City of Greer Parks & Recreation Department

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1 City of Greer Parks & Recreation Department Monthly Report for October 2013 The City of Greer Parks and Recreation Department is committed to fulfilling our mission of providing quality recreational experiences while administering the values of community image, human development, preservation of environmental resources, health and wellness, economic development and cultural unity. Director s Summary Ann Cunningham attended meetings regarding the merger of the Greenville County Recreation District into Greenville County and the possible effects throughout the City of Greer and the other three municipalities in the county. Ann Cunningham met with Andrea Smith, Senior Action Executive Director, to plan for possible expansion of their senior program in Greer. Ann Cunningham met with officials with the Greenville Health System to possibly coordinate use of the property on West Road in Greer to expand athletic league practices. Ann Cunningham met with Bill Mork to discuss specifications for the roof at the Operations Center. The current roof is experiencing numerous leaks. Ann Cunningham is serving on the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism s State Trails Advisory Committee. Bids The bid to provide electrical service to the storage building at the Country Club Road Complex was advertised and after the opening it was awarded to The Lighting Company from Chesnee, SC. Advertising was placed to accept bids for the reroofing of picnic shelters and restroom facilities at Century Park Kids Planet playground. Department Projects The Home Depot Grant revitalization day took place on Thursday, October 3 at Veterans Park. Department staff, members of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) and several volunteers from Home Depot painted, laid bricks and did repairs to the park in a day long project that stretched into the evening hours. On October 11, Ann Cunningham and several staff members met with Tracy Ballew, Recreation Supervisor, City of Spartanburg, to continue planning for the creation of an International Festival at City Park that is proposed to be held the last weekend in March, 2014, in conjunction with the Juried Arts Show at City Hall. 1

2 Red Watson is serving on the Building Construction Advisory Committee for the J. Harley Bonds Career Center. Justin Miller continued attending meetings with the Greenville County Park Hop Committee. The committee is currently discussing budgets and funding for next year s program. Justin Miller served as the department s representative for the United Way Committee for the City of Greer. Justin Miller is a member of the Wellness Committee; the committee has planned next year s meeting schedules, Lunch N Learns and budget. The batting cage project at Century Park, which included concrete pads, synthetic turf and batting mats, was completed. Grounds Maintenance continued preparation of all athletic fields for the fall season games and practices; the set for the Little Mermaid, Jr was moved to the J. Harley Bonds Center and all irrigation heads in the clay tennis courts were replaced. One soccer field at the Suber Road Soccer Complex was core aerated and top dressed, installation of a paver walkway at the Operations Center was completed and installation of winter annuals in the planters at Barnett Bridge was completed. The annual inspection of fire extinguishers for all facilities and department vehicles was completed. Department Participation Justin Miller participated in Leadership Greer s session titled Greer s Past, Present and Future. Justin Miller teamed up with Mayor Danner to transport a Chinese delegation to the Inland Port to tour the facility and to discuss the economic impact the port will have on the City of Greer. Staff members participated in the annual Friends of Lake Robinson Day of Celebration held on Sunday, October 13 at the J. Verne Smith Park. The Parks and Recreation Department s booth saw many participate in the fishing rod casts, cornhole games and ladder golf. Informational flyers on our departmental programs were handed out. Greer Recreation Association Board meeting was held on October 17, 2013 at the Operations Center Conference Room. The meeting was adjourned at 7:00pm to afford the trustees and department staff the opportunity to attend the Little Mermaid, Jr. dress rehearsal at the J. Harley Bonds Career Center. In observance of Breast Cancer Awareness month, the fountain at City Park was dyed PINK. A luncheon was held on October 24 at City Hall with several members of the staff participating in the Wear Pink to Work Day. Department Highlights Three part-time positions in the Recreation Division and one full- time position in the Athletics Division were filled. Lauren Flack began as the new Recreation Assistant on October 7. Steve Howard and India Jackson began their new positions on October 8; Steve is the new Recreation Leader at Victor Gym and India is the new Recreation Leader at the Needmore After School Program assisting Clara O Neal. David Holtzclaw joined the department staff on October 10 as the Athletics Coordinator. We welcome all our new staff members to Team Greer! 2

