Open House slated for Wescott Park, Sept 25 6-9pm

The City of North Charleston is hosting an Open House for Wescott Park on Wednesday, September 25, 2013 from 6:00pm to 9:00pm for all area residents to visit and tour the new, state of the art athletic complex and community facility.

Wescott Park is the Lowcountry’s premier baseball and softball facility, featuring a Ripken Training Facility, meticulously designed and built for the best experience for players and spectators.

The City's goal was to create a park capable of holding high level baseball tournaments, while still providing a park setting for the community as a whole. The result is a split park with two distinct areas (sports fields and park) connected by a series of educational nature trails that highlight the wetlands, native trees, and wildlife.

Each of the three ball fields at Wescott Park are designed to scale of Boston Red Sox’s Fenway Park, Atlanta Braves’ Turner Field, and San Francisco Giants’ AT&T Park. Each field is equipped for baseball and softball for athletes 12 years old and under.

A Ripken Training Circle, patented by Cal and Bill Ripken, is incorporated into the facility for instruction and practice of our rising ball players. The design of the Circle allows for bases and home plates to be substituted for teaching of fundamentals and drills, maximizing the efficiency of instruction. To complete the park as a Ripken Training Facility, batting cages and pitching mounds are incorporated.

Apart from being a sports complex, Wescott Park features passive areas for visitors to enjoy, including an amphitheater for outdoor performances, greenspaces and multi-purpose fields, walking trails through the park’s wetlands, a dog park, and a number of enclosed and open air shelters for a variety of community and family events.

View aerials of Wescott Park

New playground coming to Chicora neighborhood

Select Health of South Carolina and AmeriHealth Caritas Partnership (ACP) announced plans to build a playground adjacent to the Chicora Place Community Garden, located at 3107 North Carolina Avenue in North Charleston. The playground, part of ACP’s “Safe Playground” program, will be built in a single day Friday, Nov. 22. ACP has built 20 playgrounds since 2007, benefiting more than 6,000 children. Select Health offers the First Choice Medicaid health plan and is part of AmeriHealth Caritas Family of Companies. AmeriHealth Caritas is a majority-owned subsidiary of Independence Blue Cross; Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan holds a minority interest.

“A playground is an investment in the health of a community and the families who live there,” said Cindy Helling, executive director of Select Health, which is headquartered in North Charleston. “The Chicora-Cherokee neighborhood needs a safe playground, and this location is ideal in many ways. We hope more businesses and individuals will join us in making this vision a reality for the community.” Project partners to date include the City of North Charleston, Metanoia Community Development Corporation and Charleston Promise Neighborhood.

According to Safe Kids Worldwide, preventable injuries are the leading cause of death for children under the age of 14 in the United States. In fact, more than 14 million children sustain preventable injuries that require medical attention each year. These injuries are one of the leading causes of emergency room visits for children insured by AmeriHealth Caritas and the impetus behind ACP’s Safe Playground program. 

“Safe playgrounds encourage physical fitness, help prevent childhood obesity, reduce youth violence and school absenteeism and boost academic performance. They also connect families and promote social and emotional development in children,” said Maria Pajil Battle, president of ACP. “In today’s world, it’s important for children to get outside and play in a place that’s worry-free. This playground really does have the power to change a child’s world, which is our mission.”

Founded in 2011 by AmeriHealth Caritas as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, ACP works to address health disparities through community health initiatives that promote health, wellness and overall quality of life. ACP, in collaboration with AmeriHealth Caritas health plans, identifies communities where high percentages of children are living at or below the poverty level and are lacking safe play areas. Then, in conjunction with community partners and sponsors, they build a playground in one day.

This will be the second playground build in S.C. In 2012, ACP and Select Health led a successful effort to build a playground, fitness area and refurbished recreational facilities including a basketball court at Pinehurst Park in Columbia.

The City of North Charleston had already pinpointed the empty space by the Chicora Place Community Garden as a potential playground spot, said Parks and Recreation Director Ed Barfield. According to the proposal, the city will provide the land as well as a decorative black fence and a small number of parking spaces. The city would also maintain the grounds and playground equipment. “It’s a wonderful opportunity, especially for the south end of our city,” said Barfield. “It’s going to be great for the children and adults.”

