Mecklenburg County Park & Recreation

Therapeutic Recreation Section

Therapeutic Recreation Section

Contact Information
Karla Gray
TR Senior Manager
Karla.Gray@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov
980-314-1314

Danielle Dobbs-Jackson
TR Specialist
Danielle.Dobbs@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov
980-314-1309

Karen Howard
TR Specialist
Karen.Howard@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov
980-314-1303

Melissa Johnson
TR Specialist
Melissa.Johnson@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov
980-314-1304

Ariel Kliem
TR Specialist
Ariel.Kliem@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov
980-314-1306

Shannon Maxwell
TR Specialist
Shannon.Maxwell@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov
980-314-1308
May Fun Facts:
Stacey Thomas
TR Specialist -Birthstone: Emerald
Stacey.Thomas@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov
980-314-1302
-Flower: Daisy or Sweet Pea
http://tr.charmeck.org
-Zodiac Signs-Taurus (April 21-May
20) and Gemini (May 21-June 21)

Therapeutic Recreation Wire-May 2017

ProgramsYouth
Tumble Tots
For children ages 2-6 with disabilities
Dellwood Center
108 Dellwood Drive, Huntersville, NC
May 2-23 (Tuesdays)
4:30 pm-5:30 pm
$20.00
Ariel.Kliem@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov

Tumble Tots is a new and exciting introduction

to gross motor skills. The weekly classes will
develop confidence and build strength, balance,
and flexibility. Your child will make new
friends while enjoying pre-school and youth
gymnastics equipment, obstacle courses and
various teaching aids.
Registration Deadline: April 28

