Pedal, Splash, Trot - Where to Keep Your Cool While Enjoying our Beautiful Parks
The Dog Days of Summer have left us panting in this heat, with fewer public options to really cool off. Parks are open but playgrounds and spraygrounds are closed; boat ramps at Ramsey Creek, Blythe Landing, and Copperhead Island allow us to hit the lakes if we have a boat, but Ramsey Creek beachfront on Lake Norman is not an option if we don't. Ray's Splash Planet, Marion Diehl, and Cordelia Park pools are also off our summer can-do list. So where can we go?
Good news! You still have options if you want to take a dip -- but you might have to plan ahead. Double Oaks Family Aquatic Center is open on both weekend days, and Tuesdays and Thursdays during the week. Sixty guests at a time are allowed to enjoy the pool and water park for an hour and a half, at which time the pool closes for 30 minutes so the deck can be cleaned. There are 4 blocks a day starting at 11pm, 1pm, 3pm, and 5pm. Admission is $1, but in the interest of safety, you'll need to bring your own chairs. Book your session here: https://www.mecknc.gov/ParkandRec/Aquatics/Pages/Outdoor%20Pools%20-%20Seasonal.aspx
The Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center is also open during the week, Monday - Friday, with restrictions. The main tank will allow 1 swimmer per lap lane, with a one-hour limit, and several lanes can be reserved up to a week in advance. All other lap lanes are open on a first-come, first-served basis. The warm pool can accommodate 18 patrons outside a designated program lane, and will have special hours each day for patrons 55+. Just be warned: Locker rooms and weight rooms are closed, there is no towel service, and you have to bring your own swim equipment. Admission is $5 for members. Learn more here: https://www.mecknc.gov/ParkandRec/Aquatics/Pages/Aquatic%20Center%20Information.aspx July 30 update: The Aquatic Center is closed until August 17th, please check the site for reopening updates.
If you'd rather stay dry, there are some great trails you can try in Mecklenburg County Parks and along our greenways. Probably the most popular are the Lower McAlpine, McMullen, and Four Mile Creek greenways. The interconnected greenways stretch nearly 6 miles under a shady tree canopy from Pineville-Matthews Road to Rea Road, crossing under I-485 and Johnston Road along the way. In fact, most Mecklenburg County greenways pass through a few shaded areas if you want to hop on your bike to explore! Find your closest greenway here: https://www.mecknc.gov/ParkandRec/Greenways/Pages/default.aspx
Neighborhood and regional parks like Ribbon Walk, Nevin Park, Reedy Creek, McDowell, and Davie Park offer wooded trails that keep you cool, and are a good place to walk your pooch on a leash. At Davie Park, Partners for Parks subdivided the five-acre off-leash area to allow big dogs and little dogs separate space to roam, and added watering stations for each. Talk about Dog Days of Summer! You can look up more trails in this article - https://partnersforparks.org/walk-better-health/ - with added incentive to give them a try.
The most important part, though, is to get out and get moving in our beautiful parks! Pack your towel, lace up your shoes, grab a leash for Fido -- and don't forget your water bottle. Stay cool!
Sport in a ‘Pickle’ Over Court Space Gets a New Home
When you have a passion for your sport, you want to share it. John Stevens was that guy, and his sport was unfamiliar to most people -- until he started sharing it VERY enthusiastically. Now the sport of pickleball has its own indoor and outdoor Mecklenburg County Park & Recreation leagues, Senior Tournament, and as of this spring -- dedicated courts at Clarks Creek Community Park.
"He was the sport's biggest advocate," laughs his wife Gillian, who says John carried pickleball nets and paddles with him everywhere, so he could be ready for a game. The passion for his sport began about 12 years ago at the JCC when another man saw John racing Gillian towards the water fountain and joked, "You like to win, don't you?" They both laughed. It's true, says Gillian, that John turned everything into a contest, often joking, "This is for the belt!" He amassed dozens, if not hundreds, of the imaginary awards for impromptu contests with his family and friends over the years.
