Parks meeting announces summer camp, possible memorial

MADISON COUNTY, Tenn. — The Madison County Parks and Recreation Department began the process of expanding its programs Tuesday night. They opened discussion on what to do with future grants as well as announcing a new partnership that will benefit children over the summer.

That big decision is a direct result of the Jackson-Madison County School Board’s Vision 2020 plan. As the county Parks and Rec Department plans to use one of the soon-to-be vacant schools as a space for their summer camp.

“We’ve been running a drop in summer program in the past but it’s been at a local park. We don’t have an indoor facility,” Parks and Rec Director Ed Smith said.

Tuesday night the Madison County Conservation Board announced the new partnership with the school system, allowing them to hold activities in gym at Nova Elementary School.

“I think it’s going to attract a lot of residents,” Smith said. “It will give kids a place to have a productive and safe summer.”

The program will consist of arts and crafts, games, meals and other activities to keep children active over the summer. It’s filling a void county leaders said was left vacant after the recent closure of the YMCA.

It is expected to cost between $30 and $40 a week per student.

“It’s something that’s very much needed in the community and something that we’re glad we can offer now,” Smith said.

The community came to the conservation committee to fill another void Tuesday, a memorial for 2-year-old Noah Chamberlin. A group of local residents is looking to the parks department to help build or refurbish a park in his honor near Pinson.

“It’s a possibility but nothing has been decided yet,” Smith said. “It’s something that we’re looking into and a lot of people in the community have come to us about it.”

Some conservation board members said they could possibly re-build a playground at Young Park and dedicate that to Noah. But all members said they are not jumping into things just yet, they want more public input before final plans are laid out.