By Andre’ Nolan, P&R Board member
The Board met Tuesday (3.13.18) night at City Hall.
Parks
Zadie E. Kuehl Memorial Park
No reports to SCSO (Shelby County Sheriff’s Office) and no unusual trash or vandalism.
A new sign has been installed at the entrance, the final part of the great job that Eagle Scout Jerimiah Vess did on the park.
Oak Ridge Park
Further action has been taken to keep motorized vehicles out of the park.
IH Park
Solitude Lake Management tested the lake this month. The levels were very good with only slightly elevated phosphorus. Elevated phosphorus levels are likely to drive and support nuisance vegetation and algae during the growing season
Of the two Eagle Scout Projects in IH Park, one has been completed: The upgrading of the bulletin board. The other, the path between the lower gravel lot and the upper paved lot, is nearing completion.
City Hall Park
Work will begin this month on sodding the upper field. Included in this work will be some regrading to improve drainage. This work was delayed from last month due to an unusually wet February which caused delays at Winstead Farms the City’s turf vendor.
Windward Slopes Park.
New benches are to be installed on the tennis courts.
No unusual activity or trash was reported at any City Park.
Athletics
Youth Grizzlies Basketball
Our Winners were:
7 and 8-year-old champions coached by Jeff Rushing
9 and 10-year-old champions coached by Jonathan Buchanan.
11 – 14-year-old champions coached by Keith Crabtree
Each child on a champions team received a trophy. The runner-ups received a medal. Overall the season was a success with great feedback from the parents.
Competitive basketball
Lakeland’s team narrowly missed the play-offs by one game finishing fifth. It was a great experience for all involved. It was the Parks and Recreation Department’s first foray into this league. Both parents and players had a great experience and we look forward to expanding our presence in this league as the need arises.
Little Superstar Soccer
Began practice, despite all the rain, the first weekend of this month.
Enrollments were at a record high with 193 children. The 3-year-old group saw the biggest jump up to 33 from 12 last year.
Tennis spring and summer program
These are open for registration for both adults and children. The first clinic begins this Sunday March 18th at Windward Slopes and the youth clinic is almost full.
Youth T-Ball and Coach Pitch baseball
Registration started last week and will run through the end of April.
Offerings include:-
3-year-old and 4 and 5 year-old T-Ball
6 and 7 and 8 and 9 year-old Coach Pitch.
These teams will have caps due to limited field space. Early registration is recommended to avoid disappointment.
Lego Club
Their theme is “Wheels in Motion.” They meet the third Thursday of the month at IH Clubhouse.
Drama Acting Academy
This program began this month. Two age groups are offered: K-4th and a middle school age. There are 11 participants in the K-4 Group and 5 in the middle school group. Enrollment for the middle school group will remain open in the hope of attracting up to 5 more participants. Both groups first meeting was a great success with the kids having a lot of fun, and the Department receiving good feedback from the parents.
Athletic Complex
A public presentation was given at City Hall Tuesday to inform the public about this project was moving forward.
The planned (soft) opening is 2020. It had been hoped to open it earlier but the grant process is longer than anticipated.
Lakeland Senior Center (LSC)
After low attendance in January, LSC was back up to 232. March figures are 216 as of 3.9.18.
Jimmy Ogle, a Shelby County historian, drew a large crowd at the Senior Center March 7th. He will return March 28th to present a program on Memphis music.
On March 9th 90 attended the “Going Green Dinner.” Of those, 65 were paying guests, 16 performers from the Bartlett Choral Club, 5 volunteers and 4 guests/observers.
The event was sponsored by Pop-A-Lock and Trustmark Bank.
