Discover Greensboro Magazine Winter 2021

WINTER/SPRING 2021

Discover GREENSBORO YOUR GUIDE TO GREENSBORO PARKS AND RECREATION

photo by Rob Landwehrmann

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GREENBORO’S Best Car Buying Experience

Open 7 Days a Week Huge Selection of New & Used Cars Lifetime Powertrain Warranty

Professional, Clean Dealership Knowledgeable, Friendly Sales Team

Bring your Bike or Walking Shoes and explore Atlantic & Yadkin Greenway Join our many customers who are exploring GSO Trails while they get oil changes, tires, and service at Rice.

National Park Trails From the visitor’s center, take a self-guided tour and experience the area’s unique history. This 2.25 mile paved loop is open to bicyclists, pedestrians, and cars, there’s also about 3.5 miles of natural surface hiking train in the park.

Rice Toyota Restrooms Shared Use

Hike Bike

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The Country Park Loop Paved and roughly one mile long, this one-way, one-lane road open to cars, bikes, in-line skaters and pedestrians.

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The Atlantic & Yadkin Greenway (A&Y) Greensboro’s only current Rail Trail! The paved trail is open to bicyclists and pedestrians and allows you to catch a glimpse of nature while reaching urban destinations. It’s about a mile to Jaycee Park and just over two to the Guilford Courthouse National Military Park.

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The Copperhead Trail Roughly five miles long, this mountain biking trail is designed for intermediate & advanced users. No Limebikes allowed, but you can bring your own bike.

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2630 Battleground Ave Greensboro, NC 27408 | 336.387.6004 | ricetoyota.com

Discover GREENSBORO Discover Greensboro is your guide to all things Greensboro Parks and Recreation! The guide will be produced three times a year, January-May, June-August, and September-December. Discover Greensboro

www.gsoparksandrec.com

To register online for programs and activities please go to www.greensboro-nc.gov/login.

@gsoparksandrec

is available in print and online at www.gsoparksandrec.com. You can

find a complete listing of all our facilities including, but not limited to, recreation centers, athletic fields, trails, neighborhood parks, and more on our website.

gsoparksandrec@ greensboro-nc.gov

336-373-CITY

Greensboro Parks and Recreation Department believes in the value of inclusive recreation opportunities for all residents regardless of their ability. The Department makes every effort to ensure inclusive opportunities in all program services including parks, facilities, programs, special events, and classes. For questions about Inclusion Support Services, please contact 336-373-2626 or air@greensboro-nc.gov.

Donations can be made to the Friends of Greensboro Parks and Recreation Foundation. For more information, please contact 336-373-2964.

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Contents Welcome................................................................. 2 Programs. .............................................................. 5 Program Feature: Foot Golf . ................................7 Contest Feature: Park Passport......................... 11 Outdoor Adventures.............................................13 Outdoor Adventure Feature: Trout Fishing........14 Sports ...................................................................16 Outdoor Facilities Guide...................................... 17 Trails Guide...........................................................19 Trails Feature: Take a Winter Hike.................... 20 Piedmont Discovery............................................ 22 Facility Feature: Keeley Park Phase II ............. 23 Community Garden Story....................................27

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Programs

ACTIVE ADULTS

Programs for adults 50 years old and better. More info: www.greensboro-nc.gov/ActiveAdults or 336-373-7564.

CARDIO SCULPT Class is designed to increase your cardiovascular and muscular endurance by using high intensity aerobic moves followed by easy recovery moves. Virtual via Zoom Tuesday & Thursday 9:15-10 am 336-373-7564 CHAIR YOGA This gentle form of yoga is practiced sitting in a chair. Virtual via Zoom Tuesday 10:30-11:15 am 336-373-7564 LINE DANCING Fun way of exercising and learning all of the latest line dances. Virtual via Zoom Friday 11:15 am-12 noon 336-373-7564 SAIL BALANCE CLASS (Staying Active and Independent for Life) This class will increase FREE FREE FREE

FREE strength and balance and help reduce the chance of falling. Virtual via Zoom Monday & Wednesday 9:15-10 am 336-373-7564 TAI CHI for Arthritis and Fall Prevention This class offers arthritis relief and better balance through slow, gentle movement. Virtual via Zoom Monday 12 noon -12:45 pm and Thursday 12 noon -12:45 pm 336-373-7564 TAIROGA This class offers a Tai Chi warm-up, moderate aerobics, and a yoga cool-down. Virtual via Zoom Monday & Wednesday FREE

