2012_0601 MCPRD Friday Letter

ISSUE

44 June 1 2012

WEEKLY NEWSLETTER OF THE PARK AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT

FridayLetter THE

this issue Park News P.1 Enterprise Services P.2

Volunteer Opportunities

Nature Preserves & Nat Resources P.3 Community & Recreation Center Services P.4

This week we had a onetime large group of volunteers at Reedy Creek who we want to thank.

100 store managers from Starbucks met for a morning volunteer effort.

After having a coffee tasting, Park and Recreation employee Penny Frankie sent them out to work within Reedy Creek.

Volunteers mulched part of the disc golf course path.

They also removed a short split-rail fence that was not working in two parking lots.

Outdoor Swimming Pools Reopened Last Weekend Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department’s outdoor swimming pools and spraygrounds will open for the summer season just in time for Memorial Day weekend! Pool admission is $1 and spraygrounds are FREE.

Spraygrounds open Friday, May 25 and remain open through Labor Day. Pools open Saturday, May 26 and will be open every weekend through Labor Day. Pools will be open on weekdays after school closes (June 8). Park and Recreation’s outdoor pools are: Cordelia Pool, 2100 N. Davidson St., 704-336-2096 and Double Oaks Pool, 1200 Newland Rd., 704-336-2653.

Dress for Success Charlotte Teams Up With Horticulture Dress for Success Charlotte and the Horticulture Team partnered to provide a gardening class for Seniors at Betty Rae Thomas Recreation Center On May 23, 2012. Horticulture Specialists Ken Carlson and Randall Orozco taught a compost class by actually building a compost pile for the 30 seniors who attended.

Dress for Success representatives also attended. In addition, North County Jail vegetable plants were provided to start the new vegetable garden. It was an excellent and successful collaboration and outreach event.

Regular operating hours for swimming will be Saturdays 11 a.m. - 5 p.m., Sundays 1 - 5 p.m., Monday–Friday (including Memorial Day Monday) noon -6 p.m. Lean more .

Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Goes for the Gold At a time when it faced unprecedented budget cuts be-

Download the Aquatics Section of the Park and Rec Get Going Guide

cause of the recession, they managed to be named a finalist for the National Gold Medal Award for the third consecutive year. The award is presented annually by the American Academy for Park and Recreation Admini-

More Pictures on Back Page

stration and the National Recreation and Park Association to honor excellence in management and planning of parks and recreation agencies.

(Continued on Page 2)

Revolution Park Sports Academy: Teen Club Events For The Month Of June —

Summer Baseball Tournaments

School is about to be out and

Youth Boys and Girls Teams Engage in Fun, Healthy, Competition Sports—

summer has officially begun here at Revolution Park Sports Academy. Come join the Revolution Park Sports Academy Teen Club this coming summer as we continue to “Recreate all year!”

Activities for the month of June include a Michael Jackson Experience Wii dance off, fitness center orientations, an introduction to the game of golf, field trips and much more!

The Revolution Park Sports Academy Teen Club has a huge

summer

planned,

so

don’t miss out.

For more information on the Revolution Park Sports Academy Teen Club or a complete calendar

of

events

please

contact Revolution Park Sports Academy at 704-432-4963.

One-hundred thirty two

member that has earned a spot on

teams participated in this regional

the USA Boxing team for the 2012

tournament, playing a total of 342

Olympics in London. Great job and

ball games over two days.

good luck Academy!

nets’ Nest Park and Renaissance

Seven teams (14 & under “B”) and

For more information, please con-

Park. In addition to the tourney

seven teams (14 & under “BB”)

tact Coach Al Simpson at the

games, 2000 participants and fans

competed and battled it out for

Revolution Park Sports Academy

were treated to a home run “bat

CHAMPIONSHIP

for this and other boxing opportuni-

wars” demonstration sponsored by

were presented to the winners in

Eastbay & Baseball Magazine at

both

Renaissance

Twenty-One

traveled from areas all

teams (10, 9 & under) played at

over North Carolina. All

Renaissance

tournaments

Nations Baseball “Bat Wars” Premier Super Regional Tournament

Park.

On May 19th -20th

youth boy’s

baseball games were held at Hor-

Park.

Park.

Twenty-Two

divisions.

Teams

games

teams (9, 8 & under) played at

started

Hornets’ Nest Park. Twenty teams

Saturday and Sunday.

(13 & under) played at South Charlotte Middle School (Davie Park).

Teams traveled from across North Carolina, Virginia and South Carolina to play in these tournaments.

