COMMUNITY AND RECREATION CENTER SERVICES
Summer Day Camp Featured on Fox News Rising: On Monday, February 15, our new Recreation Coordinator for Youth Programming, Joyce Tompkins, was featured on Fox News Rising to discuss the Summer Day Camp options available through Park and Recreation. Joyce highlighted activities that would be featured within the Department operated camps as well as referring viewers to the newest edition of our Get Going Guide where they could find a full listing of all summer day camp options. The conversation also addressed why families need to begin exploring and making their summer day camp choices early so that children will not miss out on the opportunity to attend. Joyce also shared information on how parents can prepare their children for their summer experience.
Therapeutic Recreation Awards: The Therapeutic Recreation Section was awarded the 2010 Distinguished Therapeutic Recreation Department Award by NCRPA. This award looks at TR Departments around the state and celebrates the department that NCRPA identifies as having the most significant impact on their community and the people within the disability communities who are served by this program.
Jana McMullen received the 2010 New and Innovative Therapeutic Recreation Program Award. This award is directly related to the youth at risk mentoring / apprenticeship program she developed and implemented. A primary focus of this program was to increase self esteem, team skills and communication skills for youth who were identified as being at risk and attend schools identified as low performing. Jana used the self esteem index (part of the TR balanced Scorecard) to track improvements in perceived self esteem. This program took a unique approach to addressing issues we know impact the future success of our children.
Career Fair: Albemarle Road Middle School held a career fair for eighth grade students on Wednesday, February 24. Representing Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department were Hellen Tolber, Recreation Coordinator for Senior Programming and Kobeyeh Riley, Recreation Specialist at Albemarle Road Recreation Center. The students were informed about the recreation profession, career opportunities, academic requirements and college degree programs. The staff also discussed MCPRD locations and recreational opportunities.
Active Adults Yoga Class Get’s Some Professional Help: On Monday, February 22 at 521 Recreation Center, the Active Adults Yoga Class was delighted to welcome guest instructor Renee Alsop to conduct a “Healthy Backs” Yoga class. Renee is a Physical Therapist and Registered Yoga Trainer. The class learned a variety of techniques and strategies that help stretch, strengthen and maintain healthy back muscles. Needless to say the class will be “back” next week. For more information contact Bryan Joyner at 521 Recreation Center @ Bryan.Joyner@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or 704-540-2426.
Elon Park Elementary Family Fitness Night, Part II: On Thursday, February 25, Elon Park Elementary School will host the second part of its annual Family Fitness Night. This portion of the event will be dedicated to the families of the kindergarten, first grade and second grade students. The event will showcase many of the special projects that students were involved with in their physical education class this year including dance and choreographed fitness routines. Family Fitness Night is celebrated annually to promote exercise, physical activity and overall healthy life choices for Elon Park Elementary students and their families. Staff from 521 Recreation Center will attend the event and promote the various parks, facilities, programs, activities and events offered through Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department. Amanda Sheppard of Pre-Ballet will accompany Bryan Joyner, Recreation Specialist, to promote the healthy and fun opportunities available to the students. For more information contact Bryan Joyner at Bryan.Joyner@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or 704-540-2426.
NCAA/NBA iHoops Skills Challenge: On Saturday, February 27 at 10 a.m., 521 Recreation Center will host the iHoops Skills Challenge for girls and boys ages 9-14. Participants will navigate a timed obstacle course, while exhibiting basic fundamental basketball skills at designated points within the course. A combination of shooting, passing and dribbling skills will be needed to rank among the top times and scores. Participants with the best overall times and scores will be invited to compete in a regional challenge with a chance to compete in the National Finals in Orlando, Florida. The program is free to participants and is endorsed by the NCAA and NBA. For more information contact Bryan Joyner at Bryan.Joyner@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or 704-540-2426.
4-H Plant Sale a Success: The Spring 4-H Plant Sale ended this week marking another successful effort. Seventy-two orders for berry plants, fruit trees, flowering trees, shade trees and flowering shrubs were processed. As a result, the proceeds from the 4-H plant sale will provide up to 15 scholarships for young people to attend 4-H summer camps and teen leadership conferences in 2010.
4-H Supports New Physical Activity Standards for Afterschool: Mecklenburg 4-H staff trained 20 after school program providers on games and activities that support the new North Carolina physical activity standards for after school at the Regional Reachout training conference. Participants experienced a variety of cooperative and competitive games and activities that provide moderate-to-intense physical activity for young people.
New Master Gardener Interns Prepare to Answer Citizen Calls: The 16 new Mecklenburg County Master Gardener Interns worked this week in preparation for the March 1 start date of the Master Gardener Hotline for 2010. These new interns recently completed 40 hours of intense training on horticulture topics such as lawns; ornamental trees and shrubs; insect, disease, and weed management; soils and plant nutrition; vegetable gardening; home fruit production; garden flowers; and water conservation. After graduating from the training, these interns must provide 20 hours of volunteer support to the Master Gardener Hotline, answering citizen calls on a variety of home horticulture topics. The Master Gardener Hotline is manned by volunteers Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until noon. Call your Master Gardener today at 704-336-4011.