AGELESS PILATES MAT CLASS A safe and gentle approach for improving spinal posture, joint support, mental awareness, functional activity, and building confidence in one’s body no matter our age. Virtual via Zoom Wednesday 10:30-11:30 am and Friday 9:15-10:15 am 336-373-7564 AHOY BOOT CAMP This class has intervals of cardio and strength training for a full- FREE

body workout. Virtual via Zoom Monday & Wednesday 5:30-6 pm 336-373-7564

FREE

5:30-6:30 pm 336-373-7564

FREE

BOOK FOR LUNCH BOOK CLUB Read a book, grab your lunch, and get ready to discuss! Virtual via Zoom Reoccurring 6-week sessions 336-373-7564

No Cost $1 - 25 $26 - 50 $51 - 75 $75 + PRICE GUIDE FREE $ $$ $$$ $$$$

FREE

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Programs for individuals with disabilities. More details: www.greensboro-nc.gov/AIR or 336-373-2626.

ADAPTIVE GOLF CLINICS Clinics teach adaptive techniques for individuals with physical disabilities. Golf pros offer instruction to introduce people to the game and get others back into it. Gillespie Golf Course All Ages | March 11, April 17, 10-11:30 am; May 15- 9-10:30 am 336-373-5850 CHAIR YOGA This gentle form of yoga is practiced sitting in a chair. Virtual via Zoom 50+ | Tuesday 10:30-11:15 am 336-373-7564 CHALLENGER BASKETBALL Challenger Basketball is designed for youth and adults with disabilities to build skills and knowledge of the game of basketball throughout a six-week virtual training league. Virtual - Registration Required 8 years and up | January 23 to February 27 336-373-2626 CHALLENGER CHEER Challenger Cheer is designed for youth and adults with disabilities to build skills and knowledge of cheer skills and routines throughout a six-week virtual training league. Virtual - Registration Required FREE FREE $

8 years and up | March 1 to April 12 4:30-6 pm 336-373-2626 CHALLENGER GOLF Challenger Golf is designed for youth and adults with disabilities to build skills and knowledge of the game of golf throughout a six-week virtual training league. Gillespie Golf Course - Registration Required 10 years and up; January 23 to February 27 336-373-2626 CUPID’S BLAST – VALENTINE’S VIRTUAL DANCE Cupid’s Blast is an inclusive virtual event that will allow participants to celebrate Valentine’s Day all while dancing the night away, playing games, and making crafts! . Virtual - Registration Required Ages 13 and Up | February 12 336-373-2626 PGA HOPE (HEALING OUR PATRIOTS EVERYWHERE) Free instructional golf clinics for veterans at Gillespie Golf Course as part of a partnership between Greensboro Adaptive and Inclusive Recreation (AIR) and PGA HOPE. Gillespie Golf Course All Ages | April 16, 23, 20 and May 7, 14, 21, 28 1-3 pm 336-373-2626 $ $ FREE FREE

ADAPTIVE & INCLUSIVE RECREATION (AIR)

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DIGGIN’ THE DIRT Parks & Recreation Community Gardens

FOOT GOLF play,” said Bob Brooks, who runs Gillespie Golf Course.

can take get their own garden plot or learn planting and gardening skills. Garden enrollment begins in February each year. The active garden year runs from March 1 to December 31. All the gardens are managed and maintained organically - no synthetic pesticides or fertilizers of any kind are allowed. Sustainable garden practices are demonstrated, taught, and required for all gardeners. Plots are assigned on a first-come, first- served basis. Gardeners in good standing from the previous year are entitled to keep their plots. Kristen Herndon, a facilities coordinator for Greensboro Parks and Recreation, stumbled up n footgolf last April, when the pandemic had just started and the city had shut down in-person parks programs. The department was looking for opportu it es to get people engaged and active, in a way that was both accessible, inexpensive, and COVID-safe. Footgolf seemed to fit the bill. “It was inexpensive for people to be able to pay. No one had to have any special equipment to play,” Herndon said. And participants could be outside, masked, and more than 6-feet apart while still playing together – a pandemic bonus. The first formal footgolf rules and tournaments were established in the Netherlands about a decade ago. Now

