The Friday Letter | June 20, 2014

The

Saturday, June 21st Freedom Summer series Freedom Park Jeanette Harris 6:00 PM Jeff Kashiwa 7:30 PM Future Dates July 19 August 16

Wednesday, June 25th U.S. Army Field Band, The Volunteers 5:30 PM—9:00 PM Romare Bearden Park

Party in the Park Romare Bearden Park Music series Every Wednesday through September 24 5:30 PM—9:00 PM

Freedom Summer Series: Bring the entire family and enjoy FREE jazz at Freedom Park. Lawn chairs and picnic baskets are welcomed. No alcohol or glass containers allowed.

Guest emcee Tammy Greene.

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.

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

Athletics Latta Triathlon Over 500 participants took part in the Latta Triathlon at Latta Nature Preserve on Saturday, June 14th. It was a true team effort to host this event. Special thanks to Kevin Metcalf and his maintenance crew for hosting the event and handling maintenance duties. Special thanks also goes to Chris Hunter and several of his park ranger staff for handling parking for the 500+ vehicles. For more information on this annual event, contact Jared Mull at Jared.Mull@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov.

Athletics Charles T. Myers Memoraial City/County Golf Tournament: The weather held out for a beautiful round of golf at the Charles T. Myers Memorial City County Employee Golf Tournament on Friday the 13th. The team of Clay Morris, Charlie Auten, Chuck Melton and Ronnie Smith Jr came away with the best score of the tournament, shooting a 54. Right behind them with a score of 55 was the team comprised of Steve Pearson, Mike Hare, Kam Merrell, and Jim Wiertel.

Taking Closest to the Pin honors on hole 4 was Lorcan Morris and hole 14 was Chuck Melton. Mike Clifton owned the Longest Drive on hole 13. All in all it was a great day for golf, food and camaraderie on the golf course. Thank you to everyone who came out and we hope to see you all next summer!

Football Camp: Dynamic Sports hosted an all-positions football camp on July 8th-10th at the Mecklenburg County Sportsplex at Matthews. The camp, sponsored by ADIDAS, helped develop the skills of thirty middle and high school athletes.

Carolina Tennis Network Tourn: Carolina Tennis Network completed their annual Vacation Celebration tournament this past weekend at Park Road Tennis Courts. Boys and Girls age 10-18 participated in the tournament. A total of 58 players participated in the event.

Carolina Tennis Network Tourn: Charlotte City Tennis hosted their first week of tennis camps for the summer at Freedom Park this week. The program had thirty children participate for the half day camps. Each day consisted of stroke and skill development, point play, and games.

Charlotte City Tennis will be holding camps all summer at Freedom Park and Park Road.

For more information including how to register your child, please visit Charlotte City Tennis’ Camp page at http://www.charlottecitytennis.com/Charlotte_Tennis_Camps/ .

Midwood Tennis Camp: Midwood Tennis Academy is currently offering summer camps at Tom Sykes Recreation Center Tennis Courts. Campers will participate in an hour or more of tennis clinics in the morning (depending on the age of the camper), and another hour or more of match play competition in the afternoon. In addition to tennis, campers will have the opportunity to play other sports like soccer, basketball, kickball, volleyball and more. The first week of camp was held this past week. For more information on future camp dates throughout the summer including how to register please visit the Midwood Tennis Academy website (http://www.midwoodtennisacademy.com) and click the “Summer Camps” tab .

ATTENTION: EPARKS 2.0 IS COMING!!!

To improve customer service and efficiency, Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation is installing a new system for registrations, memberships and reservations.

To complete implementation of eParks 2.0 the current system will be shut down from June 27-June 20, 2014. During this time no one will be able to register for programs, reserve facilities or sign up for memberships online, over the phone or in person.

We expect the new system to be available at 9am on July 1, 2014.

We appreciate your understanding and apologize for any inconvenience.

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:

Athletics CCT Tennis Camp: Charlotte City Tennis hosted their first week of tennis camps for the summer at Freedom Park this week. The program had thirty children participate for the half day camps. Each day consisted of stroke and skill development, point play, and games.

Charlotte City Tennis will be holding camps all summer at Freedom Park and Park Road.

For more information including how to register your child, please visit Charlotte City Tennis’ Camp page at http://www.charlottecitytennis.com/Charlotte_Tennis_Camps/ .

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

Volleyball Camp: North Carolina Volleyball held a three day beach volleyball summer camp at the sand courts at Renaissance park this week. Twenty athletes attended the camp which featured an appearance by former pro beach volleyball player, Gayle Stammer.