3 Seniors Out and Around (SOAR) traveled to Lyda Farms and Golden Corral. They also visited the Shoeless Joe Jackson s grave, his mill neighborhood and ballfield and the Museum. They ate at Mary s at Fall s Cottage and held their monthly potluck luncheon and bingo day. Average attendance at these events is 23 participants. The production of Disney s Little Mermaid, Jr. was presented at the J. Harley Bonds Career Center on October and October 25-27, Each performance hosted a very large crowd with the final show nearly selling out. Robin Byouk is teaching two art classes to home schooled students each week and also giving free art classes at the Needmore Recreation Center after school once a week. The Athletics Division facilitated and supervised all FSCG league play and practices at the Suber Road Soccer Complex. Show Pros was contracted to assist with traffic control. League play has concluded for the fall season in the U6, U8, U10, U12, and U14 divisions. FSCG academy division is currently playing on weekends at various complexes around the state and will complete the fall season on November 22 with the Fall Challenge Tournament. All youth baseball and youth softball recreation league play was facilitated at the Country Club Sports Complex, Century Park, Victor Park, and Riverside Middle School. All league fall season play concluded with several playoff games. GBC (Greer Baseball Club) academy division continues to play on weekends at various complexes around Greenville and Spartanburg Counties. These teams competed in ten tournaments during the month. The Athletics Division facilitated and supervised all Upstate Jackets youth football and Cheer for Greer league play at the Country Club Sports Complex. Regular season play concluded and post season play is under way for 8U, 10U, and 12U divisions. All youth football players and cheerleaders participated in the Annual Upstate Jackets Youth Football Night at Dooley Field. Teams were recognized at halftime on the field. The Upstate Jackets All-Star team had the opportunity to compete in the Little Panthers Game of the Week at Gibbs Stadium. 3

4 This image cannot currently be displayed. All Greer Men s Open Softball and Basketball league play was facilitated and supervised by the Athletics and Recreation Divisions. Victor Gym is home to the adult basketball league every Tuesday and Thursday nights. Century Park is home to the men s open softball league every Wednesday night. Both fall seasons have concluded. The Events Division hosted 57 events, at which over 7,811 guests visited the City of Greer Events Center. On October 2, the Events Division hosted the SC Quarterly Fire Marshal training for the Fire Department. On, October 11, the Events Division and the City of Greer Safety Committee hosted the Annual Employee Safety Breakfast. City employees enjoyed a Chick-Fila-A breakfast and presentations by the Green Team, Safety Committee and the Make A Wish Foundation. Ann Cunningham announced a new addition to the festivities kicking off the Christmas Season. Beginning November 1, employees will be able to purchase tickets for their families to enjoy Supper with Santa to be held on Friday, December 6 from 5:00pm- 6:45pm at the Cannon Centre. The proceeds from the ticket sales will be donated to the Cops for Tots program. The Vintage Market took place on October 12 at Greer City Park. The event was a great success and an estimated crowd of 500 visited the park to view some excellent vendors. The Events Division hosted the Freedom Fellowship Church s Annual Halloween Hoopla at Greer City Park on Saturday, October 26. Over 3,000 children and adults came through and enjoyed free activities, entertainment and fun. In conjunction with the holiday, the Rocky Horror Picture Show was presented on Friday, October 25 at the Cannon Centre with approximately 50 people in attendance. The Events Division hosted the annual employee Halloween luncheon at City Hall on October 31. The group award went to the Building Development Standards Department and the individual award was presented to Hazel Poston. 4

5 All department staff continued planning and implementing 2013 events such as the Thanksgiving Art Show and the kickoff of the Christmas season with the Christmas Tree Lighting, Supper with Santa and Breakfast with Santa. The weekend of December 6-8 will wrap up with the Greer Christmas Parade. Creating Community through People, Parks and Programs 5