The Tennessee Municipal League has honored the Town of Greeneville with its 2025 “Excellence in Parks and Recreation” award, recognizing the town’s efforts to grow sports tourism and enhance local recreation through the development of a new beach volleyball complex at Hardin Park.
It is the first time Greeneville Parks and Recreation has received this statewide honor, which is presented annually to cities across Tennessee for excellence, innovation and achievement in municipal operations or programs.
“In recognition of city officials’ efforts to find new opportunities to bring sports tourism and outdoor activity on both the local and national levels to their community, TML is proud to present the Town of Greeneville with an award for Excellence in Parks and Recreation,” the league said in a press release.
The award will be presented Tuesday, Aug. 5, at the Tennessee Municipal League’s 85th Annual Conference in Chattanooga.
The beach volleyball complex was developed in response to growing interest in the sport. According to Parks and Recreation officials, participation in the department’s volleyball leagues has surged over the past four years, with approximately 650 players in seasonal leagues and another 250 in the summer beach league. Players travel from at least five surrounding counties to take part.
The summer league is the only organized municipal beach volleyball program of its kind in Northeast Tennessee.
To create the complex, the town repurposed a softball field at Hardin Park and secured a $42,000 Tennessee Tourism Enhancement Grant with a $4,200 local match. The project resulted in the construction of six volleyball courts—four of which meet National Collegiate Athletics Association standards—along with fencing, windscreens, netting, and proper drainage.
The facility also features LED lighting, electronic scoreboards, restrooms, a concession stand and two pavilions for team and spectator use.
In April, the town hosted the NAIA Women’s National Beach Volleyball Invitational, welcoming teams from Oregon, California, Arizona, Alabama, Missouri and Florida. The event generated a multi-day boost for local hotels and restaurants, officials said, as athletes and their families traveled to Greeneville for the tournament.
Greeneville is partnering with Tusculum University to host future volleyball events, with continued support from the Greeneville Sports Council, Greeneville Tourism Department, Greeneville Parks and Recreation, and the Greene County Partnership.
The Town of Greeneville Parks and Recreation Department offers varied activities and sports for youth as well as adults. The department hosts annual special events throughout the year and oversees and maintains several parks and sporting facilities. The Eastview Recreation Center, located at 456 East Bernard Avenue, contains two gyms, a Splash Pad, and the administrative offices of the department. For more information, call (423) 638-3143.
Founded in 1940 and based in Nashville, the Tennessee Municipal League represents and advocates for all 345 incorporated towns and cities in Tennessee.
