Mecklenburg County Blog

Author: Leo Caplanides

Health and Human Services Health and Safety

Five Reasons You Should Get Vaccinated

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Eating healthy? Check!

Exercising (at a Park and Recreation greenway, recreation center or fitness center)? Check!

Getting plenty of rest? Check! (Sometimes.)

Up-to-date immunization?

If you and your family are making great strides at living your best and healthiest life, make sure your immunization records are part of your health checklist.

You might be thinking “I never get sick,” or “I just don’t have the time.” However, it’s important to remember that immunizations not only protect you, they also protect those you spend time with the most. And if you have children, North Carolina law requires that students show proof of certain required vaccines within the first 30 days of the school year. 

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Environment

Why Flooding Greenways is Actually a Good Thing

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Anywhere it rains, it can flood. However, there is one place where that’s actually a good thing: greenways.

Yep, you heard me correctly. Not only do greenways connect people and places as well as provide transportation and fitness opportunities, they also help reduce the risk of flooding for neighboring properties.

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Around Town Recreation Resources

Four Hot Ideas for Staying Fit when it’s Cold Outside

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Looking to get fit in Mecklenburg County? We have you covered! With more than 50 miles of greenways, 20+ nature preserves with countless hiking trails and even an outdoor fitness area at First Ward Park, there are plenty of opportunities to get moving. 

But what do you do when it’s cold, like today? Let’s face it, no one wants to go running, hiking or biking when it’s freezing outside. Luckily Park and Recreation offers plenty of indoor opportunities.

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Animals and Wildlife

This Greenway is for the Birds — and Everyone Else!

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Photos by John Mackay

In spring 2019, with just about a week to go before the start of construction of the highly anticipated extension of McAlpine Creek Greenway (Sardis Road to Providence Road), Mecklenburg County staff and a contractor gathered on site for what should have been a final pre-construction walkthrough.  

With all the boxes on their to-do list nearly checked off, there was nothing that could have delayed the start of construction – except for some amazing birds.  

How could birds lead to the delay of greenway construction?  

Well, to fully understand why, we need to go back even further, to the winter of 2018. 

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Around Town Recreation

Where We’re Going We Don’t Need Roads, Just Greenways

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Your Guide to all 52 Miles of Park and Rec’s Greenway Trails

Headed to the park? Looking to do a little shopping? Need a new route to school or work? Forget driving, take the greenway!

Park and Recreation is helping to connect you to the places you love to visit through its 52-mile greenway system. And the best part is, it’s growing! Check out the department’s accelerated greenway development plan.

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Environment Health and Human Services Recreation Resources

Best Kept Secrets in Mecklenburg County

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Whether you realize it or not, there are many things you probably know about Mecklenburg County government. For starters, you are probably aware that the County is governed by the nine-member Board of County Commissioners. You may also know that Mecklenburg’s day-to-day operations are managed by County Manager Dena R. Diorio. Chances are you are also familiar with a few County services such as Public Health, Department of Social Services or Park and Recreation.

That doesn’t come close to being everything about us, though. There’s so much more that we do and within all of our departments there are so many programs and initiatives that it can be hard to list them all out. But, we do have a few “best kept secrets” that we think you should know!

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Around Town Recreation

Putting the Cold on Hold: 8 Things to Do Indoors on a Winter Day

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Not only is it sweater weather, it’s jacket, gloves and hat weather too. Let’s face it folks, it’s cold outside. But hey, it’s winter, it’s supposed to be that way!

However, if you’re not a fan of temperatures struggling to get above 55 (this is the south, that’s cold!), wind gusts that could possibly knock you down on your way to your car, or the constant chance of freezing rain or snow, don’t worry, I have you covered.

From sports to the arts and everything in between, Mecklenburg County offers many fun things that you can do INDOORS either solo or with friends and family. Here are eight great activities.

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Around Town

Take a Step Back in Time on the Trail of History

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If you have biked,  jogged or walked the urban section of the Little Sugar Creek Greenway, you most likely have seen some statues of figures that are just as magnificent as the greenway itself.

These statues, which are part of a long-term project known as the “Trail of History,” help to recapture and preserve Mecklenburg’s past. A nonprofit organization (also referred to as the Trail of History) helps to raise funds, engage artists and construct the statues. Along with the help of other organizations such as the May 20th Society and ongoing support from Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation, the Trail of History has completed six sculptures along the greenway.

So, who are these figures you ask? You have come to the right place.

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Recreation

Things to Know Before You Go To the Greenway

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If you are like me, you love getting plenty of exercise while spending time outside. And what better way to achieve this than with a nice bike ride, stroll or run on one of our beautiful greenways?

Here in Mecklenburg County, we have more than 50 miles of paved trails, with more being added all the time. (View Park and Recreation’s greenway map)

No matter where you live, you are sure to be near a greenway entrance, allowing you to easily get out and enjoy the great outdoors. But before you lace up your shoes and head out the door, I would like to share some tips to help everyone have an enjoyable experience on the greenway.

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Resources

5 Things to Value About the 2019 Revaluation

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So, you’ve heard that Mecklenburg County will be conducting a Countywide revaluation next year, but you’re not entirely sure what that means. Or, maybe you think you know what it means, but just need more information.

The Mecklenburg County Assessor’s Office has you covered. They’ve been dotting their i’s and crossing their t’s and making their rounds to ensure the smoothest revaluation process ever.

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