News Summary
Knoxville’s final Town Hall East meeting for the 2024-2025 year is scheduled for May 11, featuring officer elections and discussions on local parks and recreation initiatives. Key speakers will provide insights to encourage community involvement. Attendees will vote on the new officers and hear updates on the Play Knoxville master plan, aimed at enhancing the city’s recreational resources.
Knoxville will host the final Town Hall East meeting of the 2024-2025 year on May 11, 2025, at 7 p.m. The event will take place at the Rust Fellowship Hall of Eastminster Presbyterian Church. This gathering will feature crucial officer elections and a discussion centered on parks and recreation initiatives within the community.
Two key speakers, Aaron Browning and Carol Evans, are slated to address the audience regarding Knoxville’s parks and recreational programs. Their insights are anticipated to guide community involvement in these vital local resources.
During the meeting, attendees will vote on a new slate of officers for the upcoming year. The elected positions, which include President, Vice-President, Treasurer, and Secretary, will play a significant role in shaping the direction of Town Hall East. The newly elected officers for the 2025-2026 term are:
- President: Krista Rines, a Chilhowee Hills resident for 30 years, will lead the organization. Rines, married to Tony Rines, has four sons and multiple pets. She holds a Bachelor’s in Special Education K-12 and a Master’s in Education Leadership from Carson Newman University. Rines, a certified Trauma-Informed Specialist, has dedicated 26 years to Knox County Schools.
- Vice-President: Tobias Kight, who previously served in this role during the 2021-2022 term, will continue his leadership. Kight moved to Knoxville in 2006 and has experience in both residential construction and real estate.
- Treasurer: Isaac Sherman returns for his second term as Treasurer. A resident of Chilhowee Hills since 2018, he studied computer science at the University of Tennessee and currently works as a software engineer.
- Secretary: Marisa Connolly, a Holston Hills native, will serve as the Secretary. Connolly earned her degree in Business Analytics from UT and currently works as a legal secretary for the State of Tennessee.
Board nominees for the 2025-2028 term include Sharon Davis, Lauren Fyfe, and Lydia Pulsipher. Davis has been an advocate for neighborhoods and played a significant role in developing Tank Strickland Park. Fyfe, who recently moved to Knoxville, has a background in 4D Studio Art and client services. Pulsipher, an emeritus professor at UT, has lived in Holston Hills for over thirty years and serves in diplomatic capacities.
The discussion on parks and recreation is particularly relevant as Knoxville boasts nearly 100 parks and 125 miles of paved greenways and trails. The city has initiated a public engagement phase for the Play Knoxville master plan, inviting residents to participate through community surveys and meetings. These opportunities will roll out starting April 10, with the City Council slated to assess the feedback and discuss the master plan during meetings in June, August, and finally presenting in a public hearing in November 2025.
The upcoming Town Hall East meeting not only signifies an essential step in local governance with officer elections but also fosters community involvement in shaping the city’s parks and recreation strategies. As residents gather to vote and share their input about the city’s green spaces, this meeting serves as a vital link between community members and the decision-making processes that affect their everyday lives.
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Additional Resources
- WATE: Knoxville Seeks Public Input for Parks and Recreation Master Plan
- Wikipedia: Parks and Recreation
- KNIACRLS: City of Knoxville Park Shelters Available for Rent
- Google Search: Knoxville Parks and Recreation
- Knoxville Moms: Favorite Parks of Knoxville
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Urban Park
- WBIR: East Knoxville Proposed Development New Park
- Google News: Knoxville Parks
- Knox TN Today: Veterans Memorial Park Nears Completion
