By Kevin Rooney, director of the Department
Parks
Zadie E. Kuehl Memorial Park
No reports to SCSO (Shelby County Sheriff’s Office). There was quite a bit of unusual trash found again in the park. Shelby County was made aware of the situation, and the Parks Department is continuing to monitor it.
Oak Ridge Park
The split rail fence installed by the City seems to have curbed the ATV traffic through the park.
IH Park
The floors were resurfaced in the Clubhouse. They had become worn down, and were in desperate need of repair. They were stripped and waxed four times to create a new and refreshed look for the Clubhouse.
City Hall Park
36,000 square feet of Latitude 36 Bermuda sod was installed over a two-week period to complete the south field renovation. Public Works played a big role in helping with the grading and installation of the new sod.
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
Little Superstar Soccer
Games began March 24th and will run until the end of May.
Youth T-Ball and Coach Pitch baseball
Registration 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.
Youth Football
Registration has begun for 5-6 year old flag, 7-8 year old tackle and 9-10 year old tackle. The City is gauging interests in to a 7-8 year old flag team as well. More information will be released on that offering in the near future. All updates will be posted on the City’s website.
Youth Cheerleading
The City held an interest clinic for a recreation, competitive cheer team. The clinic was well attended, and the feedback was positive. Registration will be opening soon for our fall programs, and will be posted on the City’s website.
Athletic Complex
The LPRF (Local Parks and Recreation Fund) deadline is April 18 at 11:59pm. The City is confident that we will have application completed and submitted before the deadline. The State says that it will take several months to process all of the applications, but municipalities should know if they were awarded the grant towards the end of the summer.
The Lakeland Athletic and Recreation Park is to be at Memphis Arlington and Canada Roads. The proposed work would be phase one of the Park which, when finished, will offer space and activities for young children to senior adults.
Mr. Rooney anticipates the LPRF grant to be $500,000 from the State with a match of cash and permanent land dedication from the City of Lakeland.
He said the City will have $760,000 cash from the Park Development Fund and the sale of a residential property in Lakeland.
“With the match we are hoping to have a budget of $1.26 million for the phase 1 build,” said Mr. Rooney.
He hopes to see activity at the 100-acre site as early as next summer, but that depends on a lot of approvals from the State.
“We will continue to keep the public in the know with the process, and most importantly if we were awarded the grant towards the end of the summer.”
Lakeland Senior Center (LSC)
Total attendance for March was 390 visitors.
Jimmy Ogle, a Shelby County historian, drew another large crowd presenting on Memphis music.
Hosted first luncheon featuring entertainment provided by Creative Aging of the Mid-South April 6. It was well-attended and well received.
Links for parks and sports programs: LakelandTN.gov/leagues LakelandTN.gov/parksandrec
