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Arch Flannery* - Battle Creek
Arch R. Flannery came from a modest beginning, born in a log cabin (Berea, Kentucky, 1898). He attended Battle Creek College and graduated from Western Michigan University (1917). During the same year, he became the first full-time physical education teacher in the Battle Creek school system. He voluntarily organized (1920) Battle Creek’s first community recreation program with the cooperation of city, school system, industry and ministerial association. He was granted a leave of absence (1923-24) for the purpose of serving as a consultant to the Hawaiian Island school system where he organized a program of physical education. He was hired by the City of Battle Creek as their first Superintendent of Recreation (1935). When the city merged various departments, he was named Director of Recreation, Parks and Buildings (1948). He retired July 1, 1963, after 43 years of service to the profession and people of Battle Creek.

Arch strongly believed in the benefits of establishing a professional organization and being part of the decision making process. He was recognized by colleagues for providing hours of invaluable service, helping provide direction for more than 24 years, for an organization he helped develop and become a reality. He was an officer; first elected Vice-President (MMAAA 1935, 1937; MRA 1938-1940), President (MRA 1941-1942), member and chair of several different committees including educational policy (MRA 1940) representative Department of Public Instruction (MRA 1946); and other committees including Surplus Properties, Awards and various sports. He served at the national level too, a member of the American Recreation Society (ARS), member of different committees for the National Recreation Association and Treasurer of the American Amateur Baseball Congress (AABC 1947-1963).

Arch established a series of recreation and park accomplishments that enhanced Battle Creek’s quality of life for all citizens in the present and for the future. This is exemplified by Battle Creek being a leading recreation center in the US, home of the Amateur World Series and one of the finest park systems in the United States. Through his efforts the AABC tournament and headquarters came to Battle Creek. He supervised and developed parks and sports facilities at McRae Park, W.I. Fell Park, Bailey Park and Charles Binder Park. These parks are used heavily through the year appealing to the interests of persons living in Battle Creek and in surrounding areas. The park options include golf courses, a zoo, swimming, skiing, sports complexes, picnicking, trailer parks, trails; all these opportunities and more envisioned by the man affectionately referred to as the “Father of Battle Creek Recreation”.

 Arch is owed a special tribute for the motion he made at a meeting on May 15, 1935 in Lansing. The major purpose of the meeting was to unite municipal recreation leaders in the State of Michigan. The motion as quoted: “…that the state recreation departments shall unite in an organization to be known as the Michigan Municipal Amateur Athletic Association; that the seven cities present be elected to charter membership, that in future years other newly organized municipal departments shall be eligible for membership, along with definitely organized set-ups that can conform to the eligibility rules of the association.”
 
 
"Creating Community through People, Parks and Programs!"




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