Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation

Annual Report 2006

Letter from the Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Leadership . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2-3

Balanced Scorecard Performance Management System . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-5

Volunteer Partnerships . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7

Stewardship Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Greenway Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Park Districts and Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10-11

Capital Planning Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Specialized Maintenance Park Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Enterprise Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Wellness and Recreation Center Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

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Greetings!

I am pleased to present the 2006 Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation AnnualReport. In the past year, we have become a more efficient and effective department ofyour County government. Among the ways we have accomplished this are byconsolidating services, increasing community programs and establishing newpartnerships within the Charlotte-Mecklenburg community.

Our department is made up of dedicated professionals who oversee over 17,000 acres ofpark and open space. Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation offers more than 180parks, 25 recreation centers and over 23 miles of greenway trails. We are proud tooperate the area's only indoor water park, 4 swimming pools, 5 golf courses and 6 disc-golf courses. I would be remiss if I did not mention the numerous tennis courts, spray-grounds, ball fields, playgrounds, basketball courts and fitness centers that are availableto the community. I invite you to take a class, discover a new park, or enroll your childin a program.

Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department hosts many festivals and eventsthroughout the year. Each is memorable and marks a milestone for our department andfor the citizens of Mecklenburg County. This year, we published the first edition of theGet Going Guide. The guide is a comprehensive listing of all the programs and servicesthat are offered by your Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department.

This year, after 21 years of dedicated service, R. Wayne Weston retired from his position asdirector of this department. While he will be missed greatly, it is an honor to have beenselected serve you as the Interim Director for the Mecklenburg County Park and RecreationDepartment. Contact me if I can be of assistance to you. My door is always open.

Best Regards,

Dot LawInterim Director of Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department

Mission:

To enrich the lives of our citizens through the stewardship of theCounty's natural resources and the efficient and responsible provisionof quality leisure opportunities, experiences and partnerships.

Vision:

To ensure that Mecklenburg County is and remains the natural place to be.

Front Row (L to R): Wilhelmenia Rembert, At-Large; Chairman Parks Helms, At-Large; Jennifer Roberts,At-Large; Norman A. Mitchell, Sr., District 2.

Back Row (L to R): Valerie Woodard, District 3; Dumont Clarke, District 4; Jim Puckett, District 1; Bill James,District 6; Dan Bishop, District 5.

Front Row (L to R): Stephanie Taylor, North Park District; Robert Patterson, Vice-Chairman, Central III Park District;William W. Chandler, Chair, Central I Park District; Laura McClettie, Executive Secretary,

Central II Park District; Vickie P. Lee, Northeast Park District; Paul Pettie, Northern Towns.Back Row (L to R): James R. Brown, East Park District; Larry Huelsman, Jr., South Park District; Scott McClure,

At-Large; Stephanie L. Carter, At-Large, Bradley E. Pearce, Northwest Park District; William M. Brawley, Jr., Southern Towns.

Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners

Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Commission

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Back Row; L to R: James Alsop, Sherry Wilson, Stephanie Frisbee, Mike Cozza, Issac Applewhite, Don Morgan,Mike Dickey, Alan Beaver, Jeff Robinson, Patricia Poteat, Andra' Eaves.

Center Row; L to R: Greg Clemmer, Michael Kirschman, Neil Carroll, Greg Jackson, W. Lee JonesFront Row; L to R: Karla Gray, John McClelland, Dot Law, Peggy Brown, Mario Chang, Karla Thornhill

(not pictured, Lola Massad)

Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Senior Leadership Team

and Senior Management Team

Mecklenburg County

Employee of the Year

Teaches Lessons in Boxing and Life

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For his leadership in the Park and Recreation Department and hiswork teaching kids about boxing and about life, Al Simpson wasnamed the Mecklenburg County Gerald G. Fox Employee of the Year.

Al Simpson is a recreation leader with the Mecklenburg CountyPark and Recreation Department. He is a former Army boxer andcoach. He was also a trainer for the U.S. Olympic boxing teams in1988 and 1992. Now he coaches young people in MecklenburgCounty, mostly from disadvantaged neighborhoods — as many as40 a night at the Charlotte Boxing Academy. In seven years, Simpsonhas coached champions on every level. But don't call his boxers"fighters." Simpson says he teaches discipline and self-control, so thechildren don't have to fight.

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Mecklenburg County Government uses the balancedscorecard performance management system toillustrate our goals and report our performance. Allservices provided by Mecklenburg CountyGovernment are targeted to achieve strategic goals inone of the following four focus areas. The Park andRecreation Department provides services in only thefirst three.

