Teammates for Kids
Where Garth Brooks goes, Teammates for Kids follows. As part of Brooks’ shows in Charlotte this month, Teammates for Kids hosted a youth basketball camp for 84 boys and girls. ProCamps extended an opportunity for Partners for Parks to recruit young people to participate in the private event at Naomi Drenan Rec Center on July 16. Partners for Parks registered 30 boys and girls to participate. The Teammates for Kids Foundation partners with Brooks to host youth sports camps in all of the cities on his current stadium tour.
Dog Days Year Round at Local Parks
They’re popping up in parks all over the country, and are some of the most-requested amenities nationwide. No, not greenways or playgrounds – we’re talking about dog parks! Here in Charlotte and Mecklenburg County, residents and their furry friends can find plenty of places to whine about the dog days summer and recreate together all year round.
From Reedy Creek’s “Barkingham Park,” to “Ray’s Fetching Meadow” at McAlpine Creek Community Park, there are currently eight dog parks on the Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation property. The most recent addition – and the city’s first urban dog park – is at Ninth Street Park (417 West Ninth Street) in Charlotte’s Fourth Ward neighborhood. Find the rest of the MCPR dog parks here: https://parkandrec.mecknc.gov/Places-to-Visit/Dog-Parks
Despite some of the silly names, people are serious about their dog parks. In a National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) survey, most respondents agreed that dog parks provided a benefit to the community. Dog parks were particularly important to millennials, Gen Xers, and boomers, who felt dog parks provided safe places for dogs to exercise and socialize, and allowed owners to be physically active with their pets.
It’s worth noting here that dog parks can be all that, and more, when dogs and their people follow the rules. It’s a best practice to familiarize yourself with the park regulations, vaccination requirements, and other restrictions. You know your pet best. But if you’re not sure whether your dog is “dog park” material, ask your vet.
Over the years, Partners for Parks and donors like you have played a significant role in improving and enhancing area dog parks. A most recent project at William R. Davie District Park nearly doubled the Davie Dog Park. The $45,000 project created two fenced-in, off-leash play areas; one for large dogs and other for smaller breeds. It also provided for two watering areas and new drinking fountains. The five-acre dog park even has enough shade for a summer afternoon visit. Like other MCPR dog parks, it’s open 730am to dusk, seven days a week.
Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation works to balance changing community needs and input when building new or renovating existing parks. That’s why your voice is valuable in sessions and surveys when the County is seeking opinions on park improvements. If particular amenities are important to you, Partners for Parks provides unique donation funds that can restrict your financial contributions to specific projects – like dog parks!
While the dog days of summer linger, take a moment to explore the opportunities where your financial participation with Partners for Parks can provide the change you want to see. There are nearly 80 individual funds to choose from. https://partnersforparks.org/funds/
Enderly Park Gets a Face Lift
We all love our parks. They provide us with exercise, an appreciation of nature and the perfect place to enjoy time with our friends and families. Hours spent outdoors in a community park can even be somewhat meditative, especially in the crazy world we are currently living in. Our parks do so much for us, so it is only natural that we need to eventually show them some love right back. Enderly Park is one of our community staples that is in need of a little TLC, and the Mecklenburg County Board of County Commissioners has answered that call.
Enderly Park
Enderly Park is located at 1501 Enderly Road in Charlotte. The existing 8.4 acre park includes:
- Playground
- Picnic Shelter with grill
- Full-court basketball court
- Baseball Field
- Two tennis courts
- Multipurpose field
- Walking trails
In 2020, the Mecklenburg County Board of County Commissioners allocated $2 million to the improvement of existing local parks. Enderly Park was slated to receive a variety of improvements and construction began in early 2022.
As part of the visioning and design process, the County Commissioners held 2 Virtual Public Meetings to discuss what residents in the area would like to see in their new park and what improvements would be at the top of their wishlists. After discussions, a design was created for the new park (see before and after designs) and the improvements were agreed upon.
The changes to the park include:
- Improving Tennis/Pickleball Courts
- Addition of a Dog Park
- Relocate and Replace the Shelter
- Additional Play Structures and Fitness Equipment
- Trail Reroute and Repaving
- Removing Baseball Equipment and Improving Field
You’ll be able to enjoy all of these changes and more this Fall once construction is completed!
Why Enderly Park? (Enderly Equity Project)
When you think about your local park what thoughts come to mind? Is it a place you feel comfortable being? Has it been updated recently? Through years of inequitable government spending and social programs, both intentional and unintentional, our parks have become more and more unequal. Below-standard parks are most common in communities with higher concentrations of renters, people of color, the elderly and lower incomes.
Everyone deserves to have a great park to enjoy. Access to quality parks is a matter of equity, and as such the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners Office is dedicated to making sure that all Mecklenburg County residents regardless of any of their identities have equal access to county resources, including the parks.
Enderly Park is getting a makeover and, like its neighbors, we couldn’t be happier to see these improvements! Parks are our favorite part of the city and they deserve our attention. We also need to make sure that we strive to provide everyone in our community equitable access to parks so that we can all enjoy the outdoors together.
Northern Regional Recreation Center is OPEN!
Mecklenburg County’s newest regional recreation center is now open! The Northern Regional Recreation Center facility is a sight to see, with 85,000 square feet of opportunity to play – and that’s just on the inside.
The long-awaited $40 million project on the Huntersville-Cornelius border was financed with part of a $250 million park and recreation bond package Mecklenburg County voters approved back in 2008. Similar to the recently opened Eastway Recreational Center, neighbors were able to offer suggestions during public input sessions before construction began. The resulting facility includes an array of indoor and outdoor features and ways to get active.
Here, folks will find two pools – an eight-lane lap pool and a family-friendly leisure pool – along with a multi-purpose indoor sports court for basketball, pickleball, or badminton with an elevated walking and running track. There are cardio and weight rooms, a fitness studio for yoga and other group workouts, as well as flex spaces for community programs, party or event rentals.
Outdoor amenities, including a play meadow and a venue for festivals, concerts and other community gatherings are also part of the long-term plan for the location.
Summer camps at the Northern Regional Recreation Center are already underway. Campers can participate in sports camp, splash camp, STEM camp, “sun-sational” crafts, and traditional summer camp. Check pricing and availability here at the Park and Rec website: https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/mecklenburgparks/activity/search?onlineSiteId=0&locale=en-US&activity_select_param=2&site_ids=64&viewMode=list
Interested in seeing it for yourself? You can register for a free, guided tour of the facility here: https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/mecklenburgparks/daycare/program/645?onlineSiteId=0&locale=en-US&from_original_cui=true&online=true
If you’re ready to get in on the fun, monthly plans for Mecklenburg County residents start at $22 for youth ages 1 to 17, $45 for adults ages 18 to 54, and $22 for senior citizens age 55 and older. Family passes are $65 per month. Daily plans start at $8 for youth ages 1 to 17, $10 or adults ages 18 to 54, and $8 for senior citizens age 55 and older. A MeckPass can be purchased at https://parkandrec.mecknc.gov/
Where to find it:
https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/mecklenburgparks/membership/search?onlineSiteId=0&locale=en-US
18117 Old Statesville Road, Cornelius 28031
Path 2 Parks Makes Big Impression
Sometimes, you don’t need a large-scale, big-budget event to make an impression. The first-ever Historic West End Path 2 Parks Cultural Experience event is a testament to the impact an active, intimate event can have on a community. Presented by Partners for Parks, this street-level event linked three parks and adjacent Historic West End neighborhoods for the afternoon. Think: Open Streets 704, but with a more neighborly, get-to-know-you, front porch kind of feel.
A nearly 2-mile route was open to pedestrians and cycling traffic, connecting McCrorey Heights, Oaklawn Park, and Lincoln Heights neighborhoods, and the nearby Biddleville, Waddell, and Lincoln Heights Parks. Unlike the bands, bars, or big crowds of an Open Streets 704 program, Path 2 Parks focused on engaging people on a more personal level; drawing on the cultural and historic significance of the area.
Path 2 Parks evolved from an idea Partners for Parks board member Emily Condon had as part of a 2020 fellowship with the Knight Foundation.
“During the height of the pandemic, we drew up a few walking routes and promoted them through Partners for Parks,” said Condon. “At that time, parks were some of the few places it seemed people could go and find some sort of respite.”
The fellowship opportunity facilitated collaboration with artists, planners, activists, and other advocates from around the country. It eventually lead to a meeting between Condon and Eboni Lewis at Culture Blocks, a Mecklenburg County funded program that supports community-based arts, science, and history experiences. It was a perfect partnership.
“We thought, ‘what if we could connect Partners for Parks’ mission to promote equity and access to parks, and Culture Blocks’ ability to help tell the story of the historic significance of the neighborhoods,’” added Condon, “it really took off from there!“
Community members embraced the idea, and a steering committee representing each of the neighborhoods helped guide the event’s planning. The three-hour Sunday afternoon event featured cultural experience stops along the route as well as a Living Library Tent, where neighbors could visit with long-time residents and hear first-hand stories of the area’s history.
Music from Arsena Todd and Drums 4 Life kept the mood upbeat, as did performances by the American Capoeira Association. Trips for Kids Charlotte and Charlotte JoyRides provided bikes for participants to access the entire route.
“It was fun and engaging, and for the Knight Foundation, the event is a great example of the power of programming public spaces, open streets, and parks to connect residents and to celebrate the history and culture of the Historic West End,” said Charles Thomas, director for the Knight Foundation’s Charlotte Program. “We look forward to collaborating with Partner for Parks and residents to expand the reach and the impact of Path 2 Parks.”
Like the Knight Foundation, Partners for Parks is working to make equitable access to parks and green spaces in traditionally underserved communities. Events like Path 2 Parks help further that mission.
“We want to continue to find ways to activate people in public spaces and parks,” said Partners for Parks board president, Beth Poovey. “One of the most exciting parts of projects like Path 2 Parks is teaming up with the neighborhoods and other partners who know the history of the area, and want to see it grow – and of course, we’d love to continue to serve.”
Partners for Parks will document the process, community response, and lessons learned with eyes on a possible next event in the fall.
"The Knight Foundation has been a great supporter of this idea and this kind of event,” added Poovey. “We are really thankful for that, and hope the opportunity to partner can continue.”
As for Condon, she was happy to see a passion project embraced by the community and turned into a reality. She’s excited about the future of Path 2 Parks and its potential to become a sustainable event, connecting people and parks in a meaningful way.
Play Streets 704 Pilot Debuts in Charlotte’s Hidden Valley Neighborhood
Building on the success and the experiences of Open Streets 704, Mecklenburg County Public Health, Park and Recreation, the City of Charlotte, and Partners for Parks rolled out a more intimate and neighborhood-centric pilot program called Play Streets 704. The new program is designed to give neighbors the concepts, resources, and eventually, the tools, to host their own “right-sized,” activity-based block parties.
Hundreds of folks from the Hidden Valley community came out to connect play and have fun. A Learn to Ride event was a huge success, and Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation came out and pulled it all together with the Meck Rec and Roll van. There were hula hoops, hopscotch, basketball, and games and activities for everyone.
“It was a wonderful combination of what the neighborhood had planned, and what we wanted to do along with them,” said Partners for Parks treasurer, Al Brown. “It helped us learn about what we can do to make that kind of recreation accessible at a neighborhood level.”
Unfortunately, the event had to be called off early due to the weather, but as a first-time pilot program it was a real hit, said Mecklenburg County Public Health’s Clint Grant. His department’s leadership brought the Play Streets program to life – and into the neighborhood – recognizing the opportunity to help people connect, engage, and be active after the isolation of the last several years. The community and the school have already asked that Play Streets 704 come back to their neighborhood!
“Play Streets doesn’t happen without the early success of Open Streets 704 and the participation of all our partners,” added Grant. “It set the stage for opportunities like this, where we streets can serve as connectors rather than dividers… where we can transform streets and neighborhoods to be more people-focused places even for the day.”
The larger, public Open Streets 704 events attracted tens of thousands of people at two annual events. Pulling off those events required long-range planning, small armies of volunteers, staff time from participating partners, and expenses for permits, public safety, and promotion. The Play Streets 704 events will eventually be smaller, community-driven and neighborhood-level.
“It really was a wonderful opportunity to partner with the neighbors in Hidden Valley,” finished Brown. “A lot of kids learned how to ride bikes, there were trike races, and the neighbors really seemed to enjoy it all.”
A second Play Streets pilot event is in the works, possibly as early this summer. From there, Grant said an application process will be refined so that neighbors can access resources to host their own Play Streets-style events.
Learn more about it here: http://openstreets704.com/playstreets/
U.S. Play Coalition Recognizes Doug Youngblood’s Contribution to ‘The Power of Play’
If you knew Doug Youngblood, you know he believed in the “Power of Play.” For decades, Doug shared his energy and influence with many organizations dedicated to recreation and play, so it was only fitting that a national group he championed from its early years would pay tribute to his incredible contributions.
In April, the U.S. Play Coalition remembered Doug during a luncheon at Clemson University, paying tribute to his many tireless years advocating for recreation in Charlotte and the region.
“Doug believed play was for all ages, and that’s why he loved it,” says Partner for Parks Board Member and Assistant Treasurer Alvin Woods. “He wanted playgrounds to be inclusive because play is for everyone.”
Woods and Youngblood go “way back” – even joking they were “brothers” because, coincidentally, their mothers shared the same first and middle names: Martha Elizabeth. Doug championed play all around Mecklenburg County, where he was a strong supporter of the Rollin’ Hornets wheelchair basketball league, various ProCamps, Charlotte Flight Track & Field, and worked with Woods and Partners for Parks to bring the 2016 Paralympic Trials to Charlotte.
And not only did Doug Youngblood co-found Partners for Parks, but he also pushed to create Partners for Play, the first affiliate of the U.S. Play Coalition in the country, in Mecklenburg County.
“He was an action person,” says Woods. “He was not one to sit around and talk about what we should be doing, he wanted to do it!” Prior to the founding of Partners for Play here under the Partners for Parks umbrella, the U.S. Play Coalition was simply an annual conference bringing together the country’s most active minds in recreation – in land design, recreation, engineering, and education – to discuss best practices. For Doug, talking was not enough.
“Doug said, ‘We need to put this into action,’ and that’s where Partners for Play was born,” says Woods. After a lifetime of dedication to recreation, it was gratifying to see Doug honored at the Play Conference. “It was a very touching moment,” he adds.
Woods spoke his own tribute to Doug, making an acronym that put the letters of his friend’s name into thoughts and words:
“Looking at Doug Youngblood’s name as an acronym, I will describe Doug the man:
- D - Dedicated
- O - Outspoken about his beliefs
- U - Unique individual, small in stature but stood tall with his commitments
- G - Giving most of the times, grumpy sometimes
- Y - Youth were his heartbeat
- O - Ongoing with his commitments
- U - Underestimated but qualifies as a Hall of Famer
- N - Never failed in his drive to push his point of view
- G - Great friend and advocate of play for all ages
- B - Battle ready for all occasions
- L - Loved little people or underdogs
- O - Obligated himself to do something or things to help others
- O - Obliterated roadblocks for all, inclusiveness was his goal
- D - Determined to make a difference on this earth with his words, actions and deeds. Even in his absence from this earth, he is still helping others, myself included.”
“DOUG YOUNGBLOOD was A GREAT FRIEND TO ME, PARTNERS FOR PARKS, THE US PLAY COALITION, PARTNERS FOR PLAY AND MANY OTHERS.”
Woods adds that even though he knew his friend was in declining health, Doug never quit advocating.
“Doug never took a break,” says Woods. “He was still planning 2022-23 for Partners for Play. He wanted to contribute as much as he could.”
The Co-Founder of the U.S. Play Coalition, Fran Mainella, agrees Youngblood’s advocacy for play never wavered.
“Right from the beginning, Doug felt that play was important for all – children all the way through us seasoned Seniors,” says Mainella. “He wasn’t just a talker; he was a doer. He always had innovative thoughts about how to get things done.”
As Youngblood created Partners for Play in 2019, he was already thinking of ways to expand its reach throughout and even beyond Mecklenburg County, says Mainella. She recalls how Doug would work to create events, make facilities available, and ensure the community was aware of opportunities for play. She’ll miss bouncing ideas off him and listening to his energy and expertise.
“I'll miss talking to him on the phone,” Mainella says. “He cared so much and was always willing to help others, was always there to help, and was ready to make that help happen.”
In addition to Woods’ touching tribute, Doug’s brother Quay spoke eloquently in his memory, recapping a great life.
Although their words of tribute are different, everyone close to Doug knows his contributions to recreation and play in the Mecklenburg County region are a lasting legacy to his name.
“He kept busy and never gave up,” says Woods. “Doug always wanted to do more for youth, adult, and physically-challenged recreation. He wanted to contribute as much as he could.”
“He is truly missed,” he adds.
Greenway Ride with Partners for Parks and Sustain Charlotte Brings Out a Crowd
It was a beautiful day for a ride on Mecklenburg County’s ever-growing, popular linear park. On Saturday, March 19, more than 70 people of all ages enjoyed a ride along the newest stretch of Little Sugar Creek Greenway, from the Polk Birthplace to Park Crossing neighborhood. Partners for Parks joined Sustain Charlotte, Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation, and the Carolina Thread Trail to learn more about the growing greenway system and why it’s important to the county’s transportation and recreation future.
“It was a great opportunity to showcase the beauty and benefits of greenways,” says Shannon Binns, Executive Director of Sustain Charlotte, “and to encourage members of our community to advocate for an accelerated build-out of our greenway network while land is available and affordable.”
Partners for Parks is joining forces with Sustain Charlotte to raise awareness and advocate for a more extensive greenway network in Mecklenburg County. The March ride was just the first in-person event in a series to explore popular greenways and give residents a first-hand look at the accessible and convenient way they connect communities.
In February, Paul Freestone, member of the Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Committee, recommended to the Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners that fund $35 million a year for greenway expansion and land acquisition, at least initially. The investment would allow the county to “bank” land for future greenways at today’s prices. The request is supported by Partners for Parks and Sustain Charlotte.
Currently, Mecklenburg County has 62 miles of greenways, with another 12 miles set to open within the next year.
As part of the teamwork for advocacy, Sustain Charlotte and Partners for Parks have committed to hosting 6 greenway events together. We will let you know when our next ride is scheduled. Mark your calendar and join us!
