Committee looks to refurbish Rogersville’s Swift Park

THIS STORY COURTESY THE KINGSPORT TIMES-NEWS

By JEFF BOBO   jbobo@timesnews.net  

   ROGERSVILLE — A new committee is working to give Rogersville’s aging Swift Park a complete overhaul with new shelters, playground equipment, walking trail security fencing, and other attractions that would be unique to the area.

It’s going to be a monumental task, however, that will literally have to begin from the ground up.

   The committee met this past Wednesday to talk about what the refurbished park should look like and where they will begin looking for funding.

   Rogersville Chamber of Commerce Director Nancy Barker, who serves on the committee, said that based on the preliminary wish list, she’s anticipating a price tag in the neighborhood of $250,000 to $500,000.

   Swift Park is located a couple of blocks north of downtown on Hasson Street beside the Chip Hale Center.

   The park is on a slight hill, but there’s a steep drop-off running east to west through the middle of the property.

   It creates an elevation difference from north to south of about 15 feet, which the committee wants to level out.

   That means substantial excavation will likely take place before any new features are added — not only to increase the amount of usable property, but also to meet the requirements of the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act).

   The project will have to be completed in several separate phases including site preparation — followed by, in no set order, installing shelters, a walking trail, playground equipment, benches and horseshoe pits, security fencing and lights, and a new restroom building.

   Committee member Jackie Charles, who is also a member of the local Rotary Club chapter, said the organization is offering a grant for this type of project, but the application is due by the end of the month.

   Committee members agreed that the first priority would be obtaining materials needed to complete that grant application including a land survey, a detailed project description, a proposed timeline for each phase, and an estimate on how much each phase will cost.

   Local Kiwanis chapter president Russ Williamson said the club also offers grant funding for parks, but the application deadline isn’t until later in the spring.

   In discussing the new look of the park, committee members agreed that they want all new playground equipment, shelters and the restroom building designed to be cohesive with the look of historic downtown Rogersville.

   Williamson said he would also like to include educational features in the park’s new look.

   “Looking at it as a clean canvas, let’s come up with a concept of what we really want to put in there and who do we want to (serve),” Williamson said. “Instead of just replacing what we’ve got here, make it more unique. Something that Rogersville can say, ‘We’ve got a park we’re proud of.’ Handicapped accessible. Educational. And secured because we’re going to have a fence, we’re going to have lights, we’re going to have cameras.”

   Williamson added, “We can’t limit ourselves to what we’ve got there because then we’ll just be replacing what’s there, and I’d rather see something that’s more of a showcase.”

On His Day: Events in Upper East Tennessee Commemorating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Monday, January 18, 2016

Please attend the only area parade for Dr. King that is held on his day, Monday, January 18, 2016... this in Kingsport:

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Also in Kingsport on MLK Day, the New Vision Youth MLK Day Luncheon, 1 PM at the Riverview Community Room, Wheatley Street, Kingsport.  Menu:  homemade spaghetti, bread, salad and drinks (drinks provided by the Sons and Daughters of Douglass Alumni Association, Inc.)

6 PM, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Candlelight Vigil, sponsored by New Vision Youth.  The Gazebo, Glen Bruce Park, Kingsport between the Public Library and the Church Circle.  Please bring a candle to honor Dr. King's memory.

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In Johnson City at the Carver Rec Center, these events are happening on MLK Day, Monday, January 18, 2016:

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Story Time:  9 AM to 1 PM, open to all ages.  Youth will enjoy stories, arts and crafts, and music.  Lunch will be provided.  This program is provided in partnership with East Tennessee State University's Office of Multi-Cultural Affairs.

Blood Drive, 1 PM to 5 PM, ages 18 and older.  Giving blood is a great act of service and one way that citizens can honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Dinner, 6 PM, open to all ages.  Join the Carver Staff in celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

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In Abingdon, VA, the annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Parade will be held on Saturday, January 16th.  The march begins at the Charles Wesley United Methodist Church and continues on to the Abingdon United Methodist Church, where there will be a program and reception.  The march begins at 1:30 and the program begins at 2 PM.  This year's theme is "Celebration Amidst Frustration -- Where Are Race Relations Today?"  Let us join together and be part of the solution!  For more information, please call 276-476-3191.

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In Morristown, TN, the 2016 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Breakfast and Celebration will be held on Monday, January 18, 2016 at the Family Activities Center at the First Presbyterian Church, 600 West Main Street, Morristown, TN 37814, 423-586-4281.  The doors open at 7 AM, the breakfast begins at 7:30 AM.  The program that includes community awards, breakfast and the MLK essay contest winner begins at 7:30 AM.  The program features guest speaker Navy Reserve Force Master Chief  C. J. Mitchell, PhD.

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If you know of other services, programs and commemorations for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, please let me know!

Calvin Sneed
email:  douglassriverview@gmail.com

Kingpsport's Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Parade

Come one, come all to the only local parade that celebrates Dr. King on his day!

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