Johnson City Parks and Recreation Special points of interest: ~ Bert Street Music Series Bounces Back ~ Administration Highlights ~ Athletic Division Highlights ~ Park Services Division Highlights ~ Golf Division Highlights ~ Recreation Services Division
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Bert Street Music Series Bounces Back The 2021 Bert Street Music Series at Memorial Park Community Center’s amphitheater rebounded nicely from a year of silence due to the coronavirus. Nearly two years removed from the inaugural 2019 programming of live music at the amphitheater, this year’s musical and social offerings drew robust crowds of friendly music lovers to the six-concert series.
“You’ve got the mountains in the background, and you get to meet your friends and make new friends,” said Charlie Hann. “The music here is excellent. It’s a very safe feeling – a feeling of community.” The concerts, which were held each Thursday night from Aug. 12 – Sept. 16, kicked off with regional favorite Beach Nite Band and never slowed down, featuring a fun, eclectic mix from The Billy Crawford Band, My New Favorites, Jesse Barry and the Jam, Blaze the City and From the EDGE. The stage faces the tiered amphitheater below the famous Doughboy statue and veteran’s memorial plaza, but concert-goers also mingled on the surrounding grassy areas, as well as on benches on and around the plaza. “I like the music, said Kathleen Peterkin. “I like the setup better than Jonesborough’s Music on the Square. It’s definitely convenient, and parking is easy.” The Johnson City Press stepped up this year, making a three-year commitment to the series. WQUT 101.5 Tri-Cities’ Classic Rock continued their support and Campbell’s Morrell Music joined on as a sponsor for the first time. Special thanks also to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office and the Tennessee Department of Transportation. Park Services staff helped with setup and teardown and many essential duties, and MPCC staff helped nightly with hospitality and other duties. Here’s to a successful comeback and a bright future.
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Administration Highlights ~
April Norris has been chosen for the assistant director position for the department. She will be responsible for Senior Services and Recreation Services.
Uniform Policy: the committee is moving forward on establishing a policy for the department.
Carver restroom project is nearing completion. The raised bed garden area is also taking shape.
The Bert Street Music Series concluded on September 16. Attendance for the series was 1,978.
Kiwanis Park: The Blue Cross Blue Shield Community Hub project is underway.
Athletic Highlights ~
Soccer enrollment is nearing the 1,000 mark.
Youth softball opening was held on September 18 with 80 currently
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 ~
Science Hill High School Conference Golf Tournament was held on Sept. 1. First Tee - Fall session runs through Oct. 7.
A Walk in the Park Your Parks and Recreation Connection
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Recreation Services Highlights ~
Aquatics - The annual Dog Swim was held on Sept. 11 with 15 dogs enjoying their time in Legion Street Pool. The pool closed and was drained for the season on Sept. 14.
Carver - Grandparents Day was celebrated on Sept. 9, First Responders were fed on Sept. 10 and a Community Memorial Day was held on Sept. 16.
Langston Centre - A fire inspection was held on Sept. 3. The Langston Roots newsletter has been developed and distributed to the center’s data base.
Memorial Park Community Center - A sprinkler system inspection and update has been scheduled for Oct. 15. World Coconut Day was celebrated, and about 40 people participated in the Glow Volleyball event. About 16 are enrolled in fall homeschool/preschool programming. Therapeutic recreation programming has begun with Crafty Creations and Life Skills classes. Wacky Golf drew 30 participants. The Start Smart program is under way, as is Travel Trainer which offers free outdoor workouts at Johnson City parks.
Nature - Over 40 people were very happy to put in some time outside with two ETSU Biology professors and the program coordinator/nature at a program in Buffalo Mountain Park on fluorescence. Using black lights, participants were intrigued by how some animals, plants and fungus present themselves in a totally different light!
Senior Services Highlights ~
Fall Prevention Week was Sept. 20-24 several classes were offered during the week to bring awareness to fall prevention. Balance screenings also took place.
Championship Pickleball currently has 24 players enrolled in the six-week program. Pickleball 101 classes. Both programs will take place on the outdoor courts beginning in October.
The Johnson City Senior Center Foundation Paddles Up Tournament will be held Oct. 29 30 at Memorial Park Community Center and Keystone Center. Currently 15 players have registered.
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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 September 30 - Wall of Fame Banquet - Carver Recreation Center
October 29 - Youth Basketball Games Begin
October 2 - USA Fall Classic - Winged Deer Park
October 29 & 30 - Paddles Up Pickleball Tournament Memorial Park Community Center and Keystone Community Center
October 2 - Ride ‘N Roll Car Show - Memorial Park Community Center
October 30 - Halloween Festival - Carver Recreation Center
October 4 - Youth and Adult Basketball Registration Begins
October 31 - Happy Halloween!
October 9 - USA No Place Like Home - Winged Deer Park
November 3 - Adult Basketball Coaches Meeting
October 16 - USA Halloween HAVOC - Winged Deer Park
November 6 - USA Turkey Trot Classic - Winged Deer Park
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!