Leisure Pursuits - Hickory Parks, Recreation, and Sport Tourism

MISSION STATEMENT To provide the highest quality in leisure services, parks, and recreational facilities while encouraging and enhancing healthy lifestyles for all citizens of Hickory.

COMMISSION STATEMENT The Commission advises the City of Hickory in the operation of recreation facilities and activities for all age groups and strives to enhance the quality of life at a cost that is most economical for the City of Hickory.

The Commission provides input on a wide range of community recreation needs, including programming, facilities, and maintenance. The Commission meets at noon on the second Tuesday of each month at Highland Recreation Center. If you have any comments or concerns about recreation programs, facilities, or parks in your ward, please contact a Commission member.

COMMISSION MEMBERS Joyce Beard

jlbtnb@charter.net

Ryan Carroll

ryan@fullmetalchicken.com

Lloyd Coley Jr.

coley.lloyd@yahoo.com

David Crosby

fabricsmore@yahoo.com

Kenneth Geathers Jr.

geathersk78@gmail.com

Junior Hedrick

jrhedrick12@charter.net

Jim Rogers

jamesarogers@juno.com

Ken Sigler

ksigler@premierplanning.net

Steve Snyder

stevedsnyder1213@gmail.com

C O N T E N T S

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MISSION STATEMENT & COMMISSION STATEMENT SIGNATURE ANNUAL EVENTS & PARTNERSHIP PROGRAMS PARKS & RECREATION CENTERS

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SPORTS FITNESS FITNESS OFFERS

SIGNATURE EVENTS CREATIVE XPRESSIONS SHOWCASE: Saturday, February 22 | 5 p.m. | Ridgeview Recreation Center | Join Ridgeview Recreation Center in celebration of Black History Month through the 7th Annual Creative Xpressions Showcase. Come enjoy poetry and spoken word, singing, dance, comedy, and more. There will be free giveaways and prizes. Dinner will be served.

Free and open to the public. For more information, please contact Senior Recreation Programmer Andrea Nixon at (828) 324-8007 or via email at anixon@hickorync.gov.

SPRING BARK FESTIVAL: Saturday, May 2 | 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. | Fairbrook Optimist Dog Park | When spring is in the air, it’s festival fun time at Fairbrook Optimist Dog Park (1460 4th Ave. SE, Hickory). This is a familyfriendly, dog-friendly event. Enjoy a day of musical entertainment, dog demonstrations, fun owner-pet contests with great prizes, food trucks, a variety of vendors, raffles, a beer and wine garden, and opportunities to adopt a new furry family member. Make a day of it and support the Humane Society of Catawba County. For more information, contact Recreation Programmer Lance Riddile at (828) 324-8007.

UNIFOUR SENIOR GAMES: Highland Recreation Center | The Unifour Senior Games encompasses both the arts and athletics for adults 50 years and better.

With over 60 different athletic events, the Games offer something for everyone. The Games’ 36th year will begin on Monday, March 30, with the Opening Ceremony and last through Thursday, May 14, ending with the infamous Senior Dance.

Registration begins Monday, January 20, and all forms must be received and/ or postmarked by Monday, February 24.

Registration forms can be picked up or dropped off at any recreation center or by calling Von Curry at (828) 324-1200.

SENIOR TRIP TO BOSTON: August 5 - 11 | Join local seniors for an exciting escorted tour to Boston and other New England destinations. Highlights of the trip include a guided tour of Boston, the JFK Library and Museum, “America’s Oldest Seaport” Gloucester, Faneuil Hall Marketplace, and the Museum of African American History. Cost is $678 per person based on double occupancy. Contact Von Curry at (828) 324-1200 for more details and reservations.

PARTNERSHIP PROGRAMS YMCA SWIM LESSONS:

COMMUNITY MUSIC LESSONS:

Through a partnership with the Hickory Parks, Recreation & Sports Tourism Department, the Hickory Foundation YMCA offers free swim lessons to City of Hickory residents.

City of Hickory residents must complete a Residency Verification Form, and provide a copy of their Birth Certificate, if under the age of 18. Residency Verification Forms are available at the Parks, Recreation & Sports Tourism Administrative Offices, Highland Recreation Center, and Ridgeview Recreation Center. Check www.hickorync.gov for more information and upcoming session dates.

Saturday, March 7 | 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. | Hickory Music Factory | Half-hour lessons. Ages 5 and up. No experience necessary. Preregistration required by the Wednesday prior to lessons. Free for all City of Hickory residents; $5 for all non-City of Hickory residents.

