Johnson City Parks and Recreation Special points of interest: ~ Winged Deer a Hit for Softball ~ 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 : 7
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Winged Deer a Hit for Softball Tourneys Two major girl’s fastpitch softball tournaments filled Winged Deer Park and other local fields this month with color, chatter, camaraderie and intense competition. 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 Future Stars of Sports World Series sported 76 teams from 13 states July 15-18, featuring 10U, 12U, 14U and a high school division. Teams played at Winged Deer Park, Ridgeview Elementary School and White Top Creek Park in Bristol, Tennessee. “When I first started this, I didn’t even know where Johnson City was,” said Future Stars of Sports founder Ron Ray. “But I learned about the fields and drove down and visited the area. This would have been our 11th consecutive year there if it weren’t for the pandemic. It was a modest 34 teams that first year. We just love Winged Deer, and we have a really good relationship with the people there.”
Say Hello to Charles Ridlehuber Assistant Director Charles joins the team from Bluefield, West Virginia, where he served as Parks and Recreation Director. Welcome aboard!
The USA Girl’s 14U Class “A” National Championships followed on July 2025 with fierce competition at Winged Deer Park and Ridgeview. The tournament, which Johnson City has hosted for the past 25 years, included more than 70 teams from across the country. Pool play began on July 20-21, and bracket play continued July 22-24. The championship game on Sunday, July 25 was played at Winged Deer Park. “Winged Deer Park has phenomenal athletic services, including its maintenance of the fields to hospitality,” said Tina Gale, tournament director. “The players and coaches keep wanting to come back here.”
Opening ceremonies for both tournaments were held at TVA Credit Union Ballpark, home of the Johnson City Doughboys.
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Administration Highlights ~
The department will participate in a citywide job fair on Aug. 11 at Memorial Park Community Center. The Wall of Fame Banquet has been postponed until 2022. The department will be developing a uniform policy. City Commission recognized July as Parks and Recreation Month with a reading of a proclamation on July 15. The Blue Cross Blue Shield project broke ground in July at Kiwanis Park. Lakeside Concert Series will conclude on July 29. The Bert Street Music Series will kick off on August 12.
Athletic Highlights ~
Tennis Camp was a huge success with 160 enrolled. Soccer and adult fall softball signups are underway.
Senior Services Highlights ~
A Friday Night Dance will be held on Sept. 10 with Kids Our Age. The center will host Pickleball (Sept. 20) and Corn Hole (Sept. 22) as part of the North East Tennessee Regional Senior Olympics. The Johnson City Senior Center Foundation Pickleball Tournament will be held Oct. 29 and 30. Mary Liptak joined the center as part-time office assistant.
Golf Highlights ~
PGA Jr. League match was held on July 6 with 30 in attendance. Science Hill High School tryouts took place July 13-15. First Tee will begin their fall session Aug. 30 - Octo. 7. Science Hill High School held a jamboree on July 27. A new beverage cart service has been added to the concession amenities. Umbrellas have been placed at all picnic tables to make them more usable to patrons during the summer months.
A Walk in the Park Your Parks and Recreation Connection
Issue:7
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Recreation Services Highlights ~
Summer Camps: half-day camps ended the week of July 12. Traditional and specialty camps ended July 25. Campers have enjoyed an array of activities throughout the summer. They’ve made new friends, lifelong memories and experienced numerous field trips.
Recreation Services team members are working on the Fun Guide programs and offerings which will incorporate Sept. through Dec. classes and fall break camp opportunities.
Sam Miller, Recreation Services Manager has relocated his office to Memorial Park Community Center.
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Three new employees were added to the team: Maria Skinner, program coordinator, Rachel Clifft and Krista Buchanan, recreation workers at MPCC and Adrienne Tarter, recreation worker at Carver Recreation Center.
Langston Centre: A teacher in-service program was held for teachers on July 26. A new Historical Research Committee has been formed in conjunction with ETSU.
Carver Recreation Center: A program in conjunction with the ETSU Quillen College of Medicine was held on July 29. The raised-bed garden project has 4’, 8’ and 16’ beds available. Carver’s youth will participate in one of the garden beds to learn about gardening, soil preparation and cultivation. Carver will also offer gardening in a bucket for youth as a take home project.
Park Services Highlights ~
Winged Deer Park: Field prep for the softball fields at Winged Deer Park was completed for the Future Stars of Sports Fast Pitch World Series and the USA Girl’s Fast Pitch 14/Under Nationals.
Winged Deer Park Disc Golf Course: Staff has been busy sprucing up of the disc golf course ahead of the PDGA World Championship tournament scheduled for the first week of August.
Various locations: Field work for soccer, softball, football and concert setups will continue throughout the month.
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
Upcoming Events July 26 - Girl’s Softball Registration Begins
August 21-22 - Fall Ball Clash - Winged Deer Park
July 26 - Adult Fall Softball Practices Begin
August 23 - Adult Softball League Begins
July 27 - Science Hill High School Jamboree - Pine Oaks
August 26 - Bert Street Music Series - My New Favorites
July 29 - Lakeside Concert - Good Rockin’ Tonight Goulding Amphitheater - Winged Deer Park
August 27 - Girl’s Softball Registration Concludes
July 31 - Back to School Bash - Winged Deer Park
August 28 - USA Labor Day Classic - Winged Deer Park
August 3 & 5 –University High Golf Team Try Outs - Pine Oaks
August 30 - October 7 - First Tee Fall Session - Pine Oaks
August 6 - Adult Softball Registration Deadline
September 1 - Science Hill High School Conference Golf Tourney - Pine Oaks
August 6 - Youth Soccer Registration Concludes
September 2 - Bert Street Music Series - Jesse Barry and the Jam
August 7 - USA 3 up 3 Down Classic - Winged Deer Park
September 6 - Girl’s Softball Practice Begins
August 11 - Youth Soccer Coaches Meeting - Memorial Park September 6 - Youth Soccer League Begins Community Center - 6 p.m. August 12 - Bert Street Music Series - Beach Nite Band
September 9 - Bert Street Music Series - Blaze the City
August 14 - USA Line Drive Classic - Winged Deer Park
September 13 - Girl’s Softball League Play Begins
August 16 - Youth Soccer Practice Begins
September 16 - Bert Street Music Series - Hillbilly Bad
August 17, 24, & 31 - University High Matches - Pine Oaks August 19 - Bert Street Music Series - David Gerald