Tag Archive for: #hendersonvancerecreationandparks

Henderson Vance Recreation & Parks

H-V Rec and Parks Offers Beginner Yoga Class On Thursday Evenings Starting Jan. 5

Start 2024 off right with a beginner yoga class at Aycock Rec Center.

Classes will be offered on Thursday evenings from 6:15 p.m. to 7 p.m. beginning Jan. 5, 2024.

According to information from the Henderson Vance Recreation and Parks Department, instructor Beryle Lewis will focus on basic yoga techniques to inspire physical, mental and spiritual peace from within through balance, stretching and breathing.

Register online at https://hvrpd.recdesk.com/. The cost is $1 for members; $2 for non-members.

Aycock Rec Center is located at 307 Carey Chapel Rd., Henderson.

Call 252.492.9400 for more information.

Henderson Vance Recreation & Parks

The Local Skinny! Recreation And Parks Dept. Gears Up For Spring

The Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks Departments has a long list of sports programs that are gearing up for spring and beyond. Jamal Williams spoke with WIZS’s Bill Harris Thursday on The Local Skinny! to run down just a few of the opportunities for children from 4 years all the way through high school.

Basketball tryouts will be held this weekend for two age groups – youngsters in grades 3-6 are invited to come out to the former Eaton-Johnson gymnasium Friday, Feb. 17 at 6 p.m.; youth in grades 7-9 will have their tryouts on Sunday, Feb. 19 starting at 2 p.m.

There is no fee for this program – and Williams said young people simply need “to show up with a great attitude ready to learn.”

For some, especially the younger children, this may be their first taste of playing organized basketball. Williams said he hopes to be able to form several teams according to age to travel outside Vance County for tournaments or games with similar teams.

“It’s more than just rec league,” Williams said, adding that it will give the players a chance to compete and play at a higher level. “We definitely want to prepare them for the next level,” he added, including school teams.

Tutoring sessions also will be offered to those who make the team – keeping up grades is part of being on the team.

If basketball isn’t your child’s favorite, try soccer. Registration is open now for the rec department’s soccer program. Register online at XX or visit the rec center in person by Mar. 26. The in-county registration fee is $40; out-of-county registrants pay $60, but Williams said a fee waiver is available for eligible children. The soccer league is open to children between the ages of 4 and 18.

But it’s not ALL about the children, Williams said. An adult kickball league is forming for the first time this spring – “I think it’s going to be a fun time,” he said. Players must be over 18 and each team needs a minimum of 10 players. Sign up a whole group or join individually and get assigned to a team. Call the rec department for details about fees and schedules. The plan is to have five teams, Williams said.

T-ball is a sport for children ages 4-6, and it’s a good first step to get them ready for baseball and softball, Williams said.

Last year, more than 100 children signed up for t-ball alone, Williams said, and he hopes to have that many again this year. Getting older youth involved in sports is a goal as well.

It’s hard to compete with video games and other demands that children have these days, but participating in sports is so much more than physical activity and playing games.

Williams said participating in sports builds character, teaches leadership, helps young people make connections and meet new friends, just for starters.

To learn more, contact Williams at 252.438.3408 or jamalwilliams@henderson.nc.gov

Visit https://henderson.nc.gov/departments/recreation_and_parks for a complete list of programs.

CLICK PLAY!

 

Fox Pond Shelter Renamed For Local Hero Eddie Hicks In July 29 Dedication

The Eddie J. Hicks Shelter dedication ceremony will take place next Friday, July 29 at 11 a.m.

Currently known simply as Shelter #1 at Fox Pond Park, the Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks Department will officially rename the shelter in honor of one of Vance County’s most memorable athletes who also has served his native Vance County for more than 30 years.

Hicks excelled in sports and caught the eye of college scouts while playing football at Vance Senior High School. He graduated in 1975 and earned a football scholarship play at East Carolina University. Hicks still holds the ECU record for longest rushing yard play – 95 yards. He went on to play professional ball with the New York Giants.

He was inducted into the East Carolina University Athletics Hall of Fame in 2014.Hicks has worked with the recreation and parks department for many years and is a dedicated employee who takes pride in his work. He oversees the adult and youth community service programs and is an active community leader and youth advocate.

The public is invited to attend the dedication ceremony.

Contact Director Kendrick Vann at kendrickvann@henderson.nc.gov or 252.431.6093.

City of Henderson Logo

New Henderson Park Could Be Reality By Summer Of 2022

The North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources announced that Williams & Montgomery Street Park was awarded $357,497 from the NC Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF). The funds will go to the construction of a new park in Henderson.

