Park Update

PARK OPERATIONS AND ATHLETIC SERVICES

 Baseball Tournaments This Weekend: Renaissance Park and Nevin Park will host youth baseball tournaments this weekend. The 11-12 age division will play on Saturday and Sunday at Renaissance, and the 9-10 division will play at Nevin. Over 35 teams are expected to play across the two sites. Both tournaments are directed by Crystal Carolina Sports.

 Park and Recreation Hosts State Youth Basketball Finals: Park and Recreation is proud to be a host site for four Statewide Athletic Committee championship tournaments this weekend. Host sites include Sugaw Creek Recreation Center, First Ward Recreation Center, Hickory Grove Recreation Center, and Bette Rae Thomas Recreation Center. Bette Rae Thomas Center’s 10 and under boys, Bette Rae Thomas Center’s 12 and under boys, Greenville Center’s 12 and under boys, Tom Sykes Center’s 14 and under boys, and Amay James Center’s 16 and under boys will compete for their respective titles in Charlotte. Sugaw Creek Center’s 12 and under boys recreation team will compete in Selma, NC. We wish good luck to all teams competing on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday!





 PS&I: The department was promoted at the Business Showcase last week at The Park (formerly The Merchandise Mart). The show attracted 1,500 attendees and was sponsored by The Charlotte Chamber and the Hospitality and Tourism Alliance. Guests received answers to their park questions and staff, working the information booth, received great comments about Mecklenburg County’s Park and Recreation system. Questions about our greenways and dog parks were the most often asked.

 Ray’s Busy Schedule: Ray had a busy week. Ray attended the Fire and Safety Bowl, will march in the rescheduled Saint Patrick’s Day parade on Saturday and will drop by Spring Fling at Freedom Park in the afternoon. Luckily, Ray is in great shape and loves to encourage folks to “Recreate All Year!” Have you friended Ray on Facebook yet?

 Volunteer Services: Volunteer Services received 56 new volunteer applications this past week. These volunteers will support special events, recreation programs and serve at our nature and recreation centers. The department welcomed groups from Vance, Hopewell and Garringer High Schools. The department also gave 26 community members the opportunity to complete community service at our recreation centers.

GREENWAY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT

 Carolina Thread Trail
o Finalizing Trail Segments in Mecklenburg County: Staff participated in the first steering committee meeting for the Carolina Thread Trail in Mecklenburg County. The steering committee is composed of both citizen leaders as well as staff from throughout the County. Three Thread Trail segments were identified in the County’s master plan update; Little Sugar Creek Greenway, Mallard Creek Greenway and Long Creek Greenway. The committee, with input from the greater community, will help finalize the remaining Thread Trail segments in Mecklenburg County.

o Wayfinding and Signage: Staff met with representatives from the Carolina Thread Trail to discuss the incorporation of the Thread Trail identity within the new Mecklenburg County greenway signage system.

 Briar Creek Quick Buy Program: August and September of 2008 brought significant flooding to many properties along Briar Creek, particularly in the areas between The Plaza and Central Avenue. In an effort to remove damaged buildings from the floodplain and create more open space, County Storm water Services, Park and Recreation, and Charlotte Mecklenburg Utilities partnered to buy a significant number of properties in the Briar Creek corridor. In all Park and Recreation was able to purchase 12 properties as part of the Quick Buy program. The purchase of these properties sets the stage for the development of future Briar Creek Greenway and possibly neighborhood park amenities, while allowing the majority of the floodplain to return to its natural state.




COMMUNITY AND RECREATION CENTER SERVICES

 Amay James Recreation Center 16 and under youth basketball team competed in and won the State Wide Regional competition held in New Bern, North Carolina. The team went undefeated during the regular season and will now represent the County in the state finals to be held at Bette Rae Thomas Recreation Center this Saturday.

 Amay James Recreation Center’s participant, Timmy Lee Green, competed in the 10 and under division at the 2009 Charlotte Bobcat Jr. NBA / Jr. WNBA regional competition at the Time Warner Cable Arena. Timmy came in third place against many competitors and had a great time at the Bobcats Game and evening activities.

