The Friday Letter | May 17, 2013

Volume 2 ISSUE WEEKLY

18

NEWSLETTER OF THE PARK AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT

May 17 2013

FridayLetter THE

this issue

In The News:

Park News P.1 Enterprise Services P.2

Construction work on the two I-485 bridges that pass

Nature Preserves & Natural Resources P.6

over Lower McAlpine Creek

Community & Recreation Center Services P.8

and McMullen Creek greenways will cause sections of both trails to close periodically over the next year.

The section

of

Park and Recreation— Park News

McMullen

Creek Greenway underneath the I-485 bridge will close beginning Monday, May 13, and will remained closed through the rest of the year.

It will reopen in early 2014.

The section of Lower McAlpine Creek Greenway under the I-485 bridge will close later this month and will remain closed through early summer 2014.

Greenway visitors can follow detour signs along low volume roads to continue on the

greenway

nearby

Four

and Mile

use Creek

Greenway during trail closures.

Detours

signed by NCDOT.

will

be

2013 Hats Off to Parks an Annual Success The Third Annual Hats off to Parks Luncheon fundraiser occurred on Friday, May 10, 2013 in the beautiful Freedom Park, Charlotte. Proceeds from this years event will, as in previous years, benefit Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation projects. This year's event contributions will help fund a playground that will be built at Park Road Park in memory of those lost in the Sandy Hook school shooting in Newtown.

View the Flickr Photo Gallery of Hats off to Parks here

In The News:

Tournaments & Adult Athletics

Park and Rec Hosts Free Golf Classic for Veterans Senior Games – From April 13th to May 18th, Mecklenand Active Duty Military

Mecklenburg County Senior Games

All military veterans (including National Guard and Reserves) and active duty military personnel are

burg County Park and Recreation held the 2013 Senior Games. Individuals who signed up are 55+ and participate in a wide variety of games. Seniors compete against other individuals of the same gender and similar age. Age brackets are constructed in increments of 5 years.

invited to sign-up to play in the 8th annual Veterans & Reservists Golf Classic at Sunset Hills Golf Course, 800 Radio Road, on June 27, 2013. This event features a free round of golf on a fine course plus lunch provided

by Texas Land & Cattle Steak House at no charge for those who qualify to play.

The Golf Classic is presented by Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation

The locations for the games were held around Mecklenburg County.

The 2013 Senior Games saw a turnout of nearly 300 participants. Depending on how each player placed in their age bracket, they have the opportunity to travel to Raleigh to participate in the State games against the best seniors from all 100 counties. At the conclusion of the Senior Games, participants attend a “Champions Breakfast” to celebrate all that they have accomplished. All individuals 55 and older are encouraged to participate in these games. Registration for 2014 opens in February. If you have any questions please contact Preston Buckman at Preston.Buckman @mecklenburgcountync.gov, call 704-529-3273 or visit www.cmseniorgames.org.

Department and Mecklenburg County Community Support Services-Veterans Services Division to show appreciation to men and women who serve and have served our country in the armed forces.

Pickelball - Every Tuesday, at Jeff Adams Tennis Center, Pickleball is played from 10a-12p.

The event is free and balls/paddles are provided.

Please visit USAPA.org for more information about the sport. Also, contact Preston Buckman at Pre-

Enterprise Services News Powerade State Games of NC May Update If you haven't already registered, then don't miss this opportunity to compete for the GOLD at the 2013 Powerade State Games of North Carolina Gymnastics competition.

Online registration is underway for individuals and teams. This year's event will take place on Saturday, June 22, at the Lake Norman YMCA in Cornelius, NC. Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton held his School Pride event at Memorial Stadium on Tuesday, May 7. Over 700 middle school students from 38 CMS schools participated in the event. Students had to meet certain academic, attendance and behavioral goals to be eligible. School teams rotated through 10 recreation and academic-themed stations, with Newton walking from station to station and offering advice and encouragement, even joining in for a game of “Simon Says.�

The next event at the Grady Cole Center will be this Saturday, May 18, when the Charlotte Roller Girls are back in action.

The Charlotte All-Stars will take on the Charlottesville Derby Dames at 6:00 p.m. and the Charlotte B-Dazzlers will follow with a 7:30 match against the Derby Dames.

Anyone at the amateur level is encourage to compete, including Parks and Recreation gymnasts, NCAAU, USA gymnastics, etc.

