Parks& Neighborhoods Bridging the Gap between Parks and Neighborhoods The Official Newsletter of the City of Memphis Division of Parks & Neighborhoods Summer Edition 2014
Training Camp for Dads Ceremony
Features: Summer Camp, Summer Swim Program, Zodiac Park Opening and more!
Stag beetle photo: courtesy of Maria Fremlin, June 2003 Praying mantis photo: courtesy of Tim and Sharron Baker
HI BI T N AT I O N A L
P!NK PALACE MUSEUM
G E O G R A P H I C P R E S E N T S
3D VIE O M
EX
AT THE P!NK PALACE
OPENS JUNE 28, 2014
message from the director Summer is here! During this season, I often reflect on my youth and the excitement felt when school was out. I can still hear the sound of the ice cream truck patrolling the neighborhood as I anxiously ran to the sidewalk to buy Orangesicles, Nutty Buddy’s or Ice Cream Sandwiches. I can still smell the aroma of barbecue grilling as we picnicked in the park, played on the gym set, recited Anna Banana while jumping rope, or were swinging sooo high, we could touch the sky. Oh, to be a kid again! Recently the Division of Parks and Neighborhoods was designated as a Playful City USA. This designation “honors cities and towns that champion efforts to make play a priority through policy initiatives, infrastructural investments and innovative programming. The program strives to recognize communities that demonstrate commitment to ensuring all children get the balance of active play they need to thrive.” Playability, however, is not limited to our youth. For those of us who remain young at heart, the City of Memphis, through the Division of Parks and Neighborhoods, offers a wealth of opportunities embracing the needs of all of our citizens. Ride along 53 miles of bike lanes or take a stroll on any one of the City’s 59 walking trails. Walk, run, or cycle Tom Lee Park or our Wolf River Greenway. Additionally, you can swim all year long at 13 outdoor pools and 3 indoor pools. Individuals with special needs can benefit from community based recreational opportunities in a safe, attractive and well maintained facility. Line, tap or square dance like no one is watching throughout 24 community centers. Play ball – baseball, volleyball, basketball or soccer, we offer it all. If chasing that “hole in one” is your idea of exercise, we offer that as well at 8 golf courses throughout the city. The Division of Parks and Neighborhoods celebrates our status as a 2014 Playful USA designee! We are excited at the opportunities we provide our citizens and urge them to be a part of the playability movement. We encourage you to visit our website to find a list of all the city parks and facilities at http://www.cityofmemphis.org/government/parksneighborhoods.aspx . As always, I invite your feedback, your thoughts and concerns. Please contact us at parksinfo@memphistn.gov. Yours in service,
Division of Parks and Neighborhoods Director Janet P. Hooks
Janet P. Hooks
Deputy Directors Dr. LaSonya Hall Joseph Lee Larry Smith Produced by the OFFICE OF PUBLIC RELATIONS Erica P. Dallas EDITOR IN CHIEF-CREATIVE DIRECTOR Contributors Marcey Wright Timothy Harris PHOTO CREDITS Toni Holmon-Turner Erica P. Dallas
JOIN THEMEMPARKS
PLAYABILITY MOVEMENT WHAT IS PLAY?
To be a ‘Playful City’ means to be a movement of people taking bold steps to make sure all children and adults have access to recreational activities that can improve and prolong their health. When we all play together, we thrive together and a wonderful transformation occurs throughout our lives. Although technological advancements are welcomed additions to our society, the organic routines of walking, running, sports, and playing in the park have been sorely neglected. Play is indeed essential to the cognitive development of children. The playability movement has the potential to bring so many wonderful initiatives to kids, families, and communities in the City of Memphis. We are striving to make a positive difference in the health, lifestyle and well-being of those citizens that may have settled into more sedentary routines. On June 12, 2014, Parks and Neighborhoods Director Janet P. Hooks was a featured guest on the Citizen Service Show to share the various programs and services provided by the division as a whole. Citizens tuned to WYPL Channel 18 learned how they could participate in our playability challenge. In the hour long segment, Director Hooks discussed what the playful city designation means to the City of Memphis and how citizens of all ages can get involved to boost their overall health and well-being. Each segment showcased citizens who participate in our varied programs. Director Hooks highlighted many of the opportunities available to citizens that contribute to an enhanced quality of life such as skateboarding, golfing, biking, swimming, dancing, and tennis.
