The Friday Letter | April 29, 2016

The

Mecklenburg Master Gardeners Perennial Plant Sale and Ask an EMG Garden Tour May 7th from 9 to noon North Carolina Extension office, 1418 Armory Road, Charlotte, NC First annual perennial plant sale. Master Gardeners will be present to show you our raised bed exhibits, how to garden in a limited space, show you various perennials for shade, sun and answer any questions you might have Credit cards, cash and checks are accepted.

Nature Preserves and Natural Resources Berryhill prescribed burn: In mid-April, Natural Resources joined forces with the North Carolina Forest Service to conduct a 100-acre prescribed burn at Berryhill Nature Preserve in west Charlotte. The burn was part of a federal grant to reduce the threat of wildfire in urban areas. Because Berryhill NP is very close to Charlotte-Douglas Airport, an uncontrolled wildfire in the area could cause some serious logistical problems. The controlled burn allowed crews to burn during weather that did not impact air travel or vehicles on I-485, as wind was blowing away from those areas.

Community & Recreation Centers Naomi Drenan Recreation Center: Interactive Gaming Fridays at Naomi Drenan means Interactive Gaming. Utilizing our new PS4, we are able to host a time for teens to compete against in each other in a variety of games. The teens packed into the room after time on the court to shoot it out virtually with NBA match ups for an hour. A majority of the kids who come to interactive gaming do not have any gaming system at home, so it is rewarding to offer a time for them to utilize a gaming system they normally would not have the opportunity to. The teens are very thankful that we now offer a program that involves video games and music and instead of leaving the center once basketball time is over, they can stick around for some more fun.

For more information about our programs, events and outreach opportunities, contact NaomiDrenanRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or call 980.314.1100.

Community & Recreation Centers Berewick Recreation Center: Inventive Builders The twelve participants use their imagination to build creations using different materials, such as Magna-Tiles, Wooden Building Blocks, K’Nex building sets and other sets during this month’s afterschool program at Berewick. The boys and girls met weekly on Tuesdays from 3pm-4:30pm and got enthusiastic on whatever they wanted to build. This program promotes sharing, cooperation, imagination and fun in all of our participants.

For more information on upcoming after school programs at the Berewick Recreation Center contact staff at BerewickRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or call 980-314-1102.

Community & Recreation Centers Berewick Recreation Center: Intro to Sports Let’s fight childhood obesity! Berewick’s Mentee, Jordan Little, and staff work together through the after school program Intro to Sports. This program helps children fight childhood obesity. The Intro to Sports program met on Wednesday afternoons right after school for the past 4 weeks. Students in the program get involved in various sports ranging from soccer to field hockey.

For more information on upcoming after school programs at the Berewick Recreation Center contact staff at BerewickRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or call 980-314-1102.

Community & Recreation Centers Elon Recreation Center: Start Smart Baseball Elon’s Start Smart Baseball recently wrapped up its six-week program. Boys and girls, ages 3 & 4, enjoyed six weeks of learning baseball fundamentals and how to interact with others. At the end of the six weeks, the kids played in a mini tball game to show off all the skills and techniques they learned throughout the six-week program. Everyone that participated had a great time and really learned a lot!

For more information about our programs, events and outreach opportunities, contact ElonRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or call 980-3141103.

Community & Recreation Centers Tom Sykes Recreation Center: Afterschool Specialty Sport Programs Tom Sykes finished up another successful 6 week session of Afterschool Start Smart Lacrosse. The program is designed to be a more inclusive instructional program for participants to learn the basics of Lacrosse such as throwing, catching, and cradling. Participants experience a variety of agility and target drills to enhance their skills to graduate to the next level of Lacrosse.

For more information about programs, please contact TomSykesRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.Gov or dial 980-314-1113.

Community & Recreation Centers Elon Recreation Center: Outdoor Derby Elon hosts a 4-week program of fishing, camping, hiking, treasure hunting, and survival skills. Participants learn how to fish, set-up tents, tie knots and explore one of our great park and recreation nature preserve parks on the 4th Saturday of the program. Kids were able to see where and how to set up a minnow trap and with success we caught over 15 minnows in less than 30 minutes.

For more up and coming programming information contact Elon Recreation Center staff at ElonRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or at 980-314-1103.

Community & Recreation Centers Naomi Drenan Recreation Center: Bike Day Bike Day is held on Sundays at Grayson Skate Park, and this past Sunday was packed. For some riders it was their first time using their bike in a Skate Park, while others had been riding in BMX parks for over 40 years! All the bikers rode around and showed off their skills and helped each other out working new tricks and ramps. To cap off the session on a great note, one rider even donated his old bike to a younger rider so that he could shred the park hard on a better BMX bike. Peddle on!

For more information about our programs, events and outreach opportunities, contact NaomiDrenanRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or call 980.314.1100.