DOG OBEDIENCE CLASSES: Thursdays | 7:15 p.m. - 8:15 p.m. | Neill Clark Main Building | Catawba Valley Obedience Club PAGE | 3

H I C K O R Y

LOCATIONS BROWN PENN RECREATION CENTER | 735 3rd Street SW

PARK HOURS:

CIVITAN PARK | 460 17th Avenue NE | 7.5 Acres

Parks open at 7 a.m., 365 days a year. Closing hours vary by season.

CLIFF TEAGUE PARK | 1125 C Avenue SE | 8.1 Acres FAIRBROOK OPTIMIST DOG PARK | 1560 4th Avenue SE | 6.7 Acres GLENN C. HILTON, JR. MEMORIAL PARK | 2000 6th Street NW | 70.5 Acres

JAN - FEB

6:00 PM

HENRY FORK RIVER REGIONAL RECREATION PARK | 5655 Sweet Bay Lane | 66 Acres

MARCH

7:00 PM

HICKORY CITY PARK | 1581 12th Street Drive NW | 15 Acres

APRIL

8:00 PM

MAY - AUG

9:00 PM

IVEY ARBORETUM AT SALLY M. FOX PARK | 125 3rd Street NE | 4.6 Acres

SEP

8:00 PM

JAYCEE PARK | 1250 15th Avenue NW | 3.5 Acres

OCT

7:00 PM

KIWANIS PARK | 805 6th Street SE | 16 Acres

NOV - DEC

6:00 PM

LOWES FOODS CITY PARK | Corner of Main Avenue NW & 3rd Street NW | 0.42 Acres

Parks maintenance staff will make every attempt to notify patrons the parks are closing.

In the event park users are locked in the park, they should call the Hickory Police Department at (828) 328-5551.

HICKORY OPTIMIST PARK | 751 2nd Avenue SW | 6 Acres HIGHLAND RECREATION CENTER | 1451 8th Street Drive NE

MCCOMB PARK/BEAVER MEMORIAL GARDEN | 421 5th Avenue Place NE | 2.5 Acres NEILL W. CLARK, JR. RECREATION PARK | 3404 6th Street Drive NW | 22.7 Acres MIRACLE OF HICKORY PARK | 1515 12th Street Drive NW | 2.5 Acres RIDGEVIEW RECREATION CENTER | 115 7th Avenue SW ROBINSON PARK | 200 Block of 1st Avenue SE | 1.5 Acres ROTARY-GEITNER PARK | 2035 12th Street Drive NW | 96 Acres

PARKS, RECREATION & SPORTS TOURISM DEPARTMENT: (828) 322-7046

SHUFORD GARDENS | 534 3rd Avenue NW | 0.9 Acres SOUTHSIDE HEIGHTS PARK | 1400 2nd Street SW | 12.7 Acres STANFORD PARK | 1451 8th Street Drive NE | 37 Acres TAFT BROOME PARK | 115 7th Avenue SW | 9.6 Acres VIEWMONT PARK | Corner of 2nd Street NW & 16th Avenue NW | 0.3 Acres WEST HICKORY PARK | 830 16th Street SW | 5.6 Acres

* Please respect the Tobacco Free policy at all parks.

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WESTMONT RECREATION CENTER | 1316 Main Avenue Drive NW | 3 Acres WINKLER PARK | 2500 Clement Boulevard NW | 50 Acres

S P O RTS YOUTH SPORTS Girls Volleyball: Registration January.

Skills Assessments February. Season begins in March.

Pee Wee......................9-11 year olds Midget.......................12-15 year olds Age determined as of April 1st.

Baseball: Registration January. Skills Assessments March. Season begins in April for most leagues.

T-Ball..............................4-5 year olds Mighty Mites.................6-8 year olds Midget.........................9-10 year olds Little...........................11-12 year olds Junior.........................13-15 year olds Age determined as of May 1st.

Lacrosse: Registration January.

Parents/Participants Meeting February. Season begins in March.

Boys and girls ages 5-14 years old.

Age determined as of August 31st of the previous year.

Softball (Girls): Registration January.

Season begins in April.

8U..................................6-8 year olds 10U..............................9-10 year olds 12U............................11-12 year olds Age determined as of January 1st.

SPRING/SUMMER PROGRAMS

Register online or call the Administrative Offices at (828) 322-7046.

TENNIS LESSONS: Y O U T H

& A D U LT

Hickory Parks, Recreation & Sports Tourism Department is offering tennis lessons for youth ages 5-18 at Hickory City Park, located at 1581 12th Street Drive NW. A card for eight clinics is $48.00 for City of Hickory residents and $53.00 for non-residents. All new players will receive two complimentary lessons. Lessons are scheduled Monday through Friday from 3:30 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. Choose your days of instruction. Tennis balls and rackets are provided.

