by Heather Wood

It is not too early to start thinking about what you are going to do with your kids this summer.  Time passes so fast, the kids will be out of school before you know it.  Now is the time of year when parents should start thinking about summer camp.  Most camps easily fit into a family’s busy schedule and budget.  Kernersville Parks and Recreation launched registration for their Summer Camp on March 17, 2014.  

The KPRD Summer Camp is a recreational “playground” camp featuring creative group activities as well as opportunities for individual growth.  KPRD’s goals are simple: to provide positive experiences for the development of leisure enjoyment, good sportsmanship, positive self-esteem, respect for others, teamwork, and self-discipline.  In addition the number one goal for the summer is to have FUN!  Each week the campers will enjoy visiting our local parks, swimming, working on a service project, and a field trip!

Camp will run for eight weeks and will meet from 9:00am to 5:30pm Monday – Friday, June 16 – August 15, 2014.  Camp will not be held the week of July 4th.  There will be extended care from 7:30am – 9:00am available for $10 per week and should be signed up for at the time of registration.

Kernersville’s first ever 5K BEAST run will take place on Saturday, April 12 at Ivey M. Redmon Sports Complex.  This 5K race is on the cross country course with fitness stations and challenges along the way.  BEAST is an acronym for Beyond Endurance And Strength Training.  The types of exercises will be functional, primarily done with bodyweight and with an emphasis on strict form.  We will release the exercises to be used with a form explaining each in detail and will have a technique session prior to the race to allow those who want to compete or come for fun to learn how to safely participate.  Proceeds will benefit domestic violence in memory of one of the Fitness One trainers, Charles Nichols.

This is intended to be fun, but those who want to compete for time can do so.  We think it will be a great time for all and a challenge to those who might enjoy something a little more adventurous, but not so extreme.   The first wave will start at 9:00am for teams and 9:30am for individuals!  Create your own team (4 people- co-ed) or register as an individual.

KPRD would like to announce that our Movies in the Park will be returning this summer in Harmon Park.  Bring the whole family for an outdoor movie night under the stars.  Gianno’s Mobile Brick Oven will be returning along with games and entertainment for the kids.   Check out this year’s featured movies:

Friday, May 16 – The Ultimate Life Friday, June 27 – Frozen

Friday, July 18 – Hook Friday, Sept. 19 – Racing Stripes

For more information about Summer Camp, 5K Beast Run, Movies in the Park, or just to learn more about what KPRD offers visit our website at www.toknc.com/pr.

The Town of Kernersville invites residents to attend the 6th Annual Earth Day Celebration!  This year’s event will be held on April 22, 2014 from 10am-7pm at Town Hall Square, 134 East Mountain Street.   Kernersville’s Earth Day is a free program that centers on teaching environmental stewardship.  It will feature many exciting eco-friendly products and services, live demonstrations on rain collection and composting, food trucks, hourly prize drawings, and all-day giveaways!   Activities for children include the arts and crafts with reused material provided by the Scrap Exchange, sidewalk chalk art, Earth Day paint mural, and games!  Awards will be presented to winners of the Art for Earth Contest featuring artwork submitted by local students with an eco-conscious theme.  Easy parking and extended hours make this a great family event!  Come learn more about composting, energy efficiency, recycling, protecting our water quality, and much more!  For more information, contact Public Services at 336-996-6916 or recycle@toknc.com.

Spring Clean-Up is April 7 – 17.  Items collected include:

Bulky Items:  Furniture, Mattresses, Bed Frames, Large Toys, Shelving, Couches, Vacuum Cleaners, Sink Unit, Toilet, etc. (Any single item too large for the rollout cart)

Extra Bagged Garbage:  Garbage that is bagged in a sealed plastic bag placed 3-feet from your gray rollout container.

Leaves:  Leaves are collected during the Spring Clean-Up at the curb or edge of pavement on your property only.

With the arrival of spring, children and parents head to the outdoors and the playgrounds for fun and exercise.  Bring your family and friends and rediscover what playing outdoors is all about.  You don’t need to leave the city or even your neighborhood to enjoy fun in nature.  It’s time to get outside and play!  Kernersville has eight local parks that the Town of Kernersville Parks and Recreation Department maintains.  Every park is unique with its own specialties.  Here is a quick reference of our area parks. 

Harmon Park – 152 South Main Street

One Shelter with Grill, Declan’s Playground, Large Grassy Multi-Use Area, Restrooms, Landscaped Wedding Gazebo and Memorial Fountain with Benches and Walkways.

 

Civitan Park – 309 Nelson Street

Two Shelters with Grills, Sand Volleyball Court, Tennis Court, Horseshoe Pits, Basketball Courts, a Small Softball Field, Walking Trail, Restrooms, and Playground.

 

Fourth of July Park – 702 W. Mountain Street

Three Shelters with Grills, Tennis Courts, Basketball Courts, Concession/Restroom Building, Walking Trails, Playground Village, Two Bocce Ball Courts, and Individual Picnic Areas, Dog Water Fountains, and Clean-Up Stations.  This park is also home to the Vivian F. Bennet Memorial Dog Park and the Kernersville Skate Park.

 

Old Lake Park – 936 Lake Drive

One of our best kept secrets, this is a 5+ acre stocked lake for non-motorized boats and bank fishing along with a small fishing pier and picnic tables.

 

Century Lake Park – 309 Century Lake Park

6-Acre Lake with T-Shaped Fishing Pier, Canoe/Kayak Launch, Restrooms, Picnic Tables with Grills and Spray Fountain.

 

Rotary Park – 134 E. Mountain Street

Located behind the Farmers Market it includes:  Four Picnic Sites, Open Green Space, and Statues of Various Rotary Club Community Involvements.

 

Ivey M. Redmon Sports Complex – 788 Beeson Road

Five Soccer Fields, Two Concession/Restroom Buildings, and Three Lighted Tournament Softball Fields with Covered Dugouts and Spectator Seating.

 

Bagley Fields – 4700 Old Hollow Road

Two Lacrosse Fields