Community & Recreation Centers Naomi Drenan Recreation Center: Jr. NBA Skills Challenge Naomi Drenan partnered with Seal Prep to host the Jr. NBA Skills Challenge on Monday, April 25, 2016 from 6:30pm – 8:30pm. The Jr. NBA Skills Challenge presented by Verizon is a FREE national youth skills program that provides boys and girls ages 9 to 14 the opportunity to showcase their shooting, dribbling, and passing skills. Boys and girls compete separately and have the chance to advance through three (3) levels of competition: Local Competitions, Regional Competitions, and the National Finals. Naomi Drenan had a total of 18 participants in this wonderful event.

For more information about our programs, events and outreach opportunities, contact NaomiDrenanRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or call 980.314.1100.

Community & Recreation Centers Berewick Recreation Center: Fun Fitness Thursdays The afterschool children at the Berewick Elementary School are enjoying a beautiful day of fun and fitness. Fun Fitness Thursday’s is a day where park and recreation staff plan activities for the ASEP children can enjoy the outdoors and let off some steam while having fun getting fit.

For information on Fun Fitness Thursdays and other center programs contact staff at BerewickRecreationCenter@MecklenbrgCountyNC.gov or 980-314-1102.

Community & Recreation Centers Shamrock Senior Center: Field Trip Shamrock Senior Center in partnership with the Senior Nutrition Program went to the Harvey B. Gantt Museum on April 21, 2016. We had seniors from both programs participate in the trip. Everyone enjoyed the beautiful exhibitions on African American Arts & Culture and the Dance Theatre of Harlem display.

For more information on trips and programs at the Shamrock Senior Center, please e-mail Mirian.Gonzalez@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or call 704-531-9101.

Community & Recreation Centers Albemarle Road Recreation Center: Jr. Wildlife Explorers!

In celebration of Earth Day, our afterschool program started their first week of being Jr. Wildlife Explorers! Starting off our adventure, each explorer was handed a kit which included their very own string backpack, a Wildlife Explorer workbook, a nature notebook booklet, a water bottle, and their own sun hat! After going through all of the materials given, we ventured off outside for our very first nature walk. During our walk, our explorers looked for many things such as animals and/or insects, plants, trees, and any hazards throughout the path.

After the walk, our explorers proceeded to work though their workbooks to answer questions about the weather as well as trees they observed during the walk. This program is six weeks long and next week we will be learning about our favorite parks, listening in nature and how to make camp!

For more information about our programs here at Albemarle Road, please contact the center at 980-314-1101 or by email at Albemarleroadrecreationcenter@mecklenburgcountync.gov.

Community & Recreation Centers Mallard Creek Recreation Center: Earth Day Fun! Children from Chesterbrook Academy joined us for a special Earth Day class.

They listened to a book about how they could take care of the earth, made dirt seed cookies to plant in their own yard, and planted seeds in the pollinator garden. The children will be able to return and look at the flowers they planted and enjoy watching all the bees and butterflies they will attract.

For more information: Call 980-314-1121 or e-mail MallardCreekRecreationCenter@mecklenburgcountync.gov

Community & Recreation Centers Sugaw Creek Recreation Center- A trip up 77!

On April 15th, Seniors from across Mecklenburg County visited the Devaste Winery in Troutman, North Carolina with Sugaw Creek Recreation Center. Thirty seniors were able to take advantage of this rare opportunity. They also enjoyed lunch at the one of the best family restaurants in Iredell County, Julia's Talley House Restaurant. The seniors are already clearing their schedules for next month's trip on the Catawba Queen.

For more information on senior day trips at Sugaw Creek Recreation, contact Ivan Jones at 980-314-1124 or SugawCreekRecreation Center@mecklenburgcountync.gov.

Community & Recreation Centers Hickory Grove Recreation Center: HGRC Celebrates Year End REACH Ballet Performance Hickory Grove Recreation Center is excited to celebrate another successful year with the Charlotte Ballet R.E.A.C.H program. The parents and students were very excited to complete the program this past Sunday at the Patricia McBride & Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux Center for Dance. This past week was the final class for student’s in the program to have their time in the spot light and on stage. Hickory Grove invited the entire community to come and celebrate with these dancers. We are looking forward to another fantastic year with the ballet company with new auditions coming this August 2016. HGRC staff hopes that everyone enjoyed the hard work these dancers have put into their 9 months of training this Sunday.

For more information regarding cultural programs please contact Hickory Grove Recreation Center at 980-314-1122 or email us at HickoryGroveRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov.

Community & Recreation Centers Ivory/Baker Recreation Center: 4-H Gardening The afterschool kids were back outside at Ivory/Baker last week hunting for bugs. As we get the garden ready for spring planting, the kids searched for the different bugs hiding under the rocks and deep in the soil. The group had a blast getting their hands dirty and getting a closer look at the things that live under their feet.

