Welcome again to our monthly E-Newsletter about activities, facilities, and programs of Mecklenburg Park and Recreation. If you don't wish to receive this E-Newsletter, please click on the option at the end to "UNSUBSCRIBE." If you know anyone else who would like to receive it, please refer them to www.parkandrec.com where they can click on the SUBSCRIBE icon.  Thank you. 

SUGAR CREEK READY TO EMERGE FROM DECADES UNDER CONCRETE AT COUNTY UNCAPPING, JUNE 13

Mecklenburg County celebrates the "uncapping" of Little Sugar Creek in the old MidTown Square area June 13, when construction equipment will demolish the concrete cap which paved over the creek for parking and business development. This section, between 7th and Morehead Streets is part of the rapidly expanding Little Sugar Creek Greenway and Creek Restoration Project. This section of greenway is scheduled for completion in fall of 2009. Overall, Little Sugar Creek Greenway will eventually run more than 16 miles from North Charlotte to the South Carolina line. The creek restoration will provide improved water quality wildlife habitat.

The old Charlottetown Mall (later called MidTown Square) capped part of Little Sugar Creek more than 45 years ago.  The creek will be returned to the sunlight and fresh air.

RENOVATED SHEFFIELD PARK REOPENS, READY TO PROVIDE MORE RECREATION TO NEIGHBORS

Residents of the Sheffield, Winterfield and Eastway neighborhoods celebrated the  renovation and reopening of Sheffield Park in East Charlotte last month. The project involved cooperation of three government agencies:  Park and Recreation renovated recreation facilities with $500,000 in bond funds, installing two playgrounds, two half court basketball courts, a resurfaced tennis court, two new picnic shelters, plus walking paths and trails. Storm Water Services created a wetlands area and provided stabilization of creek banks. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools contributed land to expand the park to build a new entrance and basketball courts.  Directions to Sheffield Park

A sprayground is a cool place for kids (and parents) to be on a hot afternoon.

PARK AND RECREATION'S SPRAYGROUNDS FOSTER SPLASHING AND LAUGHING AT FIVE PARKS, INCLUDING NEW FACILITY AT NEVIN

Mecklenburg Park and Rec "spraygrounds" are open for the summer, seven days a week from 10am-8pm. Spraygrounds are at Nevin Park, Cordelia Park, Latta Park, Veterans Park , and  West Charlotte Recreation Center. There is no charge to use spraygrounds, which offer water sprays, nozzles and spouts for children (and adults) to run through and frolic under.

OUTDOOR POOLS NOW OPEN WITH $1 ADMISSION and FREE SWIMMING LESSONS OFFERED MANY WEEKDAYS 11AM - NOON

Mecklenburg County's two outdoor swimming pools are now open on weekends until Jun 11, when they will open everyday for the summer season.   They are Cordelia Pool and Double Oaks Pool.  Admission charge at all times for all ages is only $1. During last year's swim season, these pools had 23,000 paid admissions and program participants.  This was a significant increase attributed to the reduced admission charge. Free swimming lessons will be offered beginning June 11 on Mondays and Wednesdays, 11am – 12 Noon, with a paid admission for the rest of the day. Check parkandrec.com for pool hours and directions or call 704 336-DIVE (336-3483).

Congratulations to Al Simpson, head coach of our boxing program, voted best coach at the Aliyev International Boxing Tournament in Azerbaijan, where he coached the American team.  For more info on boxing check parkandrec.com.

BMX bike racing almost every Saturday afternoon at Hornets Nest Park is great fun for children and adults.  See parkandrec.com for details. 

FOR THE LATEST ON WHAT'S GROWING OR WHY IT'S NOT, ASK HORTICULTURE AGENT SCOTT EWERS

Scott Ewers is the new Consumer Horticulture Agent in Mecklenburg County for the N.C. Cooperative Extension Service and Park and Rec. Ewers will dispense information to the public and media on horticultural issues such as management of pests and insects, plant diseases, growing ornamental bushes and trees, establishing and managing turf, using fertilizers, and soil testing, etc.  He'll work with long time agent Jim Monroe, who specializes in commercial horticulture. Ewers comes to us from Hampton Roads,VA, where he was an extension  agent in Gloucester County.  Contact him at 704 336-4008 or scott.ewers@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov. In Mecklenburg County, the Extension Service operates as part of Park and Rec.