1 Social, Education and EconomicOpportunity

2 Effective and Efficient Government

3 Growth Management and Environment

4 Community Health and Safety

Mecklenburg County Government adopted theBalanced Scorecard Methodology in order to:

A Provide a more effective Countygovernment

B Provide a more efficient Countygovernment

C To provide accountability to taxpayers

D To provide a method to achieveperformance based budgeting

Mecklenburg County Park and

Recreation Department

Scorecard FY 2006

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The Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department is proud of its excellent Volunteer Services Program. Thanks to the hardwork of Lori Saylor, Volunteer Services Coordinator, and the many staff people who support the Volunteer Services Program, volunteerservice hours increased 27% in 2006 and totaled over 90,000 hours. A total of 11,200 volunteers donated their time and talents to thedepartment. The Points of Light Foundation values volunteers at $17.55 per hour. As you can see, gifts of time and talent means a greatdeal to Mecklenburg County.

The Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department would like to thank the following community and business partners forproviding volunteers this year.

2005-2006 Volunteer Service Partnership List:

Partners for Parks, Inc.

Piedmont Middle School

Duke Energy

Belk Department Stores

Bank of America

West Charlotte High School

Arbor Education and Training

Aveda Institute of Charlotte

Davidson College

Independence High School

West Mecklenburg High School

Garinger High School

Home Depot

Hands on Charlotte

Vance High School

Central Piedmont Community College

Judicial Services

Sheriff's Office

North Carolina Department of Correction

Queens University

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Senior Games

Plaza-Midwood Neighborhood Association

Piedmont Open Middle School

Morgan School

Hopewell High School

Harding University

Myers Park High School

Urban League of Central Carolinas

Wachovia

E.E. Waddell High School

Q Foundation

Foundation for the Carolinas

UNC Charlotte

YMCA

Duke Energy

Charlotte Institute of Rehabilitation

Boy Scouts of America

Women's Commission

Brookstone Business College

Temple Beth El

Communities in Schools

Johnson and Wales

Mecklenburg County LUESA

Mecklenburg County Department of Social Services

Lending Tree

Premier Resources

Vanguard Group

Providence United Methodist Church

Coulwood Middle School

East Mecklenburg ROTC

Myers Park Presbyterian

Charlotte Gator Club

People 2 People

Charlotte County Day School

Hornet's Nest Girl Scouts

Master Gardeners Program

Charlotte Latin School

Johnson C. Smith University

United Family Services

Davidson United Methodist

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The Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department Citizen Advisory Council initiative began in 1994. Each Advisory Councilconsists of nine appointed members who represent the department and serve as liaisons to the citizens of Mecklenburg County.Advisory Councils are often the first to interact with park users and they regularly report their findings to the Park and RecreationCommission. Each council consults and advises the department on matters affecting recreation promotion, marketing, membership,programming, planning and other leisure services related to Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation programs. The Citizen AdvisoryCouncils influence the long-range planning process of capital resources for rehabilitation, design and development for both in-and-outdoor recreations.

Central Park District I

• Central Park District I Citizens Advisory Council • Revolution Golf Course Advisory Council

Central Park District II

• Central Park District II Citizens Advisory Council

Central Park District III

• Central Park District III Citizens Advisory Council

East Park District

• East Park District Citizens Advisory Council• Charles T. Myers Golf Course

Northeast Park District

• Northeast Park District Citizens Advisory Council• Tradition Golf Course Advisory Council

North Park District

• North Park District Citizens Advisory Council

Northwest Park District

• Northwest Park District Citizens Advisory Council• Sunset Hills Golf Course Advisory Council

South Park District

• South Park District Citizens Advisory Council

Southwest Park District

• Southwest Park District Citizens Advisory Council• Renaissance Golf Course Advisory Council

Special Interest Advisory Councils

• Aeromodelers Advisory Council • Aquatic Advisory Council • Cooperative Extension Advisory Council• Dowd House Advisory Council • Equestrian Advisory Council• Greenways/Trails Advisory Council • Off Leash Dog Area Advisory Council • Soccer Advisory Council • Stewardship Advisory Council • Tennis Advisory Council • Therapeutic Recreation Advisory Council

Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Citizen Advisory Councils

Mecklenburg County Stewardship Services is responsible for the protection and conservation of the county's biological resources andnatural areas through environmental education, natural resource management, trail maintenance, and outdoor recreation. This year theStewardship staff conducted over 1,000 programs for more than 23,000 children and adults. More than 6,000 of the program participantswere youth from high-risk, inner city communities.

