CITY MANAGER ED THATCHER’S UPDATE: Parks & Recreation Progress

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Parks Department in Heritage Park

Front Row; L to R: Garrett Houston-Parks Foreman, Ricky Harris-Director of Parks and Recreation, Claribel Banda-Main St & Events Manager
2nd Row: L to R: Gilberto Castro, Osiel Martinez, Noel Harrison, Daniel Carroll, Mike Cheatum, Chris Stevenson
Back Row: L to R: Chris Barboza, Brandon Green, Dawrin Gonzalez, Jose Ortega, Brad Lennox, Camron McGill, Corbin Crooks, Jamell Hargrave, Cody Murphy

Despite the extreme heat, our Park and Recreation Team has been working hard in the community this summer to keep things looking as nice as possible.

This includes 441 acres in 13 parks, plus threes cemeteries and the Downtown area. Additionally, the hard-working crew has assisted with City and community events year-round.

The Department is led by Ricky Harris, who was hired in 2020 as our first ever Parks and Recreation Director. Accomplishments within the past 20 months include:

  • The adoption of the City’s first Parks, Trails, Recreation and Open Space Master Plan
  • The completion and opening of the Mount Pleasant Sports Complex
  • The ground-breaking of the Community Center at Oaklawn Park
  • New playground and swing set equipment at Heritage, Dellwood, R.L. Jurney and Keith Parks
  • A refurbished bridge and fishing pier at Heritage Park
  • Resurfaced tennis/pickleball and basketball courts at Heritage Park
  • New basketball goals at Heritage, R.L. Jurney and Keith Parks
  • New benches and backstops at R.L. Jurney Park
  • New t-ball outfield fencing and scoreboards at Fair Park
  • Significant dirt grading, lawn treatments and tree-trimming at all parks

These are just highlights, and there is a long list of additional improvements and repairs at all of our parks that are scheduled or being suggested for funding in the near future.

The value of a quality parks system that provides outdoor recreation and relaxation for all ages and life stages is greater than ever, and there is no doubt that the Parks and Recreation team will continue to keep up the momentum to deliver results.

If you see an employee out working, give them a wave, and know that we all appreciate the opportunity to serve the citizens of Mount Pleasant.

Ed Thatcher,
City Manager, City of Mount Pleasant