In The News:

Park Road Park and the

Jeff Adams Tennis Center

hosted the 2013 Tennis &

Education Endowment

Winter Blast February 1-3.

The tournament was a great

success with 155 partici-

pants for the weekend.

For results please visit the

Winter Blast website

The United States Tennis Association

(USTA) is the national governing body

for the sport of tennis and the recog-

nized leader in promoting and devel-

oping the sport’s growth on every

level in the United States, from local

communities to the crown jewel of

the professional game, the US Open.

Established in 1881, the USTA is a

progressive and diverse not-for-profit

organization whose volunteers, pro-

fessional staff and financial resources

support the singular mission.

this issue

Park News P.1

Enterprise Services P.2

Nature Preserves & Natural Resources P.3

Community & Recreation Center Services P.4

V o l u m e 2 I S S U E

F e b r u a r y 8 2 0 1 3

6 WEEKLY

NEWSLETTER OF THE

PARK AND RECREATION

DEPARTMENT FridayFridayLetterLetter THE

Park Operations In this weeks Park Operations Weekly Minute hear from Maintenance & Operations Supervi-sor (Horticulture) Tim Turton, as he highlights the well received Memorial Tree, Bench, and Brick Program in local parkland. Also in this week’s minute, Chris Hunter—North Park Region Manager, highlights the beneficial use of monitoring and survellience in parks and new integrative technology with the iPad, that helps Park and Recreation keep citizens, employees and parkland safe. Enjoy this weeks Park Ops Weekly Minute here or by clicking the “Watch us on YouTube” link below.

Park Operations Jeff Robinson, Division Director

Greg Clemmer, Park Superintendent

Chris Hunter, North Park Region Manager

Michael Campbell, Central Park Region Manager

Patricia Poteat, South Park Region Manager Catch up on recent Weekly Minutes by using the links below: Weekly Minute: iPads Create Efficiency for Park Operations Weekly Minute: Keep America Playing/ATV Safety Training Weekly Minute: Playground Guardian Weekly Minute: Ryan Newman Celebrity Bass/Partnerships with CFD and Boy Scouts

Park Ops Weekly Minute — The Memorial Tree, Bench

and Brick Program; Keeping Parks Safe

Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center On Feb. 2nd the 2nd Annual Charlotte Ultra Run was held on the Mallard Creek and Clarks Creek Greenway starting and ending at Countryside Montessori School. Runners traveled from as far away as Oregon to participate in the IAU Bronze-level 50k race. This is the only 50k in the Charlotte area and 78 runners participated despite the 27-degree temperature. Top male, Mark Carbone, defended his 2012 victory by finishing the grueling 50k in 3:32 and top female, Megan Hovis, was also a repeat champion by finishing in a time of 3:47. In addition to the 50k, the event included a USA Track & Field approved 10k race with over 70 participants. The Ultra Run benefited charities supported by the Knights of Columbus. For complete results

Park News: Upcoming Senior Event Dance with Your Sweetheart at Naomi Drenan Rec Center Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation invites active seniors, ages 50 and over, to a Valentine’s Day Sweet-heart Ball, Saturday, Feb. 16, 6 p.m.-9 p.m., at Naomi Drenan Recreation Cen-ter. This event is for singles or couples. No alcohol, please. Put on your dancing shoes and enjoy the Cha cha cha, Tango, and line dancing. This event offers great music, refreshments, door prizes and a wonderful time to start the New Year! The dance will be in the gym of the recreation center. Admission: $3 in advance for

County residents $5 at the door $5 in advance for non-

County residents $8 at the door for non-

County residents The event is “dress casual”-- party dress or pantsuit for ladies, dress shirt and dress pants for gentlemen. For additional information, contact Naomi Drenan at 704-432-5231. _______________________

The Speedo Western Open took place at the Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center starting at 4:30pm on Friday, February 1 through Sunday, February 3. The meet is designed as a last chance state qualifying meet for swimmers that have not yet achieved state cuts. Teams from the west-ern part of North Carolina gave their athletes the last opportunity of the season to make a State meet time. One thousand thirty-two (1032) swimmers took part in this year’s swim meet.