But the man at the JCC was on to something. He invited John, an avid tennis player, to watch a pickleball match going on in the gym. "He played that morning and got addicted!" says Gillian.
From there, John played whenever and wherever he could set up his nets -- even in the most surprising places. Their daughter's engagement party was one of those places, recalls Gillian. When it was time for a toast, Gillian couldn't find John -- until they looked out front and saw him, drenched in sweat in his dress clothes, teaching two kids how to play. These memories bring a chuckle now. It was just like John to share his love of sport any time he could.
Of course, John also worked hard to make pickleball "official" with Mecklenburg County Park & Recreation. The first courts were just lines painted on tennis courts at Tuckaseegee Park; then came the opportunity at Clarks Creek. John and Gillian met several times with then-director Jim Garges to plan them.
"John was the driving force behind the local explosion in participation," says Michael Jackson, pickleball coordinator for Meck Park & Rec. "As pickleball has expanded, so has the desire by the local community for more dedicated pickleball courts." More are planned.
Sadly, though, John Stevens passed away suddenly in 2018, before he could see his dream become a reality. Within a few weeks, Gillian and the couple's friends came up with the idea of naming the new courts at Clarks Creek Community Park in north Charlotte in honor of John. They set up an account with Partners for Parks to facilitate raising money to share John's enthusiasm of the sport and active recreation. MCP&R was happy to work with them to make it happen.
The new courts opened this summer when Phase 2 of the state's Executive Order allowed the return to tennis courts. In the fall, they will be officially dedicated the John Stevens Pickleball Center. Gillian has the T-shirts ready, and the love and enthusiasm of a large circle of friends and pickleball fans, too.
"I can't think of anything that would honor him better," says Gillian. "This was something he was passionate about, something he worked hard at, excelled in, and laughed about, and we enjoyed together."
"To me there could be nothing bigger," she adds. "This would make him proudest."
Indeed, this is "one for the belt."
Parks Where You Can Walk a Mile in Your Own Shoes for Better Health
If you're like a lot of us, the stay-at-home restrictions made us really gravitate towards the few things we actually COULD do -- and daily walks became a part of a lot of families' schedules. I mean, it's easy -- a good pair of walking shoes and a sidewalk are all you need, right? Of course, you want to be sure to social distance and wear a mask, depending on, depending on how crowded your favorite route is.
But a lot of us have learned something unexpected from our walks: It's okay to be alone with our thoughts. We go through our day, click off things we have to do tomorrow, or just listen to birds chirp. Maybe we've even explored parts of our neighborhood we've been too busy to walk through before or waved to neighbors we never knew we had. (Do you know the name of every neighbor's dog yet?) There is a certain peace to slowing down and viewing the world by foot at street level. (We're sure that's one reason for the popularity of Open Streets 704, right?)
But there are more benefits than that. Sure walking is great exercise, but here's proof of how great it is: Multiple studies, according to Harvard Health, found that walking can reduce the risk of cardiovascular events by 31%, and the risk of dying by 32%. And it doesn't require a LOT of walking, either -- just 5-6 miles per week, at a casual pace of 2 mph. If you do the math, that's about 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week.
You heard us -- you don't need to run to get the benefits of exercise (in case your knees aren't a fan of running). No special equipment. No gym memberships that you can't (or don't want to) use right now. And pavement is usually FREE and easily accessible. And Harvard also says someone who is 140 - 160 pounds can burn 100 calories per mile this way. A 200-pound person can burn 125 calories. Great, huh?
The Surgeon General's Call to Action to Promote Walking and Walkable Communities (2015) notes that regular physical activity helps prevent risk factors such as high blood pressure and weight gain, and protects against chronic diseases like heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and depression. In children, it's a great way to relieve anxiety and depression. Heck, that makes it a great way to exercise as a family!