Parks and Recreation Community Gardens add beaut y and interest to our parks, and offer the community an opportunity to learn about and practice growing fresh, nutritionally-dense produce! Thriving community gardens are a great way to bring people together, and create healthy, strong communities. Community Gardens can serve as outdoor classrooms where youth learn valuable skills like communication, responsibility, and cooperation. The Parks and Recreation Department currently supports several community gardens within our parks, where people COME TEE OFF TODAY! With social-distancing the way to go, Parks and Recreation started looking for safe alternatives to get people outside and enjoying ga es. Enter footgolf, a marriage between golf and soccer tha ’s easy to play for any age or ability. Gillespie Golf Course will transform its course into a 10-hole footgolf course from 1-3 pm, January 9 and February 13. It’s $7 to play a ound, and children 7 years old and under play for free. “It can be a very competitive sport, but what we are trying to do is get people off the couch and out of the hous , something that is family fun-oriented and anyone can

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returning gardeners in good standing. New gardener s are limited to one plot for the first year. Plot rental fees vary from$15 to $35 per year,dependingongardenlocation,amenities, and plot size. Get your plot by calling or e-mailing the Community Garden Coordinator Julie Hale at 336- 373-4549, Juliet.Hale@greensboro-nc.gov. “It’s a game that anybody can play at any age,” Brooks said. “If you’ve got any kind of hand-eye coordination, you can play footgolf. If you can kick a ball, you can play footgolf.” It takes about 90 minutes, more or less, to play all 10 holes at Gillespie. The course covers about 2.5 miles. Want to play? The first formal footgolf rules and tournaments were established in the Netherlands about a decade ago. Now there are more than 600 footgolf courses in the United States and an international governing body. The American FootGolf Federal says the game is “a precision sport” more closely related to golf than soccer. It is played on a fairway with a 52-centimeter cup. The goal is to get the ball in the cup with the fewest shots of a #5 soccer ball.

GILLESPIE GOLF COURSE 1-3 pm, January 23 and February 13 Cost: Free for ages 7 and under; $7 per round for everyone else; $3 for a soccer ball rental (free to bring your own #5 ball) For a tee time call: 336-373-5850.

Want to garden?

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Be the wellspring of new possibilities Get in touch with nature in our new raised-bed garden. A wellspring is an abundant source. We keep adding new amenities and new opportunities to our dynamic, active community. Come and see them for yourself: New Theatre • New Bistro & Renovated Dining Room New Woodworking Shop & Art Studios • New Lounge

Independent & Assisted Living 336.545.5400 • Well-Spring.org

YOURAD COULD BE RIGHT HERE!

Contact Jennifer Hance to sponsor future Discover Greensboro publications. Jennifer.Hance@greensboro-nc.gov

Programs for kids and teens. More info: www.gsoparksandrec.org. AFTERSCHOOL CARE: Provides parentsandguardiansanaffordable SUMMER IN FEBRUARY Celebrate summer in Fabruary with a fun

FREE Middle or high school student in Guilford County sia@greensboro-nc.gov TEEN GAME NIGHT A night of trivia and games with other local teens! Virtual via Zoom Teens | February 11, 18 and 25 336-373-2734 TEEN VENT SESSIONS Co-hosted by Greensboro Youth Council and Youth Leadership Greensboro, provides an opportunity for teens to come together and discuss life during a pandemic and ways they can make a difference. Virtual via Zoom Teens | January 18, February 23 336-373-2734 www.greensboro-nc.gov/gyc FREE

option for childcare during the school year. Due to COVID-19, afterschool will only operate when Guilford County Schools is offering in-person instruction. Brown, Craft, Griffin, Leonard, Lindley, Lewis, and Warnersville Recreation Centers 5-12 years | Weekdays 336-373-7757 CAMPFIRE & MAD-LIBS Enjoy a family-fun self guided backyard campfirewithoursuppliedmad-libs. We’ll post the madlibs online and on our social media. Families can complete at their convenience. DIY/Virtual All Ages | January 22 & 23 FIVE-MINUTE CRAFTS A brand new onlinevideoseriesthatshowsquick, afforadable, and fun crafts for kids of all ages. www.facebook.com/gsoparksandrec All Ages | Wednesdays in February & March GREENSBORO YOUTH COUNCIL TEEN WORKSHOPS Creating Good Habits, January 26 Conflict Management, February 16 Job and Interview Skills, March 16 336-373-2734 KIDS NIGHT IN This is an opportunity for familiesandkids to enjoy themed crafts and activities. Each session will include a Zoom meeting with the registered participants. Take Home Kits Ages 5-12 | January 15, February 5, and March 5 336-373-2928 $ FREE $$ FREE FREE Virtual via Zoom - Register at www.greensboro-nc.gov/gyc

