OUR COUNTY

D. GARY DAVIS
COUNTY MAYOR

 

The Parks and Recreation Department never seems to have an off season with football, basketball and baseball.  The football season recently ended and basketball is currently in full swing.  As you can see from this update, the holidays do not slow down recreation in Bradley County.

 

The Bradley/Cleveland Youth Football completed this season with the addition of four new teams. The league was comprised of 20 teams with over 350 players and 32 cheerleaders. The Recreation Department and I would like to thank the local city and county schools for hosting several games at their stadiums. The League Champions for his year were as follows: 7/8 year olds Wolverines, Coach Daniel Oliver; 9/10 year old Eagles, Coach Tony Spencer; and

11/12 year olds Cowboys, Coach Shane Gibson.

 

This year the Youth Basketball league has 64 teams and 30 cheerleading squads. Over 1,000 youth participate and this is the largest youth program in our community. The league is comprised of 3rd-5th grade teams for boys and girls.

 

The Recreation Department has been reviewing the organization and operation of youth baseball and softball programs. Allison Pierce of Resource Development Systems recently hosted a public input meeting to gather recommendations and suggestions regarding the programs. Seventy-two people attended the meeting. Fifteen people took the opportunity to verbally express their comments and thirty-two people completed a written survey.  The results were: 39% Supported unified leadership, 29% Expressed the need for a youth softball complex, 16% Felt the programs should be left alone, 10% Supported improvements to existing facilities, 3% Desired more coaches clinics, and

3% Wanted to work together better.

 

Other points of emphasis discussed at the public input meeting and on the surveys included the desire for Dixie Youth and Dizzy Dean continuing in our community, continuing fundraisers in the park facilities and not placing the Dixie Youth State Tournament in jeopardy. 

 

Issues expressed at the public input meeting will be addressed in the near future as we work to move the Bradley County Parks and Recreation Department to the next level.  Our goal is to make our department even better as we grow the program for the youth of our community.  This can be accomplished when everyone involved is working together.

 

The Recreation Department recently hired Dennis Melton as the Parks Maintenance Manager. Dennis comes to Bradley County with 16 years maintenance experience with McKee Food Corporation.  Through Dennis’s leadership we will work to improve the maintenance and upkeep at all of our parks facilities.

 

I want to express my appreciation to all the coaches and other volunteers involved in the parks and recreation programs.  From someone who has been there, I understand the time commitment involved.  Thank you for what you do for our children and for our community.

 

If you would like additional information about the Parks and Recreation Department, please call Paul Wyrick at 728.7035 or email bradrec@bellsouth.net.