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.