Greetings from Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation.  If you are looking for maximum recreation opportunities at minimum prices this summer, often for FREE, check out the 20 point program of activities we call the Park and Rec TARP Program for Recreation Stimulus.  It's to get us moving again!  Click here  for some great ideas.

FESTIVAL AT REEDY CREEK NATURE CENTER AUG. 22 CELEBRATES BEAUTY AND STAMINA OF HUMMINGBIRDS

Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation invites anyone interested in hummingbirds to get a close-up look at these flying "jewels" Sat. Aug. 22, 10am-4pm, at Reedy Creek Nature Center's Hummingbird Festival. Nature preserve/park entrance is 2900 Rocky River Rd. See ruby-throated hummingbirds as they depart for their long journey to Central America for the winter. Ornithologist tells about their great migration and demonstrates how

she bands their tiny legs to track the birds. Learn to create a hummingbird haven in your backyard. Fun for the whole family: games, music, story telling, displays, vendors, crafts, face-painting, etc.  Learn about Dr. JB's Hummingbird Products.  Admission is FREE, with a donation requested. 
More information

CHARTER PROPERTIES MAKES BIG GREENWAY DONATIONS TO HASTEN START OF A NEW GREENWAY

Charter Properties, Inc., developer of Long Creek Club Apartments, donated $188,000 plus land worth an estimated $500,000 (about seven acres) to help us get started on planning for the new Long Creek Greenway in northwest Charlotte. The money was presented to Partners for Parks, the nonprofit organization that seeks donations for parks and green space. Long Creek Greenway will run from I-77 near Northlake Mall, three miles west, crossing Reames Road and Beatties Ford Road, and on to Primm Road. It is also part of the planned Carolina Thread Trail. "Having a developer make this kind of donation will move the Long Creek Greenway toward a faster start," said Park and Recreation Director Jim Garges.  "Charter Properties is a strong supporter of greenway development and will be a great neighbor." Garges hopes this donation will be a positive example to other developers. Timing of greenway construction still depends on when County sells bonds, which depends on state of the economy.

FAIRVIEW HOMES REUNION AND PRESENTATION TO HONOR ANITA STROUD AT IVORY BAKER REC CENTER SET FOR AUGUST 7

Interested citizens are invited to "Fairview Homes Community Reunion" and ceremony to remember Anita Stroud on Fri., Aug. 7, 6:30pm-8:30pm at Ivory Baker Rec Center. Former residents of Fairview Homes are especially invited. Fairview Homes was a large low income and public housing community near uptown Charlotte, now totally redeveloped. Anita Stroud, who lived there, was a beacon of light in the community, running programs and activities for underprivileged children. "Ms. Neet," as she was  known, passed away in 1984 at

age 84.  Reunion features fun activities for families--games, contests, entertainment, food and program to honor outstanding students from Anita Stroud Youth Development Foundation. Event is FREE, sponsored by Park and Rec and the Anita Stroud Foundation. For more info contact Ms. Geraldine T. Powe at 704 376-1154 or check www.anitastroudfoundation.org

POLICE ATHLETIC LEAGUE (PAL) YOUTH MAKES A HOLE IN ONE ON PARK AND REC COURSE

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

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. The launching fee at Blythe Landing  is $5. You may also bring your canoe or kayak and put in for free at McDowell Nature Preserve, Latta Plantation Nature Preserve, or  Col. Francis Beatty Park.

August is a great time to go boating at Park and Rec facilities!

MORE PARK AND REC MAINTENANCE EQUIPMENT CONVERTED TO ALTERNATE FUELS TO RUN CLEANER, ASSESS NEW TECHNOLOGY

Park and Recreation converted two pieces of gasoline powered maintenance equipment to run on clean-burning propane. This is part of an ongoing exploration of alternative fuels to reduce air pollution and educate the public.  This is especially important because Mecklenburg County is a non-attainment region for ozone pollution. The two converted vehicles are a walk-behind field and brush mower and a Kawasaki Mule utility vehicle. They are among the first of these type vehicles converted to propane, which costs about the same to use as gasoline but burns much cleaner and doesn't pollute the ground if spilled.  The vehicles will be used in nature preserves. Says Michael Kirschman, Director for Nature Preserves, "Park and Recreation wishes to be a leader in protecting our environment." Park and Rec also converted a battery-powered maintenance vehicle to run on solar power.  (Why can't Detroit do that?)

SIGN UP NOW FOR FALL LAWN AND GARDEN WORKSHOPS

The NC Cooperative Extension Service offers advice on how to grow and maintain a great looking lawn and garden at workshops scheduled for August 19 at William R. Davie Park in the Conference Center and on Aug 24 at the University City Regional Library.  Both workshops start at 6:30 pm and last an hour and a half. Learn about the Fescue seed selection, soil sampling, improving soil conditions, fertilizing, and weed control.  Pre-register now by calling Scott Ewers at 704 336-4008.  Deadline to register is Aug.17  Space is limited.

E-PLANT TIPS FOR LATE SUMMER FROM THE NC COOPERATVE EXTENSION SERVICE

In Mecklenburg County, the NC Cooperative Extension Service is part of Park and Recreation and offers these tips for this time of year:

• August is time to start fall lawn maintenance efforts for cool-season fescue grass, time for soil testing, and non-selective weed control to eliminate Bermuda grass.  Several applications of a non-selective weed control chemical during August/early September may be needed to stop Bermuda grass in a fescue lawn.
  

Visit the demonstration garden prepared by Master Gardeners in Freedom Park, on the hill, above the lake.

• Halt most pruning on ornamental shrubs and trees except for removing dead wood and hydrangeas.
  
• Maintain a 2–3 inch mulch layer around plants.
  
• Start making plans to shop for trees and shrubs to plant this fall. Consider a plant's height and width at maturity when selecting plants near the foundation of your home, driveways, and property lines.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES AT PARK AND RECREATION; COME HELP US WITH MANY EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES

Park and Recreation THANKS almost 17,000 volunteers who came out to support the Department in the past year. Volunteers provided 112,969 hours service with a value equal to $2.2 million!  Our volunteers really know how to support their community and they have a huge impact on sites and programs.  THANKS SO MUCH! 

For information on volunteering for any programs contact: Lori Saylor: 704 336-5478 or Lori.Saylor@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov. NOTE: Volunteers younger than age 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Volunteers for Therapeutic Recreation (TR) must be at least 18. Join the fun. Volunteer for any of the following:

• Hummingbird Festival, Aug. 22 at Reedy Creek Nature Center.  Festival is Sat, Aug  22, described in first story above. We will need help 8:30am-1:30pm and 12:30pm-5:30pm.  There will be two training sessions at the Reedy Creek Nature Center, on August 19 and 20, 6pm to 7pm.
  
• Historical Research at Latta Plantation Nature Preserve.  Dates and hours are flexible. Research at Libraries and other sources for documents related to past ownership of area that is now the nature preserve.  Making copies of old maps and documents.
  
• Coaches needed for youth flag football, regular football, soccer, basketball. Coaches needed for one weeknight practice a game on Saturday each week.