Stewardship Services partnered with the Steele Creek Youth Network and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department to host the"Survivor Copperhead Island" camps that targeted youth who are influenced or already involved in gangs and express a desirefor change.

In only six months, the Outdoor Recreation Division offered 55 programs to over 2,150 participants. Stewardship Services also took onthe oversight, management and enforcement of the Haymarket property, a 100+ acre parcel of County property on Mountain IslandLake. An initial biodiversity assessment was completed, community meetings were conducted and weekly patrols were initiated.Planning is underway to formally dedicate the property as a nature preserve with public amenities such as trails and parking.

The Natural Resources Division grew and planted over 3,500 native plants. Our staff completed the Mecklenburg County Woody plantlist and designed the Biodiversity Trail brochure and signage, for which they are currently seeking funding. The University of NorthCarolina at Charlotte donated its herbarium and zoological collection of over 45,000 specimens, a net worth of $750,000.00. This was anespecially exciting acquisition for the department.

Another success for our team was the establishment of the Trails and Operations Division. This created a substantial service change asthe division took on full responsibility for the nature preserves and facilities. These include over 5,000 acres of land, 35 miles of multiusetrails, 37 parking areas, 25 bathrooms, 13 trail-heads, 5 shelters, McDowell campground and lakefront areas.

Ribbonwalk Nature Preserve formally joined the nature preserve system this year. Extensive trail work was completed, in additional tothe removal of old structures and the creation of a trail map. Public programs were offered throughout the year at this new site, as wellas a monthly Friends of the Ribbonwalk clean-up.

Stewardship Services organized and managed several major events including International Migratory Bird Day, America Recycles Dayand the Great Backyard Bird Count.

None of these accomplishments would be possible without the commitment of staff and our partnerships in the Charlotte-Mecklenburgcommunity. Stewardship Services would like to thank the following project partners for their support this year: Gang of One, SteeleCreek Youth Network, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, Carolina Raptor Center, the Equestrian Center, Historic Latta Plantation, RuralHill Farm, Earth Day Charlotte and Partners for Parks.

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The Mecklenburg County greenway system is quickly becoming one of the finest in the country. Greenways are vegetated naturalbuffers that improve water quality, reduce the impacts of flooding and provide wildlife habitat. Greenway trails provide recreation,transportation, fitness and economic benefits for all to enjoy. There are 23 miles of developed and 158 miles of undeveloped greenwaysin Mecklenburg County.

Don Morgan and his team of Greenway Planners successfully added more than 2.38 miles of new greenways to the Mecklenburg CountyGreenway System. An additional 360 feet of neighborhood access trails were completed and designs are underway on 14 moregreenway projects that total 16 miles.

Landscape renovations were successfully completed on the Liz Hair Nature Walk on Little Sugar Creek Greenway. The GreenwayServices team would like to thank the Friends of Liz Hair and Partners for Parks for raising funds to support the improvements. Parkingwas expanded at the McMullen and Lower McAlpine Creek Greenways and successful partnerships with 16 public and private agenciesare now in place.

The Greenway Services Team secured approximately $2,910,000.00 in cost savings through grants, donations and partnerships. Goodcommunication is now in place with 7 municipalities including Charlotte, Cornelius, Davidson, Huntersville, Matthews, Mint Hill andPineville. Greenway Services is working with these groups to establish greenway plan, goals, objectives and policies.

Strong regional partnerships are also now in place with the Town of Mooresville, the Town of Mount Holly, the Town of Marvin, theCity of Concord, Union County, the Catawba Lands Conservancy and the Trust for Public Land. Other key project partners include theTown of Davidson, the Town of Matthews, Charlotte Housing Authority, North Carolina Department of Transportation, CharlotteDepartment of Transportation, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utility Department, Mecklenburg County Land Use and Environmental ServicesStorm Water Division, Carolinas Medical Center, The University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Central Piedmont Community College,Pappas Properties and Steele Creek Community Trails Association.

Greenway Services partnered with the Greenway and Trails Citizen Advisory Council to host a 5K Race on Little Sugar Creek Greenway.The team also participated in the National League of Cities Growing Greener Tour and Southern Spring Show.

