The Friday Letter | July 3, 2014

The

4th of July Edition

Park and Recreation administrative offices will be closed on Friday, July 4. All Recreation Centers will be closed.

Nature Centers will operate on a normal schedule.

Special hours for pools include: • Outdoor pools-10 a.m.-6 p.m.

• Ray’s Splash Planet-10 a.m.-6 p.m.

• Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center-8 a.m.-5 p.m.

• Marion Diehl Pool-9 a.m.-5 p.m.

As a reminder, CharMeck 311 remains open and available to the public on weekends and holidays.

ATTENTION: eParks 2.0 IS HERE To improve customer service and efficiency, Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation has installed a new system for registrations, memberships and reservations.

Active Net and eParks 2.0 launched on July 2, 2014. Numerous staff have worked for the past 18 months to make this transition as smooth as possible. But as with any change, there will be a few bumps along the way. We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your patience and we work through the issues to ensure your experience and the customer experience is a pleasant one.

Park and Recreation has added additional Administrative Support to give more detailed assistance. The new contact information is listed below.

North Park Region – Hornet’s Nest Park 704.336.886 NorthParkRegion@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov Central Park Region – Freedom Park 704.432.4280 CentralParkRegion@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov South Park Region – Park Road Park 704.643.3405 SouthParkRegion@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov Administrative Office Building 980-314-1000

Aquatics Summer Day Camps Aquatic Summer Day Camps are in full blast! Session I of Camp Neptune started June 16-20 at Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center and Session I of Camp Cannonball started June 23-27 at Ray’s Splash Planet. The Aquatic Division runs aquatic-based camps all summer long and celebrates the water with fun and safe sports and activities. The camps target youth ages 6 to 14 years.

Camp Neptune I Jun 16 – Jun 20 Camp Cannonball I Jun 23 – Jun 27 Jr Lifeguarding Camp Jul 7 – Jul 11 Camp Cannonball II Jul 14 – Jul 18 Camp Neptune II Jul 21 – Jul 25 Camp Cannonball III Jul 28 – Aug 1 Camp Neptune III Aug 4 – Aug 8 Camp Cannon ball IV Aug 11 – Aug 15 Camp Neptune IV Aug 18 – Aug 22

Aquatics EVERY CHILD CAN SWIM! FREE LESSONS CONTINUES THIS SUMMER Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation will continue its free swim lessons program for kids in July and August at several locations.

Ray’s Splash Planet, 215 N. Sycamore Street West Charlotte High School, 2219 Senior Drive Cordelia Outdoor Pool, 2100 N. Davidson Street Double Oaks Outdoor Pool, 1200 Newland Road

Families interested in participating at the Outdoor Pools can register every Wednesday beginning at 11am for the following week only. Registration is week-by-week and must be done in person. Children under 18 interested in registering for swim lessons must be accompanied by an adult. All reservations are first come, first served. Spots are limited.

So far this summer, more than 220 children have received swim lessons at the outdoor pools and 180 children have received swim lessons at Ray’s Splash Planet and West Charlotte. The Free swim lessons will continue to be offered at Ray’s Splash Planet and West Charlotte throughout the year.

Community & Recreation Center Services Musical Chairs is Not for Lil One’s Anymore As Camp continues at Arbor Glen, traditional activities such as Lanyard Making, Swimming, and Hula Hoops play a role in the daily fun for the children, but now the older groups are starting to get in on the preschool games. Remember duck, duck, goose, hot potato, and the Progressive Baptist Church weekly favorite Musical Chairs? Now redefined. Hula Hoops are used now instead of chairs. The children run or walk around the gym while the music plays and when it stops, they must find a hula hoop to stand in, those left without one are out. This enjoyable, yet healthy activity has the children running, planning and thinking on their feet. For more information contact ArborGlenOutreachCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or 704-432-1531.

Community & Recreation Center Services

Arts & Crafts Abound at Summer Camp Classy Creation Summer Camp at Ivory/Baker Recreation Center has been busy with arts and crafts, in addition to their other activities. Under the direction of Recreation Specialist, Cara Helfer, campers have made sun catchers, egg carton flowers, “What I Like About Summer Collages” (seen in pictures) and the 4 th-7th grade campers have begun working on their puppets for a future puppet show for the younger groups. This past week, campers in the K-1st grade made “Fireworks” (also seen in pictures) and 2nd- 3rd graders made “American Flags” to celebrate Independence Day. For more information contact IvoryBakerRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or 704-432-4580.

