Greetings of the season from Mecklenburg Park and Recreation. Please consider this our holiday card to you, with a host of offerings for your fun and fitness.
 

WE'RE THANKFUL THAT MECKLENBURG VOTERS SUPPORT PARK AND REC BONDS, EVEN IN A SAGGING ECONOMY

Mecklenburg Park and Recreation thanks all citizens who voted for the Nov. 4 parks and recreation bond referendum. The $250 million in bonds won 62% approval, despite the sagging national economy and turmoil in the banking industry. "This approval means we can make a substantial start on our 10 year master plan to improve recreation facilities and meet the needs of the County's growing population," says Jim Garges, Director of Mecklenburg Park and Recreation. The bonds will fund more than 60 new or improved parks, nature preserves, greenways, recreation centers, and swimming pools. Most will be developed on property the county already owns. The bonds will also allow purchase of $60 million worth of additional land for recreation and preservation. Voters all over Charlotte-Mecklenburg supported the bonds. 

PHOTOGS INVITED TO CAPTURE BEAUTY OF PARK AND RECREATION IN 2008-09 "NATURE OF MECKLENBURG" CONTEST AND EXHIBITION
 

Photos submitted for the contest may be used to promote Park and Rec facilities.

Mecklenburg Park and Rec, Partners for Parks, and Carolinas' Nature Photographers Association invite photographers to enter the 2008-2009 "The Nature of Mecklenburg" Photography Contest and "juried exhibition." Proceeds will benefit Park and Rec and Partners for Parks, the non-profit organization which promotes parks, greenways and open space. Photographs may be taken by amateurs or professionals in any of County parks, nature preserves, playgrounds, or greenways from Sept 15, 2008-Jul 15, 2009.  They may be entered in categories of  Plant Life, Landscapes/Scenic, People in Parks, and Wildlife. Cash prizes as much as $300 will be awarded.  For complete details check www.partnersforparks.org.

NEW PARK AND REC MAINTENANCE VEHICLE RUNS ON THE SUN: ENERGY INDEPENDENT, EMISSIONS FREE, AND READY TO SHINE
 

Park and Recreation has specially equipped a GEM electric vehicle to run exclusively on solar power.  We will use it for routine maintenance, Park Watch patrol, and resource management--as a pilot project in Latta Plantation Nature Preserve. This vehicle is energy independent. It runs for FREE and is non-polluting!  Normally a GEM works with a plug-in charger and storage cells. We had solar panels added above the back bed (it's configured like a small pickup truck). Plug-in is no longer necessary.  The batteries charge off the sun.

The solar GEM project demonstrates how new technologies can save energy and protect the environment.

"WORLD AIDS DAY' FORUM IN MECKLENBURG COUNTY SET FOR DECEMBER 6 AT ALBEMARLE ROAD REC CENTER

Mecklenburg Park and Rec hosts a local  observance of World AIDS Day with a special forum Sat, Dec. 6, 2pm-5pm, at  Albemarle Road Recreation Center, 5027 N. Idlewild Rd. FREE to the public, the forum is sponsored by Teens Taking Action of Charlotte and Time Out Youth.  It will feature teens from the Metrolina AIDS Project Youth Speakers Bureau describing experiences with HIV and how it has affected their lives. The program will also include a panel discussion, AIDS testing on site, and information tables on all aspects of AIDS including prevention. The purpose of World AIDS Day is to encourage early detection of AIDS and an end to discrimination against those who suffer with the disease. For more information contact 311 or Keisha.Coxe@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov.

SPECIAL MEMORIAL SERVICE, BALLOON RELEASE ON DEC. 13 AT OUR CHILDREN'S MEMORIAL WALKWAY IN FRAZIER PARK

Our Children's Memorial Walkway invites anyone grieving the loss of a child or friend of any age to attend the walkway's 8^th annual National Children's Memorial Day Service at 2pm, Saturday, December 13, 2008. The service will be on the walkway in Frazier Park, 1201 West 4^th Street, on the weekend of National Children's Memorial Day.  The service will feature a release into the sky of balloons carrying the names of children departed from this life. This year's service will highlight "How the dream came true!," sharing the history of the memorial walkway and garden. For more information visit www.ocmw.org.

