The Friday Letter | June 13, 2014

The

Friday, June 13th MCPRD Employee Co-Ed Basketball Tournament 6:00PM Grady Cole Center

Got Extra Vacation Time? Cash It Out June 16-20

Friday, June 13th City/County Employee Golf Tournament Charles T Myers Golf Course

Friday, June 13th Music Box Lunch Series Romare Bearden Park Featured Band: John Franklin

Saturday, June 14th

Mecklenburg County is offering employees the opportunity to “cash out” accrued vacation time. If your current vacation accrual balance exceeds 240 hours as of June 13, you can elect to receive cash for any or all 8-hour increments of vacation time exceeding 240 hours, up to a maximum of 40 hours.

Vacation cash-out requests may be submitted June 16, 2014 through June 20, 2014 via myHR. Payouts will be included in the June 27, 2014 paycheck.

Eligible employees will receive an email June 13 with instructions on how to participate.

You can find more information about Vacation Cash Out here.

Chow Down Uptown Romare Bearden Park 5:00 PM Food Truck Festival

Vacation cash-out requests may be submitted June 16, 2014 through June 20, 2014 via myHR. Payouts will be included in the June 27, 2014 paycheck.

Saturday, June 14th

You can find more information about Vacation Cash Out here .

Summer Pops at Romare Bearden Park 8:00 PM Free Music & Movies

Eligible employees will receive an email June 13 with instructions on how to participate.

Park and Recreation Administrative telephone numbers have changed Park and Recreation has switched to VoIP. As a result our telephone numbers have changed.

The main number for AOB is 980-314-1000.

Athletics Countywide Youth Baseball Tournament: The 2014 Youth Baseball Countywide Tournament will be held this Friday and Saturday (June 13th - 14th) at Renaissance Park. 17 Teams have qualified for the postseason event from the 7-8, 9-10 and 11-12 age divisions. The teams will compete in a single elimination tournament for the title of "Countywide Champion". For more information about Youth Sports email YouthSports@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or call Revolution Park Sports Academy at (704) 432-4963. Upcoming Youth Sports Leagues Registration: Youth soccer and flag football starts on Tuesday, July 8. Contact your closest recreation center for details or visit www.parkandrec.com league registration.

Please access Sharepoint via the link below to update your records. https:// mecktech.sharepoint.co m/teams/ParksandRec/ Team/_layouts/15/ WopiFrame.aspx? sourcedoc={5E9F02E32628-44B4-A33E7062D5B56502} &file=AOB% 20Directory.doc&action=default& DefaultItemOpen=1

Softball: Men’s D-I, D-II, and Co-Rec Monday night softball leagues have finished out their spring season and will be going into their playoff tournament. There was a total of 6 teams that participated in the D-I league, 8 teams participated in the D-II league, and 5 teams participated in the Co-Rec league this season. Games will be played on Mondays starting at 7pm at Renaissance Park.

Athletics Volleyball: Co-Rec B Volleyball league will be going into the final rounds of their playoff games on Monday June 16th.

Games will be played at Wallace Pruitt Rec Center starting at 6:00pm.

Volleyball: Women’s Volleyball will be entering the final rounds of their playoff season this Thursday June 12th at West Charlotte Rec Center. The Games will start at 6:30pm one team will become this season champion by the end of the night. For More information on adult leagues please visit our website at www.parkandrec.com, or call us at 704-336-7639.

Basketball: Men’s 30 and Over basketball started their Spring league this past Sunday June 8th. There is a total of 9 teams in the league this season. Games will be played on Sundays at Bette Rae Rec Center Starting at 2:00pm.

Elite Skills & Drills Baseball Camp Sugaw Creek Recreation Center Advanced Hitting, Pitching, Fielding Instruction, Games June 16-July 3 9am-1pm $25/Week Contact Sugaw Creek Recreation Center to register 704-336-7655

Programs for Kids & Teens Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation and other organizations in partnership with Park and Recreation offer many programs for youth in our county.

Please visit Eparks to search for upcoming programs. To sign-up for programs, you may register online or call phone number listed. If you know the barcode for desired program, you may search by that number.