take home kit that includes: a kite, bubbles, and other summer items! Take Home Kit - Registration Required Ages 2-10+ | February 22-26 336-373-7757 SUPER CRAYONS Donate your usedcrayonstoouradministration building to be melted down and made into colorful super crayons for use in our specialty programs. Donate at 301 S. Greene St., Greensboro All Ages | January Weekdays 336-373-7757 STUDENT IMPROVEMENT AWARDS This monthly award is designed to recognize middle and high school students who have worked hard to change their lives personally or academically. Nominations accepted each month through April 2021 FREE FREE

FREE

YOUTH

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2021 PASSPORT To Fun

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The Parks Passport highlights 20 great locations citywide. You have all year to make the rounds – so go ahead and wait for a terrific, sunny day to go exploring. When you visit each location, search for the Parks Passport sign. Each sign will have a special word that you can use to fill in a phrase on the passport. “When you’ve visited all the locations, the passport will create a Parks and Recreation poem,” McCray said. When the Parks Passport is complete, mail in or drop your passport off at Parks and Recreation to receive a free Parks and Recreation swag item. One participant will win a random drawing on January 2022 for a prize pack worth $200. For more details and other Parks and Recreation contests, games, and sweepstakes, visit www.greensboro-nc.gov/ contest.

No need to travel very far to have an outdoor adventure! E njoy the great outdoors – and collect some cool prizes -- with Greensboro’s Parks Passport! Pick up your 2021 Parks Passport at Parks and Recreation headquarters, 301 S. Greene St., Ste. 300, or download it at www. greensboro-nc.gov/contest. English and Spanish language versions are available. Then grab your sneakers and get going. “Greensboro Parks and Recreation has a lot to offer. The Parks Passport will help folks find great, sometimes underappreciated spaces throughout our diverse parks system,” said Parks and Recreation Director Nasha McCray. “We know lots of people are holding off on travel this past year. Here’s a safe and inexpensive way to travel around our own community.”

Get your 2021 Parks Passport beginning on January 20, 2021 at Parks and Recreation, 301 S. Greene St., Ste. 300, or download it at www. greensboro-nc.gov/contest.

English and Spanish language versions are available.

Want to Play?

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Outdoor Adventures

BOCCE BALL Bocce, also known as Italian lawn bowling, is one of the most widely played and oldest lawn games in the world. Outdoor bocce court available for play. Smith Active Adult Center 50+ CORN HOLE Also known as sack toss, corn hole is a popular lawn game where players take turns throwing bean bags at a raised platform with a hole in the far end. Open play corn hole courts are available and open to the public on a first-come, first- served basis. Keeley Park All ages DISC GOLF 18-hole disc golf courses offer challenging play for participants of all skill levels. Barber Park, Keeley Park All ages FISHING Fish species vary by location. Everyone over the age of 16 needs a NC State fishing license. FREE FREE FREE

PUBLIC TROUT FISHING Lake Higgins hatchery pond is open to the public for trout fishing November through February. This is not a catch and release fishing opportunity. All fish caught must be weighed, and anglers will be charged accordingly. Lake Higgins All ages TENNIS OPEN PLAY Open play tennis facilities are available and open to the public on a first- come, first-served basis. . Various Locations All ages SAND VOLLEYBALL Just like indoor volleyball, the objective of the game is to send the ball over the net and to ground on the opponent’s side of the court. Hester Park & Lake Daniel Park All ages $ FREE