Scott Ewers will run the Master Gardener program because he knows all about plants.

PARK AND REC OFFERS DJ TRAINING FOR TEENAGERS AT REC CENTERS THIS SUMMER

Park and Rec hosts fifteen special "With These Hands Mix" summer camps to teach teens, ages 13 – 17 how to be a disc jockey.  These camps are offered July 9-20, July 23-August 3, August 6-17 at ten rec centers around the county.  Sign-up now.  Click here for exact locations.  Each student will receive hands-on training by industry professionals that will allow them to explore their talents and appreciation of music, mainly focusing on the turntable as an instrument. Cost is $110 for a two week session.  Scholarships available.    For more information, contact Terri Stowers at 704-336-3375 or Terri.Stowers@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov.   

Paddle to serenity with kids or sweetheart at the lake in Beatty Park.

RENT A PADDLE BOAT AT COLONEL FRANCIS J. BEATTY COMMUNITY PARK

Paddle boats are now for rent weekends, and from Jun 11 - Aug 26 will be available daily, 12Noon to 8pm (No boats may start after 7pm).  Cost is $4/hour.  Up to four persons can ride in a boat, must be 4 years old. Must wear life jacket.  Fishing from boats not allowed,.  No pets in boats.

LAUNCH YOUR MOTORBOAT OR CANOE FROM OUR RAMPS AND DOCKS

Drive your motorboat or sailboat to the lake(s) and put-in at our boat ramps or docks at Blythe Landing, 15901 NC Highway 73 in Huntersville, Ramsey Creek Park at 18441 Nantz Road, or Copperhead Island in McDowell Nature Preserve at 15200 Soldier Road. Launching fee is $5.  You can also launch your own canoe or your own kayak for free at McDowell Nature Preserve, 15222 York Road and Latta Plantation Nature Preserve, 5226 Sample Road.  
Directions to Blythe Landing
Directions to McDowell Nature Preserve
Directions to Latta Plantation Nature Preserve

TOT'S OLYMPICS WAS GREAT FUN AND WONDERFULLY AMUSING AS 3-5 YEAR OLDS SHOWED THEIR STUFF IN ATHLETICS

More than 175 youngster--most ever-- participated in the 7^th annual Tot's Olympics last month at Irwin Belk Track and Stadium complex at Johnson C. Smith University.  The event was organized by Park and Rec, which helped build the complex for both the university and community use. It was great fun to see boys and girls, ages 3-5, participate in the high jump, ball throw, ball kick, long jump and 50m run. All kids received awards and had fun.

Tots run the low, low hurdles at this unusual athletic event for the very young.

AQUATICS SUPERVISOR NAMED MECKLENBURG COUNTY EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR FOR 2007.

Rodney Sellars, a supervisor at the Mecklenburg Aquatic Center has been named the county's "Employeee of the Year," for his work with kids both in and out of water. Sellars created an event which came to be named in his honor:  Rodney's Great Kids Triathlon. This year more than 185 youngsters participated. Rodney also co-founded the Queen City Dolphins, a swim team for minority youth. Over the years as a lifeguard and aquatics supervisor he has tought hundreds—maybe thousands—of kids and adults to swim.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED FOR  2007 ASIAN FESTIVAL AND DRAGON BOAT RACE

We need volunteers to help stage the 2007 Asian Festival and Dragon Boat Race June 9, 2007 at Ramsey Creek Park on Lake Norman.The festival is a day-long event to celebrate the cultural heritage of many Asian communities in Mecklenburg County.  Volunteers ages 16 and older are needed to help stage and launch boats, act as ambassadors to vendors and teams, serve as festival greeters, assist with activities in the Children's' Center, and help with event set-up/take down. Volunteers are needed to work four hours shifts from 6 am until 7 pm. For more information contact Lori Saylor at 704-336-5478 or email lori.saylor@mecklenburgcountync.gov