Participants will compete in all four events: vault, bars, beam, and floor.

Click here to visit the 2013 Powerade State Games Gymnastics webpage for additional details.

Six on Six Volleyball Classic – Benefiting A Child’s Place On Thursday, May 9th, Jeff Adams Tennis Center hosted the 6 on 6 Volleyball Classic. 48 Teams participated in 8 team pools.

Teams were comprised from the Charlotte real estate industry to form camaraderie and networking.

100% of the proceeds went to benefit A Child’s Place, a local non-profit organization providing education, medical care, food and clothing to area homeless children.

The top 2 teams from each pool advance to the 16-team, single elimination, championship bracket. Trinity Partners walked away with 1st place while EastGroup were the 1st runner-ups. For more information about volleyball please contact Preston.Buckman@mecklenbur gcountync.gov.

Aquatics Five hundred eighty (580) of the best swimmers in the country competed in the Charlotte UltraSwim at the Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center, May 9 – May 12. Ryan Lochte, Dana Vollmer, Cullen Jones and Ricky Berens were some of the talented swimmers who participated. This is one of 5 Grand Prix events held each year in the United States. Swimmers were in top form as many Ultra Swim meet records were broken during the event.

In The News: CPRP Awarded Newly Recognized Certified Park and Recreation Professionals (CPRP) Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation congratulates the following employees on recently bestowed with the earned honor of CPRP. (pictured in order below) Pat Daly—Aquatics/Enterprise Services Joel Kent—Community & Recreation Center Services (NOT PICTURED) James Alsop—Senior Administration/Enterprise Services Katie Robinson—Community & Recreation Center Services (previously not pictured) Tasha Owens— Park Operations (NOT PICTURED) Genni Reel—Aquatics/Enterprise Services Stephen Hutchinson—Nature Preserves and Natural Resources (NOT PICTURED) Bryan Joyner—Community & Recreation Center Services (NOT PICTURED)

It’s more than just letters after your name – it’s an investment in your career that demonstrates your practical knowledge and that you have the current real-world skills necessary in today’s changing park and recreation environment.

Congratulations to all our recent honorees!

______________________

News from McDowell— Part 1 of 2:

Urban Outdoor Connection (UOC) gives chil-

dren, who do not normally have the opportunity, the Exciting additions and chance to explore nature changes have been underand partake in recreational way at McDowell Nature activities. Three local Title 1 Center. In January, the censchools were chosen for ter underwent extensive the 5th grade UOC’s incleaning and organizing, school initiative for the especially in our animal school year. All programs care area and our basecorrelated with state standards ranging from learning ment (yes, we have a baseabout force and motion ment!). We’ve updated our through fishing to heat children’s area with new transfer by roasting marshmallows. The students were given hands-on activities to make storage shelves, a forest science more tangible and fun. This was the last week of programming until the next themed rug, and new naschool year. Kristen Haas and Amber Plantz with McDowell Nature Center enjoyed workture-based activities and ing with the children and are saddened that the lessons are completed. toys. In our classroom, we’ve added hooks for our Pictured left, UOC Youth Participant camper’s backpacks, a great storage cabinet for our microscopes and a beautiful hand-carved wooden bench. In our exhibit area, a wall was actually taken down and now visitors experience a wonderful open view as they enter and are immediately greeted by our LargeThe MeckTeens Plant Sale did it again this year! We raised over $2,100, sold over 1,100 mouth Bass in his large plants, and gave roughly 300 plants to three recreation centers for vegetable and native aquarium. gardens. Plants were sold through the County’s three Nature Centers as well as at the Yorkmont Farmer’s Market. Teens assisted in both the cultivation and sales of the Be sure to read next week plants. Vegetable gardens located at Southview recreation center and Naomi Drenan will of more new additions and be used to help their community with access to fresh local produce, and native wild flowers at Ivory Baker make better wildlife habitat in the heart of the city. Only in its second changes at McDowell! year, the plant sale almost doubled the amount raised last year, making the opportunity for outdoor programs within recreation centers even more of a possibility! There are a few more plants left over, if anyone is interested please email Anthony Shaheen at McDowell Nature Center (ashaheen@mecklenburgcountync.gov).