JOIN PARK AND REC FOR THE TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING IN FREEDOM PARK; PLUS A NEW TWIST, RIDE AROUND THE LAKE

The holiday season begins at Freedom Park at 4pm Sat, Dec. 13 with "sleigh" (hay) rides around the lake, a visit with Santa, arts and crafts, hot chocolate and more. The evening concludes after dark with a fireside reading of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas and a countdown to the lighting of the Christmas trees at the band shell.  For more information call 311 or 704 353-1246.

Holiday lights offer cheer and joy in Freedom Park

NO EXCUSE TO STAY AT HOME ALONE THIS NEW YEAR'S EVE!  COME TO THE ACTIVE SENIORS DANCE AT ALBEMARLE ROAD REC CENTER

Park and Recreation invites active seniors (age 50+) to a Senior Adult New Year's Eve Dance, Dec. 31, 7pm-10pm, at Albemarle Road Rec Center, 5027 North Idlewild Road.  This is for singles or couples. No alcohol please.  Come and foxtrot, swing, rumba, cha cha, waltz, tango, and line dance with great music, refreshments, door prizes and a wonderful time for the New Year!  Admission is $2 at the door. Dress is "dressy casual"-- party dress or pantsuit for ladies, dress shirt and dress pants for gentlemen. Senior groups welcome. No reservations needed. For more information call 311 or contact program coordinator Michelle Hitselberger at Michelle.Hitselberger@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov.

CAROLINA PADDLERS FINISH AMONG BEST IN AMERICA AT NATIONAL KAYAK POLO CLUB CHAMPIONSHIPS
 

The Carolina Kayak Polo Club has proved itself among the best in the country at the 2008 Kayak Polo Club Nationals in San Marcos, Texas (outside of Austin). The club's Carolina Storm finished third in the "Club A" division, and the Carolina Shipwrecks placed first in the "Club B" division. The Carolina Kayak Polo Club is sponsored by Mecklenburg Park and Rec. It practices and plays at McDowell Nature Preserve and the Mecklenburg Aquatic Center The club welcomes newcomers, and no previous paddling experience is required. All tuition and equipment is provided by the club. For more information contact the club at   www.carolinakayakpolo.org.

E-PLANT TIPS FOR WINTER FROM THE NC COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE

In Mecklenburg County, the Cooperative Extension Service is part of Park and Recreation and offers the following tips for gardening:

• To avoid harming near-dormant plants during the winter, do not fertilize, and reduce watering until growth resumes in the spring. 
• Turn and prune house plants regularly to keep them shapely. Pinch back new growth to promote bushy plants.
• Keep winter fertilization of most houseplants to a minimum as plant growth is now at its slowest.
• Examine the limb structure of your shade trees. Remove dead, diseased, and storm-damaged branches.
   

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES AT MECKLENBURG PARK AND RECREATION FOR DECEMBER AND BEYOND

For information on how to volunteer for any of the programs below, contact: Lori Saylor: 704-336-5478 or Lori.Saylor@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov . All volunteers younger than age 16 must be accompanied by an adult at least 21. Volunteers for Therapeutic Recreation (TR) Division must be at least 18. Coaches are needed for many sports at many recreation centers:

• Youth basketball: Albemarle Rd Recreation Center, 5027 Idlewild Rd
• Youth basketball: Naomi Drenan Recreation Center, 950 Beal St.
•  Youth basketball and baseball: Methodist Home Recreation Center, 3200 Shamrock Drive
• Youth basketball: Amay James Recreation Center,  2425 Lester St
• Youth basketball:  Southview Recreation Center, 1720 Vilma St
•  Youth basketball:  First Ward Recreation Center, 610 East 7th Street
• Youth basketball:  Winget Recreation Center, 12235 Winget Rd
• Youth basketball:  Mallard Creek Recreation Center, 2530 Johnston–Oehler Rd
•  Youth soccer (Coed): Elon Recreation Center, 11401 Ardrey Kell

Check www.parkandrec.com for centers closest to you.