Bartram recalls fun times with Parks and Rec

     As her time with the City of Monticello’s Parks and Recreation Department comes to a close, Tami Bartram looked back on the changes she’s seen since she started 14 years ago.

     In 2003, Bartram was hired as the assistant Parks and Rec director, working with Travis Senters at the time. Senters was also the schools’ athletic director at the same time. When he chose to resign, Bartram was promoted to full-time director by then-City Administrator Tim Rhode.

     Bartram’s job over time changed in terms of her job responsibilities, namely managing the Aquatic Center.

     As the assistant early on, Bartram said her job included the physical labor and ball field preparation.

     “There was no baseball or softball at the time,” said Bartram of the offerings through Parks and Rec.

     As for why she wanted the job in the first place and why she stuck with it all these years, “It was fun. I liked the job and loved the kids.”

     A few years after taking over as the director, in 2008, the department took over little league, softball and prep-baseball. Bartram said prior to that, those programs were just operated by parents in town.

     Other programming throughout the early years consisted of peewee baseball for second and third graders, tee-ball for kindergarten and first, travel basketball league for fifth through eighth graders, and flag football for third through sixth graders.

     For the adults, Parks and Rec offered co-ed and men’s softball and co-ed volleyball.

     “There was also no soccer leagues in the beginning,” recalled Bartram.

     Adult softball was played at what was appropriately called the “Energy field,” next to Energy Manufacturing. She said once that field became non-existent, those teams started going to other towns to play.

     “We tried an adult kickball league, but that didn’t pan out,” she said. “But it would have been fun.”

     When flag football turned into tackle football for the kids, Bartram said it was changed to a passing league so it wasn’t so rough.

     “It was less physical and anybody could play then,” she said.

     Bartram has always been about including everyone.         

“Tami has the gift of encouraging and challenging the children she works with,” said Sue Chapman from the Park Board. “For the children a little more reluctant to participate, she would ask them to come a little closer to the action just ‘to see what as going on.’”

     Park Board member Justin Shover agreed. “Tami has a way with children. They love her. She fostered their interest in various sports and activities. She has a certain way about her that the children just seem to identify with and gravitate toward, which has allowed her to create bonds with countless children within our community.”

     Kim McQuillen, the Park Board president, describes Bartram has “the best cheerleader for the kids.

     “Probably one of Tami’s greatest attributes is that kids love her. She’s known to get down to their eye level to talk and encourage them to try new things.”

     When Parks and Rec took over baseball/softball, Bartram said she was tasked with ordering shirts, organizing the game schedules, and finding people to be umpires. For the soccer program, it fell on her to find volunteer coaches.

     More recently, with the addition of the Baty Disc Golf Course, winter ice skating rink, and horseshoe pits, she’s spent time clearing the disc golf area, literally building the horseshoe pits, and putting the rink together.

     “It’s all in an effort to provide more family activities,” she said of expanding services.

     Other new programming that was brought in included: girls volleyball league for third through sixth grade, kickball for kids in grades kindergarten through third, and t-ball for tots (grades preK through first).

     In 2013, MYBSA took over the baseball/softball organizing. Bartram continued offering sandlot for the same ages, kindergarten through seventh.

     “All of the kids played together,” she said. “It was great, just like the neighborhood kids getting together to play some ball.”

     Before sandlot came to an end, Bartram said she had over 50 kinds involved.

     Her job with Parks Rec also included managing the Berndes Center, as well as the shelters scattered throughout the city park, the swimming pool, and the Willow Shelter behind Pizza Ranch. She also prepped three ball fields at the high school sports complex and managed the concession stands. Before MYBSA took on the task, Bartram also prepped the Jaycees and Kleinow fields, as well as the fields at Shannon and Carpenter schools.

     “I kind of enjoyed the field prep,” she admitted. “I love baseball season.”

     Bartram has also worked with more student and adult volunteers than one can count, taking on such duties as the concession stand, coaching, practices, and lifeguarding (though they were paid for the summer).

     “I have worked with some good groups of families over the years,” thanked Bartram. “I’ve literally seen these kids grow up,” evident by the number of graduation parties she gets invited to every year.

     “This program would be a whole lot different without the volunteers,” she said.

     Bartram said she would be remiss if she didn’t thank the Park Board members she’s worked with over the years; the “city guys,” as she calls them for assisting her with major projects; and countless volunteers.

     “I will certainly miss the kids,” she said.

     McQuillen said it was a pleasure working with Bartram all these years, taking it as an honor calling her a friend.

     “Her work ethic is amazing!” she said. “She’s one of the hardest working and dedicated people I know. She’s always gone above and beyond what was expected of her.”

     Shover said he’s grown to have a tremendous amount of respect for Bartram. “You would be hard-pressed to find somebody that doesn’t admire and appreciate the dedication and hard work that Tami has put into the development and oversight of the activities within our community,” he said.

     “Tami has worn many hats and has many talents and skills,” shared Chapman. “She had the utmost respect for her volunteers, her employees, community members, and her fellow Parks Board members. Tami has a work ethic that is out of this world.”

     Bartram reminds people that her presence in and love for Monticello will not end despite not being a part of Parks and Rec.

     “I have enjoyed serving the community, playing and laughing with you and your children,” she said. “My life has been brightened and I hope I made you smile at home point. Remember to have fun in everything you do.”

     To celebrate Bartram’s time with the Parks Department, an open house in her honor will be held at the Berndes Center on Tuesday, Feb. 28. The public is encouraged to stop by throughout the day, wish Bartram well and enjoy refreshments.