CITIZENS HEAR WIDE-RANGING RECOMMENDATIONS IN NEW PARK AND RECREATION MASTER PLAN

More of the proposed Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation 10 Year Master Plan will be presented this month to elected officials, citizen committees, and the news media. Plan includes extensive, specific recommendations for nature preserves, greenways, parks, recreation centers, aquatic facilities, plus a long list of capital needs. Hundreds of citizens heard presentations about the general findings earlier this year. Now, many specifics will be filled-in. Park and Recreation Director Jim Garges says the Master Plan underscores the intense need for a major bond referendum this fall to acquire land for future parks, nature preserves, and recreation, before all major parcels are claimed by development.

HARRIS TEETER/PURINA® "BARK IN THE PARK" APRIL 26: THOUSANDS OF DOGS, OWNERS EXPECTED IN DAVIE PARK
 

Harris Teeter/Purina® Bark in the Park dog festival invites "dogs and the people they own" to William R. Davie Park Saturday, April 26. This is Charlotte's premier dog festival, 10am - 4pm at William R. Davie Park, 4635 Pineville-Matthews Road (N.C. Highway 51). Admission FREE! Dogs on a leash please..  Festival drew almost 11,000 people last year. Proceeds help fund future dog parks. Parking at Calvary Church with shuttle buses to park. And don't forget to vote online in the Harris Teeter/Purina® Top Dog Photo Contest, April 1- 19. Thanks to festival media sponsors WAXN-TV, CBS Radio stations: K104.7 FM, Kiss 95.1, WSOC 103.7 FM

Bark in the Park draws thousands of dogs "and the people they own."  It's great fun!

YOUNGSTERS INVITED TO QUICK START TENNIS CLINICS WHERE THEY PLAY TO LEARN, NOT JUST LEARN TO PLAY

Youngsters, ages 5-8 are invited to learn "QuickStart Tennis" beginning April 12, 2008. This format is designed to help children learn to play and find success from the very first swing. QuickStart Tennis scales down all aspects of regulation tennis including equipment, court dimensions, and scoring—so the game becomes specifically tailored to the children's age and size. The format is similar to models used successfully in other youth sports such as youth baseball. The cost is $30 for lessons.  For more information call 311 or to register go to E-Parks.Register now for clinics on courts at or near Tuckaseegee Recreation Center, Mallard Creek Recreation Center, Sugaw Creek Recreation Center, Tom Sykes Recreation Center, Naomi Drenan Recreation Center.

FUTURE OF MECKLENBURG AQUATIC CENTER UP FOR DISCUSSION AT PUBLIC MEETING WITH AQUATIC CONSULTANTS, APRIL 2
 

Park and Recreation invites interested citizens to an open discussion about the future of the Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center at 6:30pm Wednesday, April 2, in the former Second Ward High School Gymnasium. The gymnasium is beside the Aquatic Center, which is at 800 East Martin Luther King Boulevard (across McDowell Street from the Blake Hotel). Free parking available. Discussion led by consultants commissioned by aquatic users working with Park and Recreation to conduct a feasibility study about a potential expansion/renovation of the facility. Comments sought about wide range of activities, events. Possibility of adding a second 50 meter pool will be discussed.

PARK AND RECREATION'S LAKE WYLIE BOAT RAMPS REOPENED AS WATER RISES AT COPPERHEAD ISLAND

Park and Rec's four boat ramps on Lake Wylie reopened during March at McDowell Nature Preserve's Copperhead Island,15200 Soldier Road. The ramps were closed because of drought and low water level. Water levels rose with recent rain, and the ramps should be able to launch any reasonable size, trailered boat, just as before the drought. Our boat ramps on Lake Norman, at Ramsey Creek Park and Blythe Landing reopened in February.

SIGN-UP NOW FOR RODNEY'S GREAT KIDS TRIATHLON, A GREAT EVENT FOR YOUNGSTERS' FITNESS!

Rodney's Great Kids Triathlon is named for lifeguard Rodney Sellars who thought it up years ago at Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center, 800 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. Lots of kids can swim or run or bike well. But Rodney designed this event so they have to do all three. It's great fun! Competition is Saturday, Apr. 26, by age groups, with age-appropriate distances. The triathlon is held in the Aquatic Center pool and on the streets outside. For more information visit the Rodney's Great Kids Triathlon web page or call 311. Registration is now open.