 Southview Recreation Center staff met with a group of teens from area neighborhoods and developed a series of on-going teen programs that began last week. The six programs that take place weekly at the center include "Give it to Me Straight" Teen Club, Teen Volleyball Night, So You Think You Can Act?, Teen Game Night and two Teen Fitness Sessions. These programs were designed with the assistance of the teens with the intention of getting them more active in positive, structured activities. In the first week, over 35 teens (mainly from Little Rock Apartments, Boulevard Homes, and the Wingate Community) participated in the various programs. Staff is excited about the level of participation and received positive feedback from the teens.

 Give a Little Day: On Saturday, March 21, Therapeutic Recreation participants will participate in the spring Give a Little Day volunteer projects. This program gives teens and young adults the opportunity to give back to their community and help others in need. The group will spend their morning at the Crisis Assistance Ministry free store warehouse. After a picnic lunch they will enjoy the fresh air while gardening at McGill Rose Garden.

 Teen Summit: On Thursday, March 12, 175 teens, parents and siblings packed Albemarle Recreation Center for the 2nd series of Teen Summits. Teens competed for prizes in a "new school" dance called "stinky leg" and "old school" hula -hoop contests. Pastry Artist Extraordinaire, entrepreneur Daijua Corin, age 12, inspired the audience with her vision of starting her business "Vela Delights", a year ago. She came prepared making 300 plus cup cakes for all who desired to partake. Entertainment was provided by a teen group called C-4 from West Charlotte Recreation Center and CBS Radio Station Power 98 provided music entertainment with special guest "Rich Girls." Keeping It Real topic, Dating Violence empowered teens to express themselves in open dialogue with Morning Mad House Radio Personalities, giving teens solutions and positive alternatives.

 Weigh Less with Ray: 30 Park and Recreation employees have registered for Weigh Less with Ray. Registration and initial weigh-ins will be March 18 - April 1.


 4-H Trains Providers on Citizenship and Service Learning: Mecklenburg County 4-H trained eleven out-of-school time programs on the 4-H Public Adventures service learning curriculum. This curriculum leads middle-school youth through the process of developing and implementing a service learning project through a variety of hands-on activities and experiences.

 51 Trained on 4-H Horticulture / Gardening Curriculum: In an effort to expose Mecklenburg County school-age youth to the wonder of outdoor education and science based experiences, Mecklenburg County 4-H has partnered with P.O.S.T. (Partners in Out of School Time) to offer ten curriculum training sessions this spring. Fifty-one out-of-school time providers were trained on the North Carolina developed "Down to Earth" horticulture and gardening curriculum. These providers will expose over 500 Mecklenburg County youth to hands-on horticulture and gardening based experiences, using science as inquiry.

 Fire and Life Safety Bowl: Mecklenburg County 4-H is a partner in planning and implementing the Mecklenburg County Fire and Life Safety Bowl. The 31st annual event was held on Thursday, March 19 at the Oasis Shiners’ Temple. Thirty-one elementary schools competed in the quiz bowl competition after three months of studying Fire and Life Safety education curriculum.

 Sr. Games Promotional Video: Mecklenburg County PS&I is producing the first Charlotte Mecklenburg Senior Games local promotional video with footage being shot on Thursday, March 19. Several participants in the local games met at the Marion Diehl Recreation Center for action footage of events. Marty Garges, Director of the Tyvola Senior Center, was interviewed for the video to highlight the Silver Arts element. Local participants were also interviewed and given an opportunity to explain what Senior Games means to them. This video will be utilized as a promotional tool for the games and be aired on media outlets such as the Government Channel, the Park and Recreation website and the Sr. Games website as well as being used by the Senior Games Ambassadors at speaking engagements.