All games began at 9am.

at

RINGS

9:00am

on

which

ties call 704 432-4963.

“Summer sports is a great way to keeps youth active over the summer” "I'm very proud of the work and

Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Boxing Program:

professional dedication of our staff

The Charlotte Boxing Academy in

Mecklenburg County Park and Rec-

partnership

reation Department. Park and Rec-

with

Mecklenburg

and volunteers to earn this recognition," said Jim Garges, Director of

County Park and Recreation has

reation will compete in the Class I

Top Gun Sports Youth Girls Spring World Series Championships Fastpitch Softball Tournament

outstanding team members that

category (population 250,000 and

have been selected to represent

over) against the City of Henderson,

the USA Boxing Team this sum-

Nevada, the Maryland-National

mer in Russia for competition fin

Capital Park and Planning Commis-

Also over the week, youth girl’s

the Junior Olympic World Champi-

sion, Riverdale, Maryland and the

softball games were held at Nevin

onships. The team also has a

Plano, Texas Parks and Recreation Department.

NATURE SCENES McDowell Nature Preserve Orchard Oriole at McDowell Nature Preserve

species, and helped remove an invasive species, Japanese Stilt Grass, from the trail.

Green Invaders

Environmental Education

Latta Nature Preserve

Green Invaders Video

On May 23rd and 24th students from Davidson Elementary

Green Invaders Study Guide

School worked with staff from Latta Plantation Nature

Green Invaders Activities

Center and the Nature Preserves and Natural Resources

Green Invaders Wanted Poster

Division to remove invasive species from the school’s

Charlotte Regional Environmental Network

ECO Trail.

The ECO Trail is used by the school and Latta Plantation Nature Center staff for a number of different lessons throughout the school year.

Students watched the Green

Invaders Video, learned about dangers of invasive plant

Cooperative Extension Services Eating Local in the New South On Tuesday, May 15, 2012 the Levine Museum of the New South hosted, "Eating Local in the New South", promoting the local foods movement. The event began with a southern meal and select wines prepared by Mert's Heart & Soul, located in uptown Charlotte. Kristin Davis, Extension Agent with Mecklenburg Cooperative Extension/Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation, joined Cassie Parsons, chef and owner of Harvest Moon Grille at the Dunhill Hotel, for a open discussion on local foods in Mecklenburg County. Davis shared her personal journey to becoming a locavore and pescetarian, as well as details about her local foods initiatives with Mecklenburg Cooperative Extension/Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation. Parson shared information about the history of agriculture in Mecklenburg and how she built a $1.5M food business. Nearly 200 guests attended the event.

Flat Branch Nature Preserve

Citizen Engagement in Composting 101 Class Central Corridor Citizens and educators engage in learning more about the “how’s” of composting and its benefits.

Recreational News from Mecklenburg Communities Central Corridor — Anti-Bullying Event On Friday, June 15, 2012, the

“From Trash to Golden” Composting 101 at Bette Rae Thomas Recreation Center:

Revolution Park Sports Academy

The

will be hosting “Bullying Stops

Group, Dress for Success and

Now” starting at 6pm.

Bullying

the Park Operations Division

Stops Now is being planned and

presented the 2012 Community

organized by our very own Rec-

Action Project - Composting 101.

Professional

Women’s

reation Employment Corp participant Makalya Bowe. Makalya has

The event taught steps to creating

a great event planned with the

your own composting unit and tips

Revolution Royalty Step Team

related to gardening.

performing

the

Carlson and Randall engaged

causes

to-

participants in a lively discussion of

day. Kevin Thomas of Motiva-

the benefits of composting. Each

tion Through Struggle will be

participant was given a plant to

speaking as well, so come out and

enhance an existing garden or the

support Makalya and the Revolu-

participant could plant it alone and

tion Royalty and help stop bullying

use their skills just learned about

now!

the wonderful world of

bullying

Seniors channeled their inner artist by painting beautiful stain glass containers.

This make and take

craft went home with them to share with family and friends.

For more information about this and other programs at the Bette Rae Thomas Recreation Center, please call 704-432-3048.

Kenneth

discussing

issues

and

Bette Rae Thomas Senior Arts and Crafts:

horticulture.

For

COMPOST

more

information

about

Revolution Park Sports Acad-

One lucky winner walked away

emy (1225 Remount Road) or

with products to make their own

Bullying Stops Now please con-

compost.

tact us at 704.432.4963.

donated a compost maker to the

Dress for Success also

Recreation Center.

For

more

information about this program and others offered at Bette Rae Thomas, 704.432.3083

Compost can be rich in nutri-

Senior Arts Participant

please

call

Seniors on the Move: Arbor Glen Senior Advocate Club ended their year by taking an outing to the Harvey B. Gant museum and

Captain

Steve’s

Fi sh

ents. It is used in gardens,

Camp. The seniors were able to

landscaping, horticulture, and

enjoy great art, lunch, and each

agriculture. The compost itself

“National statistics

other.

is beneficial for the land in

suggest every seven seconds a child is bullied”

Senior Programs and others at the

many ways, including as a soil conditioner, a fertilizer, and as a natural pesticide for soil.

For more information on

Arbor Glenn Recreation Center, please call 704.432.1531.

LIVE LIFE. HAVE FUN. HELP OTHERS.

It’s All About INVOLVEMENT. Getting citizens from various demographics involved in the community and helping them become advocates for Parks, Natural Resources and Community Recreation Services is

More Central Corridor News

a great way to create citizen involvement.

Wallace Pruitt District VIII Country Fair:

Community Resource & Health Fair:

On Friday, May 18, 2012 the Wallace Pruitt Recreation

The Wallace Pruitt Recreation Center partnered with

Center hosted the District VIII Country Fair. In attendance

the Greater Enrichment Program to host a Community

were approximately 80 seniors. The Seniors had much fun

Resource and Health Fair on Saturday, May 19, 2012.

going from table to table purchasing items from other

The community event was free thanks to the many

groups in attendance. The food was delicious and door

donations and services of partners and local area busi-

prizes were given away.

nesses. Over 200 children and parents came out to support the event. Parents were very thankful for the

Citizens from the Korean

For more information, contact Blanche Penn,

event and are looking forward to future community

Senior Center

Recreation Specialist 704.432.6775.

events at Wallace Pruitt.

For more information on programs and events at

Karaoke with the Korean Senior Center

the Wallace Recreation Center, contact Blanche

Arbor Glen’s Korean Senior Center and Staff enjoyed

Penn 704.432.6775

Don’t Forget to…

SMILE.

singing karaoke and dancing. A mixture of Michael Jackson, The Bee Gees, and Korean Songs were sung.

For more information on Senior Programs and others at the Arbor Glenn Recreation Center, please call 704.432.1531.

Park and Recreation Staff go the extra mile, with a smile!

Community & Recreation Center Services

After School Programs at Tom Sykes

Beneficial Programming.

Developing Character.

Enriching Lives.

Tom Sykes Recreation Center just completed all their non-traditional, staff directed after school programs for the 2011-2012 school year.

The programs offered included Art Adventures,

Fantastic

Fridays,

Interactive Gaming, Lego Engi-

Race Week at Mallard Creek Recreation Center:

Park & Recreation Volunteerism

Preschoolers participated in a race car craft class. Some

On Wednesday, May 23, nearly 250 High School stu-

of the children sported racing attire and as class began

dents, CMS teachers and Job Coaches enjoyed a Volun-

they talked about their favorite race car drivers. Following

teer Appreciation Pizza Jam at Camp Greene from 10:30

the race car theme, the children made sun catchers, a

until 1:30. Throughout the school year, these CMS volun-

key chain and created their own motor sports logo sign.

teers worked on maintenance projects that various park

While it was exciting to create race cars they shared what

department crews set up for them and their efforts helped

their number would be if they were a real race car driver.

enhance the appearance of our parks. The Volunteer Coor-

neering, and Sizzling Sports Afternoons. For this school year, this program reached over 1,600 participants!

dinator and team thanked everyone with an end of the year For more exciting programs like Race Week, please

bash that included a 3 on 3 basketball tournament, a dance

visit the Mallard Creek Recreation Center website at

contest and an Art Show. Thanks again to the following

www.parkandrec.com and then click on “Rec Cen-

High Schools for supporting Park and Recreation volunteer

ters�.

needs throughout the year: Hopewell, Morgan , Providence,

If you would like more information

Hough, West Charlotte, Grainger, Vance, Harding, Ardrey

about any of these programs, please contact Joel.Kent or 704.432.4806.

Kell, Hopewell, Rocky River and Independence High

Traditional Summer Camp Parent Orientations:

Schools.

