Among those representing the City of Greer Parks and Recreation Department
at the SCRPA conference were (from left): Nathan Floyd, Red Watson,
Ann Cunningham, Wes Harbin, Susan Lindsay, and Robby Anders.


City's Parks and Recreation Department
recognized as best in the state

Longtime director Ted Lindsay earns Hall of Fame honor

The South Carolina Recreation and Parks Association (SCRPA) honored the City of Greer Parks and Recreation Department as a 2009 Agency of the Year and inducted Ted Lindsay, the department’s first director into the SCRPA Hall of Fame Nov. 17 at the association’s annual conference.

“We are truly honored by this statewide award and view it as validation of the many new programs and facilities made available to the people of Greer during the past year,” said Ann Cunningham, director of the City of Greer Parks and Recreation department. “The feedback from the public during the past year has been overwhelmingly positive. To receive the Agency of the Year Award from SCRPA indicates that our peers understand and appreciate not only the hard work that went into offering diverse programming and first-rate facilities, but also the impact that those programs and facilities have had in our community.”

The department earned the Class II Award for cities with populations ranging from 10,000 to 25,000. That class includes approximately 25 member cities and towns from across South Carolina.

Despite a challenging financial year, Cunningham said multiple grants and partnerships allowed the department to complete a series of projects to meet the recreational needs of city residents. The city applied for and was awarded 11 grants totaling more than $142,000 from the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism to be used for permanent improvements to public parks and recreational facilities.

Among the department’s leading accomplishments were:

• The dedication of the new Events Center at Greer City Hall and an Opening Gala at the facility during the fall of 2008. The Events Center, which is designed to host such events as concerts, festivals, weddings, receptions, and meetings, hosted more than 350 events during its first year of operation.

• The Freedom Blast Festival, which drew thousands to Greer City Park on Independence Day to celebrate the nation’s birthday with live music, family fun, food and beverages, and fireworks. The celebration served as the official opening for Greer City Park.

• The dedication of the new Victor Softball Field and Victor Park in April. That renovation project includes a softball field, walking trail, outdoor basketball courts, and playground for public use.

• The renovation of Stevens Field, which was dedicated in May.  The stadium experienced its glory days during the era of Textile Baseball Leagues and was nearly completely demolished and reconstructed to afford comfortable amenities and a safe environment for both fans and players. On opening day, the department paid homage to the many players throughout the years who helped make the field such a landmark in the community.

• Completion of a master plan to better facilitate the needs of the community. Greer City Council adopted the master plan and incorporated it into the City of Greer’s comprehensive plan in April.

The SCRPA Hall of Fame exists to honor professionals who dedicated their careers to the parks and recreation profession and the service of the citizens of their communities.
 

Ted Lindsay

“Ted Lindsay’s life is completely woven into the city’s Parks and Recreation program and it will forever bear the mark of excellence he put on it 50 years ago,” Cunningham said. “The City of Greer was fortunate to have a true visionary and hard worker as its first director of the Parks and Recreation department. He embodies the traits sought for SCRPA Hall of Fame members.”

Founded in 1958, Lindsay had the assistance of only a few part-time employees to staff the city’s parks and recreation department. However, he oversaw the construction of two recreation centers and focused on acquiring acreage for park development.  He formed the first Greer Recreation Association Board in 1965, served as the District 1 Director for Dixie Youth Baseball and as a volunteer for that organization for 26 years.

By 1988, the department had grown to include five full-time and 11 part-time employees with 22 parks, fields and facilities.  The city recognized Lindsay’s 31-year career by naming the baseball fields at Century Park for him in 2004. His wife, Susan, has completed more than 36 years of service to the department.

Lindsay remains an active advocate of the city’s parks and recreation efforts by speaking to various civic organizations and local businesses in Greer.

Organized in 1945, the South Carolina Recreation and Parks Association today includes a network of more than 1,200 professionals and citizens dedicated to the professional development of its members, promotion of parks and recreation opportunities, and quality of life for all South Carolinians, as well as the sound stewardship of South Carolina's natural resources through research, education and service.