 Albemarle Road Recreation Center and Girl Spirit Foundation hosted its first Real Beauty Workshop by Dove on Saturday, March 14. Over 50 girls participated from Greenville Recreation Center, Merry Oaks Recreation Site, Albemarle Road Recreation Center and surrounding girl groups from the Eastside Community. Special guest included Chelsea Gulden, Metrolina Aids Project and Donna Dukes, Author/ Domestic Violence Advocate who gave an excellent presentation that provoked thought and provided education and resources to the girls and parents. The girls enjoyed music, food and activities that focused on topics such as Self Esteem, What Makes Me Special, My Community Garden and The Role of Media and You.

 Pre-School Gym Time: Pre-School physical fitness and recreation prove to be fun with the new Pre-School Gym Time held at Albemarle Road Recreation Center. This new program, held every Wednesday from 10:45 to 11:45 a.m., allows children ages 2-5 to participate in running, jumping, throwing and relays to engage and improve coordination and an early start in healthy living. Local day cares in the area and stay at home parents requested this program.

 Chef Kidz: Chef Kidz began Monday, March 16 at Albemarle Road Recreation Center. This cooking class for ages 8-12 learned how to make edible play dough and hot diggity dogs. Class included safety in the kitchen, hand washing and hygiene. The children chose recipes to make for the next class.

 Life Choices Senior Program visited Wilora Lake Lodge Senior Living and enjoyed lunch Monday, March 16. Albemarle Road Recreation Club provides this program for any Senior Adult interested in learning more about resources available for seniors in the Charlotte Metro area. Senior volunteers provide ideas and assistance in planning and implementing the monthly program.


CAPITAL PLANNING

 Mecklenburg County Regional Sports Complex: Planning and Real Estate Services staff meet with our design consultants and Town of Matthews officials on Thursday, March 20 to review progress on this new site. Construction documents are approximately 50% complete. Due to the County's debt diet, this project will be placed on hold pending future bond sales once the construction documents are completed. Phase I will consist of two synthetic and three natural turf multi-purpose fields, roadways/parking, restroom and playground. The department also received its first viewing of the proposed public art for this complex this week and will review it in more detail prior to its formal approval by the Arts Commission.

 Proposed Bryton Development: Staff met with officials from RheinMedall who are developing a mixed used community near North Mecklenburg High School called Bryton. The focus of the meeting was park and greenway needs for this very large development. A transit stop for the new North Commuter Rail-line is proposed as well as a possible greenway stretch and neighborhood park.

 Proposed United Faith Development: Staff met with officials from United Faith Church regarding a proposal to build a ball field on adjacent, undeveloped county land at Providence Road and Providence Plantation Road. This property was purchased initially for future greenway development and is located with the floodplain of Four-Mile Creek. Consultants and church officials will continue their due diligence work and reconvene with planning staff in the near future.

 Park Road Park Lake Environs Project: A pre-bid construction conference was held on Wednesday, March 18 at Park Road Park for interested contractors regarding improvements and repairs to the lake and dam at this site. Bid opening is set for March 31.

 N.C. Sailing Center: Planning and park operations staff met with the project's design consultant on Wednesday, March 18 to review the final site concept plan. The project will be divided in to three phases with Phase I occurring this spring/summer. It will include improvements to the office/meeting space building, property fencing and accessible pathways. A formal project kickoff event is being planned for May, 2009.

 Proposed Solar Array: Planning and Stewardship services staff met with a vendor who specializes in photovoltaic panel design and applications which generate electricity via solar energy. This would greatly assist in the departments sustainable, green design initiatives for energy efficiency and environmental sensitivity.

 Park Road Park Tennis Complex Expansion: Planning, Park Operations/Athletic and Real Estate Services staff met with representatives of the Charlotte Tennis Association on Wednesday at the Park Road Park Tennis Complex to discuss expansion opportunities. The association has a desire for a large 30+ court complex for Charlotte and Mecklenburg County and is exploring various park sites to investigation potential expansion and/or construction opportunities. The group will continue to discuss options and meet again in a few weeks after further research is completed.