“Thanks to the North Carolina Parks and Recreation Authority, Vance County’s local economy is going to see a positive impact with the construction of Williams & Montgomery Street Park,” said Rep. Terry E. Garrison.

Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks Director Kendrick Vann said the project is “moving forward” and said the park could be finished by the summer of 2022.

The Authority approved 14 local grants in September 2021, but this year approved funding for 41 local parks and recreation projects for more recreational opportunities across the state. The recipients are required to match funds dollar-for-dollar.

“We’re excited to see what other projects we can get off the ground in Vance and other counties in House District 32 for our future generations,” Garrison said.

The city submitted a request in 2021 to the state Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF), funded by the N.C. General Assembly, according to Vann.

Henderson did not receive a grant during the initial funding cycle in 2021,  but Vann said at their Jan. 6, 2022 meeting, the N.C. Parks and Recreation Authority announced a second round of funding, and Henderson was among several communities successfully funded.

“Once we receive the allocation contract for the PARTF grant program, we will start putting together bidding packets for the project,” Vann told WIZS News via email. Once the bidding process is complete, local officials will have a better idea about a timeline for a start date and completion.

Vann said he hopes to have this project complete by the beginning of summer 2022, “so the community can enjoy this great accomplishment.”

Some preliminary work has been done at the park site and he said he hoped to have the first phase of the National Fitness Campaign installation in the coming weeks.

“With the City Manager and City Council’s continued support we are at the stage we can see the results of our perseverance,” Vann said. The only hurdles we have now are the traditional ones –  which include potential weather delays, and supply/equipment shortages or back ordered material.

From Haircuts To Sports, P.U.L.L. Event Offers Fun For Community

The sixth annual P.U.L.L. event is set to kick off on Wednesday, with a full schedule of activities and events for the whole family through the weekend. P.U.L.L. stands for Peace – Unity – Love – Live, according to information from Shantel Hargrove with the Henderson-Vance Recreation & Parks Department.

The HVRPD is teaming up with area businesses and others to offer a host of activities, including free simple haircuts for school-age children on Wednesday to a basketball tournament at Aycock Recreation Center on Friday evening.

Kutz 4 Kids will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday at Eastside Barbershop, 81 Vicksboro Rd. and from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Geter Barber College, 931 W. Andrews Ave.

On Thursday, there will be a softball game at Aycock Recreation ball field, beginning at 6 p.m. Contact Mike Bullock at 336.253.8389 to learn more. Cost is $2 per player.

The sport changes to basketball on Friday evening for a Battle of the Brands tournament. Adults’ (18 and older) tickets are $7 each; children ages 6-17 are $3. Children 5 and under get in free.

Saturday there will be a street festival and community cookout at Chestnut Street Park from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. There will be a school supply giveaway, vendors and more, including a COVID-19 vaccination station.

Two additional free haircut events will be held on Sunday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Ice Cold Cutzz, 238 Raleigh Road, and Heavenly Reign, 507 Dabney Drive.

Community sponsors include Eastside Barbershop, Ice Cold Cutzz, Gang Free, Davis Chapel Baptist Church, Risen Faith Outreach Ministry, Boys & Girls Club of NCNC, Rowland Chapel Christian Church, United Faith Way of the Cross Church, Heavenly Reign, Geter Barber College, Granville-Vance Public Health, The Manhood Project, the Presbyterian Church, Working on Wellness and more.

Visit https://ci.henderson.nc.us/departments/recreation_and_parks to find a complete schedule of activities.

City of Henderson Logo

Construction Of New Park Set To Begin Where Vance Hotel Once Stood

Plans for construction of a park near downtown Henderson have been in the works for a couple of years, but Henderson City Manager Terrell Blackmon said this week that materials have been delivered and a ground-breaking ceremony will be held “in the near future.”

Among the features are a skate park and bike park, a splash pad and outdoor exercise and fitness stations, as well as a picnic shelter and walking trail. Blackmon said the park will be constructed in phases, unless some state grant funding comes through.

“We are a finalist for a state PARTF grant,” Blackmon told WIZS News. If the matching grant is awarded, the project could be completed in its entirety, he noted. PARTF stands for Parks and Recreation Trust Fund.

“Materials for the Williams/Montgomery park were delivered last week. Preparation should begin within the next couple of weeks with grading of the property,” Blackmon said.

