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In spite of the wintry weather, there's plenty happening with our parks and programs. We have some special news and events to share, with a busy March and April lined up. Upcoming events include Uncle Eli's Quilting Party, First Saturday Hikes, the Summer Camp & Safe Kids Expo, and the start of a new project in Shallow Ford Natural Area. The Special Olympics and VIP programs are keeping busy, and Athletics is gearing up for the new ball season. The Department will be saying goodbye to Park Superintendent Eugene Jordan, who retires later this month.
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Park Superintendent Eugene Jordan Retires
Alamance County Park Superintendent Eugene Jordan will be retiring later this month, after almost 20 years of service with the Department. Eugene started with the County in 1996 after ten years working in the State Park system. As Park Superintendent, he has been responsible for the overall operations and management of Alamance County parks and athletic facilities, coordinating facility development and project completion, and supervising the staff handling day to day operations.
During his time with ACRPD, Eugene was part of many of the developments that resulted in the parks and facilities we know today. He was involved in capital improvements such as the addition of a maintenance area, the construction of new restrooms across from the Cedarock Historical Farm, building the new playground at Cedarock, and the building of the park office. He saw expansions such as the addition of Shallow Ford Natural Area and the paddle accesses along the Haw River Trail. He was involved in development projects in these areas, including building bridges.
Eugene’s favorite park is Cedarock- “coming from the state park system, this is the closest county park I’ve ever seen to a state park; one of the most natural.” He has enjoyed being part of a group that provides recreational opportunities but also conserves and preserves natural resources and historically significant structures. Among his favorite activities were construction projects such as building bridges and gazebos, and he will miss working on these projects with the team. Outside of work, Eugene likes fishing, building boats, woodworking, and hiking at the beach. He looks forward to spending more time on these hobbies and working around the house.
The Department is grateful for his many years of excellent service and he will be sorely missed by the rest of the team.
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Eugene builds boats and custom boat-shaped shelves and enjoys fishing at the coast.
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Position Open for Park Superintendent
With Eugene Jordan’s retirement fast approaching, there is an opening for the Parks Superintendent position. Applications are currently being accepted for this position, which is responsible for the overall operations and management of the parks and athletic properties operated by Alamance County. This position will have an integral role in building and maintaining our key assets including the Haw River Trail, Cedarock Park, youth athletic facilities and rural community centers. The position coordinates the development of new facilities, the completion of departmental capital projects, and supervises the staff in charge of the day to day operations of the parks. The position will be based at Cedarock Park.
Applicants should have a strong background in facility management or construction and a passion for improving the lives and natural resources of Alamance County. For a full job description and to apply, please visit the the Alamance County website.
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Alamance County Athletics Update
The end of basketball season has been delayed due to the inclement weather. Several make-up games remain before the season will be complete.
Little League/Softball/Tee-Ball sign-up just closed and we look forward to the start of the new ball season! For questions or additional information, please contact Dan Moravec (336) 570-6761.
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SOAC Athletes Recognized at Elon Basketball Game; Headed to State Tournament
On Saturday, Febraury 28th, the SOAC basketball team ended practice with a trip to the Elon Arena to watch the Phoenix take on the UNCW Seahawks (and win!). Eleven of our athletes attended and were recognized as the 2015 Special Olympics Alamance County State Basketball Team with a special spotlight mention during the game. These same athletes are headed to Selma, NC, on March 14th to play in the State Basketball Tournament. We have four teams heading to three venues for state level competition.
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Get Ready for the Spring Games!
As we shared in February's newsletter, The Special Olympics Spring Games will be held April 24 at Elon University. The Spring Games involve our 350 athletes and over a thousand volunteers.
This is our biggest event of the year and volunteers are still needed. If interested, please contact Katie Gensel at 336-229-2230 or Steve Glahn at 336-570-6760. You may also email recinfo@alamance-nc.com.
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SOAC Aquatics Team headed to Multi-State Aquatics Invitational
The Special Olympics Alamance County State Aquatics Team will attend its first meet on March 21st, at the 20th Annual Multi-State Aquatics Invitational. The meet will be held in Raleigh, hosted by Wake County Special Olympics.The Aquatics Team practices twice a week. SO programs from several states will be sending teams to the event, which includes opening ceremonies, competition, and awards.
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VIP Bowling and Putt-Putt
The Visually Impaired Program (VIP) has several events coming up this month. VIP will be bowling at Mebane Bowl on Tuesday, March 17th. On Saturday, March 28th, the group will play putt-putt in Rowan County. For event details or more information about the VIP program please contact Special Populations Coordinator Steve Glahn at 336-570-6760 or steve.glahn@alamance-nc.com.