 Berewick Park/CMS Elementary School Progress: Planning, CMS, CMU staff and others met Thursday to finalize plans for the sewer line connections for the school, park, and other users. This issue was complicated by the fact that the sewer line must cross a dedicated conservation easement along Beaver Creek. The State Environmental Program was also involved in the discussion and a workable solution has been achieved. Other easements requests were also identified and agreed to. These will serve the adjacent Charlotte Housing Partnership and Pappas Properties developments and allow CMU to serve these projects with both water and sewer utilities.

 Harrisburg Park Soccer Complex: Final construction work is progressing on the park entrance with access lanes and an entrance island. This new multi-field complex is adjacent to the C.T. Myers Golf Course and is expected to open this spring as soon as this work is completed and a certificate of occupancy has been secured.

 Veterans Park/Morningside Development Progress Update: Planning and operations staff met with the development construction team to coordinate installation of a new sidewalk along McClintock Road, resolution of drainage issues and the cleaning up of overgrown areas of Veterans Park.

 Boulevard Homes/CMS/Southwest Park Joint Use Project: Staff met with CHA, Charlotte Flights, CMS, and CATS to discuss planning and development options for this project. The key is to provide the required program elements without a high level of redundancy within the confines of the master plan.


ENTERPRISE SERVICES
 Grady Cole Center:
o Charlotte Roller Girls: More than 2,000 attended the Charlotte Roller Girls roller derby match with Classic City on March 7. A capacity crowd saw the local team defeat Classic City by more than 40 points. The family friendly event was the first of three home matches at the Grady Cole Center. The next match is scheduled on April 18.

o Carolina Panthers/USA Football Coaching School: On Saturday March 14 the Grady Cole Center opened its doors to over 100 football coaches from across the Southeast United States for the annual Carolina Panthers/USA Football coaching school. Throughout the day coaches attended several sessions which included a presentation by keynote speaker Kenneth Moore of the Carolina Panthers. The event was sponsored by USA football and the Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department Youth Football Program.

Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center:

o Swimming Championships: Eight hundred sixty five (865) kids under the age of 14 competed in the Southern Zone Eastern Section Age Group Swimming Championships March 12 – 15 at the MCAC. Swimmers from Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Southeastern, and West Virginia competed. Swimmers who made the final cut have an opportunity to compete in the Charlotte Ultra Swim featuring Olympians Michael Phelps, Cullen Jones and Mark Gangloff.

o Charlotte Ultra Swim: Staff met with representatives of CATS, Charlotte Sports Commission, Swim MAC, Charlotte Fire Department, and Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority on March 19 to finalize operational, security and site plans for the 2009 Charlotte Ultra Swim.

Ray’s Splash Planet:

o Mom and Tot Meet and Greet: Ray’s Splash Planet hosted its monthly Mom and Tot Meet and Greet on Monday March 9 with a record breaking 202 participants. This once a month program allows for toddlers to splash and play in the water park from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at a discounted rate while parents participate in a meet and greet.

o Mother and Son Outing: Ray's Splash Planet hosted a Mother and Son Outing from JC Washington Elementary School on Sunday March 15 from 1 -3 p.m. Three hundred (300) participants used the splash park and participated in structured games in the RSP classroom and gymnasium at the Irwin Elementary School.

o Birthday Coloring Contest: Ray’s Splash Planet and My School Rocks magazine have partnered to host a Birthday Coloring Contest. Color Ray and enter to win a free birthday party at Ray's Splash Planet. Coloring sheets must be mailed to My School Rocks, Attn: RSP, PO Box 78734, Charlotte, NC 28271-7040 not later than April 6, 2009. Visit WWW.RAYSSPLASHPLANET.COM for more information.

Park and Recreation Update

DIRECTOR

 Accreditation: The department did an outstanding job this week hosting and responding to the Agency Accreditation Visitor Team. Three park and recreation professionals from across the country arrived on Monday and left Friday morning after reviewing stacks of materials, policies and procedures and all the compliance evidence supplied by the department. In all only three standards out of 155 were not met!!! We expect final approval of accreditation in March or October.