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Central ICentral II

Central III

North

NortheastNorthwest

East

South

Southwest

Davidson

Cornelius

Huntersville

Mint Hill

Matthews

Pineville

Created by: Mecklenburg Co. Park & RecreationDated: June 15, 2005

Lake Norman

Mecklenburg County Park & RecreationDepartment is home to over 200 parksand facilities located on more than 17,000acres of parkland throughoutMecklenburg County. Parks inMecklenburg County come in all shapesand sizes ranging from smallneighborhood parks to large districtparks. There are nine park districts inyour county park system and each boastsgreat accomplishments in FY 06.

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North Park District

Asian Festival in Ramsey Creek Bass Masters Tour Stop at Blythe LandingCatawba River Challenge at Ramsey CreekFly-Ins at David Waymer Flying FieldAce & TJ Grin Kids WalkTransplant Trotters WalkAnnual Boy Scout Summer Camp

Northeast Park District

National Softball Association World SeriesAAU World SeriesHidden Valley Community FestivalMallard Creek Greenway Phase IV Grand Opening

Northwest Park District

National Softball Association Girls Fastpitch World SeriesTournament

Central Park District I

Groundbreaking for an artificial turf field at Revolution ParkGrand re-opening of the Historic Dowd House

Central Park District II

Brother's Abroad Festival Tryon Hills Neighborhood FestivalGreenville Neighborhood FestivalIgunnuko FestivalBelmont Neighborhood Fall FestivalSeniors Have-A-Heart FestivalCountry Club Heights Neighborhood FestivalSenior Spring EventMidwood MayniaOpening of Briar Creek Greenway Phase I

Central Park District II (Continued)

Opening of Cordelia Park Phase IIOpening of Druid Hills Park Phase IOpening of Midwood Park Phase IIOpening of the nine additional holes at Sugaw Creek Park DiscGolf Course to make it an 18 hole course

Central Park District III

Opening of Mahlon Adams Pavilion in Freedom ParkOpening of Liz Hair Nature Walk on Little Sugar Creek GreenwayFestival in the Park - Freedom ParkAnnual Christmas Tree Lighting - Freedom Park3rd Annual Memorial Soccer Tournament5K Run on Little Sugar Creek GreenwayAnnual Jazz Festival in Eastover Park9th Annual Juneteenth Festival

East Park District

2nd Annual Bark in the Park at McAlpine Creek Park

Southwest Park District

100 Black Men Tennis TournamentThe Golf Channel Putt, Drive and Chip ChallengeYouth Tennis Tournaments with Mid-Court Academy and CTA

South Park District

Annual Easter Egg Hunt in Colonel Francis Beatty ParkOpening of Colonel Frances Beatty Park Phase IIOpening of Phase I of the Queens University of Charlotte SportsComplex at Marion Diehl ParkWilliam R. Davie Park Playground recognized as the Best Park/Playground for Kids by the readers of Charlotte Parent Magazine

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The Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Capital Planning Services branch foundsuccess in many ways in 2006. Under the leadership of W. Lee Jones, AIA, the CapitalPlanning Services Branch successfully managed 31 park projects, coordinated joint useplanning for 17 projects and completed 7 construction projects. Also of note is thecompletion of the Countywide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan whichinventories all public and private outdoor recreation amenities. The branch workedaggressively on design and construction of new youth sportsplexes funded by the 2004Park Bond Referendum which totaled $25 million. Planning was completed for BradfordPark, Eastway Specialty Park, Shuffletown Park, Elon/Hwy. 521 Park, and expansion ofMallard Creek Community Park. Accomplishments for FY 2006 include:

• Queens University of Charlotte Sports Complex at Marion Diehl Park• Betty Rae Thomas Rec. Center• Cordelia Park renovations• Druid Hills Park renovations• Grayson Skatepark• Freedom Park Indoor Shelter• W.R. Davie synthetic turf soccer field• Gym floors improvements• Latta Plantation Nature Preserve restroom ADA improvement• Thereasea Clark Elder Park• Ramsey Creek Dog Park• Tuckaseegee Park renovations• Relocated and expanded Horticulture Center

This branch of the department works with a variety of public and private entities andleads many of our efforts to partner in the community. Key partners include Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, First Tee of Charlotte, Town of Cornelius, Town of Huntersville,Catawba Valley Scottish Society and Rural Hill Farm, U.S. National Whitewater Center atHistoric Tuckaseege Park, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Housing Authority and the NorthCarolina Ecosystem Enhancement Program.

The Specialized Park Services Branch is responsible for the skilled maintenance of morethan 200 facilities: Jeff Robinson and his team of dedicated professionals work hard toensure that your County parks system is aesthetically pleasing with quality parklandscapes. Their hard work helps promote an increased quality of life through thedevelopment and management of green space in our ever-growing community.

The Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department Specialized Park Servicesbranch received outstanding recognition in FY 06 for their accomplishments which include:

• NACO 2006 Award for Wi-Fi Installation in Freedom Park• First Place Environmental Award at the Southern Spring Show• Second Place for Overall Garden Exhibit at the Southern Spring Show• Landscaping Improvements on Briar Creek Greenway and the Liz Hair Nature Walk

on Little Sugar Creek Greenway• Successful installation of the first artificial turf athletic field at William R. Davie Park• Preparation and clean-up for all major events throughout the Mecklenburg County

Park and Recreation Department

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The Enterprise Services division of Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department is led by James Alsop and is primarilycomprised of special revenue-producing facilities that generate more than 50% of the total department annual revenue goal.

Enterprise Services consists of all department owned golf courses, aquatic facilities, equestrian facilities, stadiums, arenas and historicfacilities, including:

In FY 2006, Enterprise Services maximized efficiency by consolidating the aquatic maintenance staff and services with the Park Servicesdivision. It also decreased neighborhood pool fees to $1.00 for every person and offered free swimming lessons with a paid admission.This led to a 20% increase in usage, a better public facility for the Charlotte-Mecklenburg community and the National Association ofCounties Program Achievement Award for Growing Minority Aquatics. The Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center achieved 100% self-sufficiency in raising revenue equal to budgeted expenses.

The aquatics segment of Enterprise Services hosted the following events in FY 2006:

• Ultra Swim Meet with 450 swimmers, 10 Olympians and a National Swimming Team• YMCA National Swimming Championship with 500 participating swimmers• RAY'S Splash Planet My School Rocks Summer Splash with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and over 3,000 participants.• Inner City Swim Team with over 35 participants from the local minority population.

The success of the Enterprise Services Division is achieved through the hard work of staff and the support of key partners such as theCentral Piedmont Community College, Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools, The First Tee of Charlotte, Johnson & Wales University, QueensUniversity, The Century Management Group, Ratcliffe Golf Services, Country Time Carriages, The IRI Golf Group, American GolfCorporation and Show Pros Inc.

Charles T. Myers Public Golf CourseRevolution Public Golf CourseSunset Hills Public Golf CourseRenaissance Public Golf CourseThe Tradition Public Golf CourseMecklenburg County Aquatic CenterRay's Splash Planet

Marion Diehl Center PoolLatta Plantation Equestrian CenterAmerican Legion Memorial StadiumGrady Cole CenterSt. Mary's ChapelCordelia PoolDouble Oaks Pool

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The Wellness and Recreation Center Services branch of the Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department oversees all fitnessand recreation centers, as well as the Therapeutic Recreation Division and the Cooperative Extension Service.

Lola Massad and her team of professionals worked hard in FY 2006 to increase participation in all fitness and wellness programs. Theopening of Bette Rae Thomas Recreation Center was a key achievement. This new 21,000-square-foot facility includes a fitness center,computer lab, youth activity room, multi-purpose room, full size gymnasium and a senior room. The Cooperative Extension divisionformed 47 new 4-H Clubs and 32 after school programs in Mecklenburg County recreation centers and area churches. In addition, 4-HClub enrollment increased from 329 participants in 2005 to 932 participants in 2006.

The branch upgraded fitness equipment in many of our fitness centers in FY 2006:

Mallard Creek Recreation CenterFirst Ward Recreation CenterTuckaseegee Recreation CenterSouthview Recreation CenterWest Charlotte Recreation Center

Wellness and Recreation Center Services received grants in FY06 that funded partnerships with Catholic Social Services and ResidentialSupport Services of Charlotte. The branch also partnered with the Carolina Panthers to form the Challenger Football League.

The branch opened Grayson SkatePark which served more than 12,000 participants in its first year of operation.The division receivedmany awards, including:

• National Associations of Counties Achievement Award for TR Tots• National Associations of Counties Achievement Award for Kitchen Magic• National Associations of Counties Achievement Award for Journeys of Discovery Cultural Program• Innovative Program of the Year from the North Carolina Park and Recreation Association• National Program Award from the National Association of Park and Recreation Officials for Young Achievers• National Associations of Counties Achievement Award for Young Achievers• National Associations of Counties Achievement Award for Friday Fun Lock In• North Carolina Association of Extension 4-H Agents Communicator Award for Educational Package Team.

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Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Dept.

5841 Brookshire Boulevard

Charlotte, NC 28216

Phone: (704) 336-3854

Fax: (704) 336-5472

www.parkandrec.com