Hometown girl returns to Farragut Parks & Rec

Wendy SmithFarragut, The Farragut Insider

The first time Merritt Dodge worked for the Farragut Parks & Recreation Department, she was young, energetic, and so efficient that we had trouble keeping her busy. She was a college student and worked for us for free.

Now Merritt Dodge Piper has returned to the Parks & Rec department. She has the youthful energy she had four years ago, along with valuable work experience. But as the town’s new special event and program coordinator, she no longer works for free.

Merritt moved to Farragut (from west Knoxville) when she was in middle school. Her mother, also Merritt Dodge, grew up in Farragut, and her grandparents helped with the town’s incorporation. Merritt (the younger) studied child & family studies-community outreach at UT and did her practicum (510 hours of volunteer work) with Parks & Rec Department. We liked her so much that we hired her as a park assistant while she looked for a job after graduation. Ultimately, she took a position with UT Extension, where she assisted with meetings and conferences, among other things. She continued to volunteer at town of Farragut events, and even brought along her new husband, Jordon.

It’s a position that expanded after the opening of the Farragut Community Center. In addition to planning and executing at least 10 annual events, Merritt is in charge of the classes and fitness programs offered at the center, as well as supervision of center staff members. It’s not an easy job. It requires organizational skills and creativity, she says, as well as an ability to think on your feet.

“I sort of thrive on chaos.”

Events may be chaotic, but the Parks & Rec Department has the process for each one down pat. Merritt spent her first days on the job reading notes left by her predecessor and exploring the room where event supplies live. She brought her own collection of colored pens and decorative thumb tacks for the bulletin board she’ll use for planning. She can’t wait for her first event – the Shamrock Ball, a father-daughter dance on March 5.

“When I was growing up, I went to every single Fourth of July parade. It’s really cool to think that I could create memories like that for another child,” she says.

She lives in Powell now, but she’s excited to be able to spend her days in Farragut. Her parents are here, and she’s looking forward to lunches at the Apple Cake Tea Room. Farragut looks a little different than it did when she was growing up – the Campbell Station Road/Kingston Pike intersection has been improved, and the old Kroger property is finally being redeveloped – but it’s still full of fond memories, she says.

“It’s fun to be home.”

Town of Farragut marketing and public relations coordinator Wendy Smith is your reliable Farragut insider.

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