Summer Camp 2010: Summer is fast approaching and Summer Ray Camp – 360° of PLAY, is guaranteed to get children outdoors and engaged in all aspects of play. The Summer Camp Project Team has worked to develop themes (i.e. Great Outdoors, Going Green, North Carolina Adventures, Sports Extravaganza, etc.) to ensure that campers are moving; exercising; participating in hands-on activities, arts and crafts; field trips; and most importantly - outdoor activity. 360° of PLAY will focus on a return to the era of spontaneous play while introducing campers to new and innovative ways of recreating outdoors with their family and peers. Field trips this summer will all relate back to the theme of the week and offer learning opportunities for the children. To improve consistency throughout camp locations, there will be a common curriculum used at each site that was created by the Summer Camp Project Team. Look out for all of the exciting activities due to occur at Mallard Creek, Ivory Baker, Wallace Pruitt Recreation Centers and Thomasboro School Recreation Site. Hickory Grove Recreation Center will continue with Camp Charity this summer with an emphasis on service learning opportunities and a culture of philanthropy. If you would like any additional information on any of these camps, contact Joyce Tompkins at 704-264-4476.
Bully-Free Charlotte: Park and Recreation has partnered with Charlotte Coalition for Social Justice in their Bully-Free Charlotte community-wide collaborative initiative. The goals are to increase awareness and understanding on how bullying impacts our community and our children, promote anti-bullying resources and access to services and programs for young people and/or adults and to create a network of businesses and community organizations that are willing to promote their space as a Bully Free Zone. Results shows 40% of students in High School and 53% in Middle School strongly agree that bullying and harassment by other students is a growing problem. Statistics also reveal an alarming number of attempted suicides by students being bullied. Look for more information as this exciting collaborative begins to develop programs, events and promotional opportunities to help make our community aware that they are not alone.
Keeping Kids in Motion: Week one of Keeping Kids in Motion (KKIM) was a great success and fun for the whole family. We were excited to have KKIM featured on Fox News Rising, Friday, February 19, with our own Recreation/Fitness Coordinator, Brooke Adams. Participating in Zumba, Yoga and Tora Ha Kempo, children learned new and “unique” ways to get active and logged almost 30 thousand steps collectively. Children also learned several great nutrition tips and made their own breakfast sundaes. Parents tried their hand at breakfast burritos and fruit sundaes with our guest chef, Chef Phil. Week two will take place this Saturday, February 27, at 9:30 a.m. at Naomi Drenan Recreation Center. This week will engage children in skills, drills and games of team sports; basketball, flag football and soccer. Our guest dietician will be on hand to teach the children about healthy eating on the go. Parents can participate in a nutrition lesson on choosing healthy menu items at restaurants and have a cholesterol health and blood pressure screening. This FREE event is intended for 6 to 12 year old children and their parents/guardians. Limited to the first 75 participants. Registration will be onsite. For more information visit www.parkandrec.com or www.cokecharlotte.com or contact Brooke at brooke.adams@mecklenburgcountync.gov or 704-336-3805.
ENTERPRISE SERVICES
Memorial Stadium: Staff will be meeting with City Storm Water Services, Real Estate Services, Blythe Development and USI on March 3 at 1:30 p.m. to conduct a walk-through of the bowl area. Blythe has substantially completed repairs to the tunnel and demobilization is planned by March 5, 2010.
Historic St. Mary’s Chapel: Staff has partnered with the Thompson Orphanage Alumni Association (TOAA) to make some minor improvements at the Chapel. Staff is in the process of obtaining quotes to improve exterior lighting, refinish floors and replace seat cushions. Donations from the TOAA and St. Mary’s Chapel capital reserve funds will be used to fund the improvements.
GREENWAY PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT
Little Sugar Creek Greenway
· The Metropolitan: Staff met with Duke Power, Pappas Development, Real Estate Services and City staff to go over items related to Little Sugar Creek Greenway and the Metropolitan. The Metropolitan will be hosting the Symphony Guild Designer House beginning on April 16. The group identified punch list items to be completed and will collectively be working to increase the curb appeal of the site between Pearl Park Way and the Metropolitan along both King’s Drive and Kenilworth Road.
· Elizabeth Ave. to Charlottetowne Ave.: Real Estate Services and Greenway staff hosted a pre-bid meeting on site. The meeting was well attended. The project is out to bid and bid opening is scheduled for March 18.
West Branch Rocky River and Toby Creek Greenways: Pre-construction meetings were held on Friday to discuss the project specifics for the stimulus-funded West Branch Rocky River and Toby Creek Greenways. NCDOT staff met with Park and Recreation, consultants and contractors to go over the expectations and requirements of construction process and reporting for the federally-funded projects. Survey work will begin in March on both greenways with construction anticipated to begin in April once weather improves.
Steele Creek Residents Association Annual Meeting: Greenway Planning staff presented at the Steele Creek Residents Association and provided an update for both park and greenway initiatives in southwest Charlotte. Greenway Planning staff also met separately with Steele Creek resident and advocate Karl Froelich to continue working on land acquisition along the Steele Creek and Walker Branch corridors. The majority of land acquired along the corridor has been dedicated at no cost to the County largely due to Mr. Froelich’s efforts.