The city also provides the land for the Chicora Place Community Garden, which started in 2011. With ongoing support from the Metanoia Community Development Corporation, the garden is tended by volunteers who grow fresh fruits and vegetables, making healthy eating easier for residents.

Once the playground is completed, adults will be able to work in the garden while keeping an eye on children at the playground, making it easier for everyone to stay active. “A playground is something that people from the neighborhood have said they have wanted to see for a long time, and placing it next to the garden is a perfect fit,” said the Rev. Bill Stanfield, CEO of Metanoia.

The playground’s main structure will be designed for children ages five to 12. Features will include slides, monkey bars, a climbing wall and more. Alongside the main structure will be a series of outdoor fitness stations geared to young adults and older people, even senior citizens, including a rowing station, sit-up plank and elliptical trainer. The playground will be handicapped-accessible with the approval of the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the American Society of Testing Materials.

Charleston Promise Neighborhood CEO Sherrie C. Snipes-Williams credits Select Health and ACP for the resources they are contributing and for making the Chicora Place playground build a collaborative effort. “The end result will be a positive place for our children to play and laugh and grow.”

Select Health and ACP are reaching out to area businesses, organizations and individuals, asking them to get involved and lend financial support to the project. Those interested in contributing through donations or sponsorships should contact Tricia Crimminger, Select Health director of communications, at (843) 569-4643 or pcrimminger@selecthealthofsc.com.

For more information about Select Health, visit www.selecthealthofsc.com. For more information about AmeriHealth Caritas Partnership, visit www.amerihealthcaritaspartnership.org.

Select Health of South Carolina Mission: To help people get care, stay well and build healthy communities.

ABOUT SELECT HEALTH

Incorporated in 1995, Select Health was licensed as a Health Maintenance Organization by the South Carolina Department of Insurance in 1996. Later that year, the company contracted with the Department of Health and Human Services to offer First Choice, the state’s first and largest Medicaid health plan that currently serves more than 264,000 members in all 46 counties.

Select Health is dedicated to providing access to high quality health care. In 2011 and 2012, Select Health received the National Committee of Quality Assurance’s (NCQA) Excellent Accreditation, and the company also holds NCQA’s Multicultural Health Care Distinction. First Choice by Select Health is the highest nationally ranked (#42) South Carolina Medicaid health plan, according to NCQA's Medicaid Health Insurance Plan Rankings 2012-2013. (Note: The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (SCDHHS) uses other criteria for evaluating and ranking the performance of health plans serving Medicaid beneficiaries. To view these results, please visit www.scdhhs.gov/reports-statistics).

Select Health is a wholly-owned member of AmeriHealth Caritas, one of the nation's leaders in health care solutions for the underserved, which serves nearly 5 million members nationwide.

ABOUT AMERIHEALTH CARITAS PARTNERSHIP

AmeriHealth Caritas Partnership was established in 2011 as a 501(c)(3) public charity. Dedicated to implementing health initiatives that foster disease prevention and improve the quality of life for individuals, families, neighborhoods and communities, the AmeriHealth Caritas Partnership is devoted to serving the needs of America's most vulnerable people.

Volleyball Camp at River Oaks Middle - registration open

The North Charleston Recreation Department is hosting a youth Volleyball Camp for girls 8-14 years old. The camp will be held July 22-26 at River Oaks Middle School. Registration is May 13-July 12.

Tarshie Burrell

Registrations are being accepted at:

Park Circle, Monday - Friday, 8:30 am - 8:00 pm

River Oaks Middle School, Monday - Friday, 8:30 am - 3:00 pm

Recreation Dept, 2nd Floor City Hall, Monday - Friday, 8:30 am- 4:30 pm

Registration fee is $50.00 for the first child and $40.00 for each additional child in the same family. Checks or Money Orders must be made payable to the City of North Charleston, No Cash Accepted. All campers will receive a camp T-shirt. 

