Johnson City Parks and Recreation Special points of interest: ~ MPCC Ramps Up Therapeutic Recreation ~ 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 : 9
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MPCC Ramps Up Therapeutic Recreation This summer Parks and Recreation began a concerted effort to ramp up the number and quality of opportunities for those with special needs with guidance by certified therapeutic recreation specialist, Rachel Malone. The UT Knoxville graduate received a degree in recreation and sports management with a concentration in therapeutic recreation. “That’s what launched me into all the things that go with it,” she said. “I was involved with the Koinonia Foundation, which partners with UT to help people with disabilities. I also volunteered for similar activities outside the foundation. At first I didn’t understand what therapeutic recreation was, but after doing some hands-on work I fell in love with it.” Since August, Malone has headed a number of new programs at Memorial Park Community Center that run at least through the end of 2021, including a therapeutic recreation program offering “Life Skills,” “Game Nights,” “Fitness Fun,” “Youth Sports and Games” and “Crafty Creations.” Topics range from money management, board and card games, low-impact exercise, basic sports skills and drawing and painting. These are complemented by “Adaptive PE,” a weekly program designed to teach the basics in a number of sports, specifically for individuals 18 and older with special needs. Malone also organized “Tennessee Tailgate Party” in September at which individuals and caregivers came to MPCC to cheer on the Tennessee Volunteers when they took on the Pittsburgh Panthers. The “Therapeutic Fall Festival” was held Oct. 8 and featured games, pumpkin decorating and more, and “Parent’s Night Out’ will be held Nov. 5, offering parents of special needs children an opportunity to bring their children and enjoy an evening of crafts, games and pizza. The year will wrap up on Dec. 16 with a holiday party at which participants will get into the holiday spirit by decorating Christmas cookies, making holiday crafts and watching a movie. Please wish Rachel and the MPCC staff success as this needed programming continues to become an anchor and needed service in the community.
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Administration Highlights ~
April Norris joined the team as Assistant Director on Oct. 11. Cindy Bogart has been named Interim Park Services Manager. Two public forums will be held for the naming of the splash pad at Carver Park. The splash pads at Carver and Rotary closed for the season on Oct. 15. Charles Ridlehuber, Joe Ebarb and Herb Greenlee will be attending the TRPA State Conference in Clarksville, TN. Oct. 18-20. James Ellis and Mary Ann Kinch will be attending the USA Softball Council meeting in Oklahoma City Oct. 23-27. The Blue Cross Blue Shield Healthy Place project at Kiwanis Park is moving forward with an approximate completion date of December, weather permitting. The new restroom building at Carver Park is complete and open to the public. Special thanks to Facilities Management. The City Commission approved the proposed conversion of the four tennis courts to 12 pickleball courts at MPCC. Work is expected to begin in early spring. The department is in the process of filling several open positions.
Athletic Highlights ~
Softball is wrapping up for the year. Youth softball should be complete by the first of November. Youth basketball signups are underway with the numbers pushing 200.
Park Services Highlights ~
Kermit Tipton Stadium - crews are preparing for football season. Crews are busy preparing all fields for seed and fertilizer. Mowing season is still in progress.
Golf Highlights ~
Pine Oaks hosted the PDGA Jr. League. The All Star team had a team from NE Tennessee which is the first time NE Tennessee has been represented. The game will be broadcast on ESPN 2. The First Tee program is wrapping up their session. The course is in excellent shape.
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Recreation Services Highlights ~
Aquatics - The annual Pumpkin Swim will be held on Oct. 29. The transfer of Aqua Tab to a liquid chlorine system has been completed and the chemical controller will be removed from the wall. CPR/AED classes are still available.
Carver - The Wall of Fame and Sports Wall of Fame was held on Sept. 30 with 13 community inductees and nine in sports. The 100 man walk is scheduled for Oct. 23. A blood drive is set for Oct. 25 with the American Red Cross. The Halloween Festival will be held on Oct. 30.
Langston Centre - After-school program is in full swing. A specialized program titled Future Cities Competition is scheduled for Jan. 2022. The Latin Outreach had 13 families participate in the program. Other Latin programs are slated for the coming months. The Financial Empowerment program now has five banks on board to participate.
Memorial Park Community Center - Nine youth participated in the tennis clinic. The Ride ‘N Roll Car Show was held on Oct. 2 with 17 participants. There were 30 enrolled in Fall Break Camp for Johnson City Schools. The Therapeutic Fall Festival was a big success with 30 in attendance. Super Spooky Saturday is set for Oct. 23 and Pups and Trucks Trunk or Treat is scheduled for Oct. 28.
MPCC maintenance received kudos from the fire department for a great fire inspection. All fire extinguishers have also been tested and approved.
Senior Services
Currently around 24 players are participating in the pickleball program. The Pickleball 101 class has 20 enrolled. Congregate meals have moved back indoors with around 24 participating, and 10-11 are still doing take home boxes. Dances have been postponed until 2022. Fitness room participation is growing. A charter bus trip is planned for Nov. 15 to the Southern Living Christmas show in Charlotte, N.C.
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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
Upcoming Events October 23 - Future Stars of Sports Halloween Classic Winged Deer Park
November 8 - Youth Basketball Practices Begin
October 23 - Super Spooky Saturday - Memorial Park Community Center
November 11 - Veterans Day Program - Carver Recreation Center
October 23 - 100 Man Walk / Health Fair - Carver Recreation Center
November 12-14 - NSA 1 Pitch World Series - Winged Deer Park
October 27 - Youth Basketball Coaches Meeting Memorial Park Community Center Dining Room
November 18 - Thanksgiving Dinner - Carver Recreation Center
October 28 - Pups and Trucks - Trunk or Treat - Memorial Park Community Center
November 19 - A Night in Wonderland Girl’s Night Out Memorial Park Community Center
October 28 - Park Advisory Board Meeting
November 24 - National Cake Day - Cake Walk Fun! Memorial Park Community Center
October 29 - Pumpkin Swim - Memorial Park Community Center Pool
November 25 - Happy Thanksgiving!
October 29 - Youth Basketball Games Begin
November 25 - Turkey Trot
October 29 & 30 - Paddles Up Pickleball Tournament Memorial Park Community Center and Keystone Community Center October 30 - Halloween Festival - Carver Recreation Center October 31 - Happy Halloween! November 2 - Public Forum Carver Splash Pad - Carver Recreation Center November 3 - Adult Basketball Coaches Meeting November 6 - USA Turkey Trot Classic - Winged Deer