Greetings again from Mecklenburg Park and Recreation!  We hope events and activities in this e-newsletter contribute to your summer fun and fitness. If you know anyone who wants to get this, send them to www.parkandrec.com to hit the SUBSCRIBE icon. 

PARK AND RECREATION OUTDOOR POOLS STILL $1 THIS YEAR; FREE SWIMMING LESSONS MONDAYS AND WEDNESDAYS

Mecklenburg Park and Recreation has opened its outdoor pools for summer, with a low admission fee of only $1-a-day again this year.  Until school lets out after June 13, pools operate Saturdays and Sundays only. After June 13,  regular summertime operating hours will be:

• Saturdays:   11am-5pm
• Sundays:     1pm-5pm
• Weekdays:  12noon-6pm

Park and Rec pools are a great place for kids to learn how to swim!

This schedule applies at Cordelia Park Pool, 2100 North Davidson Street and Double Oaks Pool, 1200 Newland Road. Free swim lessons begin June 16 for youngsters on Mondays and Wednesdays, 11am-11:30am and 11:30am -12pm at both pools.  The 11am classes give priority to children ages 3-5. The 11:30am classes give priority to youngsters 6-12. Older children allowed if space available. To register call 704 336-7855 at least a week ahead of time. Last year these outdoor pools had 24,000 paid admissions.

SPRAYGROUNDS OPEN AT FIVE PARKS FOR COOL FUN, SEVEN DAYS A WEEK

Park and Recreation's five "spraygrounds" are also open for the summer. They are open seven days a week, 10am-8pm. Spraygrounds are FREE to the public. They offer water sprays, nozzles and spouts for children (and adults) to run through and frolic under.  Sprayground locations:

• Nevin Park, 6000 Statesville Rd. 
• Cordelia Park, 2100 North Davidson St.
• Latta Park, 601 East Park Ave.
• Veterans Park, 2136 Central Ave.
• West Charlotte Park, 2400 Kendall Dr.

ASIAN FESTIVAL AND DRAGON BOAT RACES MEAN FUN TIME ON LAKE NORMAN AT RAMSEY CREEK PARK JUNE 7
 

The Asian Festival is great fun for all and celebrates a culture that includes sharp dragon boat competition!

Park and Recreation and the Asian Chamber present the ninth annual Asian Festival and third annual Dragon Boat Race June 7 at Ramsey Creek Park, 18441 Nantz Road, Cornelius. This event includes Asian performances on stage all day, along with Asian vendors selling food and other items. Last year's event attracted about 6,000 people to the park. Heats in the dragon boat races begin at 9am.  Entertainment starts at 11am. Parking will be at the Palace Cinema parking lot at Kenton Place off West Catawba Ave. A free shuttle will run from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.  For more information, check www.parkandrec.com and click the Asian Festival banner.

PARK AND REC OFFERS TRIP TO SOUTHERN COAST, AUG. 18-22: TOURS OF SAVANNAH, JEKYLL ISLAND, BEAUFORT, AND MORE

Park and Recreation invites adults to come on an exciting motor coach tour to Savannah, Jekyll Island, St Simon's Island, Parris Island, and Beaufort, SC.  This trip is August 18–22, 2008. Cost is $425 per person based on double occupancy and includes:

• 4 nights lodging in nice motels
• 4 breakfasts and dinners
• Tours of Jekyll Island and St. Simon's Island
• Tour the gorgeous Beaufort, "Queen of the Carolina Sea Islands." See where parts of "The Big Chill" and "Forrest Gump" were filmed.
• Tour Parris Island, US Marine base.
• Tour historic Savannah, the "Belle of Georgia."

For more information call Candy Bridges at 704-552-8213 or email Candy.Bridges@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov.

SUMMER FUN ON THE LAKE:  VROOOOM, SAIL OR PADDLE AWAY FROM PARK AND REC BOAT LAUNCHES

Did you know you can launch a motorboat or sailboat at our facilities on Lake Norman or Lake Wylie? We have boat launches and 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 may also bring a canoe or kayak and put-in for free at McDowell Nature Preserve, 15222 York Road and Latta Nature Preserve, 5226 Sample Road. Or you can rent a paddleboat for $4 an hour on a small lake at Col. Francis Beatty Park, 4330 Weddington Road

IF YOUR CHILD HAD A GREAT SCHOOL YEAR, WHY NOT TAKE HIM OUT TO A CHARLOTTE KNIGHTS BALL GAME?
 