PARK OPERATIONS AND ATHLETIC SERVICES

 Midcourt Cup Junior Tennis Tournament: This weekend, the Charlotte Tennis Association will host over 275 participants at the Midcourt Cup Junior Tournament. This is a USTA Southern and NC Level 3 event, which equates to high point value for matches won, and draws the top 10&U - 18&U junior tennis players from Charlotte, NC and other states in the Southern Section. Jeff Adams Tennis Center will serve as the tournament headquarters, but great match play will also be taking place on the courts at Park Road Park, Freedom Park and South Mecklenburg High School. Close to 40 courts will be used throughout the weekend to accommodate about 500 matches. The Charlotte Tennis Association is a non-profit organization, affiliated with the USTA, whose mission is to promote the growth and development of tennis in the community.

 Softball Tournaments Begin: Due to inclement weather last weekend, the tournaments that were scheduled to kickoff the 2009 softball/baseball tournament season could not be held. This weekend, Renaissance Park will host the Wofford girl’s fast pitch tournament on both Saturday and Sunday. Play will begin at 9 a.m. With warm weather expected, it will be a great weekend to get out and enjoy the parks.

 North Carolina Golden Gloves Tournament: Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department hosts the North Carolina Golden Gloves Tournament, March 6 and 7 at Sugaw Creek Recreation Center, 939 Sugar Creek Road. This tournament features 15-20 bouts each evening with the best amateur boxers from across North Carolina, ages 17-34. Bouts begin at 7 p.m. on Friday and 4 p.m. on Saturday and run well into each night. Boxers represent 10 clubs from across the state: Charlotte, Raleigh, Fayetteville, Greensboro, Asheville, Hendersonville, Wilson, Rocky Mount, Ft. Bragg and Camp Lejeune. Matches will be held for novice and open categories each night in up to11 weight classes. The card will also include at least one women’s exhibition bout.

At least eight boxers from Charlotte-Mecklenburg are expected to compete.

Tickets are sold at the door. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for youth, ages11-17, and free to 10 and younger. This event sold out in recent years, so come early.

GREENWAY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT

 Freedom Greene Development on Paw Creek: Staff has been working this week with the developer of the Freedom Greene Development located off of Freedom Drive and adjacent to Paw Creek. The developer will be constructing approximately a half mile of greenway trail and providing Park and Recreation a cash donation to extend the greenway up to Freedom Drive in the future, contingent upon future acquisitions.

 Long Creek Greenway: Staff met with the Charlotte Department of Transportation (CDOT) Midblock Crossing Committee to discuss a midblock crossing over Reames Road. Staff presented the Committee with several proposed alternatives for the design of the crossing. The Committee is generally supportive of the midblock crossing for the greenway and will continue to work with staff to explore the alternatives.

 Briar Creek Greenway – 70% Review: Staff met consultants and Storm Water Services this week to discuss the Briar Creek Greenway and stream restoration plans from Randolph Road to Meadowbrook through Eastover Park. Main discussions centered on work to uncap the Museum tributary that runs through the park, and that a pedestrian bridge would eventually be needed in the park so that it is not segmented by the creek.

 Southwest Park District Meeting: Staff met with the Southwest Park District Council to discuss plans for Sugar Creek, Steele Creek, and Walker Branch, and discuss the latest on the budget situation as it affects future bond sales.

 Carolina Thread Trail: The County has taken major steps this week towards identifying future thread trail corridors. The first steering committee meeting will be held on Wednesday March 18 at the Clanton Indoor Pavilion. Before this meeting all municipalities will have passed the Carolina Thread Trail resolution of support. The County will be applying for a planning grant from the Carolina Thread Trail for mapping and administrative support.

 Creek Coordination Committee Meeting: Staff from City and County Storm Water Services and Park and Recreation met last Friday to discuss project coordination and partnerships on various projects. Little Sugar Creek, Briar Creek, McAlpine Creek, Torrence Creek, McDowell Creek, and Long Creek were discussed.

COMMUNITY AND RECREATION CENTER SERVICES

 More Alive at 55: More Alive at 55 is showing a new life! The seniors have been faithfully attending the Yoga classes at 521, provided by Ann Mason, a volunteer instructor. The seniors have been working out, socializing and meeting new friends. In addition, they are gearing up for their first field trip on Thursday, March 26 to "Classic Cars & NASCAR" plus they will attend a Live WELL health seminar. The club will begin meeting additional times per month for other activities, including bridge, arts and crafts, floral arranging, and bingo.