Trails Workshop Sponsored by Private Donor: Staff and Volunteers learned techniques for building sustainable trails over a three day (April 25 – 27) Trail Building Workshop presented by one of the foremost trail experts in the Country – Woody Keen. The workshop, held at McDowell Nature Preserve, was made possible with a private donation to Partners for Parks.

Trail improvements will be a priority in the nature preserves over the coming years. All full time Operations staff in the nature preserves now have a solid understanding of cuttingedge trail building and maintenance.

Scenes from Events: Nature Center Fun

Powerade State Games of NC May Update Online registration is underway for the Powerade State Games Swimming Competition! This year's event will be June 29-30 at Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center, the same site that was recently home to Ultra Swim 2013 which featured Olympic caliber athletes from across the country.

Competition is open to swimmers of all ages and abilities and registration is just $25, regardless of the number of events.

Click here for more information.

Recreational News from Mecklenburg Communities The Sugaw Creek Recreation Center "Young At Heart" Senior Club On Thursday, May 9, the club attended and participated in the District 8 “Seniors in the Park Day� at Rankin Lake Park in Gastonia, North Carolina. The activities they enjoyed were fishing, bingo, paddle boat rides, corn toss, card games, line dancing and listening to inspirational poems. Entertainment was provided by the Silver Foxes Cheerleaders along with gospel singing performed by the Gastonia Seniors Club.

Sugaw Creek Recreation Center For more information, contact Brett.Krizanik@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov.

Indoor FUN Soccer League This Saturday the Indoor FUN Soccer league will conclude another successful season, with 125 participants. This year Arbor Glen, Ivory/Baker, Sugaw Creek, Tom Sykes, and Tuckaseegee Recreation Centers participated in this instructional 3-4 and 5-6 yr. old league.

Recreational News from Mecklenburg Communities Revolution Park Sports Academy

Baseball and Disc Golf reach Mid-season in Full Stride:

Karate with Leaders of Tomorrow: Revolution Park Sports Academy, in conjunction with Super Kicks Black Belt Leadership Academy, offered multiple free karate lessons for 40 youth ages 5-17. Special emphasis was placed on increasing leadership, confidence, discipline, fitness, and focus. After completion of these free classes, participants were able to test for a yellow belt, with the option to advance further if interested. With the help of the Tackling Obesity Using Conditioning Hobbies Education and Diet (TOUCHED) program, Revolution Park Sports Academy continues to offer non-traditional avenues of increased physical activity among our youth. For more information on this or other program opportunities, please contact Revolution Park Sports Academy at (704) 432-4963.

IAAF World Youth Championships Coaching Selection: Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department’s Anthony James, Recreation Coordinator/Supervisor and Head Coach for the Charlotte Flights Track and Field Club has been selected for the 2013 IAAF World Youth Championships as a Coach. Team USA looks to continue its performance as the World’s #1 Team while in Donetsk, Ukraine at the 8th IAAF World Youth Championships, taking place July 10-14, 2013. USA Track & Field athletes ages 16 and 17 will be considered for the team based on performance at the World Youth Track & Field Trials to be held June 25 – June 26 in Edwardsville, IL. Below pictured from the Charlotte Flights., May 4 meet and special presentation to Anthony James; Left to right: Sgt. Le Braun Evans, Charlotte Flights Vice President; Doug Youngblood, Partners for Parks President; Lionel Leach, USATF National Youth Chair (made presentation to Anthony James for his selection to this 2013 World Youth Coaching and Medical Staff); Anthony James, Charlotte Flights Head Coach and Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Employee; Alvin Woods, Charlotte Flights President and Partners for Parks Board Member. Congratulations to Anthony James (AJ) for this prestigious appointment.

The 2013 Youth Baseball and Inaugural 2013 Youth Disc Golf Leagues have both reached week 4 of their 8 week Regular Seasons. 705 Participants from 46 Youth Baseball Teams (Countywide) and 31 Youth Disc Golf League Participants (2 Regions – North @ Reedy Creek Park and South @ Elon Park) have found their stride and will begin the second half of their seasons this Saturday at 7 different parks throughout the County.

Both programs will run through early June and conclude following their post-season countywide tournaments. Good luck to all the participants. Youth Soccer and Flag Football registration begins July 1!

For more information about youth sports leagues, email YouthSports@MecklenburgCou ntyNC.gov or call (704) 432-4963.