Mint Street Pedestrian Improvements: Staff attended a planning meeting for the proposed improvements along Mint Street. This is an important corridor for the greenway program and was identified as an overland connector for Irwin Creek Greenway.
Stewart Creek Greenway Workshop: West Trade Street to Rozzelle’s Ferry Road: Staff conducted the first workshop for Stewart Creek Greenway on Monday at the Wallace Pruitt Recreation Center. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Development Corporation (CMDC) also attended to answer any questions about the Greenway Business Center development. The proposed trail will be located within the limits of the Greenway Business Park between West Trade Street and Rozzelle’s Ferry Road with funding provided by the CMDC. Feedback at the workshop was mostly positive. Staff will move forward with the second workshop on Wednesday, March 10, at 6 p.m. at the Mahlon Adams Pavilion as part of the monthly Greenway Advisory Council agenda.
Carolina Thread Trail: Staff presented the Thread Trail plan to the Huntersville Planning Board on Tuesday. The Planning Board will take action on whether or not to endorse the plan at their next meeting. The presentation will go before the Town Board on March 15. Both boards are set to take action in late March or early April.
Cullman Avenue Project on Little Sugar Creek: Park and Greenway Planning staff met with Storm Water Services and members of the NODA community about the plans for the Cullman Avenue properties and the recent master plan developed by Storm Water Services. Discussion included moving forward with the community garden element as shown on the plan, timeline for the rest of the project and acquisition elements regarding which properties and property owners are willing to sell.
CAPITAL PLANNING AND ALLIANCE DEVELOPMENT
Alzheimer’s Association Memorial Walkway Proposal: Park Planning and Operations staff met with the Charlotte Alzheimer’s Association this week and gave tentative approval for a memorial brick walkway to be constructed at Freedom Park. The proposal is simple in nature and will be modeled after the Frazier Park Our Children’s Memorial Walkway concept. An area near the Princeton Avenue pedestrian entrance has been identified as the preferred location. The next step is to further refine the proposal from a landscape and construction design perspective and develop a cost estimate. The project will be funded solely by this group. The Central Park District III Advisory Council is set to review the proposal at an upcoming meeting.
PARK OPERATIONS AND ATHLETIC SERVICES
Registration for Youth Baseball and Track and Field Ends Sunday: Registration for the Department’s two spring youth sports programs, baseball and track and field, continues through February 28. Cost of the program is $55 per child which includes a competition and practices, a uniform and a season-ending trophy. For more information or to register, visit the recreation center nearest you, call 311 or go to www.parkandrec.com.
Youth Registration Day for USTA Jr. Team Tennis: Registration for Park and Recreation’s first USTA-sanctioned Jr. Team Tennis program continues through March 12. On Sunday, February 28, Park and Recreation will host a youth registration event for those interested in the program. On-court demonstrations will take place at Jeff Adams Tennis Center from 1 – 3 p.m. and program staff and volunteers will be on hand to answer questions. The Jr. Team Tennis program follows the Quick Start format for children ages 10 and under and tennis league play is offered for those ages 18 and under. Practices will be held on Wednesday and Thursday evenings at Jeff Adams Tennis Center, Mason Wallace Park and Veterans Park. Matches will be played on Sunday afternoons at Jeff Adams Tennis Center. Cost is $48. For more information or to register, visit www.parkandrec.com/tennis . Park and Recreation is pleased to become a part of this popular national program through its partnership with the Charlotte Tennis Association.
First Softball Tournament of the Season: On Saturday, February 27, the Department’s weekend softball and baseball tournament season officially begins with the 4th Annual Men’s Softball Bash hosted by InterLink Sports and Entertainment. This one-day tournament will be held at Renaissance Park. Games will begin at 9 a.m. and conclude by 10:30 p.m. A home run derby and a raffle will comprise a portion of the day’s events. All tournament sites will be in use the following weekend (March 6-7) for softball and baseball events. The season will continue through mid-October.
Tennis Winter Challenge Ladder Event: The playoff event for the Winter Challenge Ladder for tennis; which includes singles, doubles, and mixed doubles play, will be held at Park Road Park, February 26 through 28. Over 120 players will participate in the event to determine the winners of ten weeks of play over the winter. The spring season of the Challenge Ladder will begin March 15. For more information, visit www.parkandrec.com/tennis.
Collegiate Lacrosse Comes to Mallard Creek: On Saturday, February 27, Pfeiffer University’s men’s lacrosse team will play a match at Mallard Creek High School’s stadium. Teams will match off at 7 p.m. This will be among the first collegiate events to be held at the venue. Park and Recreation manages external (i.e., non-school) use of the athletic amenities at Mallard Creek High School through a joint use agreement with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.
Cross Country Opportunities to Expand: Athletic Services staff met with Reggie McAfee, Executive Director of Charlotte-based Cross Country for Youth, earlier this week to discuss potential expansion of the popular character-building cross country program for middle school youth into additional park venues. Sugaw Creek Recreation Center has offered the program for the past three seasons and the Department is considering other locations where the program could be successful.
