Park and Recreation Update

Deputy Director:
Ø Master Plan Public Meetings
Monday, February 25, 2008
Senior Center, Parker Hall A&B
2225 Tyvola Road
Charlotte, NC
2:00 p.m.

Community Workshop
Friendship Missionary Baptist Church
3400 Beatties Ford Road
Charlotte, NC
6:30 p.m.

Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Cornelius Town Hall
21445 Catawba Avenue
Cornelius, NC
6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Matthews Town Hall
232 Matthews Station St.
Matthews, NC
6:30 p.m.
Administrative Support:

Ø Marine Corps Buddy Challenge: IT Staff participated with the Charlotte Fire Department to provide a satellite link from Reedy Creek Park to Iraq during the Marine Corps Buddy Challenge January 26. The link was used by local families to talk via live video and audio feed to loved ones in Iraq. It also allowed the soldiers in Iraq to talk with and cheer on family and participants at the challenge event.

Ø TeleNav GPS Software: This new GPS software was added to all Maintenance employees' cell phones. This allows supervisors to deploy staff more efficiently to worksites, particularly for emergency jobs. The navigation feature also adds to safety. It gives supervisors the capability to pinpoint exact staff locations within the parks, greenways and other facilities.

Greenway Planning and Development:

Ø Little Sugar Creek Greenway: Staff continues to work with Charlotte Mecklenburg Utilities and stakeholders on the future plant expansion and development of Little Sugar Creek Greenway at the Little Sugar Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant, south of Tyvola Road. Two subgroups were formed: the Education Subgroup and the Habitat Enhancement Subgroup. The Education Subgroup is investigating how to use the site as an educational experience for both students and adults. The Habitat Enhancement Subgroup will discuss opportunities for preserving and enhancing the flora and fauna habitat at the site.

Ø Toby Creek Greenway: Gwen Cook took Bob Carter, a new Greenway Advisory Council (GAC) member, on a tour of what will be Toby Creek Greenway....yes all the wet ditches and winter mud puddles. Bob is a trooper and gained a sense of the potential for connectivity with this project. He'll report to the GAC in March. Construction is expected to begin May 12, the day after Mother's Day...and graduation!

Ø BOCC Items: On Tuesday, February 5, the BOCC approved the following items:
- The May 20th Society's gift of the Spirit of Mecklenburg statue (Captain Jack on his horse delivering the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence to Philadelphia). The statue of the patriot is 1.5 times life size and will be the focal point of a plaza on Little Sugar Creek Greenway, at the corner of 4th St and Kings Dr.
- A reimbursement agreement with the North Carolina Department of Transportation for $5,328,000 for the construction of Little Sugar Creek Greenway.
North Carolina Department of Transportation: A supplemental enhancement agreement with the North Carolina Department of Transportation for up to $172,000 from NCDOT and $28,000 from the Town of Cornelius.

Capital Planning:

Ø Visited the banks site in Huntersville with representatives from Real Estate Services and Huntersville Planning & Transportation Divisions to determine the most appropriate service entrance into the banks property for future park development.

Ø Met with Fred Hudson of New Life Fellowship Baptist Church to discuss future joint use options for the property at Anita Stroud and Double Oaks Parks.

Ø Met with RES and Neighboring Concepts to develop contractor prequalification criteria for the Revolution Regional Sports & Learning Academy project.

Ø Met with Greg Burnam of the Planning Commission (who is also a 4th Ward Resident) to discuss the plans to put a small dog park amenity in Frazier Park.

Ø Met with Marvin Bethune and Mark Hahn to review and discuss the proposed Linear Park Easement & Agreement at 300 South Tryon Street near Romare Bearden Park.

Ø Facilitated the Capital Planning Division FALT Team discussion with representatives from the other Department Divisions.

Ø Attended the Hospitality & Tourism Alliance annual dinner event.

Ø Facilitated the Strategic Planning and Long Range Finance Sub-Committee meeting of the Park and Recreation Commission.