If your neighborhood is short on sidewalks and the streets are too busy, you're in luck. Mecklenburg County has more than 250 miles of trails and greenways you can visit. In fact, several parks are known for their walkable trails -- try Reedy Creek Nature Preserve, Freedom Park, Col. Francis Beatty Park, or Ribbonwalk, to name a few. Little Sugar Creek, McAlpine Creek, Mallard Creek, and Four Mile Creek Greenways are also popular.
For a scenic, urban walk, try Little Sugar Creek Greenway in Midtown Charlotte. Did you know it is one example of the many public-private partnerships facilitated by Partners for Parks? While Mecklenburg County built the greenway, it was donations pulled together with Partners for Parks that made it the scenic route it is today.
What started as the Spirit of Mecklenburg Fund through Partners for Parks has now organized under its own organization as the Trail of History in Midtown, according to Al Brown, Treasurer of Partners for Parks. Other sites along greenways are enhanced by landscaping and features through Partners for Parks' Memorial Bricks, Trees, and Benches Program, or other donations facilitated by Partners for Parks.
If you need ideas beyond your own neighborhood, several websites will give you ideas for great places to walk. Try TrailLink or AllTrails for starters. Many of the parks and trails on the list have also been beautified by donations through Partners for Parks.
So put down your work, close your zoom meeting, and take 30 minutes to do something good for yourself. Fresh air and sunshine (with proper social distance) are an excellent way to build your immune system -- especially now. Enjoy the beauty of a slow, simple walk once a day if you haven't discovered this great activity already. Trust me, you'll wonder why you never thought of this before!
Spring Cleaning and Tidying Up Around Our House
Partners for Parks has set out to do this year what a lot of us have done with our extra time at home lately - we've tidied up and organized a few things around the house. The fiduciary house, that is.
"Over the years we've had funds, and now about a quarter of them are inactive, as projects were done or have been re-directed," says Partners for Parks Treasurer, Al Brown. "We've gone through and deleted some of the accounts that are inactive, reorganized and renamed the rest, and re-listed them."
Since Partners for Parks is an umbrella for project-based donations, it makes sense for accounts to be organized that way, too, says Brown. So whereas before they were organized from A to Z -- or, in our case, from Cornelius to Wesley Chapel -- they now reflect the areas where they are working and showing results.
See the different funds you can connect with via Partners for Parks!
The core purpose of Partners for Parks has not changed -- we're still dedicated to Breathing Life into Our Community. However, our "community" of record has also grown and changed since our inception more than 20 years ago.
We are still a non-profit that works in partnership with our neighbors to benefit our local parks. But, at the same time, our parks have grown in size and number, and now include popular greenways and recreation facilities that connect communities beyond the borders of Mecklenburg County. And just like in the beginning, we are here to facilitate great parks in the greater Charlotte metropolitan area.
Two-thirds of our accounts still support the work of the Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department, but another one-third reach outside our traditional borders. For instance, Partners for Parks worked with shop owners in downtown Hickory to create a park and playground to entertain children when their parents shopped at an outdoor farmers market on the main square. In Wesley Chapel, Partners for Parks worked with local donors to develop and enhance Dogwood Park.
Partners for Parks helped the Little Sugar Creek Greenway through Midtown Charlotte to be the scenic spot that it is. In fact, Partners for Parks has facilitated embellishments all along the greenways that make them a great place not just to ride, run, or walk, but to pull over and rest.
There are similar projects in the works for municipalities like Cornelius, Huntersville, Troutman, and Cabarrus County. And who could forget Open Streets 704? Charlotte's biggest one-day street party may be on hold for now, but it’s still the star of the show for Partners for Parks.
And coming soon: The John Stevens Pickleball Center at Clarks Creek Community Park off Hucks Road. This special fund was put together through Partners for Parks to create memorial pickleball courts in honor of one of Charlotte's most dedicated pickleball players and advocates, John Stevens. Partners for Parks worked with Stevens' wife Gillian to support the courts, which will host its Grand Opening soon!