The camp instructor is Tarshie Burrell, volleyball coach at Fort Dorchester High School. 

For more information on this camp, please contact Edwina Peterson at 740-5802 or e-mail epeterson@northcharleston.org.

KaBOOM! designates North Charleston a “Playful City USA” Community for 3rd consecutive year

The City of North Charleston was once again named a “Playful City USA” community by KaBOOM!, the national non-profit dedicated to saving play for America’s children. KaBOOM! created “Playful City USA” in 2007 to help local governments address the play deficit by ensuring children have the time and space they need to play. 

This is the 3rd consecutive year the City has earned the honor. 217 cities and towns across the country received the designation of which only 6 were recognized from the State of South Carolina. 

"Kids need to play actively, every day, at home, in school and in their communities, yet play is disappearing," says Darell Hammond, Founder and CEO of KaBOOM!. “Children spend nearly eight hours a day in front of a screen; almost half of all poor students are deprived of recess; and to make matters worse, only one in five children live within walking distance of a park. Playful City USA communities like North Charleston are creating innovative programs and initiatives and deserve recognition because of their efforts to give kids the childhood they deserve and best prepare them for their future." 

North Charleston Mayor Keith Summey stated, “The North Charleston Recreation Department offers a wealth of activities and space for play that promotes healthy lifestyles, including sports for all ages at our many athletic complexes, senior programming in our community centers, afterschool and summer camps for our city’s youth, and passive play at the numerous playgrounds dotting the city.” Mayor Summey continued, “We take great pride in providing our citizens with play areas and programming that rival the best in the nation.” 

Opportunities for play are increasing in the City of North Charleston. The Danny Jones swimming pool was recently enclosed for year-round aquatics, Pepperhill Park was renovated, and Wescott Park, a baseball complex and Cal Ripken training facility, will soon open. 

In November 2009, KaBOOM! donated and assisted in building a state of the art, handicap accessible playground on Brookside Drive in North Charleston. KaBOOM! representatives, local non-profit The Sustainability Institute, community volunteers, and civic leaders participated in the single-day build of the playground. View photos of the build day. 

For more information on the KaBOOM! Playful City USA program, www.kaboom.org/playfulcityusa.

Riverdogs ticket sales to benefit North Charleston's Double Dutch Jump Squad

Charleston Riverdogs present City of North Charleston night on Saturday, April 27 at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park.  A portion of the ticket proceeds will be donated to the North Charleston Recreation Department and the Double Dutch Jump Squad.

Purchase tickets for only $7 at http://tinyurl.com/nchas13, using Password: nchas

North Charleston expands and renovates Pepperhill Park

North Charleston Mayor R. Keith Summey and City Council Members will hold a rededication for the completed expansion and renovations at Pepperhill Park, located at 7695 Brandywine Road, on Wednesday, April 3, 2013 at 1:00pm.

Pepperhill Park hosts an array of youth athletic programs throughout the year and serves thousands of residents in the Ashley Phosphate corridor. The expansion encompasses the addition of a new football and soccer field to complement the existing three baseball/softball fields. In addition, the recently completed renovations included a new core building, with a new press box, concession stand, restrooms, and a meeting room. The parking lot was also expanded to meet the facility’s needs.

The first major event at the park will be the Opening Day Jamboree for the 2013 Youth Baseball/Softball season on Saturday, April 6, 2013, beginning at 9:00am.

Wannamaker Park North Trail

The Wannamaker North Trail runs within the north portion of Wannamaker County Park in North Charleston and also is accessible from Goose Creek. The 8-mile trail is designed for and open to mountain bicyclists of all experience levels. The trail is also open to hikers, walkers, and runners, but pedestrians should know that the terrain contains tight curves and elevation changes.

Design & Terrain
Trail designer Brad Phillips and volunteers from local mountain bike group, Lowcountry Fat Tire Freaks, donated over 1,500 hours of work to build the ultimate mountain bike trail experience. Trails wind by beautiful live oaks and beech trees, while offering thrilling natural and man-made trail elements. More experienced bicyclists will enjoy traveling the northeast section of the trail, following along and over-top of an elevated ridge.

