City of Morristown

Parks and Recreation Department

The City of Morristown Parks and Recreation Department believes parks and recreation should offer a variety of well organized, supervised, and maintained recreation programs, opportunities, and facilities for its citizens.  To continue development of the recreation programs by providing those facilities identified by the citizens of Morristown and Hamblen County as needed. To meet or succeed the recognized recreational standards of the service area. To fulfill the obligations of the city government by meeting the individual and group needs of those participating in organized recreation programs. Promote the physical and mental health of the citizens by providing recreation services and facilities accessible to all people on a year-round basis in a safe and attractive setting.

The City of Morristown realizes recreation represents a tremendous return on investment by the taxpayer, providing physical and mental exercise necessary for an excellent quality of life.  Although the benefits far outweigh the constraints, the Morristown Parks and Recreation Department strives to provide a quality programming in the most cost-effective manner by:

¨      Providing diverse and maximum usage of park areas and facilities by the maximum number of people; and

¨      Avoiding unnecessary and costly duplication of areas, facilities, personnel programs, and services; and

¨       Providing the opportunity for the most comprehensive facilities in an attractive environment; and bring adults into the program through diversification

The following is the past years in review from 2006-2008

City of Morristown

Parks and Recreation Department

FY 2006 Accomplishments/ Year In Review

• Acquired Eva Richardson property for Fred Miller Park

• Acquired McCune Property for Fred Miller Park

• Partnered with Morristown A.M. and P.M. Rotary Clubs for development of Fred Miller Park Splashpad

• Designed and bid new park signs at 14 of our parks

• Purchased pickup truck for Park Ranger

• Purchased new 4-wheel drive mower for park maintenance

• Began Sherwood Park Renovation - Demolition, ball field leveling, irrigation/turf, fencing contracted out, ball field lighting installed

• Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park development began, demolition of old water tanks, rough grading of park facilities and parking lots

• Purchased Laptop Computer and Projector

• Benchmarking with other cities comparable in size, location to interstate highway, and institution of higher learning

• Special use permit development for all parks

• Working on design and easements for Turkey Creek Greenway

• Tree City affiliation and Legacy of Tree Program

• Began Standard Operating Procedures policies for key areas and positions

• Offered Adult Fall Softball Program

City of Morristown

Parks and Recreation Department

FY 2007 Accomplishments / Year In Review

• Staff rewrote the departmental mission statement and developed a new vision statement

• Built a 54 space paved/landscaped parking lot at Fred Miller Park on the former Richardson and Winkler properties

• Developed and announced departmental schedule for all meetings for each area of departmental responsibility

• Completed Sherwood Park Renovation and opened park for play on April 30, 2007

• Completed and opened the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park on July 19, 2007

• Completed Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation Benchmarking for grant assistance through the Local Parks and Recreation Fund grant program

• Updated the All-Star travel policy

• Developed the .5 mile greenway connector along the Dr,. Martin Luther King Parkway from Jarnigan Avenue to Morris Boulevard.

• Began process of developing standard operating procedures policies for key areas and positions

• Completed Wayne Hansard Soccer field/parking development

• Widened Fred Miller Park walking trail to 10 feet

• Installed new 10WX30L foot bridges at Fred Miller

• Completed the 18-hole Kiwanis Disc Golf Course at Wayne Hansard

• Purchased new Skatewave ramp package for our Frank Lorino Park Skate Park with Community Enhancement funds

• Added new office and athletic area at the recreation administrative offices

• Partnered with HealthStar Foundation for the Jackie Long Climbing wall project

• Expanded the walking trail at Wayne Hansard from .3 tenths to 1 mile and 1 tenth. Trail is gravel, woodchips and dirt at this time

• Identified target areas for future park acreage and updated inventory of parks along with our 5-10 year recreation plan

• Continued planning and design/development of Turkey Creek Greenway from downtown out to Fairview-Marguerite School

• Added landscaping at the administrative office

• Targeted and implemented new community events and programs

• Increased recreational programming for residents of all ages

• Continued partnerships with community groups for park projects and facilities

• The Parks and Recreation staff promoted an open work environment through communication, flexibility and a positive attitude toward our customers (citizens) and fellow employees.

• Department won Tennessee Recreation and Parks Association Awards at state conference. Four Star New Facility Award and Benefactor Awards, TRPA Presidents Cup, Wayne Hansard Maintenance Award for Joe Lakins, along with 11 Volunteer Service Awards

• Our girls Little League won the 2007 Girls Little League World Series in Portland, Oregon

City of Morristown

Parks and Recreation Department

FY 2008 Accomplishments / Year In Review

• Department attained Tier II Tennessee Department Environment and Conservation Bench marking status

• Developed and published a comprehensive map detailing our park system highlighting facilities at each park. This was a partnership with Morristown Chamber of Commerce

• Staff reviewed and recommended updates and changes in the departmental Fees and Charges Policy. It was passed by Morristown City Council November 21, 2008

• Staff reviewed updated Park Rules Ordinance for all parks. It is schedule to be passed January 2009 by Morristown City Council

• Was awarded a Tennessee Department Environment Conservation  Rails to Trails Grant for paving (.8 mile) of walking trail at Wayne Hansard Park