make time for play with memparks • • • • • • • • • • • •
Parks with a total of 3,219 acres Playgrounds Summer Day Camps with 2,000 campers a year Local Community Centers and 5 Senior Centers Aquatic Facilities (13 outdoor and 4 indoor) Golf Courses Athletic Fields with 510 Youth Teams and 269 Adult Teams Basketball Courts (101 Outdoor and 29 Indoor) Tennis Centers The award-winning Skinner Development Center for people with special needs The Memphis Zoo and Brooks Museum of Art The Memphis Botanic Garden and Pink Palace Family of Museums
On May 13, 2014, we were honored to be designated as a Playful City USA by Kaboom!
Memphis Celebrate Men and Fatherhood at the 2014 Training Camp for Dads Conference
The 4th Annual Training Camp for Dads conference, sponsored by the Office of Mayor A C Wharton, Jr. and the Office of Community Affairs, has proven itself to be a much anticipated fixture of Father’s Day in Memphis. This very special event occurred on June 14, 2014 at the Fogelman Executive Center and the Holiday Inn, both located on the University of Memphis campus. The conference is a “sports-themed” event geared towards providing practical information and viable tools to fathers as they endeavor to be the great men their families and our community so desperately need. Mayor Wharton stated that, “The Memphis Training Camp for Dads event is a chance to not only celebrate fatherhood and fathers, but to also provide opportunities for growth and development for men.” Hundreds of men attended the various sessions offered learning how to deal with being a brand new dad, how to re-enter a child’s life after incarceration, how to best navigate the child support system and much more! Additionally, there was a special session on effective communication and appreciation for your daughter. This year’s Training Camp for Dads opened with inspirational words from Mayor A C Wharton, Jr. The day ended with power-packed food for thought from keynote speaker and former NBA player Etan Thomas. Mr. Thomas, who is also an author and official spokesperson for President Obama’s Fatherhood Initiative, stated that, “Training Camp for Dads is a great place to learn how to be a great Dad. It’s also a place to share ideas and get pumped up about fatherhood!” Training Camp for Dads culminated with the high-energy “Hall of Fame” awards luncheon. Several dads, mentors, and father figures were spotlighted who have exemplified sincere commitment and heartfelt sacrifice as it relates to fatherhood. Joint emcees Michael Adrian Davis of Hallelujah-FM 95.7 and Andrew Douglas of WMC-TV5 gave the following awards to the deserving honorees:
AWARDS “Defensive Guard” Award……. “Man in Motion” Award…….. “MVP” Award……. “Second Half Comeback” Award…… “Franchise Player” Award……….
RECIPIENT Master Chief Ken Meadows Pastor Mike Arnold, Jr. Dr. Stacy L. Spencer Zacchaeus Moore Antwaun Collins & James Kincaide
There are many obstacles and challenges faced by our men and fathers, which can be disheartening. However, the uplifting spirit of the conference inspired, educated, enlightened and informed men strengthening their resolve to be great men and fathers.
RIBBON CUTTING AT ZODIAC PARK
Dozens of area residents took a walk on the wild side May 10th to experience Zodiac Park, a green space located off Zodiac and Holmes Rd. in Memphis, TN. The event marked a celebration of the completion of renovations with an official ribbon cutting. Located at 5226 Zodiac Rd. 38118, Zodiac Park — formerly known as Tchulahoma Park – recently was transformed into a welcoming space citizens can enjoy as they connect with nature. The project included the creation of a ½ mile walking trail, a pavilion, and a playground. The park’s overall appearance was significantly improved, with a new entrance area leading to a spacious parking lot, ornamental fencing, decorative posts, drinking fountains, benches, trash receptacles, and an attractive field for playing sports and games. Among those in attendance was Mayor Wharton, Councilman Harold Collins, Parks and Neighborhoods Director Janet Hooks, and other noted leaders in the Memphis community. After brief remarks were given, those in attendance were given a glimpse of family-friendly activities they could engage in at the park. Park areas such as Zodiac are necessary in communities everywhere because they are wonderful spaces where people can clear their mind, enjoy fresh air, take pets for a walk, participate in recreational activities, and bond with others.