Scenes from Events: May Davidson Hall— Park and Recreation Partner Opens New Facility Historic Rural Hill, a partner of the Nature Preserves and Natural Resources Division of Park and Recreation, has opened a new 4,000 square foot facility. The building, modeled after historic barns in the area, is called the May Davidson Hall and Cultural Center. May Davidson was the last descendant of the Davidson Family to live at Rural Hill. The building houses a library and family artifacts, a caterer’s kitchen, outdoor patios and a large open meeting space for weddings and retreats. Call 704.875.3113 for more information about renting the facility.

Scenes from Events: LEFT: The newly constructed May Davis Hall and Cultural Center at Rural Hill ________________________

Rural Hill is a Historic Site, Nature Preserve, Field Trip Destination, Cultural Events Site, Farm, and all around great place to get away from one’s daily stresses in life. Bring your students to ex-perience excellence during our fascinating and unique educational programs focus-ing on history, science, crea-tive thinking, reading, and even math! Stop by and en-joy the solitude of nature that only 265 secluded acres can provide while hiking our extensive network of trails. R U R A L H I L L (Physical) 4431 Neck Road Huntersville, NC 28078 S P O N S O R S McIntosh Law Firm Bojangles Town of Huntersville Mecklenburg Co. Parks & Recreation Highland Brewing Hauser Rental Bubba’s Barbeque EyeBenders

BIG Hat HOT Tea Seniors gathered to taste and learn about the top four teas from World Market. Two of the teas were imported from England while two were made here in the United States. The teas covered: black tea, green tea, two types of herbal teas (herbal infusions and rooibos). They learned about the different leaves, herbs and spices used to create the many flavors and how important the type of bag will affect the brewing. After the seniors picked their favorite tea, we judged the beautiful hats in six categories: Biggest, Smallest, Most Colorful, Most Unique, Most Attractive and Most Exotic hats.

Bette Rae Thomas Recreation Center

For more information, contact us at 704.432.3048 or BetteRaeThomasRecreationCen-ter@MecklenburgCountyNC.Gov.

Community Moving Forward Arbor Glen Outreach Center hosted a Community Forum on Thursday, January 17, where Coun-cilwoman, LaWana Mayfield; Commissioner Vilma Leake; and other local community activists spoke about current issues and progress within the District 2 area. In addition, this well attended event had a Expo with safety awareness, athletic programs and activities, financial guides, insur-ance, health and wellness, and information about other local organizations. The Arbor Glen Neighborhood Association will have a meet and greet on Thursday, February 21, 6:00-7:00pm, at the center to continue the forward movement.

Arbor Glen Recreation Center

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

REC Employment Corp Kickoff Orientation On Wednesday, February 6, the second class of REC Em-ployment Corp Employees, attended orientation at the Bette Rae Thomas Recrea-tion Center. Forty-two (42) youth ages 14-17 began their employment with our department and will receive a valuable job training/mentoring opportu-nity at our recreation facili-ties (Recreation Centers, Na-ture Centers, Grady Cole Center and Aquatics). They will spend up to 10 hours per week with their Supervisor/Mentor during this 40 week program. Park and Recreation Direc-tor, Jim Garges, shared his vision of the program with the youth and their parents followed by Kenyon Smutherman, former REC Employment Corp “Employee of the year 2012”, who inspired all by sharing his experiences and knowledge gained by his par-ticipation in the program.

