Southeast region.

Former Nashville recreation director aim Fyke has been named to head Tennessee's parks and conservation efforts. Fyke, who worked closely with Gov. Phil Bredesen during his eight years as Nashville mayor, will become the state Department of Environment and Conservation's deputy commissioner for parks and conservation. Fyke, who assumes his new duties April 1, is retiring after 38 years with the Metro Board of Parks and Recreation. In his new role, Fyke will oversee the system of 53 Tennessee state parks, the state Recreation Educational Services Division, Tennessee Historical Commission and the Tennessee Conservation Commission.

Readers of Southern Living have named Chattanooga, Tenn. as the third-best "Weekend Destination With Kids" in the country, after only Walt Disney World and Orlando, Fla.

"Chattanooga's appeal to families with its kid-friendly attractions, variety of hotels and unique restaurants helps us draw in millions of visits each year, and with the completion of the 21st Century Waterfront plan in 2005, reasons to visit Chattanooga will increase that much more," says Bob Doak, president/CEO of the Chattanooga Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. Doak added. For more information, see www.chattanoogafun.com.

The Great Community Place Award, which is for a smaller park that, although not necessarily well-known nationally; has become a nucleus of social activity and revitalization in its community or neighborhood, went to Duluth Town Green in Duluth, Ga., according to the Project for Public Spaces and Metropolis Magazine. Duluth Town Green is a cascading series of green terraces that terminate in the center of the park in front of a Victorian-style performance stage and community center. Visible from any point within the green is a pavilion stage with outdoor seating space that can accommodate up to 10,000 people. An amphitheater directly in front of the stage is designed like a theater-in-the-round with a central patio positioned as a secondary stage for smaller, more intimate events. The green has had the profound effect of bringing residents of Duluth into the center of town and providing a venue where they can interact and reconnect as a community.

The National Park Service's Federal Lands to Parks program has transferred 2,832.4 acres to Talladega County (Ala.) for public park and recreation use. This is by far the largest city or county public regional park in Alabama. Since the inception of the Federal Lands to Parks Program in 1949, this is the fifth largest acreage conveyed to a state or local government nationwide. The property was transferred at no cost. Passive and active recreation will be developed in phases, including nature study, hiking and nature trails, wildlife observation stations, equestrian trails, bicycle trails, all-terrain vehicle trails, camping, hunting and fishing. For more information, contact Bill Huie at [e-mail] or 404-562-3175.

Nearly 100 citizens and dignitaries were on hand recently as Terry White, Florida Secretary of the Department of Elder Affairs, honored Ormond Beach as a Community for a Lifetime. The city was recognized for the wide range of services, activities and facilities it provides for its elderly residents while balancing the needs of all citizens. Communities for a Lifetime is the second phase of Gov. Jeb Bush's Elder Ready Community initiative begun in 1999. Since then, more than 60 Florida cities, towns and counties have joined the program. Participating communities use existing resources and state technical assistance to make crucial civic improvements in such areas as housing, health care, transportation, accessibility, business partnerships, community education, efficient use of natural resources, volunteer opportunities and recreation.

Richmond's Department of Parks. Recreation and Community Facilities recently received a check for $18,000 from the United States Golf Association to support the department's youth golf programs. The department has operated youth golf programs since 1995, and this year opened the first public golf" complex in the city, The First Tee of Richmond. The department's youth golf programs make golf accessible and affordable for city youth ages 6 through 17. Not only do the department's programs expose city children to the game of golf, but they also provide character education and teach life-enhancing values such as honesty, integrity and sportsmanship.

The therapeutic recreation staff at Searcy State Hospital, a mental health facility serving, south Alabama, held a luncheon in honor of their staff (current and retired) during National Therapeutic Recreation Week (July 13-19). The hospital administrator spoke highly of the department's commitment to patients, and they showed a special video made for the occasion highlighting therapeutic recreation programs. NRPA Member Cathy O'Keefe was the guest speaker, and she talked about the value of therapeutic recreation to clients with emotional disorders.

Parrot Jungle Island opened its $47 million park in Miami in June. More than 6,000 guests were part of the opening weekend festivities. Mayor Manny Diaz was on hand to present the park with a proclamation naming June 28 "Parrot Jungle Island Day." Parrot Jungle and Gardens, which opened in 1936, was a historic fixture in the South Florida community that drew