Lake Brandt, Lake Higgins, Lake Townsend, Country Park, Keeley Park, Hester Park All ages PETANQUE COURT One of Europe’s most popular outdoor games, petanque is a cousin of both horseshoes and bocce. Must provide own equipment. Tanger Family Bicentennial Garden All Ages PICKBALL OPEN PLAY Open play pickleball facilities are available and open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis. Lake Daniel Park and Smith Community Park All Ages PUMP TRACK The mountain biking course features beginner and intermediate tracks of continuous red clay dirt rollers and berms. Keeley Park All ages $ FREE FREE FREE

No Cost $1 - 25 $26 - 50 $51 - 75 $75 + PRICE GUIDE FREE $ $$ $$$ $$$$

FREE

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CAST REEL AND TROUT

Winter at Lake Higgins means one thing: it’s time for trout fishing at the Taylor Turner Hatchery Pond! “This is a great opportunity to participate in an outdoor wellness activity that rewards the angler with a healthy meal and a better understanding of the importance of the native trout species,” said Derek Dunn, a Lake Higgins activities specialist. As one of the first hybrid bass hatcheries in the state when it was developed in the 1980s, the hatchery now offers channel catfish specifically for children’s fishing in the summer months and rainbow trout for general public fishing during the winter months. Every year, the Lake Higgins staff apply to the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission to stock the hatchery with trout. In November, they order the first shipment of fish. This year, 800 pounds of rainbow trout traveled 200 miles to Lake Higgins from the Cantrell Creek Trout Farm in Brevard, in western North Carolina not far from the South Carolina border. It’s a state- approved farm. The hatchery gets restocked as people fish

– some years up to 4,000 pounds of fish. This year has been busier than usual, Dunn said. Even people from neighboring states visit Greensboro to take advantage of the opportunity. When you visit, don’t be afraid to ask the lake staff for fishing tips. “If you are new to fishing, it I would encourage people to talk to us,” Dunn said. “Let us guide you in the right direction.”

LAKE HIGGINS 4235 Hamburg Mill Rd., Summerfield 8 am to 5 pm, through the end of February All fish caught must be weighed and kept. This is not a catch and release fishing opportunity. Cost: $2 to fish, $4 per pound of fish caught; Angler 16 and older must have a NCWRC inland fishing permit, $27

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the great outdoors.

F IND YOUR

DOWNTOWN.

| DOWNTOWNGREENSBORO . ORG

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Sports

No Cost $1 - 25 $26 - 50 $51 - 75 $75 + PRICE GUIDE FREE $ $$ $$$ $$$$

Greensboro offers opportunities for adults and kids to learn a sport with a team or as an individual. More info: www.greensboro-nc.gov/sports.

FOOTGOLF Schedule your tee time today to play the newest game to hit the course, footgolf! Open to all levels. Gillespie Golf Course All ages January 9 and February 13 336-373-5850 $

$$ GOLFING Schedule your tee time to play 9- or 18-holes or practice your shot on the driving range. Play is open to all levels. Gillespie Golf Course All ages Open Daily 8:30 am-5 pm 336-373-5850

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OUTDOOR Facilities

Basketball court - outdoor

Amphitheatre/stage Archery range

Baseball diamond

Bike repair zone

Bird sanctuary

Boat & kayak rentals

Botanical garden

Butterfly garden

Community garden Disc golf

Dog park

Barber Park 1500 Barber Park Dr. Bicentennial Garden 1105 Hobbs Rd. Bog Garden 1101 Hobbs Rd. Center City Park 200 N. Elm St. Country Park 3905 Nathanael Green Dr. Gateway Gardens 2800 E. Gate City Blvd. Greensboro Arboretum 401 Ashland Dr. Hester Park 3615 Deutzia St. Jaycee Park 3802 Jaycee Park Dr. Keeley Park 4100 Keeley Rd. Lake Brandt 5945 Lake Brandt Rd. Lake Higgins* 4235 Hamburg Mill Rd. Lake Townsend 6332 Townsend Rd. Latham Park

905 Cridland Rd. LeBauer Park 208 N. Davie St. Price Park 1420 Price Park Dr.

*Adaptive kayak launch available

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Fishing pier

Fitness equipment

Historic exhibit

Mountain bike trails Pedal boats

Pentaque

Playground

Picnic shelter

Public art

Skate park

Soccer fields

Sprayground

Stand-up paddleboard rentals Tennis courts

Volleyball courts

Walking trails

Wedding location

18 For a complete listing and information on all of our more than 100 neighborhood parks, gardens, and facilities please visit: www.gsoparksandrec.com 1