Hours & Admission
Open daily from sunrise - sunset
$1 per person
Free: Individual and Gold Pass Members
Directions
The physical property address is: 455 Westview Blvd. (Google Maps, Bing, and Map Quest are not reliable for directions, so please see information below.)

GPS
LAT 32.998999 / LONG -80.059173

From I-26
Take Exit 209A, merge onto U.S. 52 W/Rivers Ave. toward Goose Creek (go 5.0 miles)
Slight left onto St. James Ave. (go 0.6 miles)
Left onto Westview Blvd. (go 1.0 mile)
Driveway to the trailhead will be on your left; follow directional signage to parking area

From Wannamaker County Park Main Gate
Left onto University Blvd. (go 0.9 mile)
Take ramp on right toward Rivers Ave./U.S. 52 W (go 0.9 mile)
Continue onto Rivers Ave./U.S. 52 W (go 0.9 mile)
Slight left onto St. James Ave. (go 0.6 miles)
Left onto Westview Blvd. (go 1.0 mile)
Driveway to the trailhead will be on your left; follow directional signage to parking area

School Resource Officers make impact at summer camps

The 2012 School Resource Officer (SRO) Summer Camp program integrated curriculum and instruction from SROs who interacted daily with children 5 to 12 years old. In total, 480 children were involved in the program. SROs were paramount in the organization and execution of our recreational activities and cultural art projects as well.

In 2012, camp sites had organized instructional time for SROs to address campers of different age groups. Curriculum was tailored to each age group and covered law related topics, such as Shoplifting, Bullying, School Offenses, Internet Safety, Street Safety, Gang Activity, DUI/Drug Safety, and Constitutional Law.

School Resource Officers in our camps provided early detection and prevention of behavioral issues and ensured positive community relations between the Police Department and the community.

SROs participated in the following camps:
Northwoods
Armory Park
Jeanene Batten
Murray Hill
Minor Crosby
Felix Pinckney
Gethsemani
Charleston Farms
Stall High School

Adult fall sports now open for registration

The North Charleston Recreation Department is accepting teams for the upcoming 2012 fall adult season.

Sunday Co-Ed Flag Football - $475 team entry
Accepting the first 8 teams to pay their entry fee
Games played at MeadWestvaco/Kapston Park

Sunday Co-Ed Softball - $475 team entry
Accepting the first 16 teams to pay their entry fee
Games played at MeadWestvaco/Kapstone Park

Women’s Recreation Softball Weeknight League - $600 team entry
Accepting the first 9 teams to pay their entry fee
Games played at MeadWestvaco/Kapstone Park on Monday and Thursday evenings

Men’s Over 40- 3 on 3 Basketball - $250 team entry
Accepting the first 12 teams to pay their entry fee
Games played at the Sterett Hall Gymnasium on the Old Naval Base.

The managers’ meetings for the leagues will be held August 15, 2012 at Felix C. Davis Community Center in Park Circle.
7:00 p.m. for Softball
7:45 pm for Flag Football
8:30 pm for Basketball
All interested teams are urged to have a representative present at this meeting.

For more information call Cindy Dambaugh at 843-740-5801, or e-mail cdambaugh@northcharleston.org.  For information on all North Charleston Recreation Department Programs visit our website at www.northcharleston.org or for a monthly update of programs and events offered, call our 24-Hour Information Line at 843-740-2699.

New park and state of the art sports complex coming to North Charleston

In Spring 2013, city of North Charleston residents will begin playing ball at Wescott Park, a new state of the art sports complex with a Ripken Training Facility, which broke ground on Thursday, October 27, 2011 at 10:00 am. The 48-acre park will be located behind Fire Station 11 at 9002 Dorchester Road.

Each of the three ball fields at Wescott Park have been designed differently to scale of Boston Red Sox’s Fenway Park, Atlanta Braves’ Turner Field, and San Francisco Giants’ AT&T Park. The field in the image of Boston’s Fenway Park will even feature the “Green Monster.” Each field will be equipped for baseball and softball for athletes 12 years old and under.

