Williamson County Parks and Recreation Is Ours!

 

The Valleyist Papers

A COLLECTION OF ESSAYS

WRITTEN IN FAVOUR OF THE IMPROVEMENT OF STEPHENS VALLEY

Author – William Ray

 

Edition 2. Issue 6.

Williamson County Parks and Recreation Is Amazing!

Since Stephens Valley is not within any incorporated city, and since our promised Town Square is a long way from becoming a reality, it can seem like our property taxes are just disappearing into the ether. Sure, we are helping to fund county schools, and we have access to police and fire protection and a great recycling center, but do you know about the Williamson County Parks and Recreation Department? Well, you should!

The Williamson County Parks and Recreation Department (WCPR) is a government agency that provides a variety of parks, recreation, and cultural programs for residents of Williamson County, Tennessee. The department was established in 1961 and currently operates over 30 parks and facilities, including:

• 13 community centers
• 11 recreation complexes
• 9 pools
• 8 splash pads
• 7 nature parks
• 6 athletic complexes
• 5 golf courses
• 4 senior centers
• 3 libraries
• 2 theaters
• 1 performing arts center

Using all of these facilities, WCPR's programs and services include:

• Aquatics
• Athletics
• Arts and crafts
• Fitness and wellness
• Nature programs
• Senior programs
• Special events
• Summer camps
• Therapeutic recreation
• Youth programs

In 2022, WCPR had a budget of $100 million. Let that sink in. Just because we live in Williamson County and pay property taxes, we have access to facilities and programs which cost $100 million per year! WCPR department employs over 1,000 people and serves over 600,000 residents, and SV residents should be using this asset in which they have so much equity! And you do not have to do athletic stuff to get benefits from WCPR! They have plenty of programs for residents who just want to have fun with their neighbors. There are trips to local restaurants, parks, museums and such. There are exciting entertainment events like concerts, plays, and so many more.

The closest WCPR facility to us is in Franklin, only eight miles away from SV, near the corner of Hillsboro Road and Mack Hatcher Memorial Parkway, and what a facility it is! Only a couple of miles further away, in downtown Franklin, is their Academy Park campus where the Public Library, the Enrichment Center, the Performing Arts Center, and the Academy Park Gymnasium are located. These are all treasures available to us and only 9 miles away! Throughout the county, WCPR is committed to providing high-quality parks, recreation, and cultural programs that enhance the quality of life for all residents of Williamson County.

Here are some additional details about WCPR's facilities, funding, and programs:

• Community centers: Community centers offer a variety of programs and services for all ages, including fitness classes, arts and crafts, sports, and more.
• Recreation complexes: Recreation complexes offer a variety of amenities, including pools, splash pads, playgrounds, athletic fields, and more.
• Pools: WCPR operates nine pools, including outdoor pools, indoor pools, and splash pads.
• Nature parks: Nature parks offer residents a chance to enjoy the outdoors and connect with nature. The department's nature parks include hiking trails, nature centers, and more.
• Athletic complexes: Athletic complexes offer residents a place to play sports and get exercise. The department's athletic complexes include baseball fields, softball fields, soccer fields, tennis courts, and more.
• Golf courses: WCPR operates four golf courses, offering residents a chance to enjoy the game of golf.
• Senior centers: Senior centers offer a variety of programs and services for seniors, including fitness classes, arts and crafts, social activities, and more.
• Libraries: WCPR operates three libraries, offering residents a place to borrow books, use computers, and attend programs.
• Theaters: WCPR operates two theaters, offering residents a chance to see plays, musicals, and other performances.
• Performing arts center: The Williamson County Performing Arts Center is a state-of-the-art facility that hosts a variety of performances, including concerts, plays, and musicals. This is an amazing small venue where you can park a few feet from the door. Just in June the listing of events you can enjoy there is amazing! https://www.wcpactn.com/tickets_and_events/tickets___events/index.php

Funding

WCPR's funding comes from a variety of sources, including:

• Property taxes: Property taxes are the largest source of funding for WCPR.
• User fees: User fees are charged for some of WCPR's programs and services, such as swimming lessons and sports leagues.
• State and federal grants: WCPR receives grants from the state and federal government to support its programs and services.
• Private donations: WCPR receives private donations from individuals and organizations to support its programs and services.

Programs

WCPR offers a variety of programs and services for all ages, including:

• Aquatics: WCPR offers swimming lessons, water aerobics, and other aquatic programs.
• Athletics: WCPR offers a variety of sports programs for children, youth, and adults, including baseball, softball, soccer, tennis, and more.
• Arts and crafts: WCPR offers arts and crafts classes for children, youth, and adults.
• Fitness and wellness: WCPR offers fitness classes, weight loss programs, and other fitness and wellness programs.
• Nature programs: WCPR offers nature programs for children, youth, and adults, such as hiking, bird watching, and nature walks.
• Senior programs: WCPR offers a variety of programs and services for seniors, including fitness classes, arts and crafts, social activities, and more.
• Special events: WCPR hosts a variety of special events throughout the year, such as festivals, concerts, and more.
• Summer camps: WCPR offers a variety of summer camps for children, youth, and adults.
• Therapeutic recreation: WCPR offers therapeutic recreation programs

The programs offered by WCPR are so diverse and ever-changing that there is really just one way to learn everything available to us – go to https://www.wcparksandrec.com/ and dig in! Next, take a day trip around the county and look at some of these amazing resources that you own. Then, get out your calendar and start penciling in events, trips, and programs that you want to experience. You will come away with a new appreciation of the luck you had when you decided to live in Stephens Valley!