CMS Summer Institute On Wednesday June 18, 2014, CMS will host its annual Summer Institute for teachers at the Grady Cole Center. During this event CMS teachers as well as leaders will learn from Superintendent Morrison as well as other national speakers about 21stcentury learning, literacy,global competency, school reforms, and more. The collaboration of knowledge will be the start in strengthening the increase in student learning. This Summer Institute gives school and district leaders the opportunity to learn side by side with teachers who interact with students everyday and who are committed to their educational development.

For more Information about our programs and events email us at: GradyColeMemorialStadium@MecklenburgCount ync.gov or call 704.336.2884

Nature Preserves and Natural Resources Tri-Latta Triathalon: This Saturday, June 14, the Tri-Latta will take place at Latta Plantation Nature Preserve in Huntersville. This race consists of a 750 meter swim in Mountain Island Lake, a 17 mile Bike Ride, and a 5 K run on the trails of the nature preserve. Latta Plantation Nature Preserve will be CLOSED to the public from 6 am until about noon while the race takes place. The Tri-Latta draws hundreds of participants from around the Country.

Community and Recreation Center Services Tom Sykes Recreation Center: Fort Building This past Monday, Tom Sykes Recreation Center finished their Fort Building: teambuilding program. In this hands on, interactive program, kids use their creative thinking, teamwork, and engineering skills as they create different themed forts twice every month! Under Joel’s supervision, staff led 30 hours of hands on programming and had 350 energetic kids!

For more information about programs at Tom Sykes, please contact Joel.Kent@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or 704.432.4806.

Grady Cole Center: Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #9: On Saturday June 21, 2014, The Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #9 will host their fund raising banquet at the Grady Cole Center. The purpose of the organization is to support the improvement of working conditions and benefits for police officers, police civilian employees and their families. The organization also finds it important to have a better relationship between the police and the community that they serve. The FOP is a part of a state lodge with over 6,000 members and a national lodge with more than 333,000 members internationally.

The organization has developed a non-profit foundation in order to assist members who are struggling financially or medically. Not only do they take care of their members, they also find the time to assist those citizens in Charlotte who are in need. From buying Christmas gifts and school supplies to providing a good meal for the less fortunate during thanksgiving, the FOP shares a love for their community just as they do for their members.

For more Information about our programs and events email us at: GradyColeMemorialStadium@MecklenburgCountync.gov or call 704.336.2884

McAlpine Creek Relief Sewer Project to Cause Greenway and Road Closures The McAlpine Creek Relief Sewer Project, intended to enhance sanitary sewer system performance, provide increased sewer capacity for present and future needs, and protect the water quality in McAlpine Creek, has entered its third phase of construction.

The project will impact residents who use the Upper McAlpine Creek Greenway, James Boyce Park, and McAlpine Creek Park and also those who drive on Providence Road.

In order to allow the City’s contractor to complete sewer pipe installation under Upper McAlpine Creek Greenway, the greenway will be closed between Sardis Road and Monroe Road beginning May 27.

Upcoming MeckSeniors Programs Shatley Springs & Cheese Factory Tour Come enjoy country cooking, the famous spring water and the beautiful mountain scenery. We will stop to see the Ben long Frescos and the Ashe County Cheese Factory. Lunch is not included at Shatley Springs.

Thursday, June 12th (#55226)

Cost: $35 includes transportation and admission into attractions To Register: Call 704-336 -8105 or sign up at your local recreation center or 311

Community and Recreation Center Services Albemarle Road Recreation Center Father/Son Basketball Tournament The second annual father and son basketball tournament was a huge success. This year there was an elementary, middle school, and high school division. The purpose of this annual event is to strengthen and establish new relationships through the sport of basketball. Several local organizations made this year a huge success. The fathers and mentors received donated mini manicures, chair massages, and lunch from the center’s partners. Entertainment was provided by one of our teens with mime dancing between games. For more information on family programming at Albemarle Road Recreation Center, contact Ivan or Tiffany at 704-5671941.