There are now 75 projects rolling and ready to go at Partners for Parks. You can find one that suits your fancy, or beautifies your favorite spot, on our website. All of them are created, organized, and ready to help Breathe Life into Our Community.
Sunshine, Blue Skies, and Social Distance
It's Spring, and despite some chilly days, we are making the most of the sunshine in, hopefully, a socially responsible way. Parks and Greenways have stayed open (even if parking lots closed for a short time), and Shared Streets and more greenway connectors have opened up to encourage us to go for walks or rides, and stay healthy. And many of us have!
But social distancing rules still apply, even as restrictions slowly loosen around us. It's still important that we all do our part to slow the spread of COVID-19, or history tells us it can rear its ugly head again -- and no one wants that.
So what does that mean? The Centers for Disease Control tells us to stay at least 6 feet apart from people who don't share our household. Don't gather in groups, so that means no playing close-contact sports like basketball or soccer, or any sport that shares equipment. Likewise, if you feel sick, stay home. In a nutshell, remember your W's: Wash your hands, Wait 6 feet apart, and Wear a mask or cloth face covering.
Beyond the rules, manners count -- especially where a lot of people want to share a limited space, like a park. Keep your distance when you spread out your blanket, and remind children to stay close to you and far from others. Keep dogs on leashes -- even if your dog is friendly, you may share a park or greenway with a dog that is not, or someone who is frightened by our four-legged friends. And please, clean up after your pet. No one wants to step in THAT -- or sit near it, either.
If you are exercising, be aware of others -- especially where bikes and pedestrians share a path. Adults riding bikes generally move faster than walkers, joggers, Fido sniffing grass, parents with baby strollers, dawdling toddlers, and little tykes on bikes. Be kind and courteous as we all share the same pavement or grass.
"On greenways or multi-use paths, cyclists should always yield to pedestrians and give an audible warning when passing," says Scott Curry, Active Transportation Coordinator for the city of Charlotte. "Ring your bell or announce, 'Passing on your left.'" Make sure you give your warning with enough distance for others to move right without being startled.
Being polite when passing goes a long way. Remember that most people are outdoors for the journey, not the destination.
The Shared Streets initiative limits cars on three (and possibly more, later) stretches of road popular with bikes and pedestrians, but the same rules apply. Safety is also a priority where cars may still be present, because even Shared Streets are open to emergency vehicles and residents who live on the street.
"Whether you’re on foot or on bike, never assume that a driver is going to yield to you. Always remain vigilant," says Curry. "Follow traffic signals. Try to make eye contact with drivers at intersections." Curry also reminds us to wear bright or reflective colors when riding in low light, and have good lights and reflectors on the front and back of our bikes.
And keep in mind that Shared Streets is not an excuse or a location for a street party. Their purpose is to give us room to get moving, not stay in one place. "This is a time to bring out the longboard, not the hammock," advises the city's website, so don't linger. If you want to stop and chat, please move off the path. (And maintain that safe social distance.)
A number of new greenway sections have opened, too, and that allows us to spread out a little more. Take advantage of the room to hike or bike, but again, keep your distance.
And no spitting, please. We know COVID-19 and all kinds of other germs can spread through the air as aerosolized particles. Do your part by covering your cough or sneeze, and keeping your spit to yourself.
It all seems a lot, but remember kindness and courtesy goes a lot way right now. Enjoy the weather. Enjoy the Parks and Greenways. Enjoy the Shared Streets. Give each other room, wash your hands, wear a mask, and stay safe!
Shine Up Your Jingle Bells! Aound the Crown 10K Has a New Date!
Any distance runner knows training for a road race is no short-term task, and any race director knows planning a road race can have its "moments." But both also know that despite setbacks, you have to keep moving forward towards that goal.
In that spirit, Charlotte's up-and-coming landmark road race, Around the Crown 10K, has a new date. After COVID-19 postponed the date set in May, runners will now get their chance to see the best slow view of uptown Charlotte from I-277 on Sunday, December 6, 2020.
