Kingsport unites for Party at the Park

KINGSPORT — The City of Kingsport held its first-ever Party at the Park Friday, in celebration of National Park and Recreation Month. Representatives from the Kingsport Aquatic Center, Bays Mountain Park and Planetarium, Kingsport Senior Center, Kingsport Parks and Recreation, Kingsport Cultural Arts and Kingsport Public Library were on hand to inform attendees about their programs. Several provided demonstrations, activities or handouts during the event at the recently opened BlueCross Healthy Place at Riverwalk Park. Program Coordinator Renee Ensor said the inaugural event is one for community members to enjoy the last days of summer before school starts. "We have pickleball demos going on, bike safety, water safety, flag football drills, just some yard games going on, splash pads on for people to run through when it's really hot, ice cream, and a DJ," she said. "So we got a lot of things going on." Ensor said Kingsport Parks and Recreation recently started flag football flag football season, with this marking the second year. Basketball signups are also incoming with fall baseball on the horizon. A press release Friday also announced a new Inclusive Walking Club to be offered by the city in the fall. "Really we're just moving into our fall and winter sports, wrapping up our summer program with kids, and then we have some fun little things coming up," she said. "[We have] a lot of things besides just sports." She said the BlueCross Healthy Place at Riverwalk Park has been a hit with locals since opening in mid-April. "[The park] is packed every day, the splash pad is super popular," Ensor mentioned. "I think there's something for everyone at this park, all ages. A lot of families enjoy the pickleball courts, so if you are a beginner to pickleball, it's a nice way to get introduced to the court and not be overwhelmed by a crowd of people." For more information about the Kingsport Parks and Recreation Department, visit kingsportparksandrecreation.org/.