opening and closing restrooms on a daily basis. Maintenance issues are still being addressed by Public Works until the dedication takes place. Carver Recreation Center guttering - Bid has been awarded and we are waiting on insurance certificate to begin the project. Powell Square Park - Roof for the pavilion has gone out for bids. Blue Cross Blue Shield Grant - Project start date anticipated for July. Kiwanis Park - Bandshell demolition slated for week of April 19.
Athletic Highlights ~
Soccer - 1,000 have signed up for the spring soccer program.
Adult Softball - 44 teams.
Girls Softball - 8 teams
Fastpitch - New high school and adult leagues signups begin in June.
Summer Camps - Pickleball and tennis camps are scheduled for June.
Park Services Highlights ~
Metro-Kiwanis - Chief Junaluska has received a new coat of paint. Tennis courts have been repaired.
Park revitalization is still underway. The Disc Golf sign has been redone at Winged Deer Park and new grills have been installed at the Meredith Pavilion. Metro-Kiwanis and Rotary are on schedule for new grills later this month. The public access courtesy dock has been returned to the water.
Prepared all pavilion rental sites for seasonal rentals which opened on April 1. All ballfields have been lined and fields have been prepared for baseball, softball and soccer.
Upcoming projects include replacement tops for the playground at Willow Springs, concrete pads at Winged Deer, demolishing band
A Walk in the Park Your Parks and Recreation Connection
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Recreation Services Highlights ~
Memorial Park Community Center - On March 15, an Easter video was produced to provide the community with a virtual egg hunt which took watchers through the center in search of hidden eggs. A drive-by Easter event took place on Saturday, April 4 for Mountain View families and the surrounding community. Approximately 35 vehicles participated in the event serving 60 youth. Open gym had 21 participants and Homeschool PE has 20 registered.
Nature - With the assistance of a $1,000 donation from AT&T, 30 new tree species were planted in Jacob’s Nature Park at Sinking Creek. An additional 45 plants were planted for enhanced wildlife habitat with pollinator emphasis. This will bring the existing park from a Tennessee Urban Foresty Council Level 1 Arboretum to a Level II. Six Bluebell hikes took place at Winged Deer Park when the flowers were in their peak.
Carver - A new garden brochure was developed for recruiting new gardeners and garden renovations are under way. The community is excited and anxious for the opening of the new splash pad.
Summer Camps - Registration opened for summer camps on April 19.
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Senior Services Highlights ~
The center opened on April 12, with 461 visits during the first three days. Folks are excited to be back.
The Johnson City Senior Center Foundation is hosting a golf tournament at Pine Oaks on May 10. Sponsorships have been secured from BrightRidge, Chapparral Buick GMC, Chick-fil-A - Peoples Street, Crowder RV Center, Inc., Dr. Enuf, Hennessee Tax & Book-keeping, Johnson City Firefighters Charitable, Johnson City Internal Medicine Associates, Johnson City Toyota, Mountain Commerce Bank, Renasant Bank, Roadrunner Markets and Watauga Insurance, Inc.
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Administration Office ~ 4137 Bristol Hwy. ~ Johnson City, TN 37601 Phone: 423-283-5815 Fax: 423-283-5829 Email: jcparksinfo@johnsoncitytn.org Website: www.johnsoncitytn.org Like us on Facebook @jcparkstn Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @jcparkstn
Golf Highlights ~
Deli reopened April 1. A beverage cart will be added during the summer season.
4137 Bristol Highway Ladies League began on April 6. Johnson City, Tennessee 37601 Tri-Cities Otters soccer outing - April 17. Phone: 423-283-5815 Tri-Cities Pro-Am - April 26. Fax: 423-283-5829
Tri-Cities Junior League golf event - April 28. Revenues have increased at the practice range by $30k since opening in July. New sod has been installed around banks and bunkers.
Park Improvements ~ Carver Recreation Center
Upcoming Events April 12 - May 28 - City of Hope Poster Exhibit - Langston Centre
May 15 - USA Battle of the Bats Bash - Winged Deer Park
April 30 - May 3 - JC Parks Nature Challenge
May 21-23 - Border Battle - Winged Deer Park
April 30 - City Nature Challenge Hike - Buffalo Mountain Park
May 29-30 - USA Memorial Day Classic - Winged Deer Park
May 1-2 - Tennessee Super NIT - Winged Deer Park
June 3 - Lakeside Concert Series - Wyldeheart - Goulding Amphitheater - Winged Deer Park
May 3 - City Nature Challenge Hike - Winged Deer Park
June 4-6 - USA Softball 8U Southeastern Championship Winged Deer Park
May 8 - USSSA Mother Day Special - Winged Deer Park
June 10 - Lakeside Concert Series - Holy Ann & Dirt Road Rising - Goulding Amphitheater - Winged Deer Park
May 10 - Swing Into Action Golf Tournament - Pine Oaks
June 17 - Lakeside Concert Series - Kids Our Age Goulding Amphitheater - Winged Deer Park