GOALS To provide the citizens of Garden FACILITIES Our recreational facilities have been strategically placed throughout our town for the convenience of all our citizens. They consist of a civic center, 8 tennis courts, 1 football field, 2 soccer fields, 9 baseball fields, 6 playgrounds, 5 softball fields, picnic areas and other open areas for exercise and play. Also, we maintain a good relationship with all of our area schools. By helping them any way we can, we are able to use their facilities for various programming and free play. HISTORY The department was established in March of 1970 with the hiring of Gene Cornett as Director. Our first truck was purchased from Ed Mollison Chevrolet on July 18, 1972 for $2,410.00. The department has had three directors. Mr. Cornett : March 1970 - September 1975, John Brigham : December 1975 - February 2005 (Moved to Civic Center Director), Stan Hogeland: February 2005 -present. In 1970, the City of In August of 1994, under then Mayor G. Wm. Noble, a beautification division was created within our department with a strong emphasis in beautifying the 2 major roadways within our town. Mayor Kenneth A. Clemons has continued this emphasis. The city population has grown from 6,502 in 1970 to 12,000 in 2006. Today the AREAS MAINTAINED BY PARKS AND RECREATION G. Wm. Noble Park, Municipal Tennis Courts, Kiddie Park, Parks Maintenance Shop, Memorial Park, Mini Park, Twin Ridge entrance, Luman Harris Park, Civic Complex, City Hall and Inspections grounds, Fieldstown Road from Highway 31 to Cades Cove, Highway 31 medians from south to north city limitst, Mt. Olive Road medians from Moncrief Road to Chevron station, GHS baseball and football fields, Bragg Middle School playground and softball field, Garden SPECIAL EVENTS It is the responsibility of the Parks and Recreation Department to help plan, coordinate and staff all special events held in our city. These include : Baseball, Softball and Soccer Tournaments, Magnolia Festival, City Picnics, Christmas Decorating and Lighting, and many other events. AWARDS - DEPARTMENTAL AND INDIVIDUAL 1997 John Brigham - 1996 Beautification Appreciation Award (Chamber of Commerce) Tim Green - 1998 Employee of the Year Award (Chamber of Commerce) Linda Harris -1996 Ava Grimmett Tireless Worker Award (Chamber of Commerce) Stan Hogeland - 1996 Citizen of the Year Award (Chamber of Commerce) Note : In 1974, L.E. Driver, then chairman of the Parks and Recreation Board, received the Outstanding Lay Person Award from the EMPLOYEES - TITLE AND LENGTH OF SERVICE Stan Hogeland - Parks and Recreation Superintendent – 30 years, 4 months Tim Green - Parks Maintenance Superintendent - 23 years John Spitzer - Semi-skilled Laborer - 32 years, 5 months Chris Lorino - Gardener - 12 years Greg Hughes - Skilled Laborer - 11 years, 9 months Jeff McKinney - Skilled Laborer - 13 years, 8 months Norman Miller -
Skilled
Laborer - 5 years Jeremy McDaniel - Laborer – 1 year, 5 months Matt Southern - Laborer – 1 year, 5 months Jesse Sewell - Laborer – 1 year, 2 months Brian Smith – Laborer – 1 year, 1 month Part-time employees, Trent Booth and Brent Painter, also play a key role within our department in staffing special events and working in our parks system during peak usage and helping keep our facilities neat and clean. We are extremely fortunate to have an excellent group of employees across the board. All are called upon frequently to work odd hours and to give up time with their families in order to provide the citizens of Garden |