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Winter in the Park & New Hours for Spring
Daylight Savings’ Time returns this weekend, with the clock springing forward to herald more hours of sunshine. Alamance County Parks will transition to spring hours of 8:00am to 8:00pm starting Monday, March 9.
With the winter weather we’ve had recently, it’s hard to believe spring is really just around the corner.
The parks were blanketed in white during the snow events in February, turning our “Historic Nature Wonderland” into more of a Winter Wonderland. Mounds of snow and chilly temperatures may make you think of the fireplace and hot cocoa, but winter is actually a great time to enjoy the outdoors. Snow provides a unique opportunity to observe animal tracks, such as the rabbit prints you can see in the photo below.
Winter is a great time for birding as well, with the birds easier to see and hear among the leafless trees. You can also enjoy interesting ice patterns in the creeks and streams, and take advantage of getting out on the trails without the worry of ticks and other biting insects. It’s definitely worth a walk in the snow!
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Top: A view of the dam at Cedarock during the snow on February 18th. Middle left: Rabbit tracks in the snow. You can tell from the foot shape and position. Middle Right: A Carolina Wren on the Spoon Branch Trail at Cedarock. Bottom left: Rock Creek frozen over. Bottom Right: Clyde stops for a drink in the snow at the Historical Farm.
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First Saturday Hikes
Park technician Kim Brown will lead a hike on the first Saturday of each month in April, May, and June. Each hike will begin at 9:00am and average about 2 miles. The group will meet in the parking lot of the specified location. Dates and locations for the next few months are:
April 4th- Shallow Ford Natural Area (1955 Gerringer Mill Road, Burlington, N.C. 27217)
May 2nd- Great Bend Park (350 Greenwood Drive, Burlington, N.C. 27217)
June 6th- Haw River Trail (exact location TBD)
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Wildflower Meadow & Observation Deck at Shallow Ford Natural Area
Plans are in motion for a new wildflower meadow at Shallow Ford Natural Area. The Basin Creek Trail at Shallow Ford skirts a 5 acre field formerly used as farm land. The field is being reworked into an example of a meadow-in-progress. It will include an open wildflower meadow but also preserve the edge vegetation and surrounding forest to exemplify the different stages of ecological succession from meadow to forestland. A North Carolina seed producer was contracted to produce a specialized mix of native wildflower species.
The field will be seeded stepwise, with approximately a quarter of the area to be seeded this year. Construction of an observation platform for the middle of the field is slated to begin this month. The 16’ x 24’ observation deck will sit in the center of the meadow, to be used by bird-watchers, butterfly enthusiasts, and wildflower lovers. Ultimately, the meadow will have walking paths as well. We hope to open the meadow later this spring and look forward to watching it unfold over the next few years.
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The 84th Uncle Eli's Quilting Party
The Eli Whitney Recreation Center will host Uncle Eli's Quilting Party on Thursday, April 2, from 8:30am-1:00pm. The Party, now in it's 84th year, was started in 1931 by E.P. Dixon, an educator involved with the old Eli Whitney High School. During the event, area quilters bring quilts to display and projects to work on together. There is a potluck lunch at 1:00pm.
This year, in addition to the informal display of local quilts, there is a special exhibition of antique ladies’ bonnets. There will also be a Sharing Table again this year for quilters to share resources. It will operate on the “bring one, take one” policy for quilting books, magazines, and fat quarters.
This event is open to the community. Anyone may attend and bring a quilt, project, or covered dish for the potluck, or just come and enjoy! The event is free.
Be sure to check out the Uncle Eli’s Quilting Party Facebook Page. For more information or to volunteer, call the Uncle Eli's Quilting Party community organization at 919-259-8510 or 919-595-6224.
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Summer Camp & Safe Kids Expo
The Summer Camp & Safe Kids Expo will take place at Holly Hill Mall on Saturday, March 21 (time TBD). With summer on its way, it’s time to think about plans for your kids. Join us to learn about summer activity options and have fun with vendors, door prizes, and a Kids Zone with games, crafts, and more. There will be story time and safety demonstrations throughout the event. The Expo will feature information on summer activities from all areas of the County including full summer, weekly, half day, sports, arts & tutoring, and specialty programs & children’s health.
The Safe Kids Alamance County Coalition will have information and activities related to fire safety, poison prevention, emergency preparedness, a bike rodeo, & more! The Burlington Police Department will host Operation Medicine Drop at the back entrance of the mall (near Super Fitness) where you can safely dispose of expired, unused prescription drugs and over the counter medications.
This event is free and open to the public. For more information call 336-263-9645, email recinfo@alamance-nc.com, or visit our website.
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