A Ripken Training Circle, patented by Cal and Bill Ripken, will be incorporated into the facility for instruction and practice of our rising baseball players. The design of the Circle allows for bases and home plates to be substituted for teaching of fundamentals and drills, maximizing the efficiency of instruction. To complete the park as a Ripken Training Facility, batting cages and pitching mounds will be incorporated.

Apart from being a sports complex, Wescott Park will feature passive areas for visitors to enjoy, including an amphitheater for outdoor performances, greenspaces and multi-purpose fields, walking trails through the park’s wetlands, and a number of enclosed and open air shelters for a variety of community and family events.

In cooperation with our school partners, the park will have a direct connection to Fort Dorchester Elementary School. With a direct pathway in close proximity to the school, Wescott Park will add to the recreational opportunities for Fort Dorchester’s students and teachers.

Renderings of Wescott Park

Patriot Award presentation by the ESGR

From the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) presented Belinda Swindler, a long time Recreation Department employee for the City of North Charleston, the Patriot Award on Thursday, October 13, 2011 at North Charleston’s City Council meeting.

The Patriot Award honors individual supervisors for contributing to national security and protecting liberty and freedom by supporting employee participation in America’s National Guard and Reserve force.  Only members of the National Guard and Reserve forces are eligible to nominate their employers for the Patriot Award.

A city employee for 11 years, Ms. Swindler serves as the recreation department’s senior coordinator, planning, organizing, and facilitating all senior programming in North Charleston.  In addition, she supervises operations and staff at the Felix C. Davis Community Center at Park Circle.

Ms. Swindler was nominated by Dominique Johnson who is currently serving with the United States Army Reserves’ 914th Transportation Company of North Charleston, SC in Iraq.  The 914th Transportation Company was ordered into active military service in January 2011.  Prior to deployment, Ms. Johnson was employed by the City of North Charleston in the Recreation Department with Ms. Swindler serving as her supervisor.

ESGR is a Department of Defense organization. It is a staff group within the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs, which is in itself a part of the Office of the Secretary of Defense.

ESGR was established in 1972 to promote cooperation and understanding between Reserve component members and their civilian employers and to assist in the resolution of conflicts arising from an employee's military commitment. It is the lead DoD organization for this mission under DoD Directive 1250.1.

Today, ESGR operates through a network of thousands of volunteers throughout the nation and Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

KaBOOM! designates North Charleston a “Playful City USA” Community

The City of North Charleston was recently named a “Playful City USA” community by KaBOOM!, the national non-profit dedicated to saving play for America’s children. 151 cities and towns across the country received the designation of which only 5 were recognized from the State of South Carolina. KaBOOM! created “Playful City USA” in 2007 to help local governments address the play deficit by ensuring children have the time and space they need to play.

“The power of play can impact many of the urgent problems facing our cities, from the epidemic of childhood obesity to poor school performance,” said Darell Hammond, KaBOOM! Founder and CEO. “When leaders support the cause of play, children live happier and healthier lives.”

North Charleston Mayor Keith Summey stated, “The North Charleston Recreation Department offers a wealth of activities and space for play that promotes healthy lifestyles including sports for all ages at our many athletic complexes, senior programming in our community centers, afterschool and summer camps for our city’s youth, and passive play at the numerous playgrounds dotting the city.” Mayor Summey continued, “We take great pride in providing our citizens with play areas and programming that rival the best in the nation.”

In November 2009, KaBOOM! donated and assisted in building a state of the art, handicap accessible playground on Brookside Drive in North Charleston. KaBOOM! representatives, local non-profit The Sustainability Institute, community volunteers, and civic leaders participated in the single-day build of the playground. View photos of the build day.

The 151 Playful City USA communities are now eligible for grants via Let’s Play - a community partnership led by Dr Pepper Snapple Group to get kids active nationwide. The first Let’s Play initiative is a $15 million, three year commitment to KaBOOM!. Together, through Let’s Play, Dr Pepper Snapple Group and KaBOOM! will build or fix up 2,000 playgrounds by the end of 2013, benefiting an estimated five million children across North America.

