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Kingsport offering Latin and Line Dancing Class

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The Kingsport Parks and Recreation Department is offering a special class next month at Allandale Mansion for anyone interested in learning a new type of dance.

Monica Case-Harman will be hosting a Latin and Line Dancing session on October 17 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Brooks’ Pavilion at Allandale Mansion.

Case-Harmon is nationally certified (NYA) in Yoga Therapy for Musicians, Dancers, and Athletes, as well as having a Master’s degree in musical theater performance. Come out and enjoy an hour of the basics behind latin and line dancing with your Kingsport neighbors.

Preregistration is required, and participants will need to bring their own water. The registration fee is $8 per person and the session is open for anyone ages 16 and up.

To register, please visit https://bit.ly/3ARZbV4. You can also click on the CivicRec link in the Connect Kingsport app or go to www.kingsporttn.gov and click on the “CivicRec” link, then search for “latin and line” in the search bar.

For information about other events, activities and programs offered by the Kingsport Parks and Recreation Department, visit www.kingsportparksandrecreation.org.

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Kingsport Aquatic Center offers update on renovation, improvement project

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Due to an unforeseen shipping delay, the improvement and maintenance project taking place at the Kingsport Aquatic Center will require additional time to complete.

As a result, the target date for the Kingsport Aquatic Center to reopen to the public will be September 30.

Aquatic Director Wendy Terrazas explains the reason for the delay is because the new starting blocks, which are in transit, have yet to arrive.

“As soon as the new starting blocks arrive, we’ll install them and pour the concrete, but it has to cure before we have patrons back in the facility,” Terrazas said. “Barring any other unforeseen circumstances, we should reopen to the public on September 30.”

The Kingsport Aquatic Center temporarily closed for three weeks on September 1 to allow for needed maintenance and key improvements to the locker rooms, family bathrooms, the lazy river and all of the pools at the facility.

DWR Aquatics is performing the work for the city, which includes the following:

  • New starting blocks installed to the Olympic-sized lap pool.
  • All indoor pools drained, re-caulked, cleaned and repaired (as needed).
  • Locker rooms and family bathrooms painted with new shower fixtures installed.
  • Fresh paint on the outdoor water slides and lazy river.
  • Other facility maintenance as needed.

As it stands now, all of the indoor pools have been filled and employees are working to balance the chemicals in the pools and to get the filtration system and pumps up and running again. The contractor is also finishing up work on the locker rooms and outdoor water features.

Terrazas reiterates, the delay is not a contractor issue, rather just a delay in shipping.

“We simply don’t have what we need to complete the project,” Terrazas said. “We apologize for this delay, but we believe our patrons and the swimming community will be excited once they see the finished product.”

The cost of this maintenance and improvement project is approximately $500,000. The Kingsport Aquatic Center typically shuts down every three to four years for maintenance/repairs with the previous project taking place in 2019.

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Kingsport announces Wiffle Ball Tournament and Home Run Derby

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Kingsport Parks and Recreation is hosting a Wiffle Ball Tournament and Home Run Derby next month at Miracle Field.

The event will take place at Miracle Field (2021 Brickyard Park Drive) on October 12. The home run derby will run from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and the tournament will run from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Participants must be 11 years of age or older for the derby and 15 years of age or older for the tournament. The cost to register is $10 per person for the derby and $75 per team for the tournament. All equipment will be provided.

In the home run derby, participants will attempt to hit the most home runs out of 10 pitches. The tournament will be a standard team format tournament.

“It’s been a few years since we’ve held a wiffle ball tournament and we felt like now would be a good time to bring the event back,” said Program Coordinator Nate Williams. “Plus, we’ve added a home run derby to the lineup, so the event should appeal to players of all ages.”

To register, visit https://bit.ly/3XsW3rF. You can also click on the CivicRec link in the Connect Kingsport app or go to www.kingsporttn.gov and click on the “CivicRec” link, then search for “wiffle ball” in the search bar.