Recreational News from Mecklenburg Communities Earth Day at Ivory/Baker

Scenes from Events Ivory/Baker Recreation Center

Career & Health Fair photos of engaged citizens

Earth Day was celebrated at the Ivory/ Baker Recreation Center when several children from the Anita Stroud After School program and a handful of mothers from the S.T.A.R.S. (tutoring) program took some time from their busy schedules and came outside on a great day to pick-up trash, weed, plant various flowers & plants, and add fresh mulch to the courtyard area and in front of the facility. We were able to do this with the assistance from Ken Carlson (Horticulture) and Anthony Shaheen (McDowell Nature Center) who were able to provide us with plants, mulch, and tools to get the job done. Also, Heidi Kitterman , FMII, joined us in helping the children in planting flowers around the courtyard. Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves as they got dirty and beautifying the Ivory/Baker Recreation Center.

Ivory/Baker Recreation Center For more information on programs happening at Ivory/Baker call 704.432.4580 or email IvoryBakerRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov.

Career & Health Fair Ivory/Baker Recreation Center hosted a career and health fair on Wednesday, April 24th. Over seventy employer and health vendors were present to distribute information and accept job applications. The fair lasted from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. and served over 700 people that day! For more information on programs happening at Ivory/Baker call 704.432.4580 or email IvoryBakerRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov.

Event Pictured in Column to Left—

Recreational News from Mecklenburg Communities Breast Cancer Screenings at Bette Rae Thomas Recreation Center Bette Rae Thomas Recreation Center partnered with the Presbyterian Mobile Mammography Unit to provide mammography screenings to our Bette Rae Thomas Senior and Enderly Park community. We try to raise awareness for Senior Breast Health. During this event, services included: digital mammography technology, Senior Breast Health Education, Senior Nutrition Education, and Healthy Food Giveaways.

Bette Rae Thomas Recreation Center For more information on future health events contact 74-432-3048 or BetteRaeThomasRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.Gov

Soccer Shootout at Ivory/Baker Seventeen kids participated in a soccer shootout at Ivory/Baker Recreation Center. Participants had to show power and accuracy in this competition as soccer balls were placed in various locations in the gym. Congratulations to Israel Moore and Karen Shonganie for winning the boys and girls division!

For more information on programs happening at Ivory/Baker call 704.432.4580 or email IvoryBakerRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov.

Community Day 2013 at Wallace Pruitt Recreation Center

Staff, along with the Charlotte Alumnae Chapter of the Delta Sigma Theta and Psi Mu Zeta Sororities hosted Community Day 2013 on Saturday, April 27.

Over 250 people attended this event and had a chance to gain valuable health information to assist with living a healthier life. Participants received information on how to eat and live a healthier from the 30 plus vendors that attended the event.

There were nutrition classes conducted throughout the day. Each participant received a bag with healthy snacks and nutritional information.

For more information regarding Community Outreach Events or programs, please contact Wallace-

Park and Recreation News: 5841 Brookshire Blvd.

Charlotte, NC 28216 (704) 336-8840

Submissions for the Newsletter

Recreate All Year!

Subscribe to the Park and Recreation E-Newsletter to learn of new and exciting way sto continue recreating during the spring and summer months. Subscribe to the Park and Recreation E-Newsletter to stay up to date on activities that may be available to you.

www.parkandrec.com

Please submit all news for the Friday Letter to your Division Director for review and routing.

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

for publication assistance.

The Friday Letter Volume 2 • Issue 18• May 7, 2013

Upcoming Events: Powerade State Games of NC February Update The Powerade State Games is returning to the Charlotte region in 2013 and we want YOU to be a part of the largest sports festival in North Carolina! Held throughout the month of June, the Powerade State Games will feature over 12,000 athletes participating in 19 different sports across more than 30 venues in a true Olympic-style sporting event. Please read this information carefully to ensure you won't miss out on all the FUN in Charlotte this June!

Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Senior Leadership Team Jim Garges, Director

Online registration for the Powerade State Games is open for most sports at www.ncsports.org. You can save up to $20 on registration fees by registering online through the step-by-step Powerade State Games registration system.

Michael Kirschman, Deputy Director James Alsop, Enterprise Services Renea Barber, Human Resources Mario Chang, Budget Administration Lee Jones, Capital Planning Lola Massad, Community and Recreation Center Services Jeff Robinson, Park Operations