Park Board Update: July 25, 2016 Springfield Lasers season opens July 31, City and County employees attend opening night free The Springfield Lasers Pro Tennis Team kicks off its 21st season in Springfield Sunday, July 31, at in Mediacom Tennis Stadium at Cooper Tennis Complex, 2331 E. Pythian St. City and County employees and retirees, plus up to three friends, may attend opening night free. The Lasers are one of six teams in the WTT league, co-founded in 1974 by tennis legend Billie Jean King. Co-ed teams include pro tennis players from around the world, many ranked in the top 100. The season runs every summer, between Wimbledon and the US Open. This year’s roster features the return of John Isner, the No. 1 American male tennis player since 2012. Isner, 31, gained world fame at Wimbledon in 2010, after winning the longest match in tennis history: 11 hours and 5 minutes. At 6’10”, with a size 15 shoe, Isner has a massive serve and puts on a big show. Currently ranked No. 16 in the world, Isner has career wins over Andy Roddick, Roger Federer, Nikolay Davydenko and Novak Djokovic. This year’s Lasers season includes six home matches: July 31, Aug. 6, Aug., 10, Aug. 11 with John Isner, Aug. 12, and Aug. 13. Matches begin at 7 p.m., gates open at 5:30. Tickets are available at the gate or by calling 417-837-5800. Blanche Jones Retires after 43 years at DiCkerson Park Zoo Longtime zoo employee Blanche Jones retired Friday, July 22, following a 43-year career at Dickerson Park Zoo. At her time of retirement, Jones, 88, was the longest-serving employee working at the zoo, the Springfield-Greene County Park Board and the City of Springfield. She held the same position, administrative assistant, throughout her zoo entire career, which began in 1972. “My first day of work, I walked into my office and saw an old typewriter that probably came over on the Mayflower,” Jones recalled. “I was used to a nice IBM model. I made it through four hours and went home, not sure I’d return. My husband said to me, ‘Don’t you think you should give it another try?’ So with a little encouragement, I made it 43 years.” Jones plans to continue to spend time at the zoo, where her favorite animals are the elephants. Friends of the Zoo presented her a lifetime membership as a retirement gift. “I could very well wind up as a zoo volunteer,” said Jones. UPCOMING PARKS EVENTS July 31, Aug. 6, Aug. 11 with John Isner, Aug. 12 and Aug. 13 Springfield Lasers home season, Cooper Tennis Complex Aug. 2 National Night Out, Meador Park Aug. 5-7 Park Day Reunion, Silver Springs Park Aug. 6 Kid’Athlon kids triathlon, Meador Park Aug. 12-14 Price Cutter Charity Championship, Highland Springs Golf Course Aug. 14-16 Last days of regular outdoor pool season, Fassnight and Grant Beach pools reopen weekends only after school starts Sept. 5 Labor Day Splash & Sizzle discount swimming at Fassnight and Grant Beach pools Sept. 6 Dog Swim at Fassnight Pool Sept. 9-11 Japanese Fall Festival at Mizumoto Japanese Stroll Garden Sept. 17-18 1860s Lifestyle Expo at Grey-Campbell Farmstead .