Ø Agreed to attend the 7am Fundraising Planning Breakfast with Mayor Lee Meyers and other representatives of the Town of Matthews for the Matthews Sportsplex on Saturday February 9.


Community and Recreation Center Services:

Ø Kannapolis Intimidators Baseball team: The Therapeutic Recreation (TR) Adaptive Baseball League has been approached by the Kannapolis Intimidators Baseball team to discuss partnership opportunities for the upcoming 2008 Adaptive Baseball season. Various opportunities may be in play, including development of an additional league that would encompass the northern towns and the north east section of the County. TR has also been in contact with members of the community in Kannapolis to create a regional series of Adaptive Baseball Leagues.

Ø A grant through the National Federation for the Blind: Therapeutic Recreation is in discussion with the North Carolina Parents of Blind Children Association to implement an after-school program for elementary children who are blind and visually impaired. This program will be presented with the assistance of a grant through the National Federation for the Blind. The after-school program will initially focus on empowerment with an expanded set of goals to eventually focus on empowerment, elementary concepts, independent living skills, and independent living activity routines. This pilot program is scheduled to begin in February 2008.

Ø Weddington Middle School: Recreation Center Staff visited the fitness lab at Weddington Middle School on Monday, February 4th to see an interactive fitness lab at work. The school has turned two class rooms into a totally interactive workout environment. A class of thirty preteens were utilizing resistance, cardiovascular equipment and interactive dance revolution and bike games in a fun and upbeat environment. Interactive equipment that incorporates gaming, video/TV and physical activity is the latest trend to combat childhood obesity. Interactive activity rooms are being developed in current and future recreation centers

Ø Martin Luther King Jr. essay contest: Merry Oaks Elementary and Park and Recreation staff on site partnered to conduct a Martin Luther King Jr. essay contest for the fourth and fifth grade classes. Nine classes participated, with 50 essays submitted. First and second place prizes were awarded in each class and a grand prize plaque was awarded to the overall winner. The competition was created to practice for the writing exam students will complete in the next couple of weeks. The topic for the essay was "Are we currently living Dr. King’s dream?"



Enterprise Services:

Ø Partnership:
City Storm water Services started repairs to a culvert and bridge near #3 at the Renaissance Golf Course on Monday, February 4 and completed all repairs on Thursday, February 7. American Golf Corporation has undertaken to paint the interior and exterior of the clubhouse. Staff inspected the cart paths along with American Golf Corporation staff, and repairs to the paths are expected to start in March. Work continues on the driving range, and construction is expected to be completed by May. Paving at the front entrance will be completed once all work is finished on the driving range.

Staff received a revised proposal from The First Tee of Charlotte on February 7, 2008 to fund possible changes to Revolution Golf Course, renovate the clubhouse, and to build a driving range and practice amenities for a junior golf program. Staff is evaluating the proposal and expects to respond to The First Tee of Charlotte by February 15.

Ø Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center:

Staff is hosting the Team Charlotte Swim Meet from Friday, February 8 through Sunday, February 10. More than 720 swimmers, ages 10 to 17, from states along the East Coast are expected to participate. The Aquatic Center will be closed for public swimming.

Ø Ray’s Splash Planet:
On Saturday, Feb 9, WSOC-TV will film footage at Ray’s Splash Planet to market a RSP Spring Break TV commercial. Focus will be on water activities, birthday party amenities and fitness activities offered at Splash Planet.

On Super Bowl Sunday, February 3, Ray’s Splash Planet hosted more than a hundred football fans who participated in the RSP Annual Super Bowl Celebration. Guests wore their favorite NFL team jerseys, played games and won various prizes throughout the day. .


Specialized Park Services:

Ø Annual Winter Landscape Seminar: On February 5 more than 600 area landscape professionals attended the Annual Winter Landscape Seminar conducted by NC Cooperative Extension Service at the Oasis Temple. Participants heard presentations by NCSU Extension Turf grass Specialists on preparing turf management programs for area lawns affected by the continuing drought . A local expert with Bartlett Tree Research advised them on problems to expect in trees and shrubs. Licensed pesticide applicators also earned required recertification credits to keep their licenses current.