Nature Preserves and Natural Resources Carolina Raptor Center: Thursday Night Flights: Carolina Raptor Center held its first Thursday Night Flights event on Thursday, June 19 from 6-8 pm. This first event of the series featured D9 Brewery, MasterBacon Food Truck and music from Singer/Songwriter Mike Alicke. The series will continue every Thursday night at the Carolina Raptor Center through August 21, 2014. $10/adults. Kids are free.

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

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 .

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.

U.S. Army Field Band to Perform at Romare Bearden Park Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation will welcome The Volunteers, a branch of the United States Army Field Band, to Romare Bearden Park on Wednesday, June 25.

Their appearance is part of the Party in the Park music series that takes place from 5:30 to 9 p.m. every Wednesday through Sept. 24.

Since the group’s inception in 1981, The Volunteers has been telling the Army story through rock, pop, country and patriotic music. Its members have performed for millions of listeners in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico, Kuwait and Iraq. For more information about The Volunteers, go to www.armyfieldband.co m/pages/ensembles/ vols.html.

Community and Recreation Center Services Methodist Home Recreation Center: R.E.A.C.H. The REACH program has been a huge success at Methodist Home Recreation Center due to the help of the teachers and administrative staff. several students from three schools were selected to participate in this program based on behavior and grades. The program took place weekly, where each elementary school team consisting of 8-12 participants in grades 4 and 5, got the opportunity to play full court games with parents and cheerleaders rooting them on. The four teams were made up of students from Nathaniel Alexander Elementary School, Morehead Elementary School, and Sedgefield Elementary School. Each team played a total of 8 games and then in the championships.

Morehead and Sedgefield played a great game with Morehead taking home the championship at the end of the night. The staff at Methodist Home including our Recreation Corp Mentees had a great time running the clock, refereeing, and organizing this event. For more information, contact Kelly.Hawkins@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or 704-432-6455.

Community and Recreation Center Services West Charlotte Recreation Center: 4-H Filmmaking Experience On June 10, the “Reel Crew” teens of West Charlotte Recreation Center presented and shared their final projects from the “4-H Filmmaking Experience” at the Park & Recreation Commission Meeting. Videos created by the teens highlighted dramatic scenes from our local parks, stop motion animation, athletic highlight videos, and senior game participants. Teens had the opportunity to learn about the entire process of filmmaking: Pre-production (storyboarding & scripting), Production (filming & camera equipment) and Post-Production (video editing). After hours of film shooting, the teens realized that you need is a little creativity, a good idea, a plan of action and determination to produce an amazing mini-film. This project was made possible, in part, with funding from the Arts & Science Council, the N.C. Art Council, a division of the Department of Cultural Resources, and the National Endowment for the Arts, which believes that a great nation deserves great art. For more information, contact Tamika.Pollard@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or 704-432-6474.

Band cont.….

The Phillip O. Berry High School JROTC, under the direction of SFC James Shepherd, will present the colors at the beginning of the show.

Veterans and active members of the military are encouraged to attend Party in the Park to show their support for The Volunteers while enjoying the beautiful uptown Charlotte setting of Romare Bearden Park.

Party in the Park is free and open to the public.

Guests are encouraged to bring their lawn chairs or blankets and a picnic. No alcoholic beverages can be brought into Romare Bearden Park, but a cash bar serving beer and wine is available. Romare Bearden Park is located at 300 South Church Street in uptown Charlotte.

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 Tom Sykes Recreation Center: Incentive Builders The first week of camp at Tom Sykes Recreation Center had 9-13 year olds learning science and engineering skills while using hands-on techniques which allows participants to become creative thinkers and problem solvers. Working with LEGO projects and using their imaginations participants built their own structures. The highlight of the week was a tour of the Charlotte Hornets, Carolina Panthers, and the Charlotte Knights facilities, where met and did a drills with Charlotte Hornetâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Head Coach Steve Clifford! For more information about the upcoming programs, contact TomSykesRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov<mailto:TomSykesRecreationCenter@Mecklenburg CountyNC.gov> or 704.432.4803.