Community and Recreation Center Services Berewick Recreation Center: The Berewick Staff take their first customer using the new Active Net System. The Staff have been waiting patiently for July 1, 2014 to use their new skills. For more information on upcoming programs and events please contact Berewick staff at 704 432 4934 or via email BerewickRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov.

Olympic Gold Medalist Visits Grayson SkatePark: Two time Olympic gold medalist, Shaun White, stopped by Grayson SkatePark for a short visit. Shaun White is one of the best snowboarders around, but he is also a world class skateboarder with 23 X Games medals between his disciplines, including 2 gold medals in the X Games half pipe event. Mr. White was in town to perform with his rock band Bad Things alongside the electronic duo Phantogram at The Filmore that night. He only had time for a short session before his set, but according to the skaters that witnessed him skate he annihilated the park. Local skater Xaivour Ferguson, age 9, said that he had never seen anyone get that much air. Shaun White also mentioned to staff member Luke Bauer that Grayson SkatePark was a cool park. Seeing as Shaun White has skated and snowboarded on the world’s best terrain we will take that as a compliment. For more information on Grayson SkatePark’s programs, contact NaomiDrenanRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or call 704.432.5231.

Community and Recreation Center Services Albemarle Road Recreation Center’s “Charlotte Elite Enrichment and Recreation Camp” The World In Our Backyard came to Charlotte Elite Enrichment and Recreation Camp to present Mexico as part of our cultural week. The presenter Tina gave the campers the opportunity to dress in ponchos and sombreros. They learned two dances that are often performed at fiestas and also learned about some of their traditions. The participants had the chance to see Mexican artifacts… right in their own backyard.

Everyone truly enjoyed this experience of a lifetime. For more information about Charlotte Elite Enrichment Camp, call Latoya Cornish at 704-241-1871 or Irene Stanton at 708-705-2483. For more information on programs please call Albemarle Road Recreation Center at 704-567-1941 or via email at AlbemarleRoadRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov.

Community and Recreation Center Services USA Day Hickory Grove Recreation Center’s Camp Palooza celebrated USA Day by wearing Red, White, & Blue. Despite the game loss, the kids had a fun day learning about the World Cup and playing some soccer campers were a silly and serious and so were the staff.

Community and Recreation Center Services

Community & Recreation Center Services SNAG Golf “Starting New At Golf (SNAG)� is a beginner golf program that took place at Sugaw Creek Recreation Center. The program equipment is provided by the First Tee organization to encourage the game of golf to beginners of all ages. The mission it is to impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values, and promote healthy choices through the game of golf. Participants learned how to drive, chip and putt while Recreation Specialist, Brett Krizanik, shared gallantries of the game of golf. For more information, contact Brett.Krizanik@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or Sugaw Creek Recreation Center at 704-336-7655.

Athletics Rugby at the Sportsplex: Last weekend the Mecklenburg County Sportsplex at Matthews hosted the Queen City 7’s Rugby Tournament and the NC Powerade State Games. Thirty Rugby Teams from around the Carolinas participated in the event. Old Toe Rugby took the gold in the Men’s Club Event while the North Raleigh Redhawks took the gold for both the Boys U14 and Boys U12. In the Women’s division, UNC went home with the gold medal.

USTA State Tennis Tournament: The 2014 USTA 40 and over State Tennis Tournament was held this weekend at Jetton Park and Mallard Creek tennis courts. Leagues from fourteen different regions around North Carolina participated in the event.

9th Annual Veteran’s Golf Tournament On Thursday, June 26th, Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation and Mecklenburg County Veterans Affairs had the privilege of showing our appreciation to over 200 veterans that ranged from World War II to Iraq with a golf tournament at Charles T Myers Golf Course. The veterans were able to enjoy a free round of golf, lunch, and door prizes. It was a great event that was highlighted by former NFL defensive lineman, Renaldo Wynn, being the guest speaker at lunch and speaking to the veterans on leadership. For more information on this event, please contact Jared.Mull@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov.

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.

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 26• July 3, 2014

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 980314-1000.

Please access Sharepoint via the link below to update your records.

https://mecktech.sharepoint.com/teams/ParksandRec/Team/ _layouts/15/WopiFrame.aspx?sourcedoc={5E9F02E3-2628-44B4A33E-7062D5B56502}&file=AOB% 20Directory.doc&action=default&DefaultItemOpen=1

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