Partners for Parks is the race’s main beneficiary. Proceeds from the race support programs to enhance county parks, greenways, and recreation centers, including Partners for Parks’ signature event, Open Streets 704. Runners can also make donations directly to Partners for Parks when they sign up for the race.
"It feels good, in a time of uncertainty, to be moving forward with a new date," says Around the Crown 10K co-founder Brian Mister. "I feel like a weight has been lifted and we can focus on making it a great race."
And before your Southern roots suggest this might be a chilly day for a race, consider that the first week of December in Charlotte generally has high temperatures in the upper 50's -- perfect "running weather."
Mister knows this because... he checked. In fact, he looked up weather for December 6 for the past six years, and it looks like a good day for a race. Whew.
"December weather for Charlotte is pretty good," he says. "It's not hurricane season, it's not too hot, and it usually doesn't snow." Fingers crossed, Brian!
There are a few other reasons December 6 made a good date, after considering all of the other Sundays in the fall that DON'T have Panthers games, because of logistics. First, it's the weekend of the ACC Championship game at Bank of America Stadium. You may recall that the inaugural ATC10K ran the morning after the Belk Bowl Kickoff game, and the events dovetailed nicely. Mister says the working relationship with Charlotte Sports Foundation is a good one, and the new date continues that collaboration.
The new date also allows a great partnership for the packet pick-up and Expo to continue at Camp North End. The fun, family-friendly Expo was a big part of the inaugural race weekend with its live music, food trucks, and vendors market focused on health & wellness, and sustainability. The new date coincides with the holiday-themed Mistletoe Market at Camp North End, too.
"We love our Expo," explains Sponsorship Director Brittany Yoho. "We wanted to share this community of wellness and sustainability, and it was a great experience to have it on a Saturday when everyone could come." Expect music from the Mike Strauss Band and Sinners & Saints, and a Kids' .277 mile fun run to highlight the day. And yes, there's free parking.
Sponsors also get another 6 months of exposure, says Yoho, making the new date attractive for them, too.
"Sponsors are really excited we have a new date, and have been really supportive," says Yoho. "And a new date will also allow some new sponsors on board," she adds. "They're excited to be part of something great."
And for the rest of us? Six more months to train -- just in case you haven't been as consistent about going for runs during the stay at home order as you'd like to be. Even better? There's a first-timers club with a $20 registration fee for anyone who's never run a race before. You can even follow a specialized training plan created by sponsors at OrthoCarolina -- and yes, there's even one for beginners!
So what's stopping you? Register today, and get a great view of uptown from the ground, while supporting Partners for Parks.
Going Green Never Felt Better! McDowell’s 1st Annual Plant Sale Helps Kids
Need a little greenery in your life? Kids do too! And now is the perfect time to get back to nature, and help local at-risk kids do the same. The first annual McDowell's Native Plant Sale in partnership with Partners for Parks lets you take home native plants and herbs, and help fund camp scholarships for kids in our area.
The process is easy -- order plants online before April 30th, and sign up for a pick-up time on the weekend of May 2-3. That's it! The plants you order will be available for curbside pick-up at the entrance of McDowell Nature Preserve, 15222 York Road in Charlotte, from 9am to 5pm both days. Make sure you pick a time to avoid the crowds!
McDowell Park is asking that you bring your own boxes and trays to pick up your plants, and wear your personal protective equipment. We want to keep everyone safe so parks can open their gates again soon.
Partners for Parks donated the money to buy the seeds, seedlings, and plant labels for this inaugural sale, and the McDowell Nature Center Team did the work to make the sale happen despite the current COVID-19 crisis.
Your purchase will not only beautify your home and spice up your kitchen, it will also make a difference in the lives of at-risk youth. 100% of the proceeds from the online plant and herb sale will benefit summer camp scholarships. Both Partners for Parks and McDowell Nature Center hope this project is a huge success, and that the Kid’s Nature Camp will be a ‘go’ for summer!
