By André Nolan, Board member
The Municipal Parks and Recreation/Natural Resources Advisory Board gathered Tuesday at City Hall for their monthly meeting.
Zadie E. Kuehl Memorial Park
Young people have again been using the park late at night and causing a nuisance. SCSO (Shelby County Sheriff’s Office) are increasing patrols and it’s hoped that this will stem this activity as it has in the past.
New trees donated by the Arbor Foundation were planted here and also in Windward Slopes Park.
A $2,500 grant was applied for The Boyd Foundation. Funds from this may be used for either planning or infrastructure of the Dog Park at Zadie Kuehl Park. The Dog Park is an extension of the current park using land donated by The Pet Hospitals in Lakeland.
IH Park
There was also an incident that was caught on the security cameras of a group of young people partying and leaving a pile of trash. SCSO has been informed and will increase patrols to Lakeland parks.
Stanky Creek, a local bicycle club, has offered their services to repair some damaged parts of the trails. They also informed the Parks Department that the trails are some of the best in the area. Asked what could be added, they commented an easier trail for kids and beginners would be nice as the current trails are quite challenging.
City Hall Park
“Volunteer for Lakeland,” a community organization run by Shandra Blackwell, preformed a cleanup with a group of young volunteers. See her Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/208095519918737/ (or search Facebook groups for Volunteer for Lakeland) for more about youth volunteering. Ms. Blackwell also made a presentation to the Board about how her youth volunteers could benefit the Parks and Recreation Department and the City as a whole.
Athletic Park
Once the July deadline for grant applications expires, the Parks Department hopes to hear the status of our grant application.
Recreation and Athletics
Tennis Camp was last week at Windward Slopes Park with nine participants. There will be two more camps at the end of July. Meanwhile there are clinics every Saturday through July.
Drama Club – Eight kids took part this week at IH Clubhouse.
Soccer Camp is taking place this week at City Hall Fields with 21 participants.
Lego Club is coming up the first week in July and registration is still open.
Junior Grizzlies Basketball Camp is at LMPS (Lakeland Middle Preparatory School) June 18 with 25 participants booked so far.
Youth Cheerleading and Football registration is underway and ends this Friday.
Adult Flag Football registration opens July 1st.
Visit the City of Lakeland website www.lakelandtn.gov for more info and to sign up for all programs.
LAMP Concert Series.
The first show of the series was at the beginning of June. Thump Daddy performed. Also present were two food trucks, an inflatable and Mike the Balloon Man. The Parks Department manned a concession stand selling Kielbasa, snacks and soft drinks. They raised over $100 for the Department. It is hoped this figure can be increased as attendees realize they are on the upper deck by the Club House. It was also suggested that some signage might help. Health code prohibits them from moving down onto the grass.
Remaining concerts – IH Park Amphitheater
June 23: Memphis Funk N Horns
July 28: Ghost Town Blues Band
August 25: Nick Black
Sept. 22: Bluff City Bandits – Lakeland Homecoming Night
Opening Band – Ted Horrell & The Monday Night Card.
Lakeland Senior Center
Attendance for April – 348 and May – 275.
The attendance in May was down because there no luncheon that month. Also indoor activities always slow as the warm weather arrives.
Planning is l underway for the upcoming Seniors 55+ Stars and Stripes Dinner at the IH Clubhouse, 6 p.m. June 29th.