For more information about our upcoming programs, contact the staff at IvoryBakerRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or call 980.314.1112

Sports & Fitness and GC/ALMS American Legion Memorial Stadium: After a big win in their 2016 season opener against the Boston Cannons last week, the Charlotte Hounds of Major League Lacrosse will enter week 2 looking to knock off the Rattlers of Rochester. Come enjoy the fast-paced, hard-hitting action that is professional lacrosse this Saturday, April 30th , at 7:30PM! For ticket information for all Hounds games, please visit: http://www.charlottehounds.com/ For information on all upcoming events at the Grady Cole Center and American Legion Memorial Stadium, please visit us at: http://charmeck.org/mecklenburg/county/ParkandRec/Facilities/ EventFacilities/Pages/Events

Sports & Fitness and GC/ALMS Adult Basketball – 35 & Over: The Men’s 35 & Over basketball league finished their winter season this past Monday April 25th. Games were played at the Southview Recreation center on Mondays starting at 7pm, and Wednesdays at Rays Splash Planet starting at 7:30pm. There were a total of eight teams that participated in the league for the championship. The “Blazers” won the championship this season.

For more information on adult sports visit our website at www.parkandrec.com, call us at 980-314-1117 or email AdultSports@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov.

Sports & Fitness and GC/ALMS Adult Volleyball - Women’s: The Women’s Volleyball league finished their winter season this past Thursday April 21st. Games were played at the Sugar Creek Recreation Center starting at 6:30pm. There were a total of five teams that competed for the championship this season. “Volleygirls” won the championship for this season.

For more information on adult leagues please visit our website at www.parkandrec.com, call us at 980-314-1117 or email AdultSports@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov.

Sports & Fitness and GC/ALMS Adult Pickleball: Adult sports hosted its fourth annual Queen City Open Pickleball Tournament this Saturday, April 23rd. The tournament took place at the Dilworth Tennis Courts starting at 9am. There were a total of 22 teams that participated in the tournament this year. There were six divisions Men’s Open with team Stevens/ Fullerton finishing as champions, Women’s Open with team Popovich/Bailey finishing as champions, Mixed Open with team Popovich Pickles becoming the champions, Men’s Seniors with team Ketchum/McDonald becoming the champions, Women’s Seniors with team McDonald/Patrick becoming the champions, and Mixed Seniors with team Dudash/Patrick becoming the champions.

For more information on adult sports please visit our website at www.parkandrec.com, call us at 980-314-1117 or email AdultSports@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov.

Volunteer Services and Special Events First Ward Grand Opening: On Saturday, April 23, 2016, over 2,500 people came to help us celebrate First Ward and the Earth. More than 20 organizations were at the park to host family -friendly activities connecting residents to nature and demonstrating how we can all participate to keep our environment healthy. Other activities included a Hula Hoop Show, a Bubble Show, Kenya Safari Acrobats, Face Painting, Balloon Artists, Caricatures, Stilt Walkers and a Roving Magician. The featured band was “Cookie�, the party band of the eastern seaboard. Thank you to all who made this event successful!!

For more information on this program and others, contact Volunteer Services at VolunteerServices@Mecklenburgcountync.gov.

Paul Rogers Thank you for recognizing me for the Spotlight Person for the Friday Letter. I am originally from Atlanta, GA, but Charlotte has been my longtime home. I’m also a Marine (OO-RAH!!). As the longest tenured employee with Parks & Recreation, I’ve seen the department go through many changes and worked under many regimes. Through my time here, I have worked in every region and supervised almost every park within the county. Not many can say that. Through my countless experiences, I’ve gained a wealth of knowledge and experience that I am able to share with my crew. There’s nothing I haven’t seen or done and no job too big or small.

5841 Brookshire Blvd.

Charlotte, NC 28216 (980) 314-1000

Recreate All Year!

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Park Partners may contact The Friday Letter Team at Richard . McNeill @MecklenburgCountyNC.gov for publication assistance.

The Friday Letter Volume 6 • Issue 15 • April 29 , 2016

CHARMECK ALERTS The CharMeck Alerts Notification System relays accurate and timely emergency notifications. You control how you’re contacted— whether it’s on your cell, work or home phone, via text, email or voice message. You can receive up-to-the-minute notifications about events and emergencies that may affect your home, workplace or other points of interest—anywhere in Mecklenburg County. Sign up here or call CharMeck 311. To receive CDOT-specific alerts, you must sign up for that item in the list.

Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Senior Leadership Team Jim Garges, Director Michael Kirschman, Deputy Director Renea Barber, Human Resources Mario Chang, Budget Administration Lee Jones, Capital Planning Terri Stowers, Community and Recreation Center Services Jeff Robinson, Park Operations Chris Matthews, Nature Preserves and Natural Resources