Community and Recreation Center Services Albemarle Road Recreation Center The Miss:Education of Afro Russe Performance The dance education program at Albemarle Road Recreation Center presented MufukaWorks Dance Company, "The Mis:Education of Afro Russe Dance", as well as two performance companies Square Root Youth and Elite Root Professional. Food was provided by East African Cuisine for those in attendance. The story telling thru dance was told of Gumboot; Mis:Education; Friends for a Season; Holiday; Ballet; Bitter Earth; Time; Mrs?; Mukadzi; and Circle of Unity. If you missed this performance, all is well because the movement continues. Please contact MufukaWorks at 843-441-8803 via email www.dancemufukaworks.com. For more information on programs please contact Tiffany Peterson or Ivan Jones at 704-567-1941 or AlbemarleRoadRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov

Work at Park & Rec this summer Looking for a great job that pays $11+/hour with the aquatics division of Park and Recreation? For information about becoming Starguard Certified (First Aid/CPR), lifeguards please contact us at:

Ray's Splash Planet email Jody Corum Marion Diehl email Pat Daly Aquatic Center email Stephanie Whittington

All Mecklenburg County Aquatic Facilities and Pools are compliant with the VIRGINIA GRAEME BAKER ACT

Party in the Park Series This is a series of weekly performances featuring new and upcoming talent. The series will start May 7, 2014 and run through September. The series will begin at 5:30 p.m. on the following dates: May 7: Peace & Love May 14: Trial by Fire May 21: Who Rescued Who May 28: Lipstick on a Pig June 4: The Extraordinaires June 11: Too Much Sylvia June 18: Flashback, The Party Band June 25: The Volunteers, U.S. Army Field Band

Community and Recreation Center Services

Community and Recreation Center Services

National Program Recognizes Mecklenburg County for its Environmental Accomplishments Mecklenburg County has been awarded Bronze recognition by the State Electronics Challenge—a national environmental stewardship program—for its accomplishments in responsible end-of- life management of its computer and imaging equipment in 2013.

Mecklenburg achieved these results by using an electronics recycler that has achieved environmental certification through both the R2 and e-Stewards electronic recycling standards.

Nature Preserves and Natural Resources The Division of Nature Preserves and Natural Resources is responsible for the protection and conservation of Mecklenburg County's parks designated as Nature Preserves.

Friday, June 13th, 2014 Charles T. Myers Golf Course 8:30 am Shotgun Start

Nature Preserves protect the county's biological resources and natural areas, while providing opportunities for environmental education, nature-based programs, and outdoor recreation.

Our staff offer more than 5,000 programs annually, perform natural resource management, maintain more than 30 miles of nature trails, 6,500 acres, 3 nature centers, and a public campground.

Friday, June 13th, 2014 8:30am Shotgun Start—Charles T. Myers Golf Course

The tournament will be hosted at CT Myers, Friday, June 13. The Shot Gun start will be at 8:30am, with range balls available for practice prior. Please help spread the word on this great event! Let me know if you have any questions and I look forward to seeing you on the course!

Community & Recreation Center Services Arbor Glenn Outreach Center: Arbor Glen Outreach Center was full of talent on Saturday, May 31st with the Korean Seniors and honored guest singing, dancing and presenting art of all forms at the Karaoke Mask Dinner Theater. The audience was treated to Opera, a beautiful piece played by a violinist, the annual Mask Dance and a Finally Choral song of Amazing Grace in Korean. This event brought out the artist in every participant that played a part; and then to end a wonderful event, an authentic Asian meal was served and fully enjoyed.

For more information contact ArborGlenOutreachCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or 704-432-1531.

2900 Rocky River Road Charlotte, NC 28215 Phone: 704-432-6459 Fax: 704-432-6461

15222 York Road Charlotte, NC 28278 Phone: 704-588-5224 Fax: 704-588-5226

6211 Sample Road Huntersville, NC 28078 Phone: 704-875-1391 Fax: 704-875-1394

Summer Fun The outdoor pools and spraygrounds will both open and close on the same schedule, Memorial Day through Labor Day. Spraygrounds The Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department now offers a place for you and your family to escape from the summer heat and cool off in one of the new and exciting spraygrounds. Each sprayground has been constructed with fun water features that you can run through, jump in or just sit down and enjoy.

There is no charge, just come and enjoy.

