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Maryville and Alcoa government officials have indicated they will opt out of a new law allowing people to carrying guns in public parks, according to Parks and Recreation Director Joe Huff.

The issue was discussed at a Parks and Recreation Commission meeting Tuesday.

Huff said he hopes Blount County Commission will also ban guns in parks. The state Legislature recently passed legislation allowing handgun permit holders to take their guns to parks, but gave local governments the right to opt out. The law was sent to the Governor and would go into effect on September 1 of this year.

In other matters, teams are being lined up for the Smoky Mountain Classic, which is scheduled for July 10, 11 and 12. Forty teams want in but the annual softball tournament has only space for 30 teams. Parks and Recreation staff will determine who will play in the event.

The pools are open and John Sevier numbers are definitely up, Huff said.

There has been a problem at Springbrook Pool with leaks. "For three weeks we were losing 30,000 gallons a day," he said.

Divers found the leaks, repairs were made and so far the water level is holding its own, said Parks and Recreation Maintenance Superintendent Tom Sims.

Huff reported revenues are still down a little, but are much improved from a few months ago.

"The staff has done a fantastic job in cutting expenses," he said.

Huff said the College Hill Park is close to being complete.

"It will be a nice community park."

The city of Maryville pocket park is located at the intersection of Miller Avenue and Cates Street on one-third acre beside Magnolia Cemetery.

Parks and Recreation Programmer Kelly Forester said that 270 children participated in the annual fishing derby at Alcoa Duck Pond. They caught 335 pounds of fish.

While the city of Alcoa canceled FreedomFest due to the economy, Parks and Recreation will still have pool activities on July 4, she said.