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.