Kathy Kim is the lead instructor for the lessons along with other volunteers. For more information and to register, contact Kathy at (828) 322-4643.

GYMNASTICS TOURNAMENTS MARCH 6-8 NC Mens State Championship Hosted by Foothills Gymnastics at Highland Recreation Center MARCH 13-15 Trampoline & Tumbling Hosted by USA Gymnastics at Highland Recreation Center

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FITNESS HIGHLAND RECREATION CENTER Offers a wide variety of equipment for your fitness needs. Cardiovascular, free weight, and weight machines to suit all walks of life.

Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday Saturday Sunday

5:30 a.m. - 9 p.m.

9 a.m. - 6 p.m.

1 p.m. - 6 p.m.

RIDGEVIEW RECREATION CENTER Free personal training available for mature adults ages 50 and better. Please contact Andrea Nixon, Certified Personal Trainer, at (828) 324-8007 or anixon@hickorync.gov to set up an appointment.

RESIDENT/NON-RESIDENT

Youth 13-17 Monthly Youth 13-17 Yearly Adult 18-49 Monthly Adult 18-49 Yearly Senior 50+ Monthly Senior 50+ Yearly

Family Rates (up to four persons):

$12.75/$25.50 $103.00/$204.00 $17.75/$36.00 $140.00/$277.00 $12.75/$25.50 $102.50/$204.00

Monthly Yearly

$38.00/$71.00 $345.00/$688.00

Each additional child: Monthly Yearly

Hours of Operation: Monday, Wednesday, Friday Tuesday, Thursday Saturday

HIGHLAND FITNESS CENTER USER FEES

1 p.m. - 9 p.m.

10 a.m. - 9 p.m.

10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

$1.00 $5.00

*Daily rates can be viewed online.

- SilverSneakers accepted.

- Family is defined as a husband and wife, living in the same household, with tax dependent children under the age of 21.

WESTMONT SENIOR CENTER Treadmills, exercise bikes, and multi-station gym are available.

Group Exercise Classes:

Hours of Operation: Monday, Wednesday, Friday

9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

*Other times by appointment.

Classes ranging from cycle, yoga, senior citizens, upper and lower body specific, and cardiovascular endurance.

Class fees: $1.00/$2.00 15 classes for City of Hickory residents are $10.00 and $20.00 for non-residents. Class times vary each day.

BROWN PENN RECREATION CENTER Brown Penn Recreation Center offers youth programming for ages 8 to 15 and features a basketball court and game room.

Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday Saturday

Free Fitness Center Membership provided by qualifying health insurance plans. Offered at Highland Recreation Center Fitness Center. To see if you qualify, visit www.silversneakers.com.

3 p.m. - 9 p.m.

10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

For contact information and operating hours for recreation centers, go to www.hickorync.gov.

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*SilverSneakers:

For more information on group exercise classes, go to www.hickorync.gov.

KICKING OFF THE NEW YEAR It’s that time of year again! The New Year brings new opportunities to work towards your fitness goals, and City of Hickory staff are here to help. The Parks, Recreation & Sports Tourism Department offers several facilities that cater to all fitness levels and fitness needs for ages 13 and up. A variety of group exercise classes are provided, including, but not limited to: cycle, yoga, senior citizens, upper and lower body specific, and cardio endurance. City of Hickory fitness centers have state-of-the-art fitness equipment. Certified Personal Trainers are on-site at both Highland and Ridgeview Recreation Centers to get you started with a workout plan and ensure you know how to use the equipment. SilverSneakers (Tivity Health) is also accepted at Highland Recreation Center. Make this the year to get fit! Please check out www.hickorync.gov for more information on hours of operation at each location, pricing, and individual contact information.

ONE FREE TRAINING SESSION & EXERCISE PLAN

ONE FREE MONTH MEMBERSHIP Present this ad for one free month in the fitness center.

Present this ad for one free personal training session and custom exercise plan.

Good for new members only.

Good for members only.

Expires 3/31/20.

Expires 3/31/20.

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PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID PERMIT # 1340 HICKORY NC

Parks, Recreation & Sports Tourism 1451 8th Street Drive NE Hickory, NC 28601 Phone: (828) 322-7046 Fax: (828) 323-1042 www.hickorync.gov

CHRISTMAS PARADE & TREE LIGHTING RECAP: THE LARGEST PARADE EVER WITH 104 ENTRIES!