Remember to sign up for BOTH your purchase and your pick-up time online at https://apm.activecommunities.com/mecklenburgparks/Activity_Search?detailskeyword=%23plantsale&IsAdvanced=True&ddlSortBy=Activity+name&SearchFor=2&SearchLevelID=2&maxAge=100&NumberOfItemsPerPage=50&IsSearch=trueType "plant sale" in the search box at the top of the menu to go straight to the order form.
Thanks for making Mecklenburg County beautiful and helping raise money for Kids Nature Camp scholarships!
Get Outside and Play (But New Rules Apply)
Parks are some of our most beautiful natural resources, so it can sound confusing when we hear about places we consider "wilderness" -- like beaches and state parks -- are closed. How can this be?
Consider this: If social distancing can't be enforced, and crowds continue to gather despite warnings, stricter action must be taken. Some trails are still open, but restrooms and community areas, like visitor centers, are closed. The NC State Parks website (ncparks.gov) explains what's open and what's not.
In Mecklenburg County, within the current Stay at Home order, parks ARE open -- but with social districting restrictions. So what does that mean? According to the order, you can walk, hike, play golf, run, ride your bike, or use the greenway -- in groups of 10 or less, and staying 6 feet apart.
But to be very specific, you can't use EVERY part of the park or do ANY thing you want. For instance, you can't take your kids to the playground. According to the order:
"Playgrounds may increase the spread of COVID-19, and therefore shall be closed."
Basically, the same rules your mother taught you about "don't touch it, you don't know where it's been," apply here. Don't touch the things other people are touching, and that would include playground equipment other children are playing on.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, "Current evidence suggests that novel coronavirus may remain viable for hours to days on surfaces." There aren't any known cases of someone getting sick this way, says the CDC, but persons infected with the coronavirus can spread the germs before they know they are sick. Better safe than sorry, in other words.
"If, during this pandemic, you make the decision to go recreate outside, please be considerate of others and yourself and follow established social distancing and gathering guidelines," writes Lee Jones, Director of Mecklenburg County Park & Recreation.
Jones adds that guidelines are supported by the National Recreation and Park Association and Mecklenburg County Health Public Health.
In addition, Recreation Centers are closed, as are the county's pools, nature centers, and senior centers. Parks, preserves, and greenways are open, but can't be used for organized sports like practices and games.
So as the weather warms up and you venture outdoors for fresh air and sunshine, remember to keep your distance. Keep your health and wellness -- and everyone else's -- your first priority. And wash those hands as soon as you get home!
Stay-At-Home Orders, Social Distancing, and Getting Outdoors
We’re how many days into this homeschooled, work-from-home, social distancing thing. You’ve read every book, played every game, and watched all the TikTok you can bear. Plus, there's the City and County's new Stay-at-Home order. Now what? It’s time to take it seriously old school and get outside.
“Getting outside is not only good exercise, it’s good for your mental health, too,” says Clint Grant, Active Living Program Supervisor with Mecklenburg County Public Health. “Being outdoors reduces stress and anxiety - something we probably all need a little more of these days.”
This weekend’s weather had folks flooding Mecklenburg County’s most popular parks. And that’s a good thing, so long as we keep our distance from one another. Right now, there are no plans to close Mecklenburg County parks and greenways, and that’s good news too. Wide open spaces like parks can be an antidote for cabin fever and an outlet for wearing down cooped-up kids. Destination parks, like Freedom Park and Latta Park, and other large regional parks are outfitted with portable toilets and hand washing stations, too.
(No matter where you go, remember to keep your hands off your face, and wash your hands as soon as you get back home.)
Under the new Stay-at-Home order, you CAN still get out to ride your bike, go for a run, take a walk, and even play golf, or engage in other forms of exercise. Yes, that includes being in places like public parks. However, you'll still want to maintain that 6-foot space between other people and limit your group to fewer than ten.
Mecklenburg County has an FAQ sheet on its website. There's also a hotline for folks who have questions about what is and isn’t allowed under the stay-at-home order. That number is 704-353-1926. It’s staffed from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
