“An opportunity to grow.”

That was the sentiment shared by Mike Mains on Tuesday afternoon as he told the Elizabethton Star he had effectively resigned as Elizabethton Parks and Recreation Director and Elizabethton Twins General Manager. Mains will be making the move to Johnson City to serve as the Assistant Parks and Recreation Director alongside current director James Ellis. The announcement was officially made Tuesday morning.

“When you work in the recreation field, you pay close attention to the region,” Mains said. “The City of Johnson City has done a tremendous job with their recreation. It is a great opportunity for me to grow, and that’s the biggest reason for me making this move.”

“This is a chance for me to continue in a role I’ve performed in, but in a different setting. I’m excited about what’s ahead,” he added.

Mains will serve in his dual role in Elizabethton until Friday, June 9. The City of Elizabethton confirmed Mains’ resignation early Tuesday morning.

Elizabethton Parks & Rec has experienced key successes over the recent years with the addition of various programs and activities for the public — most recently with the addition of the “Movie in the Park,” extra activities involving the Tweetsie Trail, and being heavily involved with the new Downtown Elizabethton Farmers Market.

Mains passed along any praise regarding those successes to current staff members.

“Any time there is a transition, you see there a chance for growth,” Mains said. “Overall in this profession, you want to make your area ideal and best for your residents.”

“The success we’ve been able to have doesn’t go back to me, it was all by the staff,” he added. “I can’t say enough about the staff of the Parks & Rec. They’ve been fantastic to work with, and I’ll miss working with them. Yesterday, I thought I would take it OK, but today has been a little rough.”

As the Parks & Rec experienced growth with ideas and programs, uncertainty continues to loom with the Elizabethton Twins’ future at Joe O’Brien Field. After negotiations broke down between the City of Elizabethton and Minnesota Twins’ front office, lines of communication have reportedly stalled between both entities.

The Elizabethton Twins are scheduled to compete at Joe O’Brien Field for 2017 after signing a one-year contract. As City Council went through the budget process, no official statement came from City Council as far as funding stadium renovations at Joe O’Brien — reportedly due to no communication coming from Minnesota.

The upcoming fiscal year budget, which is scheduled to go through a final reading next week during the City Council meeting and includes a three-cent property tax hike to fund employee bonuses, includes a capital project list that has multiple parks in line for work. The support for the parks and recreation atmosphere only means a positive outcome for the next director, according to Mains.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time working in Elizabethton,” he said. “Whether the city hires from outside or promotes someone within, I think it will be a good situation with the community support and the support from City Council.”

No official announcement was made in regards to an interim director or timeline for hiring Mains’ replacement. A call made to City of Elizabethton Mayor Curt Alexander was not returned by the Elizabethton Star’s press deadline.