Therapeutic Recreation Wire-May 2017

 Programs Teens/Young Adults
Adaptive Crossfit
For individuals ages 16 and up with disabilities
Crossfit Steele Creek
9301 Forsyth Park Dr, Charlotte, NC 28273
May 13 (Saturday)
10:30 am-12:30 pm
$10.00
Stacey.Thomas@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov
Join the Therapeutic Recreation Section for our
first Adaptive Crossfit clinic, hosted by Crossfit
Steele Creek. All equipment will be provided as
well as a 1:1 buddy for each participant. Open to
any disability/diagnosis. Please wear athletic/
comfortable clothing.
Registration Deadline: May 10
Adapted Kayaking
For teens and adults ages 16 and up with physical
disabilities
Latta Plantation Accessible Boat Launch;
Huntersville
May 4-25 (Thursdays)
3:30 pm5:00 pm
$20.00
Melissa.Johnson@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov
Spend your afternoon paddling on the beautiful
Mountain Island Lake! No kayaking experience
required. Participants must be comfortable in the
water and be able to sit up in the kayak. We will
teach all basic skills, and have tandem kayaks to
kayak with you!
Registration Deadline: April 28
Kayaking
For teens and adults ages 16 and up with
disabilities
McDowell Nature Preserve waterfront;
15222 York Rd, Charlotte 28278
May 6 (Saturday)
11:00 am-1:00 pm
$10.00
Melissa.Johnson@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov
Spend your afternoon paddling on the beautiful
Lake Wylie! Participants must be comfortable in
the water, be able to follow directions and be able
to sit up in the kayak. We will teach all basic
skills, and have tandem kayaks to kayak with you!
Space is limited!
Registration Deadline: April 28
Young Adults on the Go! May Outing
For teens ages 21 (out of high school)-40 with
disabilities
Marion Diehl Recreation Center, 2219 Tyvola Rd
May 6 (Saturday)
5:00 pm-9:00 pm
$20.00
Shannon.Maxwell@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov
Join us as we venture to the BB&T Ballpark
uptown to take in a Charlotte Knights Baseball
Game! We will get dinner at the game! Dinner is
not included in registration fee. Must be
independent in self care.
Registration Deadline: May 1
Therapeutic Recreation Wire-May 2017
 Programs Teens/Young Adults
Teens on the Town
For individuals ages 13-21 with disabilities, still in
high school
Marion Diehl Recreation Center
2219 Tyvola Road
May 13 (Saturday)
8:00 am-12:00 pm
$20.00
Ariel.Kliem@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov
Calling all teens! Do you need a morning out to
socialize with friends, participate in new activities,
and enjoy a delicious breakfast? Come hang out at
Teens on the Town. You can practice social skills,
meet new people, and enjoy being out in the
community!
Registration Deadline: May 10
TR Dance Club
For individuals ages 15 and up with disabilities
Marion Diehl Recreation Center, 2219 Tyvola Road
May 6-27 (Saturdays)
$20.00
Ariel.Kliem@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov
Come out and show your moves with the Dance Club
Program. Dance Club will provide individuals the
opportunity to learn basic dance moves, participate in
group line dances and enjoy plenty of free style and
fun!!
Registration Deadline: May 4
Super Saturday Chefs
For teens to adults, ages 13 and up with disabilities
Marion Diehl Recreation Center, 2219 Tyvola Road
May 20 (Saturday) Picnic Favorites
9:30 am12:30 pm
$15.00
Karen.Howard@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov
Teaching great cookingone Saturday at a time! Join
us for instructional cooking classes with a "side order"
of fun and conversation! Each 1-day class has a
different focus - in addition to learning or improving
basic cooking skills, participants will learn about
kitchen safety and hygiene; making healthy food
choices; and proper food handling and storage
practices.
Registration deadline: May 17
Therapeutic Recreation Wire-May 2017
 Programs-Adults
Adult Cooking
For adults ages 18 and up with disabilities
Mecklenburg County Cooperative Extension
Building, 1418 Armory Drive; Charlotte 28204
May 1-22 (Mondays)
10:00 am 12:00 pm
$40.00
Melissa.Johnson@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov
Mays classes will be held at a NEW location with a
new teaching kitchen! Adult cooking is the place to
learn various cooking skills and to learn how to
prepare healthy recipes! We will discuss healthy
eating habits and prepare a different meal each
class. Well focus on hygiene, healthy alternatives
to unhealthy foods, and more! Classes on May 1, 8
and 15 will be held at the Cooperative Extension
building, and on May 22, we will have a cookout at
the picnic shelter at Marion Diehl.
Registration Deadline: April 26
Gifted Gardeners
For adults and seniors, ages 18 and up with
developmental disabilities
Marion Diehl Recreation Center, 2219 Tyvola Road
May 2-23 (Tuesdays)
10:00 am12:00 noon
$40.00 per month
Karen.Howard@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov
Spring is HERE! The Gifted Gardeners have LOTS
to do: starting vegetable and flower plants for the
spring season; preparing the gardens and caring for
houseplants at the Marion Diehl Center; and
crafting items using plant materials. Please dress for
the weather, as we spend part of each class
outdoors, weather permitting.
Registration deadline: April 27
Creative Arts
For adults ages 18 and up with disabilities
Marion Diehl Recreation Center, 2219 Tyvola
Road
May 3-24 (Wednesdays)
10:00 am12:00 pm
$40.00
Melissa.Johnson@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov
Come express yourself in Creative Arts! We will
create several different art pieces in each class
while learning about different artists and different
artistic styles. Come express yourself through art
work!
Registration Deadline: April 28