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Kingsport offering Intermediate Pickleball course this fall

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Pickleball is one of the fastest growing sports to sweep the nation with plenty of competitors, teams and leagues playing throughout the Tri-Cities.

If you’re familiar with pickleball and interested in taking your game to the next level, then you might want to consider this course being offered by Kingsport Parks and Recreation.

The department plans to offer an intermediate course in pickleball this fall at the Riverview Pickleball Courts (301 Louis Street). Classes will take place from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursdays from October 10 through November 7. There will not be a class on October 31.

The course is for participants ages 14 and up and the cost is $30 for city residents and $35 for non-city residents.

Note – This class is designed for participants who have taken beginner pickleball classes and will work on more advanced skills of the sport. All equipment will be provided, though participants can bring their own paddles.

To register, visit https://bit.ly/3y2jEpn. You can also click on the CivicRec link in the Connect Kingsport app or go to www.kingsporttn.gov and click on the “CivicRec” link, then search for “pickleball” in the search bar.

Riverview Splash Pad will soon close for the season

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School is back in session and summer is winding down. Yet, there’s still time this year for children to enjoy the warm weather by paying a visit to the Riverview Splash Pad.

The splash pad – located at 1101 Martin Luther Jr. Drive – is still open to the public, but it will soon be closing for the season. Note – the last day the splash pad will operate this year is Sunday, September 8.

The splash pad will be active from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m. every day until then and can be turned on during these hours by rubbing the silver activator pad located on the wall between the restrooms.

“With everyone leading such busy lives, the Kingsport Parks and Recreation Department just wanted to remind parents and grandparents the splash pad will be open the next couple of weekends,” said Parks and Recreation Superintendent Chassy Smiley. “So, if you have time this week, come on down and enjoy this great recreational asset.”

The Kingsport Parks and Recreation Department wants to remind residents that the Centennial Park water feature will continue to operate into October before closing for the winter season.

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Kingsport Senior Center continued to grow during 2023

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The Kingsport Senior Center continued to see record growth in membership during the previous year, while expanding its virtual programming and adding new activities, programs and services at its main site.

Overall, the Kingsport Senior Center had a successful year with an increase in daily attendance, volunteer hours and day trips.

“I’m amazed at the growth we’ve experienced over the past year,” said Shirley Buchanan, director of the Kingsport Senior Center. “Our staff has worked hard these past few years to offer more programs, activities and classes and the effort has clearly paid off with our growth in membership.”

Highlights from the Kingsport Senior Center’s annual report:

  • Membership grew from 4,053 in 2022 to 4,655 in 2023.
  • The average daily attendance was 452.
  • The wellness room logged 154,527 hours of use in 2023.
  • A virtual presence of more than 3.7 million impressions across social media.
  • Members volunteered 8,266 hours to a variety of agencies reflecting a cost savings to them of more than $262,000.
  • There were 45 days trips and three extended trips in 2023 with 1,039 members participating.
  • The KSC received a $124,000 digital literacy grant from the West End Home Foundation for the purchase of 125 Chromebooks and digital literacy classes.

The Kingsport Senior Center is located on the first floor of Kingsport Renaissance Center (1200 E. Center Street) and offers membership for those ages 50 and older. The center offers a variety of programs, classes and activities to its members, including ones for arts and crafts, games, sports, fitness and cooking.

The Kingsport Senior Center has seven branch sites – Lynn View Community Center, V.O. Dobbins Center, First Broad Street United Methodist Church, Colonial Heights United Methodist Church, the Kingsport Aquatic Center, the V.O. Dobbins, Sr. Complex and TNT Sportsplex.

For more information visit seniors.kingsporttn.gov.

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Celebrate National Trails Day with a Glow Walk on the Greenbelt

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Kingsport’s Parks and Recreation Department is hosting a special Glow Walk event on June 1 in celebration of National Trail Days.

The Glow Walk will be held from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. on June 1 at the Indian Drive Trailhead of the Kingsport Greenbelt (located behind PetSmart). The free event is open to families of all ages. Participants are asked to bring a flashlight or lantern, and glow necklaces will be provided.

