THOUSANDS OF CITIZEN VOLUNTEERS HELP BUILD 'RACE PLAYCE' ACCESSIBLE PLAYGROUND AT NEVIN PARK

About 4,000 citizen volunteers are helping this week to build Mecklenburg's first fully accessible playground in Nevin Park. Volunteers are individuals, church groups, employee groups, clubs, etc. Construction shifts each day, through Oct. 5 run: 8am–12:30pm, 12noon–5:30pm. 5pm–until after dark. Skilled and unskilled volunteers help with construction, hospitality, first aid, children's activities, etc. The playground is named "Race Playce", a play area without barriers, accessible for all children regardless of abilities. It has a NASCAR racing theme with play areas around an oval track. Watch progress on a camera overlooking the site.  Anyone who wants to help may report for a shift. Groups: Call Volunteer Coordinator Lori Saylor: 704.336.5478.

Most volunteers aren't professional construction workers, but they're enthusiastic about making a contribution.

NEW SOCCER FIELDS NOW OPEN AT MALLARD CREEK PARK TO SERVE THE GROWING SUBURBAN DEMAND FOR SPORTS

Park and Recreation "kicked-off" three new soccer fields last month at Mallard Creek Community Park. County Commission Chairman Jennifer Roberts and dignitaries kicked soccer balls to officially open the fields. Construction of fields, restrooms, concession building, parking, etc. were paid for by park and rec bonds approved by voters in 1999 and 2004. The soccer fields serve heavy demand for a popular sport in the University Area. Many new sports facilities (and other facilities) are included in the November 4 Park and Rec bond referendum.  See full list of proposed projects. 
 

Bring your bike and take an inaugural ride down Four Mile Creek Greenway.

FIRST SECTION OF NEW FOUR MILE CREEK GREENWAY OFFICIALLY OPENS OCT. 11 WITH CEREMONY AND BIKE RIDE

Mecklenburg Park and Recreation invites citizens to a grand opening celebration for the first section of Four Mile Creek Greenway on Saturday, Oct. 11 at 10am near the 11900 block of  Johnston Road in south Charlotte. Residents are encouraged to bring bikes to join in an inaugural ride down the greenway.  Funded with bonds passed by voters in 1999 and 2004, this project runs more than two miles between Rea Road and Johnston Road, through a scenic forest and wetlands, and it features significant sections of boardwalk in addition to typical asphalt trail. Many more new greenways are proposed in the Nov. 4 bond Park and Rec bond referendum.

REVOLUTION GOLF COURSE TO CLOSE FOR RENOVATIONS NOV. 1, TO RELOCATE HOLES  AND BUILD SPORTS AND LEARNING ACADEMY, GREENWAY, AND FIRST TEE HQ

Park and Recreation will close its Revolution Park Golf Course November 1, 2008 for extensive renovations, to run through 2010. These include reconfiguration of the course layout, extension of Irwin Creek Greenway through the course, a new clubhouse, and construction of headquarters for The First Tee of Charlotte, which partners with Park and Rec to teach golf and life skills to youngsters.  Already under construction next to the course is the $10 million Revolution Sports and Learning Academy. It will be the new home for many athletic programs offered by Park and Recreation, Police Athletic League (PAL), Charlotte Flights Track and Filed Club, and Charlotte Boxing Academy.

CAROLINA SPEED, MECKLENBURG PARK AND RECREATION PLAN YOUTH INDOOR FOOTBALL LEAGUE IN SPRING OF 2009

Mecklenburg Park and Recreation is partnering with Carolina Speed to organize the Youth Indoor Football League (YIFL) in the spring of 2009. This will be the first youth indoor football league supported by the Speed professional team and the American Indoor Football Association.  It will be for 9-12 year olds to play one of  country's fastest growing sports. Speed coaches and staff will work with our staff to adapt professional rules to youth capabilities. Speed players and coaches will hold clinics and training camps. YIFL games will be in Cricket Arena. Registration will be in early 2009, dates not yet determined. Learn more about the new Youth Indoor Football League.