TR: Big Time Bowlers
For adults ages 18 and up with a disability
10 Park Lanes, 1700 Montford Drive
May 4-25 (Thursdays)
3:30 pm-5:00 pm
$40.00
Ariel.Kliem@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov
Need an afternoon full of fun? Join us for
bowling! Improve your bowling skills while
having fun with friends!
Registration Deadline: May 1
Therapeutic Recreation Wire-May 2017
 ProgramsAdults
Total Wellness Club-North
For adults and seniors, ages 18 and up with
developmental disabilities
Torrence Lytle Center, 508 Dellwood Drive,
Huntersville
May 3-24 (Wednesdays)No class on May 17
10:00 am12:00 noon
$30.00 per month
Karen.Howard@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov
Come out for fitness and FUN! Improve your
Total Wellness through a variety of activities that
may include sport skills, line dance, chair
exercise, nutrition information, music &
movement and active games.
Registration deadline: May 1
Game Night North
For adults, ages 18 and up (out of high school)
with disabilities
Robert B. Blythe Building, 102 Gilead Road,
Huntersville
May 3, 10 and 24 (Wednesdays)
5:30 pm6:30 pm
$15.00 per month
Karen.Howard@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov
ITS GAME NIGHT! Each week we will learn
and play card games, bingo, dominoes, classic
board games and more. There will also be fun
Minute to Win It style games. Gather with your
friends for this FUN social and recreational
opportunity!
Registration deadline: May 1
Crafts & CookingNorth
For adults and seniors, ages 18 and up with
disabilities
Torrence Lytle Center
508 Dellwood Drive, Huntersville
May 5-26 (Fridays)
10:00 am12:00 noon
$40.00 per month
Karen.Howard@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov
Bring out your creative side! Join us for a variety of
art, craft and cooking projects with a festive,
seasonal theme. Healthy food choices and creative
expression are always part of the fun! All materials
are included in the program fee.
Registration deadline: May 2
VIP Fun Club
For adults and seniors, ages 30 and up, with a visual
impairment
Marion Diehl Recreation Center, 2219 Tyvola Road
May 8 and 22 (Mondays)
1:00 pm3:00 pm
$10.00 per month
Karen.Howard@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov
Come out on the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month
for this FUN activity club! We will try out a wide
variety of activities, including crafts, cooking,
gardening, art, games and moreall in a casual
social setting.
Registration deadline: May 4
Therapeutic Recreation Wire-May 2017
 ProgramsAdults
VIP Travel Club
For adults and seniors, ages 35 and up, with a
visual impairment
Pick-up/Drop-off locations please specify
when registering:
Marion Diehl Recreation Center (MDRC), 2219
Tyvola Road
Metrolina Association for the Blind (MAB), 704
Louise Avenue
May 17 (Wednesday) Lake Lure: Flowering
Bridge and Guided Boat Tour
Pick-up: MDRC @ 8:00 am, MAB @ 8:30 am
Drop-off: MAB @ 4:30 pm, MDRC @ 5:00 pm
$40.00 lunch included
Karen.Howard@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov
Enjoy a FUN social day with friends, while
building independence in the community. Note
the extended time for this special trip to Lake
Lure, in the beautiful North Carolina mountains
- you MUST register no later than 1 week ahead
of time! Please bring money for any extra
purchases.
Registration deadline: May 10
Gifted Gardeners-North
For adults ages 18 and up with disabilities
Torrence Lytle Center, 508 Dellwood Drive,
Huntersville
May 2-23 (Tuesdays)
10:00 am12:00 pm
$40.00
Shannon.Maxwell@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov
Are you interested in learning more about gardening
and plants? If so, this program is for you! Well learn
about planting seasons and plant many plants of our
own!
Registration deadline: April 28
Zumba
For ages 16 and up with disabilities
Tyvola Senior Center, 2225 Tyvola Rd
May 2May 30 (Tuesdays)
4:30 pm5:30 pm
$25.00
Danielle.Dobbs@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov
This Latin-infused workout will get you moving,
energized and dancing! Participants will improve their
balance, coordination and fitness by participating in
this program.
Registration deadline: April 28
Therapeutic Recreation Wire-May 2017
 ProgramsParalympic
Paralympic Boccia Club
For teens and adults, ages 13 and older, with a
physical disability, CP, SCI, MS or stroke
Marion Diehl Recreation Center, 2219 Tyvola Road
May 1-22 (Mondays)
5:00 pm 6:00 pm
$20.00
Karen.Howard@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov

Test your strategy! The object of Boccia is to roll/

throw a game ball closest to the target ball. During
the ongoing Boccia Club program, players will
develop or improve sport skills while learning the
rules of the game. This program is part of
Paralympic Sport Metrolina.
Registration deadline: April 27

Therapeutic Recreation Wire-May 2017

 ProgramsDances
Star Wars Party TR Dance: Fiesta!
For individuals ages 13 and up with disabilities For individuals ages 13 and up with a disability
Robert B Blythe Building Marion Diehl Recreation Center, 2219 Tyvola Road
102 Gilead Road, Huntersville, NC 28273 May 19 (Friday)
May 5 (Friday) 6:00 pm9:00 pm
6:00 pm-9:00 pm $10.00 (includes dinner)
$10.00 TRINFO@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov
Stacey.Thomas@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov
Calling all dance aficionados! Join us for a night of
May the Fourth be with you!! Join us for our North music, food, and fun at our Fiesta. Dress up in your
Party as we celebrate all things Star Wars! Well favorite Fiesta colors and join us as we dance the
have dinner, dancing, and Star Wars activities. Feel night away!
free to dress in costume! Pre-Registration Deadline: May 18

Therapeutic Recreation Wire-May 2017