Facilities with Spraygrounds: Cordelia Park, 2100 North Davidson Street Latta Park, 601 East Park Avenue Nevin Park, 6000 Statesville Rd. Veterans Park, 2136 Central Avenue West Charlotte Recreation Center, 2400 Kendall Drive Sprayground Hours are 10am-8pm

Community & Recreation Center Services Tom Sykes Recreation Center: 4-H This week Tom Sykes Recreation Center concluded its 4-H Embryology afterschool program. For over 3 weeks, had the opportunity to learn about the progressive stages in growth and experience hands-on activities, such as kids turning the eggs. Twenty-three kids participated and were lucky to actually see the quail eggs hatch!

For more information about Tom Sykes Recreation Center programs, contact Joel.Kent@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or 704-432-4806.

Community & Recreation Center Services Tom Sykes Recreation Center: Art Adventures Tom Sykes Recreation Center just completed all of their Art Adventure classes. Kids explored drawing, painting, construction, and project kits designed around themes that developed their imagination and observation skills. We offered over 34 hours of Art Adventure classes and had the opportunity to work with 415 participates.

For more information about these classes, please contact Joel.Kent@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or 704.432.4806.

Summer Fun Outdoor Pools The Double Oaks and Cordelia Outdoor Pools offer summer swim leagues for youth, free swim lessons as well as open swim opportunities. Come on down and enjoy the water.

Hours of Operation Summer 2014 Starting Saturday May 24- Jun 10 (weekends only) plus Memorial day Saturdays 11am-5pm Sundays 1-5pm Monday Memorial Day 12-6pm Starting Wednesday Jun 11 – Mon Sep 1st (open 7 days a week) (Closed Mon Jun 9 & Tue Jun 10) Mon - Fri 12 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Sat: 11 am - 5 p.m.

Sun: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Admission Fees Outdoor pools are only $1 all summer long.

Community Meetings Set for Upcoming Park, Greenway, and Nature Preserve Projects Park and Recreation will host several community information sessions throughout the remainder of the year to obtain feedback on the design and enhancement of various parks, nature preserves and greenways around the County.

June 5 Berewick Regional Park (Design Phase for 2 ball fields for joint use with CMS.) Berewick Recreation Center, 5910 Dixie River Road June 9 Campbell Creek Greenway Information Session #2 (Design Phase for 1.0 mile greenway extension from W.T. Harris Boulevard to Lockmont Drive) Hornets Nest Girl Scout Council Office, 7007 Idlewild Road

Community and Recreation Center Services Arbor Glenn Outreach Center: Blue Skies Calm Waters On Wednesday, May 21st Seniors from the Arbor Glen Outreach Center took a See Charlotte! Trip to Lake Norman aboard the Catawba Queen. They enjoyed a healthy lunch, a history lesson about the man-made lake from the Captain, and the beauty of the Estate homes bordering the water. The group consisted of 33 participants including members from the Korean Senior Center.

For more information contact ArborGlenOutreachCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or 704-432-1531.

Community and Recreation Center Services Arbor Glenn Outreach Center: Cheering Their Way to Greatness The new cheerleading program at Arbor Glen is growing stronger every week. What started as an interest meeting of 6 now has a registered participation of over 25 girls ages 5 to 16. The cheer coaches are preparing the girls for their first meet in hopes of bringing home a trophy or two. To give them inspiration the step team performed for them after their practice.

For more information contact ArborGlenOureachCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or 704-432-1531.

Community Meetings cont.‌.

June 10 Reid Neighborhood Park Information Session #3 (Design Phase for a new neighborhood park) Reid Park Academy, 4108 West Tyvola Road June 11 Evergreen Nature Preserve (Design Phase for Phase 1 development of a new nature preserve) Winterfield Elementary School, 3100 Winterfield Place June 18 Flat Branch Nature Preserve (Design Phase for Phase 1 development of a new nature preserve) Polo Ridge Elementary School, 11830 Tom Short Road July 15 Veterans Park Shelter (Design Phase for renovation of existing indoor shelter) Veterans Park, 2136 Central Avenue July 29 West Charlotte Recreation Center (Design Phase for renovation of existing facility) West Charlotte Recreation Center, 2401 Kendall Drive

Community Meetings cont.‌.

