Parks and Recreation Foundation Holds First Meeting

Posted 03-03-20.

The Sevierville Parks and Recreation Foundation conducted its first official meeting on Thursday, February 27 at the Sevierville Golf Club. The Parks and Recreation Foundation was created by the Sevierville Board of Mayor and Alderman as a result of the Parks and Recreation Master Plan that was completed in October 2018.

At the meeting, the foundation heard a presentation from Donald Ortale, Executive Director of the National Parks Foundation Association. Mr. Ortale provided information to the foundation on its roles and responsibilities and shared some examples of other successful parks and recreation foundations throughout the United States.

During the meeting, the foundation elected the following officers from their membership; Chairman, Sevierville Vice Mayor Devin Koester; Vice Chairman, Bryan C. Atchley, Jr.; Treasurer, Lori Blalock; Secretary, J.B. Ball. The other voting members of the foundation are Brent Blalock, Betty Ogle and Jaclyn Kile. Director of Parks and Recreation Bob Parker will serve as the President, as per the foundation by-laws.

In other business, the foundation decided that funds received through the Dicks Sporting Goods donation program would be administered by the foundation. Dicks Sporting Goods will provide cash, equipment and team discounts to the Smoky Mountain Youth Baseball Association which partners with the Department of Parks and Recreation, in providing Youth Baseball in Sevierville.

Finally, the foundation discussed the need to develop a logo and the City’s Marketing Coordinator, Kelly DeBord, agreed to assist in the process.

No future meeting dates have been set, but will be published when such decision is completed.