Charlotte, NC-- Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department invites interested citizens to a grand opening ceremony at Elon Park, 11435 Ardrey Kell Road, on Wednesday, October 15, 2008 at 4pm. Youngsters will kick soccer balls to celebrate new athletic fields.
The first phase of this park will open with four new synthetic turf multipurpose fields. These fields are the “new generation” of synthetic turf, suitable for hosting play for soccer, lacrosse, football and other field sports. Phase I also includes restrooms, parking, and an entrance road that will serve the athletic fields and the existing Elon Park Recreation Center. Phase I of the park develops almost 40 acres.
With four synthetic turf fields, Elon Park will be the largest public synthetic turf facility in Mecklenburg County. Because of synthetic turf’s durability and drainage, the fields can host far more athletic play than natural grass fields. Although more expensive initially, they actually save money over time by eliminating fertilization, irrigation, mowing, downtime for reseeding, etc. Eventually the park is planned for expansion to more than 200 acres.
Brief remarks at the grand opening ceremony will be made by Mecklenburg County Commissioner Dan Ramirez, Park and Recreation Commissioner Tim Morgan, and a representative of LUESA.
The new Elon Park athletic fields will serve the needs of a rapidly growing suburban area in South Charlotte, near the Ballantyne Community. Mecklenburg voters approved $4 million at referendum in 2004 for the Phase I project. Park and Recreation has also entered into partnerships to develop the park property. A joint use agreement with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools allowed for construction of Elon Park Elementary School at the front of the property. The County’s Land Use and Environmental Services Agency (LUESA), which operates the neighboring Fox Hole Landfill, provided significant cost savings in grading and development of park amenities. Charlotte Disc Golf Club will also assist in building an 18-hole beginners’ disc golf course near the recreation center.