For more information on the KaBOOM! Playful City USA program, including Let’s Play grants and applications for 2012, visit www.kaboom.org/playfulcityusa.

City of North Charleston breaks ground on 20th community center

The City of North Charleston broke ground on its newest community center located adjacent to Doorway Baptist Church on Thursday, September 15, 2011.

Dorchester Road Community Center will become North Charleston’s 20th community center.  The center will be utilized for neighborhood association meetings, afterschool programming, senior activities, and will be a summer camp site.

Mayor Summey stated, “We are proud to begin construction on the latest addition to our inventory of community centers that dot the City.  This center is a terrific expansion of recreational and civic services offered to the citizens of our city and will help us meet the needs of the growing population of the upper Dorchester Road corridor.”

The 4,400 sq ft facility is expected to be completed in the Spring 2012.

Dixie Youth AA Machine Pitch Region II Tournament

The City of North Charleston will host the 2010 Dixie Youth AA Region 2 Machine Pitch Tournament at Park Circle from Friday, July 23 - Tuesday, July 27.

This tournament brings athletes from throughout the Southeast all vying for the regional title. The Northwoods and Pepperhill communities, some of the finest young ball players in the State of South Carolina, will represent North Charleston.

Participating teams include: Alabama champion, Alabama runner-up, Florida champion, Florida runner-up, Georgia champion, Georgia runner-up, South Carolina champion, South Carolina runner-up, South Carolina 3rd, South Carolina 4th, Northwoods, and Pepperhill.

Admission prices are as follows:

Adults (Day 1) - $7.00*

Adults (Days 2-4) - $6.00

Students (Day 1) - $4.00*

Students (Days 2-4) - $3.00

Children under 6 - free

*The increased admission cost on day 1 will benefit the Dixie Scholarship Program.

For additional information, call the Recreation Department at 745-1028.

View Larger Map

Are you JOY?

The City of North Charleston invites “JOY” (“Just Older Youth”) to participate in our active programming, tailored to encourage an active lifestyle, healthy living, and promote fellowship. The City’s menu of activities, now expanded through partnerships with local businesses, satisfies a variety of interest and creates excitement for each senior. If you are interested in taking part, contact Senior Coordinator Belinda Swindler at (843) 745-1028 or via email at belindaswindler@yahoo.com.

Senior Line Dancing Felix Davis Community Center Every Monday Beginner Class – 9:00 am Intermediate Class – Immediately following “Jolly Friends” Bingo Felix Davis Community Center Every Wednesday 1:00 pm Senior Tennis Danny Jones Sports Complex Every Monday through Friday 8:00 am Weather permitting Senior Bowling League Sandpiper Bowling Lanes on Ashley Phosphate Rd Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday Practice begins – 9:00 am League Bowling begins – 9:30 am League and Recreational bowling is offered

Seniorcize Felix Davis Community Center Every Tuesday and Thursday 10:30 am – 11:15 am A low aerobics class Senior Yoga Felix Davis Community Center Every Wednesday 5:30 pm Senior Golfing The Golf Club at Wescott Plantation Every Tuesday 8:00 am Prizes and refreshments are provided Senior Water Aerobics 2070 Northbrook Boulevard Every Monday through Thursday Contact Premier Physical Therapy for more information at (843) 797-5167

In an effort to encourage walking we invite “JOY” to walk historic Park Circle. Join the “Walk the Circle Club” by completing a registration form at the desk in the Felix Davis Community Center. Throughout the year, the number of laps walked is recorded and special recognition is given to accomplished walkers.

Other activities available for “JOY” include ceramics, contra dancing, disc golf, quilting and square dancing.

Seniors are invited to join the North Charleston Spring Bocce League. For more information and registration, join us on Tuesday, March 23, 2010 at 7:00 pm at the Felix Davis Community Center.

For more senior activities information,offered by the City of North Charleston, contact Senior Coordinator Belinda Swindler at (843) 745-1028 or via email at belindaswindler@yahoo.com.