 Black History Month Talent Show: Albemarle Road Recreation Center hosted its first Black History Month Talent Show on Saturday, February 28. The showcase featured pianist Corey Shipp, who played a piece from Mozart and Beethoven; Artellia Burch, author/poet; and Anointed Flow and Dance praise team, just to name a few. Pastor James Belk of New Change Church International gave opening remarks as Pastor Tony Thomas (Motivational Speaker) spoke words of encouragement to the crowd. Over 50 spectators enjoyed the event and all agreed this program was the start of many cultural talents shows to come.

 Arbor Glen Outreach Center Basketball & Cheerleading Sports Banquet: On Saturday, March 7, Arbor Glen will be hosting its Youth Basketball and Cheerleading Sports Banquet to wrap up another successful basketball/cheerleading season of nearly 200 children. All players and cheerleaders will be recognized and receive their trophy. Over 500 participants, parents, and relatives are expected.

 Tuckaseegee Recreation Center Basketball Banquet: Tuckaseegee Recreation Center will hold its annual end of season basketball banquet on Saturday, March 7 at 1 p.m. Participants and their families from our 13 basketball teams and one cheerleading squad will socialize, eat, and receive their trophies. The banquet is a great opportunity to let our customers know about upcoming programs and to make sure they know how much we appreciate them.

 The Justice Project and Reid Park Celebration at Amay James Recreation Center will be held on Saturday March 7 from 6 – 6 p.m. All ages are welcome to attend this free event and learn about programs offered at Amay James Recreation Center

 Bette Rae Thomas Recreation Center's 4H Kick-Off: Bette Rae Thomas Recreation Center will be kicking off its 4H club on Monday, March 9 from 4 – 5 p.m. for ages 5-18. Nicole Sanders from the NC Cooperative Extension will join us to kick off this exciting program.

 Gang Awareness Walk: A gang awareness presentation and community walk, coordinated by Gang of One (CMPD) and the Charlotte Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta, in partnership with Park and Recreation, will be held in the Hidden Valley neighborhood on Saturday, March 7 at 10 a.m. Hidden Valley has been a target of much activity by domestic and international gangs. . This event is aimed at middle and high school students and community residents to reduce gang violence by awareness and community involvement in positive activities. Saturday’s program will begin at the Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School Recreation Site.

 New 4-H Volunteer Orientation: Mecklenburg County 4-H offers new 4-H volunteer orientation the last Thursday of each month at 9:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. for new and prospective 4-H volunteers. Participants will learn how to manage a 4-H club and receive an overview of available 4-H curriculum. Seven new 4-H volunteers completed the orientation last week.

 STEM and Outdoor Education Workshop: Mecklenburg County 4-H is a partner in the new POST Leaf and STEM initiative. This initiative will increase opportunities for youth in after school and summer programs to use the outdoors to explore science, technology, engineering and math. Robert Furr and Michael Kirschman led an interactive workshop on Friday, March 6 with over 30 participants from local after school and summer programs.

 4-H’ers Earn-A-Bike: 4-H has partnered with Trips for Kids Charlotte to provide lessons in bike safety, bike repair, and bike maintenance to kids in after school. This week seven 4-H’ers from the Belmont YWCA 4-H club participated in the Earn-A-Bike program at the Trips for Kids Re-Cyclery. A bike and helmet is the reward for completing this 3-week course.

 Charlotte-Mecklenburg Senior Games: Registration for the 2009 Senior Games is going strong. Opportunities still exist for participants and volunteers. Opening Ceremonies will be April 18 at Ray’s Splash Planet beginning at 9 a.m.

 Gifted Gardeners Program Grows: Due to high demand, a third “Gifted Gardeners” horticulture class has been added. This new offering of Therapeutic Recreation horticulture program for individuals with disabilities began on Tuesday, March 3 and will continue for 12 weeks.

