By André Nolan, P & R Board member
The Lakeland Municipal Parks and Recreation/Natural Resources Advisory Board met Tuesday (9.11.18), starting with a moment of silence in honor of those whose lives were lost or irrevocably changed on September 11, 2001.
There were no unusual trash, vandalism or police reports for any of the Lakeland parks. This was due in part to increased patrols by Shelby County Sheriff’s Office and enforcement of park rules by Parks and Recreation staff.
Herons Ridge HOA has installed lights at Oakridge Park. The lit areas include car parking, fountain and a motion sensor light in the pavilion. The Pavilion has electrical lighting for events.
Tackle football games got underway Thursday (9.6.18) despite all the rain, The Peewees (10-year olds) won their game in a shutout against Collierville, final score 26-0. Also winning in shutout was the Mighty Mites (7 & 8-year olds) beat Bartlett Red 30-0. The Crosscheck (9-year-old) team fell just short but they fought hard and all teams had fun playing their first game together.
The cheerleaders have really stepped up this year, in partnership with Memphis Pride. The Cheerleaders did a fantastic job of supporting our teams and getting the crowd into the games.
Youth Flag football is underway at City Hall field, with four 5 & 6-year-old teams who are just playing for fun, and four 7 & 8-year old teams who are keeping score, but still keeping it fun.
Adult Flag began this week also at City Hall Field. The teams will play every Saturday through Oct 20th ending with the playoffs and a championship game. There are 8 teams in the league and over 110 participants.
Adult and Youth Tennis Fall Clinics will begin this month at Windward Slopes Tennis courts.
Fall Little Superstar Soccer began their games last Saturday (9.8.18) on the St. Paul Fields, they play 3 on three this program is going great.
Lakeland IFA competitive soccer began their season at Mike Rose Soccer Complex. They will be competing in several tournaments this fall. Lakeland has two teams: an 8 & 9-year old boys and an 8 & 9-year-old girls Team.
Junior Grizzlies basketball registration will open September 15. We are partnering with the Memphis Grizzlies for our 4th year. The players will attend a free Grizzlies game, have a “fan experience” and receive a signed ball. The season runs November through February, is co-ed and the age divisions are 5 & 6, 7 & 8, 9 &10, 11 & 12, 13-15.
For more information on Recreation activities visit www.Lakelandtn.gov website or contact Wendi Haley at City Hall.
The BOC (Board of Commissioners) entered into a contract with The Boyd Foundation at their last meeting moving the Dog Park project forward. Bidding for fencing and master planning has started and it is hoped that with the addition of a discretionary grant of $25,000 from Shelby County Commissioner Mick Wright, this can be a dog park with amenities not just a fenced lot. The City is also looking at opening up a path from the Dog Hospital into the Park.
The BOC also voted on entering into a contract with Barge Design Solutions for the Athletics Complex on Canada Road. Lakeland was awarded an LPRF (Local Parks and Recreation Fund) grant of $500,000.
Windscreens for the Windward Slopes tennis courts were removed from a USTA (United States Tennis Association) grant application in the hopes of simplifying that process. The Parks Department will pay for the windscreen with money from reallocated funds.
Applications for Tree City Status have started and need to be completed by January. Lakeland has been a tree city for 12 consecutive years.
Upcoming activities at the Lamp at IH Park:
Lakeland Homecoming Night Sept. 22. Parks and Recreation cheerleaders and flag and tackle football teams will be introduced. Lakeland School System teams have also been invited. The cheerleaders will perform a small routine. There will be music by Ted Horrell and the Monday Night Card and Bluff City Bandits. In addition, there will be inflatables, food trucks, kid activities lead by “Volunteer for Lakeland” and Mike the Balloon Man. Bring your chair and a cooler and enjoy the evening with your friends and neighbors.
Shakespeare in the Park is at 6 p.m. Sept. 28 performed by The Tennessee Shakespeare Company.
School of Rock is from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sept. 30. The Parks and Recreation snack bar will be open from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. raising funds for Lakeland Parks.
Attendance at the Senior Center was 375 for the month of August.
The Fall Y’all dinner is tomorrow (9.14.18) at the Lakeland Senior Center, catering by Pink Flamingo and entertainment by The Side Street Steppers.
Volunteer for Lakeland (https://www.facebook.com/groups/208095519918737/) is also providing volunteers for this event.
Before the final LAMP concert this season (9.22.18), there will be an open house at the Senior Center from 5 – 7 p.m. It will feature a craft fair, items for sale include 17 snowmen that took 30 pounds of rice to create. The items were made by Lakeland Senior Center members and proceeds of the sale will be benefit the Senior Center.
