Parks & Gardens June ENews

Parks & Gardens strives to maintain and operate parks and facilities that enrich the lives of the community and promote an overall healthier lifestyle.

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Coming Soon:  Park Preserves

According to the 2016 Parks and Gardens Master Plan survey results, the community wants more environmental education, outdoor recreation opportunities and interpretive programs as well as increased access to beaches and the waterfront.  In an effort to provide these opportunities while being good stewards of our natural resources, the Parks and Gardens department is establishing several "park preserves" throughout New Hanover County.  These spaces will offer an outlet for providing environmental education and nature programs to students of all ages, promote biodiversity and open space preservation, allow us to monitor wildlife populations, restore habitats for endangered and threatened plant species, conserve natural communities such as the longleaf pine ecosystems, wetlands, maritime forests, and offer passive outdoor recreation opportunities compatible with the protection of the natural area.  These spaces will provide great opportunities to learn, explore, and discover what nature has to offer.  The first preserve to open this summer will be the Smith Creek Park Preserve, located at 633 Shenandoah Drive.  More Info

Pollinator Party Come to Airlie Gardens on June 3rd for a Pollinator Party from 10am-1pm featuring information from NHC Beekeepers Association, Bee City USA and Airlie educators.  Butterfly releases, Pollinator Garden tours and digital-dome showings of the film Habitat Earth will take place throughout the day.  All activities are free for Airlie Members and included with paid garden admission.  More Info

Ogden Park Tennis Courts The tennis court lighting has been converted to energy efficient, cost effective LED lighting.  Thank you to our friends at the Greater Wilmington Tennis Association for helping share the cost. The tennis courts will be closed June 5th through early July for resurfacing and repair.  We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your patience.

Volunteer Opportunity: Litter Clean-Up Join us on June 10th from 9-11am for our first "Adopt-a-Highway" litter clean-up of Harris Road by Smith Creek Park. Clean-ups will be held quarterly on the 2nd Saturday of January, March, June and September.  Volunteers must be at least 16 years of age and can participate as an individual or group.  We will provide all the necessary supplies. Contact Jodi Rich by email or (910) 798-7629 to sign up.  More Info

Airlie Gardens Butterfly Releases You are invited to take part in a butterfly release every Tuesday at 2pm, June 13-August 15th (no release on July 4th).  An educator will be in the Butterfly House with information on butterfly life cycles and the types of butterflies that are present that week.  Afterwards, butterflies will be released.  Free for Airlie Members and included in garden admission.  More Info

Food Truck Rodeo Due to the wet weather on April 23rd, the New Hanover County Parks Conservancy is having a "make up" Food Truck Rodeo at Ogden Park on Sunday, June 18th from 12-5pm.  All your favorite food trucks will be there so bring your friends and families out for some good food and great music!  It's also Father's Day- you can treat Dad to a yummy meal without having to do the dishes!  More Info

Airlie Gardens Summer Exhibit Airlie Gardens welcomes Matthew J. Leavell as the artist for their 2017 Summer Art Exhibit, Imagine.  The exhibit runs June 27-Sept 30 and will feature an eclectic assortment of large, colorful, whimsical pieces often constructed of recycled and repurposed materials. Kids can participate in a scavenger hunt to win a cool prize! The exhibit is included in Garden Admission & Free for Airlie Members!  More Info

June Events

Every Wednesday:
Volunteer Opportunity-  Park Beautification at Hugh MacRae Park  10am-12pm

Every Thursday:
Volunteer Opportunity- Grounds/Gardening at Airlie Gardens  9am-12pm

6/2         Airlie Gardens Concert Series- Bad Disguise:  6-8pm (free for Airlie Members)

6/3         Pollinator Party at Airlie Gardens:  10am-1pm (free with garden admission)

6/4         NHC Residents FREE Day at Airlie Gardens:  9am-5pm (last admission is 4:30pm)

6/10        Volunteer Opportunity- Litter Clean-up:  9-11am

6/12        Pop Up Library at Northern Regional Park:  10am-1pm

6/13        Butterfly Release at Airlie Gardens:  2-2:30pm (free with garden admission)

6/14        Bird Hike at Airlie Gardens:  8-9:30am (free with garden admission)

6/15        Educator in the Garden at Airlie Gardens:  2-4pm (free with garden admission)

6/16        Airlie Gardens Concert Series- Jack Jack 180:  6-8pm (free for Airlie Members)

6/18        Food Truck Rodeo at Ogden Park:  12-5pm

6/20        Butterfly Release at Airlie Gardens:  2-2:30pm (free with garden admission)

6/21        Go Skateboarding Day

6/26        Pop Up Library at Northern Regional Park:  10am-1pm

6/27        Butterfly Release at Airlie Gardens:  2-2:30pm (free with garden admission)