Active Living and Parks

To enrich the quality of life for persons of all ages and abilities by providing high quality recreation, education and social opportunities in harmony with natural resource preservation.

• Securing a $100,000 Park and Recreation Trust Fund Grant to purchase a 13-acre parcel of land adjacent to Rob Wallace Park. The property appraised at $314,000, the owner agreed to sell for $200,000, and sold at a reduced rate of $100,000. The reduced sale price allowed the County to use the donated or bargain sale price as their 50/50 match.
• Purchased a 615-acre parcel on St Stephens Church Rd for a future park.
• Purchased a 30-acre parcel on Washington St in Mt Pleasant for a new Library-Sr Center and Park. The Park will replace the 3 ball fields and multi-purpose field on property sold by the County.
• Securing an agreement with Concord Parks and Recreation to take ownership of WW Flowe Park. Transitioning the Park and Recreation Trust Fund Grant secured in the development of the park to Concord and meeting requirements of the NC Natural and Cultural Resources division.
• Securing agreements with Concord Parks and Recreation Department to coordinate, plan, and maintain Cox Mill Elementary and Pitts School Road Elementary School Parks.
• ALP’s Department rose to the needs of the community by providing safe, clean access to: greenspace, exercise, camps, virtual and in-person learning/activities (classroom education sessions to aid schools during the pandemic).
• Social Media: ALP’s Facebook reached 193,901 patrons (July-December) engaging participants with environmental education topics, mental/physical activities and offerings around the county. Instagram account has added 26 followers and 381 reactions to posts.
• Hosted 3 new events at Rob Wallace Park: July 4th Town of Midland Fireworks, Pawsitively Midland, and NC Cyclocross Series Race #9 (3,000+ participants).
• Outdoor archery range opened in August at Camp T.N. Spencer. 259 new archers participated to date through Half Day Adventure Camps, private/homeschool sessions, special events and classes. Four half day adventure camps scheduled this spring/summer along with multiple private group sessions.

• Two staff members obtained their National Recreation and Park Association Certified Park and Recreation Professional certification. Two others received their recertification.
• One staff member obtained Certified Angling Instructor with Scouts of America, and Certified Hunter’s Education Instructor.
• All staff have created new ways to increase quality of life, active lifestyles and social interaction while not gathering groups together.
• Jacob Wintink hired as the department’s newest Senior Ranger.
• Rob Wallace Park staff hosted a High School Intern for the spring semester (August – December).

• $8.88 per capita cost makes it difficult to close the gap on identified needs highlighted in the department’s masterplan ($83.10 State Average $88.30 National Average). Postponed CIPs, limited budget/staffing do not keep up with increasing participation, facility demands, third party reservations and events.
• Meeting revenue expectations associated with the operational costs of the pool is difficult due to the contractual agreement with the Boys and Girls Club that provides free access to the pool for 60 campers per hour, five hours per day, five days per week for seven weeks each summer.
• Lack of Lifeguards through a vendor caused the Pool at Camp Spencer to be closed more days than it was open. Lack of Lifeguards has been a trend nationwide.
• Creating engaging posts, updating information, meeting constant changing trends and algorithms on social media platforms is challenging due to devotion staff time that is already limited.
• Facing competition from larger softball and baseball venues with multiples fields (five or more) has increased competition for the softball complex (loss of large tournaments) as youth travel tournaments numbers continue to rise.
• Continued virtual interviews, Natures Corner, limited the numbers in classes/dances/pool numbers for social distancing, virtual staff/Commission meetings, and cleaning of public use areas for the safety of all.
• Decline in youth sports participation has caused several volunteer athletic associations to discontinue their programs.
• Car break-in at the parks leads to patrons not feeling their valuables are safe causing them not to return to the parks.
• Discovery Day Camp location with the Barn at Frank Liske Park not useable and the Cabarrus Arena having events again caused the staff to look at Cabarrus County Schools.
• Satisfying the Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant program with the re-build of the Barn at Frank Liske Park.

• This department’s budget has increased due to salary and benefit adjustments as well as inflationary adjustments.

FY 2023 numbers are projections