Community and Recreation Center Services

Aug 4 Southwest Community Park (Design Phase for 2 ball fields, parking, shelter) Southview Recreation Center, 1720 Vilma Street August 11 Long Creek Greenway Information Session #2 (Design Phase for 1.0 mile greenway from I-77 to Dixon Branch at Northlake Target store) Hornets Nest Park, 6301

Beatties Ford Road August 19 Hornets Nest Park Shelter (Design Phase for new large indoor shelter) Hornets Nest Park, 6301 Beatties Ford Road September 8 Irwin Creek Greenway Information Session #2 (Design Phase for .5 mile greenway extension from Remount Road to West Blvd) Revolution Park Sports Academy, 1225 Remount Road

Party in the Park Series This is a series of weekly performances featuring new and upcoming talent. The series will start in May and run through September. The series will begin at 5:30 p.m.

Community and Recreation Center Services

Community Meetings cont.….

MeckSeniors Day Trip: Shatley Springs & Cheese Factory Tour

September 15

We had the opportunity to take 40 seniors to visit Shatley Springs & Cheese Factory Tour. Seniors enjoyed the famous spring water from Shatley Springs along with a delicious country style meal.

They also had the opportunity to purchase fresh cheese from the Ashe County Cheese Factory. The last part of the trip we visited the famous art work of Ben Long Frescos. Seniors took in the mountain scenery while holding conversations with friends.

It was a great day for seniors to enjoy getting out and participating in something they find full filling to do and keeps them active.

Seniors will take a small break for the month of July and resume in August with day trips. For more information regarding senior day trips please email Meckseniors at Meckseniors@mecklenburgcountync.gov or call 704336-8105.

Cordelia Park Shelter/ Charles Park Shelter/ Cordelia Underpass (Design Phase for new indoor shelter at Cordelia Park , an open air shelter at Charles Park and an extension of the Little Sugar Creek Greenway under Parkwood Avenue to Cordelia Park) Belmont Center, 700 Parkwood Avenue

September 18 Ramsey Creek Swim Beach (Design Phase for new swim beach at Ramsey Creek Park) Cornelius Town Hall, 21445 Catawba Avenue

Senior Leisure & Learn Senior Leisure & Learn returned on June 3rd. The seniors enjoyed presentations from AARP regarding “Your Home and Community,” had an exercise demonstration from Mecklenburg County Park & Recreation staff, demonstrations and discussions from hobbyists (including great conversational pieces of what makes great hobbies after retirement) of the Charlotte Woodcarvers Club, as well as played games and won small prizes. The day rounded itself off with line dancing and a healthy lunch and a farewell until next time. A special “Thank You” goes to AARP for attending.

For more information regarding senior Leisure and Learns please email Meckseniors at Meckseniors@mecklenburgcountync.gov or call 704-336-8105.

Additional meetings will be added to this list as they are announced.

For more information, contact Kevin.Brickman@Mecklenb urgCountyNC.gov, Park and Recreation Capital Planning.

5841 Brookshire Blvd.

Charlotte, NC 28216 (704) 336-8840

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 The Friday Letter Team at Kier. Harrison @MecklenburgCountyNC.gov for publication assistance.

The Friday Letter Volume 3 • Issue 23 • June 13, 2014

ParkandRec.com Will Soon Have A New Look If you are looking for the latest information on recreation and fitness activities in Mecklenburg County, then www.parkandrec.com is your destination and pretty soon the site will have a brand-new look.

In July, The Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department will unveil a website redesign which will make it easier than ever before to navigate through the site to discover all the things Park and Rec has to offer.

Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Senior Leadership Team

The biggest enhancement to the website will be the way visitors register for Park and Rec events and programs. You will find links for eParks 2.0, which is the department’s new online registration program. Using eParks, patrons will be able to get information about parks, picnic shelters, program, and special event offerings. Patrons will also be able to reserve campsites at McDowell Campground, register for fitness, nature, and special interest classes, reserve a picnic shelter and purchase or renew memberships at fitness and aquatic facilities.

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 and Recrea-

With over 200 parks, 70 miles of trails, 18 recreation centers and so much more, Park and Recreation truly offers something for everyone. So mark your calendars and get ready to discover all the ways you can recreate all year at www.parkandrec.com.

tion Center Services Jeff Robinson, Park Operations Chris Matthews, Nature Preserves and Natural Resources