Park and Rec Fitness Centers  
 Present this flyer at any fitness center to take advantage of the offer.  

START YOUR 2012 NEW YEAR'S GET FIT RESOLUTION WITH US!

If getting in shape is your New Year's resolution, then Park and Rec has a great opportunity for you. Throughout the months of January, February and March, any new customer can take advantage of one FREE day pass to any of the eight fitness centers around the county. Fitness centers offer cardiovascular equipment, weight resistance equipment, and free weights at the most affordable prices in town. Park and Rec fitness staff can help you get started and keep you motivated. Fitness centers are located at the Aquatic Center, Ray’s Splash Planet, Revolution Park Sports Academy, Bette Rae Thomas, Mallard, Southview, Tuckaseegee, and West Charlotte Recreation Centers.

BECOME A CERTIFIED WATER SAFETY INSTRUCTOR  AT PARK AND REC

Want to learn to teach swim lessons and save lives? Earn a Water Safety Instruction Certification (WSI) by participating in a six-week course offered by the American Red Cross. Classes will be held at Ray's Splash Planet on Mondays and Wednesdays, Jan. 23 - Feb. 29, from 5 p.m. - 8 p.m. The program will cost $145, which includes books and supplies. To obtain certification, you must attend every session. Completion of the course does not grantee employment as a WSI with Mecklengburg County. For additional information or to register, contact Pat Daly at 704-432-4333.  

   Martin Luther King Jr.
  Martin Luther King Jr.
"HOOPS AND HOPE" SERVICE PROJECT CELEBRATES LEGACY OF DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.

In observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation invites students ages 9-11 (or who are in the 4th – 6th grades) to participate in the Hoops and Hope Service Project on Monday, Jan. 16, 2012 from 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 a.m. Students will begin the day volunteering at the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts and Culture, where they will greet patrons and assist in youth-related programming such as arts and crafts. In the afternoon, students will enjoy watching the Charlotte Bobcats take on the Cleveland Cavilers at Time Warner Cable Arena. Participants are asked to meet at Naomi Drenan Recreation Center. Transportation will be provided to and from the Gantt Center and Time Warner Cable Arena. Registration must be completed in person at the recreation center by Jan. 9. Cost is $27. For more information, contact Kobeyeh Riley at 704-432-5231.

SNOW TUBBING AT HAWKSNEST RESORT

Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation invites youth, ages 11-17, on an out-of-school snow tubbing day trip on Jan. 23 at the Hawksnest Snow Tubbing Park in the beautiful mountains of North Carolina. Trip fee is $30, which includes transportation and tubbing. Lunch is not included. Buses will depart from the Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center at 8:30 a.m. and return at 4:30 p.m. For more information, contat Tari Turner at 704-432-0061.

2012 COOPERATIVE EXTENSION PLANT SALE UNDERWAY!

The Spring 2012 Plant Sale is now underway. Mecklenburg County Cooperative Extension is selling a variety of berry plants, flowering trees, fruit trees, shade trees, and flowering shrubs. The deadline to order is FRIDAY, Feb. 24 at noon. Plants will be available for pick up on Thursday, March 1 and Friday, March 2 from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. at our office (1418 Armory Drive, Charlotte). The plant sale is a fundraiser for Mecklenburg County Cooperative Extension. All plants are grown in nurseries in Georgia or Alabama. All orders are non-refundable. Plants do not have a warranty. All proceeds from the Plant Sale support local Cooperative Extension programs as well as partial and full scholarships to Mecklenburg County youth attending 4-H summer camps and teen leadership opportunities. Click here to find out more about the plant varieities, to download a brochure, or to order online.

QUEEN CITY BREWERS FESTIVAL BENEFITS PARTNERS FOR PARKS

The Queen City Brewers Festival (QCBF) will premiere at the Neighborhood Theatre (511 E. 36th Street, Charlotte, NC, 28205), on Saturday, February 4, 2012. QCBF is exclusive to the Charlotte-area breweries that are putting the Queen City on the craft beer map. The event will feature a diverse selection of beer styles and flavors for the Charlotte community to taste and learn about from official brewery representatives. Proceeds raised from the event will benefit Partners for Parks, a nonprofit, nonpartisan foundation that seeks to promote and enhance parks, recreation and open space in neighborhoods throughout Mecklenburg County There will be two tasting sessions: 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. -9 p.m.. Admission is $20 per session. Guests must have a valid photo ID and be 21 years of age or older to enter the festival.  www.QCBrewFest.com


VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Park and Rec offers many great volunteer opportunities during the month of January. Check them out here.