At a recent Valley Lions Club meeting, Valley Parks and Recreation Director Jon Neal discussed ongoing restructuring efforts within the department, including the hiring of Abbie Vingers as athletic coordinator and the search for a program coordinator to oversee holiday activities. Neal, who recently moved to Valley from Munford, Tennessee, aims to boost youth participation in sports such as football, basketball, baseball, soccer, and hopes to start a volleyball league. He emphasized maintaining and improving current recreational facilities before considering new ones, noting the growing popularity of pickleball but also the need to balance interests among different player groups.
Neal, who has been in Valley for five weeks with his family, has already initiated improvements like tree trimming and landscaping at recreation sites, working closely with Public Works. He expressed enthusiasm for Valley’s green spaces and future park developments, stressing the importance of keeping youth engaged in local programs to prevent losing them to neighboring communities. Neal also hopes to strengthen collaboration between Valley Parks and Recreation and Point University, highlighting the university’s new football coach and the potential for a first-class recreation program in the city.