 New Therapeutic Recreation Specialist: On Wednesday, February 25 the Therapeutic Recreation Division welcomed Alaina Baylor as their newest Therapeutic Recreation Specialist. Alaina graduated from East Carolina University with her B.S. in Recreational Therapy and comes to MCPRD from the Presbyterian Hospital Adult Behavioral Health Unit.

CAPITAL PLANNING

 Palisades Neighborhood School/Park: Staff met with Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools and their design consultant on Wednesday, March 4 to complete design elements for the neighborhood park component of this joint use project. The school's site plan identifies an elementary and a high school on property off Hwy 49 across from the entrance to McDowell Nature Preserve. The park will be built in conjunction with the elementary school which is scheduled to be under construction later this year. Design elements include a play field, playground, shelter and picnic sites and a 1 mile loop walking trail that will connect all portions of the school's site plus provide two (2) pedestrian accesses to a future residential community not yet built. Funds for this park were approved in the 2008 Park Bond.

 Latta Park Pedestrian Bridge and Access Improvements: Footings and foundations for the bridge abutments are currently being formed and poured. Sidewalk improvements are already in place. Substantial completion of this project is expected sometime in April, 2009.

 Winget Park Construction: Work continues to progress on Phase II of this site which includes a softball/baseball field, parking, access road and restroom. The restroom building roof has been finished and work on the interior is set to begin in the next few weeks. Substantial completion is expected by June, 2009.

 Monthly Joint Use Task Force: Park Planning staff attended this monthly meeting of local city-county-school planning departments. Items discussed included plans for the former Statesville Road Landfill (future greenway trail will run thru the property) and the purchase, renovation and re-sale of an historic house off Tuckaseegee Road by the Historic Landmarks Commission.

 Website Training: Planning staff attended a training session on the County's new website upgrade program. Divisions will now be responsible for keeping their web information current and presented. The overall appearance of the Park and Recreation website will also change once this upgrade becomes effective later this spring.

 Revolution Golf Course & Sports Learning Academy Projects: Planning, Enterprise Services and Park Services staff met onsite Friday, March 6 to review construction progress on the golf course. Specifically, concerns had been identified regarding erosion control. Corrections have been addressed and the project is moving forward. The Sports and Learning Academy construction is also going on simultaneously and is approximately 35% complete and on schedule.

 Latta Nature Center Planning: Internal departmental planning work continues on preliminary program design and scope for this proposed project at Latta Plantation Nature Preserve. Desired program elements, square footage needed and exhibit space needs are some of the discussion items moving forward.

 Synthetic Turf Field Products: Planning staff meet with a local vendor for synthetic turf athletic fields on Wednesday, March 4 to review industry products and features for new sports fields. The department has plans for at least five (5) new multi-purpose fields as part of the 2008 Park Bond.

 Berewick Park Design Development Planning: Capital Planning is in the process of coordinating sewer alignment with CMS and CMUD. CMS will be installing this line in the coming months to serve Berewick Elementary School, which will be opening this fall. This coordination will ensure easy Park and Recreation access to the sewer line for the planned first phase of this park.

 Park Road Park Lake Environs Project: The construction bid package and design drawings are almost complete for this long awaited park lake improvement project. A pre-bid meeting for dam repairs has been set for March 17. Bid opening has been scheduled for March 31.

 Southwest Park and Boulevard Homes Development: Park and Recreation Planning staff is teaming with the Charlotte Housing Authority and Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools on what is shaping up to be an exciting project in southwest Charlotte. CHA is preparing a Hope VI grant application that could turn the old Boulevard Homes into a new diverse neighborhood. Based on the concept of an education and recreation campus, the new site would be anchored on either end by a new CMS K-12 magnet school and an enhanced Southview Recreation Center. Tree lined sidewalks and a greenway will wind through the new neighborhood connecting the two facilities. The education and recreation campus will also utilize athletic field amenities now under design at Southwest Park. Redevelopment funding and timeline are contingent upon a successful Hope VI grant award.

