By Heather Chapman

Warmer weather brings an invitation to get outdoors to a host of activity. This spring and summer season, the Kernersville Parks and Recreation Department is excited to bring you new events, programs and park grand openings!

If you have driven down Nelson Street in Kernersville recently, you will have noticed the progress of the redesigned Civitan Park.  The newly updated park will include a redesigned walking trail and ballfield, four tennis courts, three pickleball courts, a basketball court, two shelters and a 40-yard dash with additional challenge course and a fitness court sponsored by Novant Health.

Perhaps the most talked about added structure, is the Yalp Sona Arch that is displayed in the center of the park. The Yalp Sona is an interactive dance and play arch that is prompted once you step underneath it. This versatile and inclusive play set, host a library of games that you can access through an app on your phone.  The arch is equipped with audio-guided instructions and motion detection that easily will register kids dancing and playing underneath.  The available games are consistently being rotated that have the most interest.  There are only eight of these structures in the Southeast and two in North Carolina, one being in Asheville and the other right here in Kernersville. We are excited for the build out to be completed by early summer and plan to have a community Grand Opening.  To stay up-to-date, make sure you follow us on our social media pages (Facebook and Instagram). 

We are looking forward to a new season of Adaptive Programming. We have several clinics free to the public and our Challenger league will be hitting the fields this Spring! 

Join us Saturday, April 29 from 1-3PM for an afternoon in the park to try our Adaptive Cycling Clinic! We will have various cycles to try and ride throughout Fourth of July park. People with and without disabilities are welcome. This is a partnered event with Winston Salem Recreation and Parks, Solutions for Independence, and Special Olympics of Guilford County. To register, visit kvparks.com. For any questions, please reach out to Emily Crisco at ecrisco@toknc.com. 

Join us Saturday, April 15 for a one-hour adaptive archery clinic! This program is intended for people with disabilities and will focus on learning a new skill while having fun shooting. To register, visit kvparks.com. For any questions, please reach out to Emily Crisco at ecrisco@toknc.com.

The Challenger soccer league allows participants the opportunity to get moving on a weekly basis! The goal of the league is to develop skills, enhance self-esteem, and foster the development of new friendships. Challenger Soccer is a program for youth and adults with disabilities and will be structured for their individual success. To bring the spirit of competition, we will be going against High Point Parks and Recreation for 3 games. This league will start play in May, if you would like to register, please visit our website at kvparks.com. If you have any questions, please contact Emily Crisco at ecrisco@toknc.com.

What is a sports team without a Challenger cheer squad?! Join us to learn three cheer routines and one dance to perform at the games throughout the season. This program is designed for children and adults with disabilities who love to dance and CHEER! Participants will focus on skill development and creating friendships among their teammates. If you would like to register, please visit our website at kvparks.com. If you have any questions, please contact Emily Crisco at ecrisco@toknc.com.

The Triad Blackhawks Lacrosse has turned over administration of their adult and high school programs to the Town of Kernersville Parks and Recreation Department.  Our mission with this partnership is to continue to provide a quality recreational lacrosse program and leagues for adult and high school kids. 

The high school boy’s lacrosse program is a mix of instruction with organized scrimmages. Participants will start with drills, small-sided play, an evaluation scrimmage for the first 2-3 sessions, then assign players to a team that will participate in a round robin competition among the other teams in the program. It culminates in a single-elimination playoff tournament during the final session. We welcome players of all experience levels, including new players. The program will run from Monday, May 22 – June 26 from 6-8PM at Ivey M. Redmon Sports Complex.  This program is designed for grades 8 thru rising seniors.   

The Adult and Experienced High School Seniors lacrosse season will begin on Sunday, May 14 – June 25 from 6-8PM at Ivey M. Redmon Sports Complex. The season will include 5 weeks of instruction and 10 games guaranteed.  The season will conclude with a single elimination tournament.  For a list of rules, fees, and registration deadlines visit www.kvparks.com. 

Have you ever thought about planting a garden, but not sure where to start? The Paul J. Ciener Botanical Gardens is hosting a Creative Containers event on Thursday, April 20 at 12PM. Container gardening serves many purposes for the homeowner. They are perfect for smaller gardens, enhance attraction to the garden, they can become very useful for growing specialty plants such as herbs, and are ideal for many themes, styles and types of gardening. Learn some of the dos and don’ts, objects you can repurpose into containers, plants that make a splash, and the best plants for seasonal appeal. For more information and how to join visit cienerbotanicalgarden.org. 

Tulips and daffodils are not the only flowers blooming in the Garden during April. If you have never ventured beyond the pattern garden at Paul J. Ciener Botanical Gardens during the Spectacular Tulip Bloom, then you are missing the Paeonia, Baptisia, Iris, Viburnum, and more! Join Adrienne for a horticultural walk that features everything but the tulips, you will not be disappointed. This event takes place Wednesday, April 26 at 10AM.  For more information, please contact the gardens.