Johnson City Parks and Recreation is reopening community centers and athletic programs in a multi-phased approach to allow activities to resume while mitigating the risk of new COVID-19 cases. Phase 1 of the plan limits the number of participants in each activity, requires pre-registration for all activities, and includes a mandatory screening process, including temperature check and verbal health questionnaire.
Pre-registration for community center programs began Monday, April 5 and is required for all activities in the community centers. The community centers will open on April 12, and some amenities may not be available. For a complete listing of current offerings at the community centers and the associated rules and expectations please visit THIS LINK.
Athletic Services
Athletic programs have also resumed. Registration for youth soccer, youth tee-ball, youth softball and adult softball opened March 1 with a season start date of April 15. Registration for the adult slow-pitch league is open through April 10. Play begins the week of April 19 at Winged Deer Park. Men’s entry fee for a 14-game season is $400, and cost for the co-ed 10-game season is $300.
Registration for high school fast-pitch and adult fast-pitch softball leagues will remain open through June 7. Play begins June 21 at Metro-Kiwanis Park. The entry fee is $250 per team for a 10-game season plus an end-of-season tournament.
The Athletics division also is offering two camps this summer:
Summer Tennis Camp
• Registration: Begins May 1
• Camp: June 1-July 8
• Cost: $50/person ($5 non-resident fee)
• Days: Monday-Thursday each week
• Times: 8 a.m.-9:15 a.m. or 9:30-10:45 a.m.
• Location: Liberty Bell Tennis Courts
• Ages: 4+
Summer Pickleball Camp
• Registration: Begins May 1 (Registrations limited)
• Camp: June 1-July 8
• Cost: $50/person ($5 non-resident fee)
• Days: Monday-Thursday each week
• Times: 8 a.m.-9:15 a.m. or 9:30-10:45 a.m.
• Location: Memorial Park Community Center, four outdoor courts only
• Ages: 4+
Register online at www.myjcparks.org. For more information, call 423-283-5822.
Weekend Athletic Events
The Parks and Recreation Department will mark all bleachers as well as general areas around the concession and restrooms for social distancing. Staff will mark spots 6 feet apart in the grass areas along first and third base fencing on each field. Restrooms will be sanitized every hour. The reserving party must provide a COVID plan of action prior to the rental and will be responsible for conducting temperature checks for everyone who enters the facility. Any individual with a temperature of 100.4 or greater will not be admitted. The reserving party is also responsible for sanitizing each dugout before and after each game with a solution approved by the City of Johnson City through its Parks and Recreation Department.
Summer Camps and Events
A complete list of summer camps being offered by Johnson City Parks and Recreation can be found HERE. All camps will have limited capacity due to social distancing requirements. Registration for all camps will open April 19 at 8 a.m.
Participants may register online at www.myjcparks.org or in person at Memorial Park Community Center, 510 Bert St.; Carver Recreation Center, 322 W. Watauga Ave.; or Winged Deer Park, 4137 Bristol Highway.
Each registrant must complete a registration form and provide a copy of the participating child’s birth certificate. All fees must be paid in full before acceptance into camp. Refunds will not be issued after camp begins, except for doctor-approved medical reasons.
For more information, please call 423-283-5820 or email jcparksinfo@johnsoncitytn.org.
Outdoor pools and splash pads will open Memorial Day weekend.
The Lakeside Concert Series, held at Winged Deer Park on Thursday evenings, will begin in June. The Bert Street Music Series, held at the Memorial Park Community Center’s outdoor amphitheater on Thursday evenings, will begin Aug. 12. More information about both concert series will be forthcoming.
Pavilion Rentals
Parks and Recreation is currently accepting pavilion rental reservations. These reservations may be made ONLINE or by calling 423-283-5815.
Registration for the Pavilion at Founders Park is currently open. For more information about Founders Park and King Commons reservations please contact Andy Heuiser at aheuiser@johnsoncitytn.org or 423-434-6019.