Volume 4, Issue 47 December 6, 2019 MARKER DEDICATION CEREMONY AT FALLING CREEK IRONWORKS This issue On Friday, Nov. 22, a marker dedication ceremony at Falling Creek Ironworks Park History 2 to honor the life of Bryan Walker, longtime preservationist and the first president of 2019 Christmas Mother 3 the Falling Creek Ironworks Foundation. Program Bryan Walker was a founding member of Therapeutic Recreation 4 the county’s Preservation Committee where he served for 30 years, volunteered with the Chesterfield Historical Society of Bensley Recreation Center 5 Virginia, Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission, Friends of Chesterfield’s Sports Tourism 6-7 Riverfront and the Jefferson Davis Associa- tion. He was one of the founding members Park Operations 8-9 of the Bensley Area Civic Association and the Falling Creek Ironworks Foundation in which he advocated for the purchase and Parks Planning/Design and 10-12 Construction preservation for Falling Creek Ironworks site. Bryan was recognized in 2017 by the Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors for his significant contributions to preser- vation efforts. The marker was engraved by Grappone and Sons in Richmond. Seated: Bryan Walker’s sister, Elizabeth The ceremony was held in front of Fall- Youngblood; Standing: County Administrator ing Creek next to the overlook. Nearly Dr. Joe Casey; Parks and Recreation Director Dr. 70 individuals attended the ceremony James Worsley; Board of Supervisors member - for the unveiling. Bermuda District, Dorothy Jaeckle; Kathy Baker, Bryan Walker’s daughter; Norma Corbin, Lyle Browning and Margaret Davis all with Falling Creek Ironworks Foundation and Former Director Mike Golden. Page 2 TOUCHING BASE HISTORY An Evening with Mark Twain On Saturday, Nov. 23, interpreter Gary Robertson presented a first- person living history performance program on Mark Twain. In honor of the American author’s birthday in November, Mr. Robertson shared various aspects of the au- thor’s life. 30 attended. Page 3 TOUCHING BASE 2019 CHRISTMAS MOTHER PROGRAM The Parks and Recreation Department donated 22 boxes of food and home goods to our spon- sored family and senior this year. In addition, over $675 was donated to purchase all gifts re- quested and supply both the family and senior with a sizeable gift card for groceries/other neces- sities. Page 4 TOUCHING BASE THERAPEUTIC RECREATION Crafts at North Courthouse Road Library Page 5 TOUCHING BASE BENSLEY RECREATION CENTER Golden Scissors: 50+ Crafting Club The Golden Scissors Crafting Club have been busy the past two weeks. During week sev- en, participants made jour- nals. They used notebooks, crafting paper, ribbons and buttons. In week eight, participants made snowmen and snow- flakes. They used foam, pipe cleaners, crafting paper, beads and glitter. Page 6 TOUCHING BASE SPORTS TOURISM 2019 Capital Fall Classic On Saturday, Nov. 23, and Sun- day, Nov. 24, the boys took the field as the Richmond Strikers hosted the final week of the 2019 Capital Fall Classic. River City Sportsplex, Mary B. Strat- ton Park and Ukrop Park hosted games in pool play on Saturday and championship play on Sun- day. Overall, there were 288 teams from eight states repre- senting ages U9-U19. Champi- ons in the Premier Division brackets earned automatic ac- ceptance into the 2020 Jeffer- son Cup, one of the most pres- tigious tournaments in the country. Page 7 TOUCHING BASE SPORTS TOURISM Shooting Star Thanksgiving Tournament The Shooting Star Thanks- giving Tournament, run by College Connection, com- pleted its fifth year at River City Sportsplex. The event is a competitive youth field hockey showcase event, that features 180 club teams, travel teams and indi- vidual player “house” teams in the U12 through U19 age groups. Teams came from 16 U.S. states, and six Canadian teams also participat- ed. Nearly 200 NCAA col- lege coaches looking for their next top recruit at- tended the event. Roughly 3,450 field hockey players participated. Play began on Friday morning and champi- ons were crowned through- out the day on Sunday. A special thanks goes out to the many Parks and Recrea- tion staff members who spent the weekend hosting this incredible event. Page 8 TOUCHING BASE PARK OPERATIONS Baseball dugout cover BEFORE During baseball off-season, Parks and Recreation mainte- nance workers installed covered dugouts on fields 1 and 2 at Bird Athletic Complex. Principal Maintenance worker Taylor Hantin led the project and was assisted by Jason Wilmoth and Mike Joyner. AFTER Page 9 TOUCHING BASE PARK OPERATIONS New landscape at Falling Creek Ironworks Park New landscaping at lookout trail and Bryan Walker Memorial marker at Falling Creek Ironworks Park. All plants came from Coleville Nursery in Ashland, VA. New “Welcome to Chesterfield” County sign New sign and landscape at Route 1 and Jefferson Davis Highway medians. Page 10 TOUCHING BASE PARKS PLANNING/DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION Midlothian Park Village The destination sign was re- placed this week at Midlothian Village Park which was formally known as Watkins Annex. This endeavor was a joint venture through Chesterfield County Administration, Department of Parks and Recreation, Depart- ment of General Services, and The Life Long Learning Insti- tute. The sign was replaced with state of the art panels and high visibly digital printing to ensure users now they have ar- rived. Page 11 TOUCHING BASE PARKS PLANNING/DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION Page 12 TOUCHING BASE PARKS PLANNING/DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION Volume 4, Issue 47 Page 13 Chesterfield.gov/parks www.twitter.com/CCPRVA www.facebook.com/chesterfieldvaparksrec Friday, Dec. 6, 7-9 p.m. Boar’s Head Feast Saturday, Dec. 7, 6-8 p.m. @ Henricus Historical Park Saturday, Dec. 7, 1-4 p.m. “An Old-Fashioned Christmas” Open House @ Magnolia Grange Saturday, Dec. 14, noon-5 p.m. Three Centuries of Virginia Christmas and a visit from Father Christmas @ Henricus Historical Park Saturday, Dec. 14, 7:30 p.m. 26th Annual James River Parade of Lights @ Henricus Historical Park Week of December 16 Winter/Spring 2020 Program Guide will be available in county buildings, libraries and at www.chesterfield.gov/programguide Thursday, Jan. 2, 2020, 8:30 a.m. Registration begins for Winter/Spring programs Details on events can be found at www.chesterfield.gov/parks in the Calendar. .