SPECIAL "HOWL-O-WEEN" PARTY AT RAMSEY CREEK PARK OFFERS A HOWLING GOOD TIME FOR DOGS, OWNERS OCT. 25

Mecklenburg Park and Recreation Department invites happy dogs and their owners to the "Happy Paws Daycare & Kennel Howl-O-Ween" on Saturday, October 25, 10am - 2pm, at Ramsey Creek Park on Lake Norman. This is a special Halloween party, and dogs should come in costumes! Costumes for owners are optional.  Admission is FREE to all. Howl-O-Ween includes a parade of costumes plus a series of costume contests including Most Original, Pet-Owner Look-a-Like, Best Couple, Scariest Costume and Best Overall. This year Howl-O-Ween offers TWO separate costume contests, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. There will also be contests for Best Howl and Best Trick, and costume contests for children dressed as dogs. Parking is available on site, with overflow parking at the Palace Theatre in Cornelius, with a free shuttle10am – 2pm.  Check out the many other Halloween events for kids.

You'll be on the spot if you don't have a dog in costume at Park and Rec's Howl-O-Ween.

YOUTH BASKETBALL PLAYERS WILL DRINK BLUE SMOOTHIES TO CELEBRATE PARTNERSHIP WITH BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD OF NORTH CAROLINA

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina continues its partnership with Mecklenburg Park and Recreation, to support youth athletics and work against childhood obesity. This is the second year of a $180,000, three-year commitment by the insurance company. Youngsters who play in our basketball leagues will drink "blueberry heaven" smoothies at a kickoff event, as registration begins for their new season. This event is Sunday, Oct. 5 at 2pm  at Arbor Glenn Outreach Center on Clanton Road. Registrations will be taken 2-5pm and include a $55 fee to register. There will also be basketball competitions for youngsters. Park and Rec salutes Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina for its support!

QUEEN CITY MEMORIAL BOXING TOURNAMENT OCT. 11 FEATURES HIGH QUALITY BOXERS, HONORS NED POLLOCK

We invite Boxing fans to see many of the best young amateur boxers in the southeast at the Ned Pollock/Queen City Memorial Boxing Tournament Saturday, Oct. 11, beginning at 6pm at Sugaw Creek Recreation Center. This tournament features about 15 bouts between boxers in several states.  Boxers, ages 10-24 are carefully matched based on age, weight, and experience. Admission: $10 for adults, $5 for students and children. This tournament has been named for the late Ned Pollock, founder of Charlotte Boxing Academy and its longtime Executive Director. Tournament is hosted by Park and Recreation in conjunction with Charlotte Boxing Academy, which offers training and competition for kids.

This boxing tournament is named for the late Ned Pollock, who helped many youngsters learn about amateur boxing.

Spraygrounds had a busy season in Mecklenburg this year, but cooler weather is moving in.

PARK AND REC SPRAYGROUNDS TO CLOSE FOR SEASON AT FIVE PARKS, AS WEATHER TURNS COOLER

Thousands of youngsters frolicked at Park and Recreation's five "spraygrounds" this summer.  The spraygrounds will close for the summer season at dark on Sunday, Oct. 5:  These are the spraygrounds at Cordelia Park, Latta Park, Veterans Park and West Charlotte Recreation Center Park. The other sprayground at Nevin Park closed last week to prepare for the special accessible playground project. Spraygrounds are among Park and Recreation's most popular amenities. They will reopen next year, in time for warm weather.

"E-PLANT TIPS" FOR AUTUMN  FROM THE NC COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE
(which operates in Mecklenburg as a division of Park and Rec)

Fall is the time to control certain broadleaf weeds in the lawn including chickweed, white clover, dandelion, wild onion, plantain, and Canada thistle. Cut down stems and foliage of herbaceous perennials when the leaves begin to brown. Add mulch to your perennial border. A one inch layer of weed-free straw or chopped leaves will help conserve soil moisture, protect the roots, and reduce plant loss from soil heaving during the winter. Cut back perennial herbs to encourage well-branched growth next year.