Trails

Miles

Mountains to Sea Trail Greenway

Natural Surface

Accessible

Difficulty*

Hike

Road Bike

Mountain Bike

7.5

Atlantic & Yadkin Greenway

9.3

Bicentennial Greenway

1.87

Downtown Greenway

4.13

Bald Eagle Trail

4.2

Blue Heron Trail

5

Copperhead Trail

1.19

Crockett Trail

4.2

King Fisher Trail

3.25

Laurel Bluff Trail

3.25

Nat Greene Trail

2.3

Osprey Trail

4.25

Owls Roost Trail

1.59

Palmetto Trail

2.75

Piedmont Trail

3.51

Reedy Fork Trail

3.8

Townsend Trail

0.7

West House Trail

4.46

Wild Turkey Trail

* Easy

Intermediate

Advanced

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TAKE A Winter HIKE!

Find your perfect trail, hiking tips, trail rules, and more at www. greensboro-nc.gov/trails or download the free Piedmont Discovery App!

Greensboro residents don’t have to travel far from home to experience the wilderness this winter. Greensboro Parks and Recreation has 100-plus miles of trails – and many of them take you off into the woods exploring the Triad’s natural beauty year- round. While the days are shorter and the temperature is cooler, you just need to a little preparation to get the most out of your winter walk. DRESS FOR IT “Wear layers - dress like an onion!” says Greensboro Planner Elizabeth Jernigan. That way you can take off layers if you get too hot, or add more if you get too cold. What you wear is important too. REI recommends wearing clothes maid of wool or synthetic materials that dry fast to take perspiration away from your skin. Avoid cotton, which take a long time to dry and will leave you cold and uncomfortable. And don’t forget – even in the winter you need sun protection. Bring your sunglasses and apply sunscreen. Pick the right time of day. Even though North Carolina has mild winters, it’s most comfortable to hike in the mid-afternoon.

“Hike when the sun is highest and warmest, and allow plenty of time to get back to the trailhead before dark,” Jernigan says. Greensboro trails close at sunset, so check your weather app to make sure you will be able to exit the trail while there is still ample light to navigate. Don’t forget provisions . If you ever need an excuse to bring snacks, this is it. “Hiking in the cold burns more calories, so eat and drink plenty. Bring snacks you can eat while hiking so you don’t have to stop,” Jernigan says. READY TO TRY? Jernigan recommends trying the Laurel Bluff Trail for your winter hike. The Laurel Bluff Trail traverses beautiful woodland and wetlands along the edge of Reedy Fork Creek and the backwaters of Lake Townsend. This trail is one of six Watershed Trails that have been designated as part of the North Carolina Mountains-to-Sea Trail. It’s pretty hilly, so if you are new to hiking, take it slow. The total trail is 3.5 miles – or 7 miles out and back – but it’s perfectly fine to just do a short distance and turn back. Get easy access to the trail from gravel parking lot on 5200 Block of N. Church Street, just past the city limits.

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DISC GOLF

FREE TO PLAY! FREE FUN FOR EVERYONE Both our 18-hole disc golf courses ooer challenging play for participants of all skill levels on courses that wind around the grounds of beautiful Keeley and Barber Parks. LEARN MORE AT: WWW.GSOPARKSANDREC.COM

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photo by Rob Landwehrmann

Thrill seekers rejoice! Greensboro, High Point, and Guilford County are making it easy for you to find outdoor fun, with the Piedmont Discovery mobile phone app. The free app, for Android or Apple devices, covers all public facilities owned by the cities of High Point and Greensboro, and Guilford County. The app lets you explore destinations near you, sort trail information by type of terrain and level of difficulty, and get directions and links for additional information. You can use it to find unique park amenities, like cricket fields or camp grounds, at locations countywide. Download it now at: www.piedmontdiscoveryapp.com Adventure IS AT YOUR FINGERTIPS!