Library Gives Summer Reading a Facelift – Now EXPLORE MEMPHIS! By: Marcey Wright Memphis Public Libraries have given their 30-year-old Summer Reading Program a facelift! The new and improved EXPLORE MEMPHIS is planned for June 2 - July 25, 2014 at each Memphis Public Library location. An expanded version of the traditional program, EXPLORE MEMPHIS will offer Library customers of all ages a chance to explore their interests, while exploring the Bluff City with free trips to several local attractions! “We want customers to know that Memphis is more than any one community. We want them to learn new skills and to broaden their horizons personally and professionally,” emphasized Jason Sharp, an EXPLORE MEMPHIS organizer and youth services senior librarian at Whitehaven Library. “EXPLORE MEMPHIS is a way for kids, teens, adults, and even book clubs to find what they love and to explore that!” Customers can choose from a few areas of “exploration,” centered on this year’s theme – Fizz, Boom, READ! – and the acronym STEAM, which stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics. Customers are encouraged to pick a STEAM category that interests them and read books, magazines, articles, or other material to learn more about it. Then, let the exploration begin! With a Library-issued “passport” in hand, customers can continue learning by visiting places like the Memphis Zoo, Pink Palace Museum, Dixon Art Gallery, Brooks Museum, Stax Museum, the Belz Museum of Asian & Judaic Art, Lichterman Nature Center, Theatre Memphis, and the Magevney House on designated dates and times to gain free admission! At each destination, teen and adult customers will receive a claim code that they can enter into the EXPLORE MEMPHIS website to receive a digital badge! (Children ages 12 and under will receive sticker badges for participating.) Customers are also invited to EXPLORE MEMPHIS by attending exciting STEAM programs throughout the Memphis Public Library System! Families can compete to earn a badge in each STEAM category for reading, exploring, participating, and sharing their new skills! Each badge earns them points on the EXPLORE MEMPHIS website leaderboard, and at the summer’s end, customers will showcase what they’ve learned. “We want to comply with and support Shelby County Schools’ Common Core Curriculum. Plus, parents can model for their children the importance of reading, as families EXPLORE MEMPHIS together,” noted Adult Services Coordinator Wang-Ying Glasgow. “By reading and participating, we plan to make programs fun enough to educate and entertain at the same time,” Sharp added. Customers who want to beat the summer heat indoors can still participate in EXPLORE MEMPHIS by reading books and winning prizes! As under the traditional Summer Reading Program, customers can still enjoy the perks of Summer Reading at the Library, including the popular Baby Bingo and winning weekly prizes like free books and gift cards. The grand prize at the summer’s end will be a Kindle Fire! Plus, The Urban Child Institute (EXPLORE MEMPHIS event sponsor) will give a free activity book to each child ages three to five – just for participating. To get started with EXPLORE MEMPHIS, kids ages 12 and under can visit any Memphis Public Library location. Teen and adult customers can visit the EXPLORE MEMPHIS website or any Library location. “We want customers to EXPLORE MEMPHIS this summer but to start at your local Library!” Sharp concluded. This event is a collaboration between the Memphis Public Library & Information Center, the City of Memphis, The Urban Child Institute, the Memphis Library Foundation, and Friends of the Library. Event partners include the Memphis Zoo, Pink Palace Museum, Dixon Art Gallery, Brooks Museum, Stax Museum, the Belz Museum of Asian & Judaic Art, Lichterman Nature Center, Theatre Memphis, the Magevney House, and others. For more information about EXPLORE MEMPHIS, call (901) 415-2700 or visit www.explorememphis.org.
ON YOUR MARK.....GET SET.....RUN!