Recreational News from Mecklenburg Communities

Basketball Bonanza at Ivory/Baker Twenty kids participated in Ivory/Baker’s Basketball Bo-nanza event on February 1st. The event consisted of the kids shooting basketballs, kickballs, volleyballs, and soccer balls into a lowered goal as fast as they could for thirty seconds. Congratula-tions to Judah Ravenell and Lamya McGinnis for making the most baskets and win-ning the boys and girls com-petition! For more information on pro-grams happening at Ivory/Baker call 704-432-4580 or email IvoryBakerRecreation-Center@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov

_______________________

Recreational News from Mecklenburg Communities

Pizza with Winnie the Pooh at Tom Sykes Tom Sykes Recreation Center had a special visitor, Winnie the Pooh! Preschoolers met Pooh, enjoyed story time, arts & crafts, learned about some of Pooh's favorite healthy pizza toppings, and made their own pizzas. Tom Sykes Recreation Center will have another special guest February 28 if you have a preschooler that wants to participate.

Tom Sykes Recreation Center For more information, contact TomSykesRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or 704.432.4806.

MLK Basketball and Beyond Clinic at Ivory/Baker Recreation Center Twenty four participants ages 8-14 participated in the two day Basketball & Beyond Skills Clinic held at Ivory/Baker Recreation Center during the MLK Holiday. Ivory/Baker’s staff provided each camper with skills and drills to aid in their basketball development. Individual skills and contest were held as well as competitive play as well. Each camper took home a gift for attending the two day clinic, and many of the excited campers were 1st timers that promised to come back in the future.

Ivory/Baker Recreation Center For more information about programs and activities contact Ivory/Baker Recreation Center at 704-432-4580 or IvoryBakerRecreationCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov.

Arbor Glen Kicks Off “African-American History Month” Arbor Glen’s afterschool program colored pictures of their favorite African-American hero and wrote about the influence their hero contributed to African-American history. African-American History Month, is an annual celebration of important people and events in the history of the African Americans.

For more information, call 704.432.1531 or email ArborGlenOutreachCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov. _______________________

Recreational News from Mecklenburg Communities

Revolution Park Sports Academy & Youth Sports For more information email YouthSports@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or call the Revolution Park Sports Academy at (704) 432-4963.

Tot Time: Revolution Park Sports Academy started its next session of toddler classes. Pre-

school aged children take part in the Tot Time program and are exposed to fun new games, as well as traditional favorites. Tot Time focuses on developing gross motor, listening, teamwork, and social skills. By the end of the program, participants will have completed activities using a variety of movements, and made many new friends along the way. The sessions are 4 weeks and held every Tuesday and Thursday at 10am, the cost is $2. For more information contact 704-432-4963.

Girls Softball Clinic: As part of the Youth Sports Development initiative to increase female

sports opportunities and participation, the Girls Youth Sports Focus Team will host a free softball clinic for girls ages 6-11 Saturday, February 9th from 1-5pm at Revolution Park.

The clinic is designed to serve as an opportunity for young players to receive valuable instruction on the fundamental skills of the game.

Basketball Bonanza at Ivory/Baker Arbor Glen Cheerleading: Arbor Glen’s Jr. Bobcats cheerleaders have been showing their spirit and sup-port to the basketball teams by cheering at the basketball games hosted at Tuckasee-gee and Arbor Glen Recrea-tion centers. The cheer squad is combined of partici-pants ages 4-10.

For more information, call 704.432.1531 or email ArborGlenOutreachCenter@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov.

Recreational News from Mecklenburg Communities

Therapeutic Recreation

TR Circus: The Therapeutic Recreation Section took a group of 18

teens and young adults to “The Greatest Show on Earth,” Barnum and Bailey Circus on Saturday, February 2, 2013. The group enjoyed watch-ing acrobatics, animal performances, having fun with friends and much more.

For more information on teen and young adult social opportunities contact Jana.McMullen@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov

Visit us online at www.ParkandRec.com

Park and Recreation News:

Submissions for the Newsletter

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 6• February 8, 2013

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 Services and

Recreation Center Services

Jeff Robinson, Park Operations

5841 Brookshire Blvd.

Charlotte, NC 28216

(704) 336-8840

Recreate All Year! As the weather changes, look forward to new and exciting way to continue recreating during the late winter and spring 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