Though the event is free, Kingsport Parks and Recreation officials are asking folks to register to know approximately how many people will be showing

To register, visit https://bit.ly/4dY7Fcu. You can also register by clicking on the CivicRec link in the Connect Kingsport app or by going to www.kingsporttn.gov and clicking on the “CivicRec” link, then searching for “glow walk” in the search bar.

National Trails Day is an annual event held on the first Saturday in June and is sponsored by the American Hiking Society.

Each year, tens of thousands of hikers, bikers, paddlers, horseback riders, trail clubs, federal and local agencies, land trusts, and businesses come together on National Trails Day to advocate for, maintain, clean up and celebrate trails and nature.

Last year, nearly 800 events were held across the U.S., bringing people together for various recreational and volunteer opportunities. More than 7,000 trail stewards improved 558 miles of trails, contributing approximately $1.27 million in volunteer labor.

“From Borden Park to the Kingsport Greenbelt to Bays Mountain Park, Kingsport has trails for all ages and all abilities,” said Travis Sensabaugh, program administrator for Kingsport Parks and Recreation. “Even if it’s only for 20 minutes, we encourage you and your family to go outside this Saturday and participate in National Trails Day.”

You can also share your trail experience by tagging #NationalTrailsDay and @AmericanHiking on your social media channels.

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Vendor Applications now available for 2024 season

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The Kingsport Farmers Market has vendor applications available for its 2024 season.

The application can be found online by going to kingsportfarmersmarket.org and clicking on “Become a Vendor.” Every vendor must reapply to the market each new season.  Paper applications are available and can be picked up at Kingsport City Hall (415 Broad Street) or the Kingsport Carousel (320 Clinchfield Street).

City Hall is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday; the Kingsport Carousel is open 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday. Vendors can drop off completed paper applications at the same locations.

Before applying, vendors should take time to review the Vendor Handbook on the Kingsport Farmers Market website, linked on the “Become a Vendor” page. A paper copy will accompany a paper application. This handbook lists the market’s policies regarding what types of vendors are eligible to sell at the market, as well as what kind of documentation you might need.

The 2024 season will begin on Saturday, April 27. Stay tuned for more details.

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Registrations open soon for Spring Adult Softball Leagues

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Kingsport Parks and Recreation will soon begin accepting registrations for its Spring Adult Softball Leagues.

Teams can have a maximum of 20 players on their roster. Divisions offered include Church-Industrial, Co-Ed and Men’s Open. Registration will take place from March 18 through April 5.

The entry fee is $400 per team with a $15 non-resident fee for all players who live outside the Kingsport city limits (max: $75). All games will be played at Brickyard Park and the season will begin the week of April 22.

You can register by going to the V.O. Dobbins Sr. Complex (301 Louis Street) or by going to the following website at https://bit.ly/494ngUU. You can also click on the CivicRec link in the Connect Kingsport app or go to www.kingsporttn.gov and click on the “CivicRec” link, then search for “adult softball” in the search bar.

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Kingsport hosting first-ever Inclusive Glow Party

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The Kingsport Parks and Recreation Department is hosting its first-ever Inclusive Glow Party at the V.O. Dobbins Sr. Complex.

The free event will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on February 24 and include a “glowing” evening of black lights, music and more.

The Glow Party is part of the department’s A.S.P.I.R.E. (Adaptive: Sports Programs Inclusive Recreation Experiences) program. Adaptive programs are for people with disabilities or physical limitations and are designed to ensure fair and equal competition among participants.

Though the event is free, Kingsport Parks and Recreation officials are asking folks to register to know approximately how many people will be showing up.

To register, visit https://bit.ly/42jboM8. You can also click on the CivicRec link in the Connect Kingsport app or go to www.kingsporttn.gov and click on the “CivicRec” link, then search for “glow party” in the search bar.

Link to: City of Kingsport
City of Kingsport, Tennessee