This past month the volunteer coordination team has also

This week, staff at Hickory Grove, Berewick and Mallard

hosted volunteer groups from the following Community Part-

Creek Recreation Centers will be hosting the World Ad-

ners; IKEA, Duke Energy, Wells Fargo, Camden Proper-

ventures Summer Day Camp Parent Orientations. These

ties, Selective Insurance, US Bank and the Charlotte

events provide parents and campers the opportunity to

Association of Health Underwriters.

meet with staff and tour the facility as well as obtain a

truly appreciate the support of all or our volunteers.

parent

manual

while

completing

necessary

paper-

work. Enrollment began February 1 and all three camps are full, however, registration is still available at Wallace Pruitt and Methodist Home Recreation Centers. Staff is eager to begin camp!

For additional information on Summer Camps, visit www.parkandrec.com call 311 or visit you closest

Community & Recreation Center Services

We rely on and

Recreational News from Mecklenburg Communities

Senior Games Silver Arts Performance:

South Corridor —

On Thursday, May 3rd, over 20 groups competed at the Levine

Reading Rocks!

So Does Naomi Drenan Recreation Center’s “Sky Hy Steppers!”:

Senior Center for the Senior Games Silver Arts Performance.

The Sky Hy Steppers performed at Cotswold Elementary School on May 18th for the school’s kick off program that

Participants, ages 55 and

encourages youth to read during the summer. Over 100

better performed dance

students ages 7-12 gathered in the gymnasium to enjoy a

routines, sang their musical

stunning performance of stepping and drumbeats.

favorites, cheered, performed drama skits and various line

Four students that attend Cotswold Elementary and are members of the Sky Hy Step Team were able to strut their skills

dances.

as their peers and teaches cheered them on. For more information about programs at Naomi Drenan Recreation

Gold Winners included

Center please us at NaomiDrenanRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or 704.432.5231.

the McCrory YMCA Praise (Left) Members of the Sky Hy Steppers of Naomi

Dancers & African Drum-

Drenan Recreation Center pose for a picture.

mers, Brookdale Dazzlers and Lil Dis-N-Dat.

nd

2 Annual Anti-Bullying Soul Stepping Competition: th

Over 150 people enjoyed a

On May 26 , Naomi Drenan Recreation Center’s Sky Hy

Broadway style performance,

Steppers Drill Team participated in an Anti-Bullying Step

including a family visiting from

Competition at the Johnston YMCA.

St. Louis, Missouri and New

This event was

hosted by “Diamonds-N-Da’ Ruff” Step Team, and

Hampshire to see their grand-

provided a platform for area step teams to showcase their

mother do high kicks and

talents and creativity, also raising awareness of the anti-

cheers to reach for the Gold.

bullying initiatives in our communities. The teams were judged on precision, synchronization, creativity, appearance, transition and a theme based performance on bullying. With

For more information about

a presentation that was out of this world, the Sky Hy Steppers represented themselves and the department very well.

Senior Games visit www.cmseniorgames.org.

Marion Diehl 4-H Home School Club: On May 25th at Marion Diehl Recreation Center, 10 club members delved into the creative art world of Paper Mache.

Before starting the project, a history lesson was given on the origin of Paper Mache and the vast ways to convey and interpret different meanings of the art form. Participants constructed various molds to use as a foundation for their creations followed by the application of newspaper strips to said mold with a flour & water paste to complete the 1st stage. The project has a few more steps before completion in which the youth will then be able to showcase their “creative masterp i e c es ” .

For

more

information

on

this

and

Ivan.Cohen@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or call 704.432.4335.

other

programs

offered,

contact

Upcoming Events 5841 Brookshire Blvd.

Charlotte, NC 28216 (704) 336-8840



ALL-STAFF Meeting June 6, 2012—Sugaw Creek Recreation Center



PRC Meeting June 12, 2012—Mallard Creek Recreation Center

Submissions for the Newsletter

Volunteer Services Once again, thank you to the Starbucks

Please submit all news for the Friday Letter to your Division

management team who volunteered to help at Reedy Creek Nature Preserve.

Director for review and routing.

Park Partners may contact Kesha Meads at Kesha.Meads@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov

for publication assistance.

The Friday Letter Issue 44 June 1, 2012

Thank You Park and Recreation— From Tyvola Senior Center Park and Recreation employee Tony Blackmon stands near a recently installed bench to provide rest for Senior Citizens as they near the Tyvola Senior Center.

Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Senior Leadership Team Jim Garges, Director Michael Kirschman, Deputy Director James Alsop, Enterprise Services Renea Barber, Human Resources Mario Chang, Budget Administration Lee Jones, Capital Planning Lola Massad, Community Services and Recreation Centers Jeff Robinson, Park Operations