By Danielle Morin
The Johnson City Parks and Recreation Committee held a special unveiling last Monday to announce its decision to rename the Carver Recreation Center’s newest attraction.
Formerly known as the “Carver Splash Pad,” the 3800-square foot aquatic facility was renamed the “Kenneth ‘Herb’ Greenlee Splash Pad,” in honor of the Carver Recreation Center Supervisor, Kenneth “Herb” Greenlee.
The Parks and Recreation Committee announced the new name in October of last year after the public was invited to name the splashpad. As an active member of the community since the early 1970’s, Greenlee seemed an obvious choice for Johnson City locals.
The ceremony, which was opened to the public, took place at 5:30 p.m., with Johnson City Parks and Recreation Director James Ellis opening and introducing Greenlee to the attendees, after which Greenlee gave a moving speech about his love for Johnson City and his excitement and passion in not only watching but having the opportunity to play an active role in the growth and improvement of the community.
Greenlee said that the splash pad was a 10-year project that he was thrilled to see finally come alive on May 28, 2021, when it was first opened to the public, and only the first of many new features he plans to add to the recreation center as he continues to collaborate with the Johnson City Parks and Recreation Department.
When discussing the next projects Johnson City residents might expect to see, Greenlee emphasized that his main focus is on creatively determining and implementing attractions throughout the recreation center that would be designed to keep parents just as entertained as their children when visiting.
When asked about his reaction to the honor, Greenlee said, “Well, it’s part of my daddy, my daddy’s name was Herb, that’s not my name,” explaining that he was nicknamed Herb after his father, and he felt honored to be able to bring something to the Tri-Cities area that would allow residents to not only remember his contributions to the community, but those of his father as well.
The Kenneth “Herb” Greenlee Splash Pad is free and open to the public from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day. It is located within the Carver Recreation Center at 322 West Watauga Avenue in Johnson City.
