Parks board approves annual domestic-violence ribbon display, memorial bench and charity pickleball event; hears fall program and capital updates

The Hendersonville Parks Board on Aug. 25 granted several community requests and heard a series of parks-department updates covering fall programs, capital projects and visitor metrics.

On motions made and approved by voice vote, the board: authorized the Women's Club of Hendersonville to place purple domestic-violence–awareness ribbons along the Greenway annually during October; approved placement of a Parker Strong suicide-prevention memorial bench in Memorial Park near the tennis court/Kids Kingdom area; and approved a one-time charity pickleball tournament proposed by Catalyst Design Group to benefit Second Harvest Food Bank. For each item the board approved the motions by voice; the transcript records no numerical roll-call tallies.

Didi Pinson, Dare Latour and Jackie Jones, representing the Women's Club of Hendersonville, asked for permission to place purple ribbons along the Greenway from Sept. 27 through October and said the ribbons include hotline numbers and resource information. Pinson told the board that "last year when we put these out, we had over half taken," using that as evidence of community need.

Andrew Walters of Catalyst Design Group described a proposed charity pickleball tournament with about 48 players (24 teams) that would raise funds for Second Harvest Food Bank. Walters said the event is a trial-run and that proceeds would support Second Harvest's outreach, including its distribution into Hendersonville through existing programs.

Parks Director Mister Gilley and staff provided several department updates: replacement of two pedestrian bridges at Drakes Creek Park, receipt of the 2025 Land and Water Conservation (LPRF) grant covering a subset of proposed projects, rehabilitation and sealcoating at Memorial Park, and monthly visitor-report data showing more than 2.1 million unique cell phones from 50 miles or farther passing through city parks in July (figure provided by a location-analytics vendor; interpretation cautioned by staff). Gilley said staff expects to complete about 14 of the 16 LPRF projects listed in the packet and called some items "generational projects" such as replacing concession stands and boat ramps.

Gilley also noted entertainment and festivals, saying the Oak Ridge Boys will headline the PigFest kickoff on Sept. 24 and that local resident Jeff Jarrett organized a Thursday-night wrestling event as part of PigFest; staff said VIP ringside seats sold out quickly. Maintenance reported completed summer sod work at the soccer complex, an expected irrigation pump installation for the back soccer fields, and donated awnings for scorekeeper booths from a community donor.

The board recorded motions and voice approvals but did not request further formal conditions on these community events at the meeting. Staff follow-up tasks include coordinating logistics and timelines with the Women's Club and event organizers and returning to the board if any proposed larger events require additional approvals or fee changes.

Votes at a glance - Domestic-violence ribbons (Women's Club of Hendersonville): motion approved by voice vote; mover/second not specified in transcript; outcome approved. - Parker Strong memorial bench (Memorial Park): motion approved by voice vote; mover: Mister Perry; second: Miss Hellman; outcome approved. - Catalyst Design Group pickleball charity tournament (benefiting Second Harvest Food Bank): motion approved by voice vote; mover: Mister Bennett; second: Mister Perry; outcome approved.

Details: where the transcript did not record a numeric roll-call, the article notes the action and records that approval was by voice vote; the transcript contains no numeric tallies.