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KEELEY PARK: YOUR NE

largest playgrounds in Greensboro and the largest accessible playground in this part of North Carolina. It has six slides, five spinning elements, three zip lines, cargo nets, plenty of places to climb, and ample swings. It’s designed for all bodies and abilities. It’s got a merry-go-round and a tower you can roll into with a wheelchair. There is a bouncy toy with seats built in so it can be enjoyed by people who might have difficulty holding themselves upright. The squishy surface is a soft place to fall, and a safe place travel with walking aids. There is also a new handicapped parking lot directly adjacent to the playground. Gloriously – for parents and caregivers – there are beaucoup spots to park, sit, and enjoy the shade. Plus two new adjacent picnic shelters that have birthday party written all over them.

Brace yourselves, Greensboro. You’re about to get a favorite new spot. Parks and Recreation has put the finishing touches on Up in the AIR (Adaptive and Inclusive Recreation), the City’s first fully accessible playground. Pair it with the other new upgrades at Keeley Park, and this northeast Greensboro regional park is destined to become a favorite outdoor retreat. In December, Parks and Recreation put the final touches on Up in the AIR, one of the

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EW FAVORITE NEW SPOT

For the green thumbs, the community garden is now bigger and better. It has a 1,000-plus square foot deck to be used for teaching classes or other gatherings. The staff has built raised flower beds, which will make it easier to teach classes and invite gardeners who have difficulty bending. “By next spring we should have these installed and ready to plant,” said Julie Hale, who manages the community garden. If you’re more of a sit-back-and-chill kind of person, the new cornhole court might be for you. And just pick your spot, if you need a moment of meditation. “There are a multitude of additional benches that will be put throughout the park,” said Shawna Tillery, the planning and project development division manager for Greensboro Parks and Recreation.

The playground might get all the hype, but this phase of park development has a little something for everybody. For fitness buffs, there is a new Thrive 450 outdoor fitness center near the park entrance. It’s essentially an adult jungle gym, with bars, ladders, and platforms for all manner of body weight exercises. You can work out legs, core, and upper body here – no gym membership required.

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SUCCESS AGAINST ALL ODDS Magnolia Long was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis when she was six months old and was given a life expectancy of 34 years. When applying for college, she wondered if she would be able to succeed despite all of her health challenges. Four years and a life-changing surgery later, she has the degree to prove that she did more than just survive – she thrived thanks to UNC Greensboro’s flexibility and support. “I have so much life to live and so much to offer, and UNCG has given me the opportunities to do things I’ve always wanted to do and become the person I’ve always dreamt of becoming.”

uncg.edu

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IN THE NATION TOP 25 #1 IN NC FOR SOCIAL MOBILITY

uncg.edu

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DIGGIN’ THE DIRT Parks & Recreation Community Gardens

Parks and Recreation Community Gardens add beauty and interest to our parks, and offer the community an opportunity to learn about and practice growing fresh, nutritionally-dense produce! Thriving community gardens are a great way to bring people together, and create healthy, strong communities. Community Gardens can serve as outdoor classrooms where youth learn valuable skills like communication, responsibility, and cooperation. The Parks and Recreation Department currently supports several community gardens within our parks, where people

can take get their own garden plot or learn planting and gardening skills. Garden enrollment begins in February each year. The active garden year runs from March 1 to December 31. All the gardens are managed and maintained organically - no synthetic pesticides or fertilizers of any kind are allowed. Sustainable garden practices are demonstrated, taught, and required for all gardeners. Plots are assigned on a first-come, first- served basis. Gardeners in good standing from the previous year are entitled to keep their plots.

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Plots are limited to one per household at the beginning of the season. Additional plots, if available, may be rented after June 15, to returning gardeners in good standing. New gardeners are limited to one plot for the first year. Plot rental fees vary from $15 to $35 per year, depending on garden location, amenities, and plot size. Get your plot by calling or e-mailing the Community Garden Coordinator Julie Hale at 336- 373-4549, Juliet.Hale@greensboro-nc.gov.

COMMUNITY GARDEN LOCATIONS: Keeley Park 4100 Keeley Rd., McLeansville, NC 27301 Steelman Park 970 Gregory St., Greensboro, NC 27403 Village at Northside Park 1714 Kay St., Greensboro, NC 27405 Gorrell Street 401 Gorrell St., Greensboro, NC 27401 Maywood Park 2009 Maywood St., Greensboro, NC 27403

Want to garden?

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www.gsoparksandrec.com 301 S. Greene St. Suite 300 • Greensboro, NC 27405