NEW MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAIL DEDICATION AT JETTON PARK INCLUDES SPECIAL FACILITIES, "HAND CYCLES" FOR DISABLED
 

Park and Recreation and the Tarheel Trailblazers celebrate a new mountain bike trail and arrival of two "hand cycles" (for people with leg disabilities) at a special event at 10am April 5, across from entrance of Jetton Park, 19000 Jetton Road, Cornelius.  Parking available at Jetton's Waterfront Hall, with shuttle van to the trail, or riders may bring their own mountain bikes to the event. The hand cycle mountain "trikes" will be demonstrated at the new 1.1 mile, beginner mountain bike/adaptive sports trail.Transamerica Reinsurance donated two hand cycles at $5,000 each. Tarheel Trailblazers volunteers worked 750 hours building the mountain bike trail on Park and Recreation property.

MASTER GARDENER SPRING PLANT SALE, SATURDAY, MAY 3 AT REGIONAL FARMERS MARKET

The NC Extension Service's Mecklenburg Master Gardeners hold their Spring Plant Sale at the Regional Farmers Market, in Building A, 1801 Yorkmont Road, Saturday, May 3, 8am-1pm. On sale:  perennials, shrubs and trees for the sun and shade. The plants are grown by Master Gardeners throughout the year. Master Gardeners will be available to answer gardening questions. Proceeds go to scholarship program for outstanding horticulture student at CPCC and other education projects. Master Gardeners provide research-based information for home gardeners on horticultural hotline: 704 336-4011 from 9am-12Noon weekdays.

E- PLANT GARDENING TIPS FOR SPRING FROM THE  NC COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE

• When transplanting seedlings in peat pots to your garden, be careful not to allow the rim of the peat pot to protrude above the soil level. If the rim is above the soil level, it will act as a wick and draw moisture away from the transplant. To prevent this from happening, break away the uppermost rim of the pot before planting and make sure the pot is completely covered with soil.
• Some people report luck with beer as a pesticide for slugs. Place it in small, aluminum, pot-pie pans sunk in the ground with the soil even with the rim.
• Erect trellises now for beans and cucumbers, if you are going to train them on trellises later in the season.
• Plant strawberries, if you haven't already. Place straw around established plants as a mulch after weeding and fertilizing the bed.
• Improve the fruiting of blueberries by removing unproductive wood that is diseased, dead and broken. Also remove old canes (five to six years old) that have begun to lose their vigor. Select six to eight of the most vigorous, upright-growing canes for fruiting wood and remove all others.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED AT PARK AND RECREATION!  CAN YOU HELP?

We always need volunteers for programs and projects.  We specifically need volunteers for the following programs this spring.  If you can help contact Volunteer Coordinator Lori Saylor:  703 336-5478 or lori.saylor@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov or others specified for:

• Charlotte Hornets' Beepball (Therapeutic Recreation), April – June at Park Road Park, Mondays 6pm–8pm; Saturdays 9am – 3pm. This is a sport like baseball for players who are visually impaired.
   
• Adaptive Baseball (Therapeutic Recreation), April - May at Marion Diehl Park, practice Thursdays 6pm–7 pm, games Saturday Mornings. This is a baseball program for youth and teens 6 -21 with a disability.
    
• Racefest, SouthPark Area, April 12.  Volunteers needed for registration, water stations, finish line. Contact Ventress Williams 980 722-2297 or ventress.williams@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov.
   
• May Day Play Day (Therapeutic Recreation), Friday May 9, 9 am–2pm at Reedy Creek Park and Nature Preserve.  An activity day for children , preschool through middle school, who are hearing impaired. Includes games, sports, table games and indoor crafts and a play area for young children. Volunteers must be comfortable working with children who are deaf or hard of hearing. Sign language helpful, not essential.  Interpreting provided.  
   
• Coaches needed for tee-ball, youth baseball, track at many recreation centers. Contact Lori for specific opportunities.