Summer Day Camp Track & Field Meet
Halle Stadium was filled with the animated sounds of children everywhere on June 26, as all 24 of the City of Memphis community center day camps participated in the Track and Field Meet. The unexpected cool temperatures made the day perfect for this track and field event. The track and field challenges accommodated four age division: 7-8 boys/girls, 9-10 boys/girls, 11-12 boys/girls, and 13-15 boys/girls. Kids enjoyed showcasing amazing athletic talents in running relay races. Team spirit was alive and well as campers cheered for one another throughout the meet. The kids were thrilled when Mayor Wharton made an appearance to share comments with the youth on how important it is to be physically active and health conscious. Kudos to the Parks and Neighborhoods staff, particularly those who made the event a success: Deputy Director Joseph Lee, Recreation Services Detric Stigall, Eumecca Long, Jackie Trenthem, Lonnie Lewis, Christine Strickland, and Tamar Terry.
Camp Participants Make a Splash at Bickford Community Center with the
World’s Largest Swim Lesson
On Friday, June 20 people in aquatic centers, pools, and waterparks all around the globe made swimming a priority for the 5th Guinness World Record attempt. Over 30,000 participants in 18 countries build awareness about the vital importance of teaching children to swim to help prevent drowning. The message that was sent through viral networks was clear: Swimming Lessons Save Lives. This annual event serves a very important purpose - to provide awareness on water safety. Drowning is the second leading cause of unintended injury-related death for kids between the ages of 1 and 14. Bickford Community Center campers joined in this awesome feat by spending an hour learning the fundamentals of pool safety and swim. The squeals and giggles from excited youth could be heard around the aquatic center as they paddled, floated, and splashed their way through the swim lesson. Through lessons such as these, kids can build their confidence in their ability to be skilled swimmers. The more that they know about such things as not drinking pool water, shallow versus deep end, supervision, etc., the more they can take care to respect one another in the pool environment. This annual challenge is a wonderful global effort to spread the word about ways in which drowning can be prevented. For more information, please visit: http://www.worldslargestswimminglesson.org/
City of Memphis pool season ends July 26, 2014. Admission is free. http://cityofmemphis.org/Government/ParksNeighborhoods/ AquaticCenters.aspx Call 901-547-8018 for locations and to learn about SWIMMING LESSONS WATER AEROBICS POOL RENTALS POOL PARTY ROOM RENTALS
Memphis Summer Feed Program “Hunger doesn’t take a vacation.” Those words encapsulate the full purpose behind the Summer Feed Program. Summer time conjures up visuals of playing in the park, visiting a beach, creating memories with friends and other exciting pastimes. For many children, hunger is an issue at the forefront of their daily lives. While they may have received free or reduced lunches during the school year, a large percentage of children find themselves without a proper meal during the two month summer break. The City of Memphis sought to address this need by creating FUN (Fitness, Utility, and Nutrition) as part of the USDA Summer Food Program and funded by Cigna. The program, which began June 9 and ends August 1 is available at twenty park sites throughout the city of Memphis and provides free healthy meals to youth 18 and under. Mayor A C Wharton came out to the Shelby County Schools kickoff event and gave a compelling speech thanking all involved in the collaboration for their devotion to the community and saying, “It’s much more than a meal. We are feeding the body and spirit.” The kickoff also included recognition to the schools that had the best neighborhood clean-up work ethic. Those being recognized included American Way Middle School, Keystone Elementary, Lowrance Elementary, Lincoln Elementary, and Caldwell Elementary. After the ceremony, attendees were served a delicious lunch as a sample of what the kids could look forward to enjoying throughout the summer. Those in attendance were encouraged to spread the word to as many parents as possible to make them aware of this amazing program. There are enough resources to reach over 20,000 children and ensure they have a proper meal to eat every day. Special thanks to the Memphis Leadership Foundation for overseeing the preparation of the food. For more information, visit www.cityofmemphis.org.
KICKOFF AT HICKORY HILL COMMUNITY CENTER
On June 5, Mayor A C Wharton, Jr. and the Division of Parks and Neighborhoods held an outstanding kickoff event at the Hickory Hill Community Center to celebrate the beginning of their summer programs for kids and teens. 12-year old entrepreneur Moziah Bridges (owner of Mo’s Bows) presented the Glenview Summer Camp with a check for $1,600!
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON OUR SENIORS!