Greetings again from Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation. We hope this e-newsletter helps you enjoy our many offerings of fun, competition and good health. Please tell us what you think by using the Send Feedback link in the toolbox to the right.

MECKLENBURG VOTERS WILL DECIDE THE FUTURE OF PARK AND RECREATION PROJECTS IN NOVEMBER BOND REFERENDUM

Mecklenburg County will ask voters to decide on a $250-million Park and Recreation bond issue, November 4. This referendum contains projects for parks, greenways, nature preserves, recreation centers, aquatic facilities, etc.  Passage would provide funding to begin building projects in Mecklenburg's 10 Year Park and Recreation Master Plan.  This plan proposes to expand the parks and recreation system to meet the County's growing population. Information on the Master Plan and on specific projects proposed in the bond referendum may be viewed online. Projects are all over the county, as shown in the adjacent map.  Larger, more detailed maps are included in the online listings.

COME JOIN THE FUN, ART, MUSIC AND FOOD AT FESTIVAL IN THE PARK, IN FREEDOM PARK SEPT. 18-21

The 44th annual Festival in the Park in Freedom Park near uptown Charlotte begins on Thur., Sept.18.  This festival is one of Mecklenburg County's premier arts and cultural events, attracting thousands of local residents and visitors from all over the world. The sounds of big band music will drift across the lake, and multi-color lights strung from Camelot exhibit tents will twinkle around Freedom Park. The scents of great foods will fill the air, as children laugh at face painting. More than 150 talented artists and crafts people display works for sale afternoons and evenings. Hundreds of musicians will perform. For more information visit: www.festivalinthepark.org

SOCCER SEASON 'KICKS OFF' WITH NEW SOCCER FIELDS SEPT. 6 AT MALLARD CREEK PARK IN THE UNIVERSITY AREA

Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department "kicks-off" three new soccer fields on Sat., Sept. 6, at 9am at Mallard Creek Community Park. We say "kicks-off" because County Commission Chairman Jennifer Roberts and dignitaries will KICK SOCCER BALLS INTO GOALS to celebrate the new fields. Construction of the three soccer fields, restrooms, concession building, parking, roads, and site improvements cost $3 million, paid for by park and recreation bonds approved by voters at in 1999 and 2004.  The soccer fields will serve heavy demand in the Northeast Park District for soccer facilities. Soccer is a popular sport in the University Area of Charlotte and all over Mecklenburg County. Call 311 for more info.

GRAND OPENING FOR ANOTHER NEW SECTION OF STEWART  CREEK GREENWAY SCHEDULED FOR SEPT. 13 AT 10AM

Help celebrate a .7 mile extension of the Stewart Creek Greenway, at the plaza at Freedom Drive and Woodruff Place. County Commissioner Valerie Woodard will make brief remarks. Bring bikes and join the inaugural ride down the greenway.  Stewart Creek Greenway is part of a trail system that includes the Wesley Heights and Irwin Creek Greenways which link several parks near Charlotte's Center City.  The plaza at Freedom Drive integrates artworks and provides a community gathering space and play area.  The greenway is bordered by the new Lela Courts neighborhood  and will soon connect to the new Wesley Village development. This new section of greenway was funded by 2004 Park and Recreation bonds.

MANY OTHER NEW PARK AND RECREATION PROJECTS ARE IN THE WORKS, MOST FUNDED BY PREVIOUS BOND ISSUES

• Winget Park:  New baseball field, restrooms and parking. Dedication ceremony Sept. 10 at 10am
• Revolution Sports Academy at Revolution Park: Start of construction with "concrete pouring" ceremony, Sept. 17 at 10am
• Nevin Park: Accessible playground construction by citizen volunteers and groups, Sept. 29-Oct. 5  (See need for volunteers in last item in this newsletter).
• Four Mile Creek Greenway: 2.1 mile extension between McMullen and McAlpine. Opening ceremony, Oct. 11, 2008 at 10am
• Elon Park (also known as 521 Park): Four synthetic soccer fields.  Opening ceremony, Oct. 15, 4pm
• Eastway Park:  2 softball fields, 2 soccer fields, 2 restroom buildings. Opening ceremony, Oct. 25, 10am

SPECIAL MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR 9-11 VICTIMS AT 'OUR CHILDREN'S MEMORIAL WALKWAY' IN FRAZIER PARK, SEPT 11 

Our Children's Memorial Walkway in Frazier Park invites firefighters, police, emergency personnel and the general public to a memorial service for those killed in the 9-11 attacks against America. Service will be Sept.11 at 8:30am. At 8:47am, the time of the first attack, a large bell will toll. Red, white, and blue balloons will be released. The observance includes bagpiper, prayer, and a long scroll with the names and pictures of thousands of the people who died on 9-11. Also on display will be Flags of Remembrance, representing nationalities of people killed in the World Trade Center towers. DIRECTIONS:  From Cedar Street, take First Street or Greenleaf Avenue at the Panthers' practice field. Go three blocks west to Frazier Park. Cross the metal bridge. Call 311 for more info.

POP WARNER FOOTBALL TEAMS PLAY IN "RAY BOWL XIII,"FOR CHANCE TO PLAY AT HALFTIME OF PANTHERS GAME

The four top Pop Warner Jr. Pee Wee football teams in the Piedmont Carolinas square-off in Park and Recreation's Ray Bowl XIII, Sat., Sept. 6 at Memorial Stadium. These players are ages 9-10! The two winning teams will advance to the "Sir Purr Bowl" at Bank of America Stadium, during halftime of a real NFL game on Sept. 28. Ray Bowl XIII features:

• Game # 1:  Columbia Panthers vs. Lewisville Lions, 11am
• Game # 2:  Mount Holly Hawks vs. Coul-Oak Steelers, 1pm

Admission to Ray Bowl is FREE. Watching these kids play is great fun! Call 311 for more info.

E-PLANT TIPS FROM NC COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE FOR LATE SUMMER, EARLY FALL

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

• Always think to put the right plant in the right place. Paying attention to the soil, moisture, and sun/shade conditions, your plants will have a better chance of establishing.
• Be careful with wood ashes placed around acid-loving plants like azaleas and blueberries because ashes raise the soil pH.
• Powdery mildew becomes more abundant following periods of cool nights and warm, dry days.  Powdery mildew infected plants are covered with a white, powdery growth.
• Plant a bulb on its side if you're unsure which side is top and which is the bottom. The stem will always grow upright.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO HELP BUILD MECKLENBURG'S FIRST "ACCESSIBLE PLAYGROUND" FOR ALL CHILDREN, SEPT 29-OCT 5

Park and Recreation and Partners for Parks seek thousands of volunteers to help build the county's first fully accessible playground  in Nevin Park. This playground is now called Race Playce, reflecting a NASCAR theme.  This will be a play area without barriers, accessible for all children regardless of their abilities, where all children can play together. The playground was designed by children who worked with a professional designer. Construction shifts will be scheduled each day, Sept. 29-Oct. 5, 8am–12:30pm, 12noon–5:30pm, and 5pm–until(?).  Skilled and unskilled volunteers are needed for hospitality, first aid, children's activities and actual construction. We seek help from individuals, families, churches, companies, groups and clubs, fraternities and sororities, sports teams, etc. For more information and to sign up for a shift, contact Volunteer Coordinator Lori Saylor at 704336-5478 or lori.saylor@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov.