Rollin’ Hornets Hit the Courts at New Home
The Hornets are rolling again! If you’re an NBA fan, you probably think we’re talking about the Charlotte Hornets, whose rookie, LeMelo Ball, has brought new energy and -- shall we say it -- “buzz” to the team. But you’d be wrong.
The Hornets that are really rolling now, after COVID closed down their longstanding practice courts, are the Rollin’ Hornets youth wheelchair basketball team. This pride of adaptive sports in Charlotte -- which includes a recent national championship team -- is together again, preparing for tournaments, in their first home in nearly a year.
Practice courts for the wheelchair athletes have been hard to find during COVID, and the team has jumped around from their longstanding home at a Charlotte-area church, to an old YMCA in York County, SC, that was sold, to…. nowhere. But thanks to Partners for Parks Chairman Doug Youngblood, they’re together again at Central Steele Creek Presbyterian Church.
“We need to help folks understand how important this is to the kids,” says Youngblood. “They need some champions to help them.”
Despite the name, Rollin’ Hornets are not sponsored by the Charlotte Hornets. They do have rights to use the name and branding rights to use a logo designed by the Charlotte Hornets, but all money for special chairs, equipment, tournaments, and uniforms are raised by team members and parents. The chairs can range from $1,500 to $4,000 apiece. The team owns several, and issues them to players so they can get used to maneuvering them. Some kids get help from grants. When youngsters outgrow their chairs, they pass them on to younger players, or donate them to other teams.
Partners for Parks has awarded scholarships for the team’s tournament -- a big source of revenue -- for the past several years, but the Rollin’ Hornets couldn’t host one this year. Partners for Play, a partnership between the U.S. Play Coalition and Partners for Parks, is helping support the team. Officially, Rollin’ Hornets fall locally under the Abilities Unlimited umbrella, which includes a number of adaptive sports.
Partners for Parks has recognized the outstanding work done by the Rollin’ Hornets more than once, too. The Rollin’ Hornets earned Partners for Parks’ Nonprofit of the Year Award in 2017, and longtime coach Mike Godsey was recognized with its Volunteer Service Award in 2019.
But expenses were just one of the obstacles this year. Losing their home court meant more than just giving up practice time -- it meant teammates lost valuable together time with some of their closest friends and allies who rely on wheelchairs.
“It's very important for the kids. They don’t have too many things they can do with friends, socially and recreationally,” says Youngblood. “We believe kids need a social outlet, and it’s part of their education to learn how to get along with other kids. The team encourages their growth mentally, physically, and psychologically.”
You can see the athleticism of players like 11-year-old Cameron Ruis, who is in his 8th year with the Rollin’ Hornets. Yes -- he started when he was 4. Cam was born with spina bifida and relies on a wheelchair because the condition paralyzed his legs. But on the court, he swings his specialized chair around and handles the ball like a pro. His mom, Sheri, says playing basketball is what Cam lives for.
“It’s more than basketball, it’s community,” says Sheri. “He’s grown as a person, he’s more confident -- this is his opportunity to play a team sport.” It’s also a support group for parents, who help each other out when they need a shoulder or a referral. Coaches make sure the players know basketball is a privilege and they need to make good grades and respect parents and teachers to stay involved.
Cam is in gifted English and math classes at Marvin Ridge Middle School, where he is the only student using a wheelchair. He set his goals high: to play in college. A handful of schools offer intercollegiate teams, and 22 Rollin’ Hornets have earned spots to play on college teams while pursuing higher education. At least 50 players have been recognized for academics, including Academic All-American. Playing a sport has led many more to a better life, in and out of school.
Families sacrifice a lot to make it happen. There are only 2 teams in the Carolinas -- Charlotte, and a smaller team in Greenville, SC. That means that to compete, families must travel hours to other states, stay in hotels, pay for meals, and incur expenses. There are no “local” games each week. Players drive from as far away as Charleston and Columbia, SC, for weekly practices. The sacrifice is worth it, says Sheri Ruis.
“I’ll drive anywhere,” she says. “It's hard to put into words. A lot of them are the only wheelchair users in their school. Here they're not different because everyone’s in a chair.” It’s not just about sports. It’s about life.
There are different levels depending on players’ ages: 3 Adult leagues for 18 & over, a Women’s team, Varsity for 14 - 17 (high school), and Prep Teams for children 13 & under. Adults have found a home in Huntersville until mid-June, which will help them practice until the national tournament; then they’ll need a new court. Sometimes groups practice together to up their game, and share court space -- but there’s no way to fit in the hours they need with the limited space they have. It’s frustrating for parents and coaches.
“This is one of the largest teams in the country, but nowhere near as big as it could be,” says Coach Godsey. “People just don’t know it exists.”
Godsey was involved early, when doctors encouraged his son, who has cerebral palsy, to be more active. His son aged out of the program long ago, but Godsey stayed as his commitment to the team grew. He found a more flexible job and founded a nonprofit to devote more time to the players. All coaches, including him, are volunteers.
“It’s the emotional, mental, and social aspect that is the biggest impact for the kids,” says Godsey. “They are in a population, with their disabilities, of being isolated in everyday life.” Finding a way for the kids to get together to practice and play is imperative. Landing the court at Central Steele Creek Presbyterian Church for 3 hours every Monday night is a Godsend.
“It’s a huge relief to us from that perspective,” he says.
The relief is palpable from Sheri Ruis, too. Parents chatted happily at their first practice in their new home. They smiled and cheered when players made good shots. They hope a permanent situation is worked out. For now, this is good.
“It makes my heart happy for them,” she says. “It’s been a long year. This is a safe place and a happy place.”
Partners for Parks Helps Charlotte Flights Athletes Run for Their Dreams
Finding the college of your dreams can be hard, and then getting accepted is another hurdle to jump. Matthew Garrett knows that challenge well.
“Matthew always wanted to go to LSU,” says his father, Michael Garrett. “He started reaching out to schools as a freshman.”
Matthew wanted a school that would support his pre-medicine studies, but he also wanted to compete for the school’s track and field team in his best events, the 110 and 400 hurdles. He had started running competitively when he was 10, and he wanted to follow the next step in the journey. Michael and Tamika say that with the help of his coaches at Charlotte Flights Track and Field Club, Matthew was able to narrow down his choices to 10 schools.
“He just got excited about Columbia,” says Michael. “He signed his ‘likely letter’ in February.” A ‘likely letter’ is like a national letter of intent signed by most college-bound athletes, except it’s for Ivy League schools. Since the Ivy’s don’t offer athletic scholarships, Columbia offered Matthew an attractive aid package that helped seal the deal.
“He's very excited!” beams Michael. “Coach AJ and Coach Larry and Coach Nigel were very instrumental in helping Matt along the way, giving the right guidance, and what to look for in a college academically and athletically.”
Matthew joins a long list of Charlotte Flights athletes who have trained and competed locally at the track and field club as youth, but have developed into college-level scholars and athletes. Since 1993, more than 250 Charlotte Flights track & field athletes have moved on to college with some form of academic and/or athletic scholarships.
This year alone, nearly a half-dozen Charlotte Flights athletes have signed to compete for college teams next year -- joining around a dozen from the year before. A scroll through the Charlotte Flights Instagram page reveals smiling faces on signing days for NC State, Appalachian State, UNC-Wilmington, and beyond the Carolinas. You might even spy a collegiate football player or two! Many more have continued on to higher education without competing.
Partners for Parks knows the benefits of sports and activities for youth, which is why they have been a supporter of Charlotte Flights for more than 20 years. Partners for Parks assists the team with scholarships for those who need it, and helps with travel and equipment expenses. Part of Breathing Life Into Our Community is making opportunities with teams like Charlotte Flights available to youth who might not be able to afford the fees and travel otherwise.
“It gives kids opportunities to discipline themselves, mentally and physically,” says Partners for Park board member and Assistant Treasurer Alvin Woods, a longtime Charlotte Flights supporter and its former President. “It gives them an outlet for health, fitness, and wellness -- and potential for scholarship opportunities.”
The discipline of training, along with the camaraderie of teammates, is a great motivator for kids, says Woods. And travel to out-of-town meets -- many held at college campuses -- is essential for teaching kids that higher education is not beyond their reach.
“Kids can see that college kids are just regular people like them,” says Woods. “It allows kids to expand their idea of the opportunities, of what’s out there in this world.”
The goal of Charlotte Flights, since its beginning, has been to nurture the whole child, not just the athlete, says its President, LeBraun Evans.
“We love children. Our focus has always been on the track, and the talent beyond the track,” says Evans. A Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police officer, Evans has been with Charlotte Flights since the very beginning as a volunteer in partnership with the Police Athletic League. He started out driving the PAL van for his little sister, who trained with Charlotte Flights. He watched her, and other children after her, grow into strong young adults under the care and mentoring of Charlotte Flights coaches.
“They've grown up with us,” says Evans. “We develop relationships and mentor, and maintain that long after they’re gone.” Evans says Partners for Parks has been one of Charlotte Flights’ most steadfast contributors over the years, in getting kids out in open space and exercise, and healthy lifestyles
The structure and social connections were especially important this year, with so many changes because of the pandemic. Teammates broke into small groups of 10 around the county with volunteers to observe group limits. Coaches emailed workouts for kids to do and parents to encourage. They still haven’t returned to their home track at Johnson C. Smith University. But as a family, they persevere.
Matthew’s family moved to Florida in the middle of his junior year, but he still kept in touch with his coaches about training and college. They helped him keep up his momentum -- even if it meant running sprints in his new apartment parking lot under the hot Florida sun! Eventually, he was allowed to join training with the football team at his new high school. The skills and focus he learned at Charlotte Flights kept his goals in sight during difficult times -- and gave him another shoulder to lean on.
“Flights have given him a family outside of family,” says Tamika Garrett.
The “family” has a long tradition in Charlotte since Coach Larry and Coach Nigel were also Charlotte Flights alumni who had competed in college. They helped Matthew navigate the sometimes-tricky recruiting process by guiding him with what to look for academically and athletically, and what questions to ask. Michael and Tamika are grateful for all of it.
“The program itself helped us create a responsible adult,” says Tamika. “It’s always great as a parent to have someone for your kids to talk to, more than just as parents.”
And now, great things lie ahead for Matthew and the other Flights athletes heading off to college next year. Tamika knows her son is prepared, in more ways than one.
“He’s looking so forward to it,” says Tamika, “that he already bought his coat!”
Good luck Matthew!
Fairy House Festival Sprinkles the Fun Over a Week in February
The much-beloved Mecklenburg County Park & Recreation Fairy House Festival looked a little different this year, but the impish tiny creatures still captivated kids with stretching their imaginations at the county’s 4 Nature Centers. Fairy Wing photo ops and Fairy Geocaching let kids explore the Nature Center grounds, while a week-long Fairy House Story Walk and Fairy House Building Contest entertained them and put their creativity to the test.
Pictures submitted to the Park & Rec social media pages reflected the fun! Almost 35,000 viewers saw the photos on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
“We are happy our patrons have continued to engage with us, even as we had to move online,” says Liz Morrell, Management Analyst at Mecklenburg County Park & Recreation. “Our patrons have met the challenge of participating virtually, and we’ve done what we can to make it accessible and enjoyable for them.”
This is the 4th virtual festival MCP&R has hosted in the last year, including the Hummingbird Festival and Nature at Night. Check out some of the adorable “fairies” who submitted photos:
First Signs of Spring: Sign up for Summer Camps with Mecklenburg County Park & Rec!
This hasn’t been a typical year, but we are slowly and safely getting back to normal. That includes a rite of summer for a lot of kids: Summer Camp! This summer, Mecklenburg County Park & Recreation is ready to get kids outdoors and playing -- safely, with 36 Nature Camps, 14 Recreational Camps, and more than 100 Virtual Camps to round out the schedule. And as always, scholarships from Partners for Parks make the camps a reality for kids who would otherwise not get the opportunity.
“We’ve worked with Mecklenburg County Park & Recreation on scholarships for many summer camp programs over many years,” says Partners for Parks Treasurer Al Brown. “We look forward to getting COVID under control so children, youth, adults, and seniors can get back to some regular programming in our Rec Centers and Nature Centers very soon.”
We agree, Al! We can’t wait to get back to camp! And we’re not the only ones--
“It’s providing a critical service, and allows us to follow our mission of enhancing community wellness for all ages in a very affordable way,” says Liz Morrell, a Management Analyst for MCP&R. And we’re not just talking about fun for the kids -- the pro’s who lead the camps can’t wait to get back to doing what they do best, too.
“The staff are really looking forward to getting out in the field, and offering exciting programs for youth after a year with so many virtual offerings,” says Morrell. “It’s what they love to do -- they want to get outside and work with the kids.”
The Recreation Camps, based at 12 recreation centers around Mecklenburg County, have a different theme each week -- from arts and crafts to dance to sports. Most are open to ages 6-12, though the sports-related camps and Teen Summer Program are slightly different. There are also two therapeutic recreation camps available, for youth and teens with special needs. Recreation Camps are so popular they use a lottery system for applications and fill quickly, but the remaining spaces will be available for registration on March 15.
The Teen Summer Program at the West Charlotte Recreation Center is designed to keep preteens and young teens active and engaged throughout the summer months, with more mature themes. Sports, fitness, art, cooking, and photography join career exploration, college week, and a very intriguing “All About The Benjamins,” for the affordable cost of $75 per week.
On the Nature Camp side, programs invite children of various age groups to explore nature at the county’s 4 Nature Centers, plus Quest and the new Eastway Recreation Center. Choose from morning camps, day camps, evening camps, and even a couple of overnight stays!
The Nocturnal Nature Camp: Cryptozoology Mysteries invites children 10-13 to explore the nocturnal side of Latta Nature Preserve with a deep dive into legends of cryptids like Mothman, Nessie, and Bigfoot, along with an owl prowl, bonfire, a day on the water searching for the Loch Latta Monster, and a sleepover. Registration for Nature Camps also starts March 15. Check them out here: https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/mecklenburgparks/activity/search?onlineSiteId=0&activity_select_param=2&activity_category_ids=50&activity_keyword=nature&viewMode=list
Only one camp at a time will take place at each Nature Center or Recreation Center camp facility, with only camp and staff allowed inside the camp areas to limit contact. COVID protocols will be in place, like daily health screenings, social distancing, and separate rooms for each group.
For kids “camping at home,” more than 100 virtual programs allow kids of all ages (including adults and seniors!) to enjoy learning new things or get moving from the comfort of their living room or den. A monthly calendar lets you access live links to what’s coming up each day! Or you can choose from this list: https://anc.apm.activecommunities.com/mecklenburgparks/activity/search?onlineSiteId=0&activity_select_param=2&activity_keyword=virtual&viewMode=list
Here’s to happy campers Breathing Life into Our Community once again!
A Year for Parks to Shine
With so many things scaled back for the pandemic, 2020 was -- at the very least -- the year for parks to shine. Fresh air and sunshine were open year-round, and parks were available, with limited exceptions, for socially-distant outdoor escape.
While we think of our local parks as an absence of development -- where natural Charlotte is preserved as the city around it grows -- there is actually a lot of planning and work that goes into keeping them open and accessible to the public. Bert Lynn is the Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Capital Planning Division Director. It’s his job, among other things, to keep dozens and dozens of projects on budget, on track, and on time. Sounds pretty hectic, but Lynn describes his job as, “the most fun at Park and Rec.”
Lynn explains that local parks are far from the absence of development. Think, instead, of parks as a constant work in progress: planning, construction, and upkeep are full-steam-ahead, behind-the-scenes endeavors that allow our park spaces to keep up with our area’s exponential growth. Many of them are outlined in the department’s new master plan, called Meck Playbook. Lynn allowed us to peek behind the curtain of work being done this year.
“We have over 50 active projects, from small neighborhood parks to Memorial Stadium,” Lynn says, “and we have a ton of greenway projects going on right now.”
In fact, greenways continue to be the #1 requested park amenity in surveys of residents. The county is several dozen miles behind previous master plans, which called for almost 80 miles of greenways (1980 plan) and 129 miles of greenways (2008 plan), respectively, by now. But projects are gaining steam and moving fast: Nearly 56 miles of greenways are open to the public, with another 37 miles in planning, bidding, or construction phases to open trails within the next 5 years. Every time a section opens, it is immediately full of people doing every kind of outdoor activity.
“It shows how many different folks can go and use it,” points out Lynn. “You can take a stroll out there, you can pound out some miles running, you can go for a long bike ride, and now with a number of our trails extending several miles… people are starting to use them as part of their commute. From a bike/ped standpoint, there are huge benefits to our greenways.”
One of the most exciting sections is sure to be the Cross-Charlotte Trail, or XCLT. It runs through Charlotte as the Little Sugar Creek Greenway, part of the Carolina Thread Trail connecting North and South Carolina. The city is working on a long-awaited section -- Brandywine to Tyvola, which connects the southern section (Tyvola to I-485) with Park Road Shopping Center and points north, like Freedom Park and Midtown Square. It is the most technically difficult and time-consuming section of trail because it follows Little Sugar Creek through a long-developed area of the city.
“It is a heavy lift,” says Lynn, noting it will be another year before that section is complete. Two other sections of XCLT are under construction or near completion: one section connecting Midtown to Cordelia Park, and another connecting I-485 to the James K. Polk State Park. From there, the Thread Trail will eventually continue to the state line and to the Anne Springs Close Greenway in South Carolina. Greenways aren’t just great for recreation and transportation, Lynn reminds us. They also protect the environment and create wildlife habitats along floodplains where buildings can’t be built.
In addition to greenways, two other projects are exciting developments during 2020 and 2021: the Memorial Stadium renovation, and the Eastway Recreation Center.
American Legion Memorial Stadium is one of the area’s most long-cherished sites, opening in 1936, and longtime residents can share thousands of stories of memories made there. In fact, the stadium is a designated historic site, so the county is working with the Landmarks Commission on the restoration. The beloved rock walls are being rebuilt in the new 10,500-seat stadium, and artificial turf and new lighting will allow the field to endure more sports and civic uses on a broader schedule than before. The tunnel under Charlottetown Road will reopen to connect the Little Sugar Greenway to Independence Park, which is also being renovated.
Over on the east side, Eastway Recreation Center on Eastway Drive is getting ready to open its doors. The new rec center offers 93,000 square feet of active space including a lap pool, leisure pool, walking track, gym space for basketball and indoor soccer, classroom spaces, computer labs, and community spaces for meetings.
“This is what I’m most excited about right now,” beamed Lynn. “It’s a facility with everything we do as a department under one roof!” Lynn also cites the park’s connectivity to surrounding neighborhoods. “It's not only going to serve as a gem for the neighborhoods that are directly adjacent, but it's’ going to serve everyone countywide,” he says. Residents can buy a MeckPass to get access to the new Eastway Recreation Center and all Park & Recreation facilities countywide, including another recreation center similar to Eastway that is under construction in Cornelius.
There are more projects to come -- Lynn said there are 50 in the works right now -- following the twin rails of growth: Keeping up with significant improvements needed in smaller, older neighborhood parks, and acquiring areas for new parks to keep up with the region’s rapid growth.
“Only 36-37% of residents have access to a public space within a 10-minute walk of their house,” says Lynn, “so we have existing facilities we need to bring up and keep up to a high standard, and also grow our footprint so people have access,” Lynn says compared to other departments the size of Meck Park & Rec, the county has a larger number of landholdings, but fewer employees. Land will get more scarce, as dollars already are. Strategic partners will be crucial to progress.
“We’ve got to be very strategic in how we grow over the next couple of years,” he says. “We don’t want to repeat where we are now. We want to be able to grow to a level where everything stays at a high level, and grow in a way that we can maintain those facilities at a high level.”
And speaking of those employees, Lynn makes sure to give them a big shout-out for the work they’ve done this year while so much has been shut down, yet so many people flocked to parks for relief.
“Our operations staff is awesome,” he says with pride. “Our folks have been out the entire time making sure people are staying safe, and have facilities they can use and enjoy.”
Let’s look to more of the same for 2021, as Partners for Parks helps the agency to continue Breathing Life Into Our Community.
Rolling, Rolling, Rolling… Mecklenburg County Greenways are Really Rolling
In the world of transportation, greenways and trains wouldn’t seem to have much in common. But in Mecklenburg County, the analogy works -- as construction and completion of greenway segments has picked up steam and has really gotten rolling.
“The thing I’m most excited about is the momentum,” says Katie Lloyd, a Senior Planner at Mecklenburg County Park & Recreation Department and ex-officio member of the Partners for Parks board. To date, Mecklenburg County has completed almost 57 miles of trail, with another 8 miles set to open up in the next few months. A Master Plan from 1980 projected 79 miles of greenways by now, and a 2008 plan laid out 129 miles of greenways by 2018, so the recent push to upgrade and move forward with this many miles at once is both long overdue, and lightning-fast.
“The thing we hear from the community is, ‘Can you do it faster?’” says Lloyd. Greenways have always ranked #1 on surveys of park priorities for residents, with the county saying 76% or more have listed greenways as their top choice. Now, more than ever, they’re being requested and used as residents look for fresh air and exercise during COVID restrictions. “Generally, people are out using them in record numbers during the pandemic, and we’re excited about building them and providing those connections,” says Lloyd.
So while you were exploring your own favorite trail, some new connections have opened up:
- Barton Creek Greenway: 0.7 miles
- Walker Branch (to Smith Rd): 0.6 miles
- Plum Creek Greenway: 0.66 miles
- Little Sugar Creek Greenway: Replacing an existing trail through Huntingtowne Farms Park, replacing a bridge across the creek, and adding a connector into the Starmount neighborhood
Which brings up another point: Paths are important to residents, but connections to them are crucial to their use.
“We get a lot of folks reaching out to us about projects,” says Lloyd. “People ask about their greenway and their neighborhood connections. The goal of our plan is to open access to all of the parks so people in adjoining neighborhoods can walk and bike to them.” County planners look at their best options, but as always, the devil is in the details.
“The land piece is the hardest part,” says Lloyd. “Acquiring land is expensive and it takes a while.”
Charlotte’s new 2040 development plan takes parks, greenways, and other forms of transportation into account like never before. It means looking ahead to where greenways will go as plans are made, instead of after roads or developments are built. That keeps land costs down. “We coordinate with the city any time there’s a rezoning, and look at future parks and greenways,” says Lloyd.
Connections that bring separate greenway sections together get a lot of attention, too -- especially those on the Cross Charlotte Trail, or XCLT. Right now, cyclists and pedestrians enjoy riding the XCLT/Little Sugar Creek Greenway from Midtown Square to Freedom Park, over some Shared Streets and on-street connectors, and then on to Park Road Shopping Center. A gap from that point to the next pick-up at Tyvola Road, known as the “Brandywine to Tyvlola” section, is in the works for early 2022. There’s even a cool 3D flyover of the path on the county’s site: https://charlottenc.gov/Projects/Pages/XCLTBrandywineTyvola.aspx
From Tyvola, the Little Sugar Creek Greenway is smooth sailing all the way to I-485, with a new section reaching the Polk Birthplace Historic Site and the South Charlotte Connector very, very soon. That connection will allow access between the Little Sugar Creek Greenway/XCLT and another 5.5 miles of trails that are part of McMullen, Lower McAlpine, and Four Mile Creek Greenways.
Can you imagine riding greenways from NoDa to Rea Road in one trip? Yeah, we’re smiling too. Here’s the current timetable, with links, from Lloyd:
- Little Sugar Creek Greenway/XCLT (7th to 10th) (completed by City): 0.5 miles: https://charlottenc.gov/Projects/Pages/XCLT7thto10th.aspx Projected for completion in late 2021
- Little Sugar Creek Greenway/XCLT (Brandywine to Tyvola) (completed by City): 1.5 miles: https://charlottenc.gov/Projects/Pages/XCLTBrandywineTyvola.aspx Projected for completion in late 2021/early 2022
- Little Sugar Creek Greenway/XCLT (Polk to State Line): 2.9 miles: https://charlottenc.gov/Projects/Pages/XCLTPolkToSC.aspx Projected for completion in mid 2022
Mecklenburg County’s greenway system is now being viewed as an important link to the region’s transportation system in the 2040 plan. Commuting never looked healthier, and connections to public transportation are getting easier than ever. Lloyd calls the next 100 miles of greenways “transformational” for the city.
“That can really change how people move around – when you have a protected network separate from cars,” says Lloyd. “It changes how you move around the city.”
So maybe the analogy about trains and greenways isn’t so far-fetched. With the Lynx light rail line being an important transportation mode for Charlotte’s future, and greenways designed as accessible connections to get to it, they’re both really rolling!
Around the Crown 10K Stays “True” to Viewing City with Truist Time Trials
It wasn’t the race Brian Mister had planned, but the form and energy it embodied stayed true to what Around the Crown 10K was created to be – an opportunity for runners to see the city in a new way, at a speed and from a vantage point they could enjoy.
“Everyone loved the route,” says Mister, the ATC10K’s creator and director. “Our route was something we were passionate about. We wanted to create a safe route while showing runners parts of the Queen City they've never seen before."
"Partners for Parks once again was the main beneficiary of the race, and the route stayed true to the partnership of Breathing Life Into Our Community. Runners utilized greenways, shared streets, cemeteries, and sidewalks to keep everyone protected while taking in the skyline from nearly every inch of the course", says Mister.
"It was definitely a unique way to run around the crown," he added.
The inaugural Around the Crown 10K was a resounding success in 2019. Nearly 5,000 runners took to I-277 around uptown Charlotte in the first-of-its kind race. The excitement was there, and runners were eager to do it again. But like other road races in 2020, the encore trip around uptown for ATC 10K had to first be postponed, then changed completely to another form to preserve the health and safety of participants. In a move to mirror the creativity of the original race, Truist Time Trials were born.
Runners signed-up for a 30-minute window during the week and started their run at any point during their reservation time from the Start/Finish area at Camp North End. They also chose their own route, but many liked the feeling of community that the given route provided. The Truist Time Trials also offered options to run the race a second time to improve your time, or run it 5 times for a 50k. Runners loved the new ideas.
"There were definitely a lot of challenges in 2020, but our small team is made up of passionate runners, and we knew we wanted to create something special for the people of Charlotte," says Mister. "We're here for our community and they were here for us. The runners and sponsors in Charlotte showed up to support us and we greatly appreciate it." More than 2,000 runners signed up to ‘go for it’ in the unique new format.
Mister and Sponsorship Director Brittany Yoho heard great feedback:
“I was running alone, but I could feel the entire community with me,” said one runner.
"Absolutely amazing week,” said another. “I crossed the finish line six times, but this one was by far my favorite! Amazing job by the whole ATC10K team!"
"Congrats to everybody who ran the @aroundthecrown10k Truist Time Trials this week! Life gave them lemons this year and the week-long event that they created was commendable."
Yes, in a year of lemons, ATC 10K made some sweet lemonade. They also made an incredible impact for their sponsors, with 33,602 impressions on social media in the few weeks before and during the race week, and more than 17.4 million impressions between November 1 and the end of the races December 12.
But the biggest impact, says Yoho, was giving runners a safe and exciting way to race in 2020.
“Without our unique format, we wouldn't have been able to share the ATC10K Truist Time Trials with the amount of runners we reached,” she says. “It proved successful in so many ways including providing flexibility in start times, running through a part of Charlotte not many have seen on foot before, and the ability to challenge themselves with the Second Chance and 50K options.”
Mister says that although the venue and format were different, the ATC 10K team felt the excitement as they watched it take shape during race week.
"It's incredible to see the work of an entire year (and then some) come together for the first runner, the 277th runner, and the last runner," he says. "To hold that same feeling together for a week was definitely a challenge, but we wouldn't have it any other way!"
Partners for Parks added to the festivities by hosting a table at Camp North End so runners would be able to learn about the beautiful parks and activities the group has supported for nearly 25 years.
“This is a great partnership,” says Al Brown, Treasurer for Partners for Parks. “We look forward to seeing what 2021 has in store for both Around the Crown 10K and Partners for Parks.”
And speaking of 2021, registration is already up on the website. The race will return to its original format, starting and finishing at First Ward Park. Runners will once again get the opportunity to run this landmark race, viewing the Queen City’s skylines from 3 miles of I-277’s inner loop around uptown Charlotte.
Mister is grateful for the support and can’t wait until the race returns to its landmark route.
“We set out to give runners a view they hadn’t seen before, and show our city’s beauty in an unforgettable way,” he says. “It shows runners how important it is for us to work with Partners for Parks so we can continue to Breathe New Life Into Our Community through sweat and a few hills.”
Counting Down to Around the Crown 10K Truist Time Trials
The long-awaited Around the Crown 10K is almost here – with more flexibility for start times and a new, scenic course, as the Truist Time Trials. The 10K race won’t be run on I-277 as planned because of COVID -- but can be run at any time during the week of December 6 – 12, and even on a runner’s own route!
Partners for Parks is still the beneficiary for the Around the Crown 10K Truist Time Trials, whose “official” course leads runners on a neighborhood route from Camp North End through Uptown Charlotte, Shared Streets, and Mecklenburg County Greenways. The course is a refreshing reminder of the important part parks play in our community, and a taste of the much-beloved Open Streets 704 event, the marquee event of Partners for Parks, that has been postponed because of COVID.
“Our live course, or open course, is probably 60 percent on closed or ‘open streets,’ if you will, and greenways,” says Race Director Brian Mister. “There are a lot of shared and public spaces that we’re using for this event that some people might not have seen before. It goes back to that love for and passion that we both have for getting people into parks, greenways, and other public places that they may be brand new to them.”
The updated race plan offers even more challenges than the original race – runners now have the option of running it again to get a better time, or running it 5 times for a 50K! With the Second Chance run, runners can donate half of the extra $10 second-chance signup fee to the beneficiary of their choice.
For the “official” designated route, runners will reserve a 30-minute window in the starting area at Camp North End during race week and can begin their run at any time during their window. Mask, sanitation, and social distancing rules will be in effect for the start and finish areas and encouraged along the route.
The first week of December in Charlotte generally has high temperatures in the upper 50's -- perfect "running weather." And yes, ATC10K will still adhere to the same sustainability goals, with a water-only event, collapsible, reusable cups, and recycled-material race T-shirts from Recover Brands.
“We are very, very happy to be a part of this continuing effort to get outside and enjoy the outdoors in these trying times,” says Partners for Parks Treasurer Al Brown. “We appreciate all of the donations and support they have given us for our activities at Partners for Parks. We wish them a lot of success, and we think it’s going to be great!”
Want to get outdoors and take part in this great event? Registration is still open! https://aroundthecrown10k.com/
Partners for Parks Board Member Presents Gold Medal Award in Greensboro
Our neighbors to the north in Greensboro have joined an exclusive club, one Mecklenburg County Park & Recreation joined in 2012 – they received a National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Parks and Recreation from the American Academy for Park & Recreation Administration. Partners for Parks Board Member Brad Chambers, an Academy member, was given the honor of presenting the award on November 19th.
“It’s a pretty lengthy application process, and an honor to win,” says Chambers, about the visit to Greensboro to present the award. The Academy consists of 125 recognized leaders in the parks and recreation profession, including professors, scholars, and practicing professionals. Chambers is one of a handful of members in North Carolina. Usually, winners are announced at a national AAPRA conference, but because of COVID, winners were notified in a virtual ceremony this year.
“We’re honored to win,” says Greensboro Parks & Recreation Director Nasha McCray. She notes that while beautiful and centrally located, Greensboro lacks inherent recreational features popular in North Carolina like mountains, a beach, or a nearby river. Still, a creative staff has always looked for ways to make the town’s natural features beautiful and accessible. “We have found a way to bring that energy and activity into our community and make the best with what we have.”
The National Gold Medal Award honors communities throughout the United States that demonstrate excellence in long-range planning, resource management and innovative approaches to delivering superb park and recreation services with fiscally sound business practices, according to the AAPRA website. Agencies compete in one of five classes, based on population size. Greensboro won in Class II, for populations of 150,000 to 400,000 residents. The other Class II finalists included Tampa, Florida; Henderson, Nevada; and Des Moines, Iowa.
Greensboro was also a finalist for the Class II award in 2018, but didn’t win. McCray says the staff doubled down on promoting new features on this year’s application, and a video that set them over the top. New activities in 2019 included an Adult Recess program, for young professionals, and a Park Locator app that allows residents and visitors to find local parks to visit.
As a veteran former park and recreation director, Chambers is familiar with the creativity parks departments need to stand tall in their communities. His work on the board of Partners for Parks, as principal at The Kelly Group, and as a member of the Academy allows him to stay a part of the park systems he knows so well.
“Every agency that wants to put their name in the hat and go for the Gold Medal, there is a long list of criteria,” he says. His proximity to Greensboro led him to present the Gold Medal for the Academy. In his remarks, he was sure to mention the importance of parks foundations like Partners for Parks, and the ability to reach outside of city and county boundaries for a regional impact.
“Greenways are a good example of crossing county lines -- it takes many agencies to work together to make greenways and park systems work. Having a multijurisdictional association like we are, we can help facilitate that where the opportunity arises,” he says. A larger, regional foundation can also extend its reach by helping smaller foundations, like Friends of Greensboro Parks and Recreation, with ideas and efficiency.“We can be leaders so smaller parks and recs can use the framework for their purposes,” notes Chambers.
Congratulations, Greensboro. Welcome to the club!