• Began plans for development of Morristown’s first Dog Park with a projected site of Walters Park and a budget of $43,000

• Opened new playground and amphitheater at Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Park. Also added park benches and flagpole

• Began targeting historical perspective of department by taking aerial photos of Frank Lorino, Popkin/Hillcrest, Sherwood/King/Long-Reel/Talley-Ward, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Wayne Hansard Parks

• Announced plans for World Series Park at Popkin that would recognize all seven teams that have participated in Little League World Series play. A targeted budget of $13,746 announced for the monuments

• Opened the four new soccer fields and parking lot at Wayne Hansard Park for league play

• Received new City Employee Handbook that has been way past due 
• Purchased additional Park property (Brockwell) adjacent to Fred Miller Park

• Added landscaping at the Talley-Ward Center grounds

• Continued with and expanded departmental schedule for all meetings for each area of departmental responsibility

• Completed Talley-Ward gym restroom renovation with  CDBG funding and opened them March 2008

• Gave Long-Reel Track facility management and usage issues closure with Hamblen County Board of Education

• Applied for TDEC vegetation grant for landscaping at Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Park

• Completed extensive painting schedule at all parks. Restrooms, concessions, and pavilions were targeted

• Joined the Junior National Basketball Association and Women’ National Basketball Association youth program – Received great handouts and items for our coaches and players

• Continued process of developing standard operating procedures policies for key areas and positions (administration, athletics programming, and maintenance)

• Completed Fred Miller Park Gazebo project and dedicated it in May 2008. This was a joint project with Hamblen County Car Club and Morristown Lions Clubs

• Continued to target areas for future park acreage and updated inventory of parks along with our 5-10 year recreation plan (Timet Property)

• Applied for Local Parks and Recreation Fund Grant through Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation for park expansion and facility development at Wayne Hansard Park. This 1-million dollar grant was withdrawn after concerns over economic concerns by our City Council

• Continued planning and design/development of Turkey Creek Greenway from downtown out to Fairview-Marguerite School

• Completed development of the Sherwood Park mini park entrance area with sidewalk, landscaping, and security fencing

• Added sidewalks and walkway space at Frank Lorino Park maintenance building and Bob Spoone parking lot

• Implemented an aggressive weed killer program with staff certification and spraying program

• Developed the Butterfly Garden at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park

• Added Landscaping to 12 park signs with partnership from Lowe’s

• Staff developed SWOT – (Strengths Weakness, Opportunities and Threat) analysis on each area of department for review and action

·          Targeted and implemented new community events and programs (P.A.T.H. – Parks Add To Health) and (G.O.F.E.R  - Great Opportunities For Events and Recreation) – Adult Hispanic Soccer Field Usage 

• Continued partnership with Morristown Arts Association for the second Arts In the Park event

·          P.A.T.H. – Parks Add To Health completed its first year with 37 members with 16 members attaining gift status for their involvement. Special thanks goes to Lakeway Regional Hospital for program sponsorship and their commitment to health in our community

• Department won Tennessee Recreation and Parks Association Awards at state conference. Our Local Lions Clubs and Hamblen County Car Club received Four Star Benefactor Awards for the Gazebo Project at Fred Miller Park. Volunteer Service Awards were given to Master Gardener Barbara Garrett for her work with various landscaping projects at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Park and Parks and Recreation Administrative Offices, North Side Garden Club for donation of redbud trees at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Park , Lowes of Morristown for donation of materials and supplies for landscaping of 12 park signs, and  the Little Tennis Program - Directed by Mr. Paul Maben that saw development of  an outstanding youth tennis program at Frank Lorino Park

• The Parks and Recreation staff continued to promote an open work environment through communication, flexibility, and a positive attitude toward our customers (citizens) and fellow employees

• Our Senior Girls Little League represented us at the 2008 Girls Senior League Regional Tournament in Lady Smith, Virginia

• Developed an off season Volleyball Nights program at Talley-Ward during the summer

• Hosted 31st Citizen Tribune Hall of Fame Banquet with University of Tennessee Basketball Coach Bruce Pearl as speaker

• Hosted Little League Girls State Tournament at Frank Lorino, Also hosted district play in Little League Boys, Minor League Girls, and Junior Girls

• Hosted our first 5-day Art Attack at Talley-Ward with 20 participants

• Hosted 16 independent weekend tournaments for the year in softball/baseball/soccer

• Lakeway Tennis Program obtained great programming growth with development of the Little Tennis Program, tournaments, clinics/camps

• Developed a local Disc Golf Club that is active each month with league and tournament play. Club has 40 members after the first year

• Little League Safety Plan approved by National Little League Incorporated

• Designed our first ever official Morristown Little League Pin for sale and distribution

• Continued program partnerships with the following: Amateur Softball Association, Little League Incorporated, Lakeway Tennis Association, Morristown BMX, Morristown Boxing Incorporated, Morristown Martial Arts Program, Lakeway Club Soccer Program, American Youth Soccer Association, Morristown Youth Sports Associations, Hamblen County Recreation Flag Football Association, Tennessee Traders and Collectible Club, Lakeway Twirlers Square Dance Club