Powerade State Games Lacrosse: On Thursday, June 26, 2014 the Powerade State Games Lacrosse will host a one-night only showcase style event played under the lights at the home of the MLL Charlotte Hounds, American Legion Memorial Stadium. Players will tryout to represent their respective regions (East-West) to be one of the 25 best players selected to compete for each region battling it out for the Gold Medal. With the help of the Hounds' game day staff, it will sure be a night to remember for the kids. Entry is free! For more Information about our programs and events, visit our web page on www.parkandrec.com, email us at GradyCole-MemorialStadium@MecklenburgCountync.govor call 704.336.2884.

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 Challengeâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;a national environmental stewardship programâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;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.

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.

Community & Recreation Center Services Ivory Baker Recreation Center: Incentive Builders Last week, Ivory/Baker Recreation Center held a 3 day of basketball camp for 117 participants, ages 7-14 years. Campers improved their ball handling skills and learned basic fundamentals. For more information about future programs, contact IvoryBakerRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or 704.432.4580.

Community & Recreation Center Services CMS Summer Institute: On Wednesday June 18, 2014, CMS hosted its annual Summer Institute for teachers at the Grady Cole Center. During the event CMS teachers as well as leaders learned from Superintendent Morrison as well as other national speakers about 21st-century learning, literacy,global competency, school reforms, and more. The Summer Institute gave school and district leaders the opportunity to learn side by side with an impressive number of teachers who interact with students everyday and who are committed to their educational development. For more Information about our programs and events, visit our web page on www.parkandrec.com, email us at GradyColeMemorialStadium@MecklenburgCountync.govor call 704.336.2884.

Adult Softball: Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s D-I, D-II and Co-Rec Tuesday night leagues ended their regular season games on June 17th, they will begin their Playoff games on June 24th. Games will be played at Renaissance Park starting at 7pm. For More information on adult leagues please visit our website at www.parkandrec.com, or call us at 704-336-7639.

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 Adult Softball Men’s C, D-I, & D-II will be ending their regular season games this Thursday June 19th, Games will be played at Renaissance Park starting at 7pm. The playoffs for these leagues will start next Thursday June 26th at Renaissance Park. For More information on adult leagues please visit our website at www.parkandrec.com, or call us at 704-3367639.

Volleyball Women’s Volleyball ended their spring playoffs this past Thursday at West Charlotte Rec Center. There was a total of 7 teams that participated in the league this season. Team Time-Out came out victorious being the champions for the Women’s spring league. For More information on adult leagues please visit our website at www.parkandrec.com, or call us at 704-336-7639.

Volunteer Services Volunteer Season is going strong thanks to our many individuals/groups and their willingness to support our community as well as the numerous staff members that facilitate these projects on a regular basis. Without them, our volunteer program would be nothing.

This week, a group 20 youth and adults from Messiah Lutheran Church in Charlotte came out ready to work at Colonel Francis Beatty Park. Using loppers and gloves, this group drastically improved the tree line around the park. Great thanks are also sent ABS Supply Company for sending two separate groups this week to assist in landscaping projects at Methodist Home Park. We truly appreciate all of their hard work and dedication.

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 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 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

Do you know an exceptional Mecklenburg County employee?

Nominate him or her for an Above & Beyond @ Work Award.

Here is what they can win: An engraved award, a $500 cash award, and recognition at a Board of County Commissioners meeting.

You will receive four vacation hours if your nominee is chosen for an Above & Beyond @ Work Award.

Our team of peer judges will review your submission based on this criteria:  Job performance – employee consistently goes above and beyond what is required of his/her job.  Customer service – employee provides consistently exemplary customer service and displays racial, ethnic and cultural sensitivity at all times.  Models leadership – employee inspires others to succeed.  Dependability/reliability – employee must be in good standing with HR.  Innovation/initiative – employee finds solutions to problems and/or develops new processes or services to enhance customer service quality.  Behavior – employee is positive, dedicated and treats co-workers and customers with respect.

For a list of all of the rules and the nomination form, click here.

Community Meetings cont.â&#x20AC;Ś.

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.â&#x20AC;Ś.

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

Free Swim Lessons Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation is working with Second Ward HS Alumni Foundation in hosting

free swim lessons.

Our vision: Every child is a swimmer before leaving 5th grade

July 1, 2014 Pre Registration Event starts at 5:30 Ray’s Splash Planet Pre registration is required Children & Guardians must be present at pre registration

Community Meetings cont.….

September 15 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

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

Sessions held Monthly on Saturday mornings for 3-12 year olds at Ray’s Splash Planet

A public lottery will be conducted to fill registration. Free swim lessons are focused for those who normally cant afford them, other swim lesson opportunities are available at www.parkandrec.com.

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 24 • June 20, 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