Haynesfield Aquatic Center will not open this summer, and all organized activities that had been planned at the Bristol, Tennessee pool have been canceled for the 2020 season, Director of Parks & Recreation Terry Napier announced Friday.
The City also has cancelled a series of nature camps that were scheduled at Steele Creek Park and a summer youth program sponsored by the Bristol, Tennessee Police Department.
The Haynesfield Aquatic Center, commonly known as Haynesfield Pool has been a favorite gathering spots for Bristol residents from Memorial Day through Labor Day since the pool opened in 1964. Because the pool will remain closed, all swimming lessons and scheduled pool parties also have been canceled.
Camps that have been canceled include:
- Camp Challenge, a program that began in Bristol more than 20 years ago to foster positive relationships between police officers and young people in our community. Capt. Walter Brown of the BTPD said the department is in the process of contacting those who had registered for the camp to notify them of the cancellation.
- Summer Nature Camps at Steele Creek Park. Nature Center Director Jeremy Stout had scheduled camps for young people that focused on ecology, paleontology, insects, wilderness, nature photography, and STEM. Each of these week-long camps has been canceled.
Napier said the public will not be able to rent paddle boats at Steele Creek Park or ride the Steele Creek Express, a small train that runs through park, this summer either because the City did not hire seasonal staff to operate these attractions. No decision has yet been made regarding the opening of Steele Creek’s Splash Pad or picnic shelter rentals, which are currently on hold.
“We’re continuing to follow the guidance of regional health leaders and base our decisions on what is in the best interest of our community,” Napier said.
In the meantime, the City’s 30 parks and Steele Creek Golf Course remain open to the public. Golf cart rentals have been suspended, however, and some amenities with the parks – such as playgrounds and sport facilities - remain closed.
For additional information, please contact Napier at (423) 764-4002 or [email protected].