ENTERPRISE SERVICES
Grady Cole Center:
 Charlotte Roller Girls: The Charlotte Roller Girls will open their 2009 Roller Derby home season at the Grady Cole Center on Saturday, March 7 at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Roller Derby, which was popular from 1940 – 1960, is a sport where two teams skate around an oval track, jockeying for position with a series of blocks and tactics, to become the first to cross the finish line.

On Wednesday March 4, Fox News Rising spotlighted the local team with a live broadcast from the Grady Cole Center. The segments included a lesson in what Roller Derby is and held several interviews with players, fans, and kids. Fox News is also planning on providing coverage of the bout on March 7.

Tickets are available at www.charlotterollergirls.com or at The Common Market, 2007 Commonwealth Ave. Bouts are also scheduled on April 18 and May 17.

 Homeless Veterans Stand Down: The Mecklenburg County Community Support Services Veteran's Service Office will hold a Homeless Veterans Stand Down on Friday, March 13 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Grady Cole Center. A "Stand Down" is a military term which describes a method of removing soldiers from combat and providing them rest and recovery time before returning to the battlefield. This inaugural Charlotte event will provide an opportunity for homeless veterans from Mecklenburg and neighboring counties to spend the day at the Grady Cole Center to receive food, clothing, benefit information, health screenings, and personal hygiene activities along with a chance to bond with other veterans. The goal is to provide these veterans with the resources they need to address their problems and assist in rebuilding their lives.

Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center:
 Hornets Nest Swim League Championship: Five hundred eighty (580) local youth from the Hornets Nest Swim League will descend on the Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center to compete in the Hornets Nest Championship on Saturday, March 7 from 4:30 – 8 p.m. The Championship consists of ten (10) teams from Mecklenburg County including The Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center, Marion Diehl Recreation Center Pool, Charlotte Christian School, YWCA, Leroy Springs Recreation Center and five (5) local YMCA’s. The league consists of children 18 and under who are not registered with US Swimming. The Hornets Nest League is a winter swim league that promotes a less competitive swim league in which children may compete, learn, and improve without pressure or controversy. The championship meet is the final event of the winter season.

Ray’s Splash Planet:
 Free Learn to Swim Program: Ray's Splash Planet has distributed flyers to ten (10) area schools to expand its free learn to swim lesson program. Scholarships are available for students receiving free or reduced lunch. More than seventy (70) inquires have been received in one week and ten (10) students have been awarded scholarships and placed in the program.

SPECIALIZED PARK SERVICES

Community Garden Activities
 Community Garden/Fred Alexander Park: Specialized Park Services Division and NC Cooperative Extension (NCCES) have been approached by Mecklenburg Health Department to assist them in planning a community garden at Fred Alexander Park. The garden will be maintained by “The Males Place” program at the health department. One objective of the garden will be to educate the male youth group (12-18 years old) in the areas of good nutrition, entrepreneurship, life skills and basic gardening. The crops grown in the garden will be sold at a local farmers market, as well as distributed through the immediate community around the park.

 Community Gardens/Villa Heights and Revolution Park: Specialized Parks Division along with NCCES are also advising two other civic groups who have expressed interest in building community gardens in the Villa Heights and Revolution Park areas. Site assessments, soil testing and soil modification recommendations are some of the preliminary tasks that have been accomplished.

 Master Gardener Horticulture Hotline: NCCES Master Gardener horticulture hotline is open for business again this spring. The hotline is staffed Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – noon from March through October. Trained Master Gardeners are available to answer plant selection, pest management, fertilization, lawn maintenance, and other general gardening types of questions.

NATURE PRESERVES AND NATURAL RESOURCES

 Habitat Steward Training: Reedy Creek will be hosting NC Wildlife Federation OWLS Chapter’s Habitat Steward Training starting March 6. The Habitat Steward Certification program, a 3 day training course, will provide volunteers with the credibility and confidence to be a force in their communities for conservation and restoration of our wild places, using as the foundation the 4 principles of the Backyard Wildlife Habitat program: food, water, shelter and places to raise young.