Park and Recreation Department and Genesis Sports Management invite youngsters, ages 8-12 to come on a FREE trip to a Charlotte Knights Baseball game Monday, July 28. We call it "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" for kids who had a great academic 4th quarter (as defined by their parent or guardian). A parent or guardian may bring a kid's final report card by Albemarle Road Recreation Center, 5027 Ildewild Rd., not later than July 25 to qualify. Kids will travel by van to see the Charlotte Knights take on the Buffalo Bisons at Knights Stadium in Fort Mill. Space is limited, so sign-up soon. Excursion leaves from Albemarle Road Recreation Center at 10am, July 28 and returns after the game. To register or for more information contact Derichard McCoy at the recreation center, 704 567-1941 or Derichard McCoy.

Homer the Dragon greets kids who come to Knights Stadium. Homer likes good grades, too.

GOLF CLASSIC FOR VETERANS AND ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY; SIGN-UP NOW TO PLAY FOR FREE AT RENAISSANCE COURSE JUNE 27
 

All military veterans,including National Guard and Reserves, and active duty military personnel are invited to sign-up now to play in the 3^rd annual Veterans & Reservists Golf Classic at Renaissance Public Golf Course, 1512 West Tyvola Road, June 27, 2008. This event features a FREE 18 holes of golf plus a complimentary lunch for those who qualify. Play begins at 8am with a shotgun start. Registration runs through June 13, first come/first served, and space is limited. Sign-up is by mail or on the web at www.charlottepublicgolf.com or call 704 357-3373.  For more information call 311. 

CHECK OUT MANY MORE NEAT THINGS AT www.parkandrec.com.

Each month we can only tell you about several things in our e-newsletter.  But at our website you can learn of many more opportunities for constructive recreation.  Did you know we have about 165 parks (depends on exactly how you count them), 27 recreation centers, 2 skate parks, a BMX bike track, three major nature preserves, an indoor water park, an aquatic center, 5 golf courses, eight workout and fitness centers, a beautiful lakeside campground, an equestrian center for horseback riding, historic sites, and hundreds of ball fields, tennis courts, picnic areas, and basketball courts, and 32 miles of greenways.  We also offer many programs of therapeutic recreation for youngsters and adults with disabilities. Information on all these things are on www.parkandrec.com, just a click or two away.  

E-PLANT TIPS FROM NC COOPERATE EXTENSION SERVICE

• Ensure newly planted trees and shrubs receive a thorough soaking each week. Soak the ground; do not sprinkle it lightly. Mulch to conserve moisture.
• Lacebugs feed on azaleas, pyracantha and other woody plants, causing a gray, blanched or stippled appearance on the upper surface of the leaves. Take steps to control them as soon as you notice the damage.
• Additional pruning may be required this month on fast-growing plants, such as juniper, privet and yew, to maintain a desirable shape during the growing season.
• When dead or damaged branches are found on shade trees, prune them out immediately.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES AT PARK AND RECREATION

For more information on any volunteering opportunity, contact Lori Saylor: 704-336-5478 or Lori.Saylor@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov. Volunteers under age of 16 must be accompanied by adult who is at least 21.  Volunteers working with the Therapeutic Recreation (TR) Division must be at least 18.

• Charlotte Hornets Beepball (TR), during June, Park Road Park, Mondays 6pm–8pm, Saturdays 9am–3 pm.  Sport like Baseball for visually impaired.
• CampFest (TR),  Marion Diehl Center, Wed. July 30. An interactive field day for youth and teens with various disabilities.
• Park Ambassadors at all parks and greenways, on-going and flexible dates. On foot or bike, help monitor parks, trails, and greenways. Greet patrons. Must commit to at least 6 months.
• Vet care needed at McDowell Nature Center for bi-annual visits. We seek someone to do annual or semi-annual check on our animals for wellness care to maintain their health: cornsnakes, kingsnake, yellow slider, mud turtle, box turtles, frogs, toads, and anoles. Schedule flexible.
• Hummingbird Festival at Reedy Creek Nature Center, Aug 23, 9am–5pm (several shifts available). Day-long festival celebrates migration of ruby-throated hummingbird. Activities for all ages. Hummingbird banding. We need greeters, craft helpers, staff for tables, speaker assistants, program assistants.
• Help build fully accessible playground for children of all abilities, Sept 29-Oct. 4.  4-hour shifts available. Skilled and unskilled volunteers are needed to help with hospitality, first aid, children's activities and construction  work. We need individuals, families, church groups, companies, clubs, fraternities and sororities, sports teams! Lend us your Hearts and Hands so children with all abilities will have a place to play side by side.