A representative from the state recreation commission made a pre-award site visit recently in advance of its August meeting. “Staff is hopeful the city will receive a grant that will allow for the development of the entire park rather than having to phase the park,” Blackmon said.

The proposed site of the park is at the corner of Williams Street and Montgomery Street, where the former Vance Hotel stood. The hotel burned in the 1980’s and the property has remained empty since then.

‘Worship Without Walls’ at MLK, Jr. Day Community Event

-Information and flyer courtesy Tara Goolsby, Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks Facilities Supervisor, Aycock Recreation Center

Worship Without Walls – Come out and enjoy Adopt-A-Park activities sponsored by Davis Chapel Missionary Baptist Church!  The worship service will be held at Chestnut St. Park located at 745 N. Chestnut Street on Sunday, January 20, 2019, at 11 a.m.

For more information, please contact Charles Turrentine, Jr. at (252) 204-9334 or cturrentinejr@gmail.com.

Henderson Vance Recreation & Parks

Upcoming Events for Toddlers Through Seniors at Aycock Rec. Center

-Information courtesy Tara Goolsby, Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks Facilities Supervisor, Aycock Recreation Center

Hip Hop Water Aerobics: is a fast-paced cardio workout in the water with low impact on your joints. The classes will be held on Mondays beginning February 4, 2019. The only requirement is that you must be able to touch the bottom of the 4 ft end of the pool. For more information, please contact Lauren Newlin at lnewlin@ci.henderson.nc.us  or (252) 438-3160.

Wahoo Swim Club: Attention Youth ages 5-17 years old! Do you love to swim? Well, Aycock Recreation Center has a new program that is perfect for you – Wahoo Swim Club. The goal of the Swim Club is to build good swimming foundations through good sportsmanship, and most importantly, teamwork. Please contact Lauren Newlin at 252.438.3160 or lnewlin@ci.henderson.nc.us  for more information.

Tot Time: Tot Time is for toddlers ages 1-5 to enjoy equipment and toys that are age appropriate and designed to let them explore and learn new skills. This is unstructured open gym time and children must be supervised at all times. For more information, please contact Lauren Newlin at lnewlin@ci.henderson.nc.us or 252.438.3160

Senior Prep Games: Senior Prep Games is designed for participants ages 50 or better who are planning to participate in the 2019 Senior Games. Participants will have the opportunity to practice or learn about the sports that are offered during Senior Games.  Please contact Crystal Allen at callen@ci.henderson.nc.us or 252.431.6091 for more information.

Henderson Vance Recreation & Parks

Space Limited in Aycock Rec. Center’s Free Arthritis Fitness Program

-Information courtesy Tara Goolsby, Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks Facilities Supervisor, Aycock Recreation Center

The Aycock Recreation Center will be the site of an exercise program geared to those suffering from arthritis pain and stiffness. Courtesy of the Arthritis Foundation, this free 8-week program will be held on Mondays and Tuesdays from 2 – 3 p.m. beginning October 1 and ending December 3, 2018. Classes will not be held on October 18, November 12 or November 22, 2018.

This program is low-impact and joint-safe and has been proven to decrease pain and stiffness while increasing flexibility and range of motion; suitable for every fitness level.

Space in the class is on a first come, first served basis with a limit of 15 people.

For more information, please contact Crystal Allen at (252) 431-8091 or callen@ci.henderson.nc.us

(This is not a paid advertisement)

Henderson Vance Recreation & Parks

Aycock Rec. Center Offering FREE Baseball/Softball Clinics for Ages 7-14

-Information courtesy Tara Goolsby, Henderson-Vance Recreation and Parks Facilities Supervisor, Aycock Recreation Center

The Aycock Recreation Center will offer baseball and softball clinics for ages 7-14 on Tuesdays and Thursdays August 28 – October 4, 2018, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. The clinics are free of charge and will be held outside at the George Watkins Ballfields.

Led by 2018 Henderson-Vance Recreation & Parks Regular Season Coaches Corei Somerville, Corey Williams and Mike Jones, these clinics are designed to provide a positive outlet where youth and teens will learn the necessary skills of baseball or softball that will propel their game to the next level. This structured environment allows the registered participants to focus on the game of baseball/softball. In addition, they will gain a better understanding of game strategies and game situations.

Pre-register at the Aycock Rec. Center, 307 Carey Chapel Road, Henderson.

For additional information, please contact either:

Steve Osborne – sosborne@ci.henderson.nc.us or (252) 438-2670

Victor Hunt – vhunt@ci.henderson.nc.us or (252) 438-3408