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Kernersville Parks and Recreation

Staying Active

Communities that play together stay together and Kernersville knows how to play. It knows because it listens to its citizens — young and old.

Three years ago, the town’s focus was on a Skate Park for its young people. Of course, once it was built, young people of all ages began using rollerblades, skateboards, and bicycles to navigate ramps, rails, and ledges.

This 12,000-square-foot facility is nestled in the town’s most popular park — the Fourth of July Park. This park recently underwent $1.6 million renovation and includes sheltered picnic areas, tennis, basketball, paved walking trails, a play village for the youngsters complete with a climbing wall, and even a doggy water fountain.

But that was not enough. Now people want a doggy park so that their pets can play with their pals in a safe and natural environment. So, it went before the board and a one acre wooded section has been approved for a fenced in Dog Park. Dog lovers have raised 25% of the cost and hope to have the fundraising completed by the summer of 2007.

“One of our fundraisers,” said Monica Young, “was to have a dog look-a-like fashion show. My neighbor, Caroline, dressed her golden retriever in a patriotic costume and then she put her hair in dog-ear pig-tails and wore red, white, and blue. It was a lot of fun.”

Kernersville Parks and Recreation offers 125 programs that local adults, children, and seniors are interested in. Last year, over 87,000 people participated in the activities. A sampling of the programs is: backpacking, cheerleading, Spanish, crafts, quilting, self-defense for children and adults, adult sports leagues, and dog obedience.

“Bella and I had a great time doing dog obedience with Jan Wilson because she encourages the whole family to come,” said Brandi Hart, “and she works with the children with as much enthusiasm as she does with the paying adults.”

Kernersville Parks and Recreation also sponsors the annual Father/Daughter Valentine’s Dance. This is a formal event with music, dancing, soft drinks, and hors d ‘oeuvres.

“It was my favorite activity that I did with my dad all year,” said 13-year-old Wrenn Williams.

Kernersville is also home to the Beeson Athletic Complex, which is a fine example of community collaboration and it bears the mark of excellence. It was named “one of the best athletic facilities in the nation” when it received the 2002 Pioneer Field of Excellence Award. In 2002, 2003, 2004 the USSSA Youth Baseball World Series was hosted at Beeson.

The Beeson Complex features three tournament quality lighted baseball/softball fields, bleacher seating, concession/restroom building, and an air-conditioned score tower. Future improvements will include a 56,000 sq. ft. indoor recreation center that was recently approved by the Board of Aldermen. Future additions will include a championship miniature golf course, a lake, and paved walking and bicycle trails.

The Beeson Complex is also home to the Kernersville Soccer Association’s five soccer fields, which serves over 1,300 soccer players ages 4-18. In addition to soccer, the largest adult softball leagues are held here every spring and fall, with over 1,200 league players.

Other privately organized youth sports include Little League with 700 participants, Raider’s Football and Raider’s Cheerleading serving 400 youth, and an additional 600 youth play basketball organized by the YMCA or the Family Life Center. YMCA youth sports leagues also include baseball, flag football, indoor soccer, year-round swim team, roller hockey, and the summer swim league KASA competition among various residential subdivision pools. First Christian Church has health and fitness facilities that include a gymnasium and swimming pool.

There are plenty of annual special events in the parks too. Park festivities include the Easter Egg Hunt, Spring Folly Festival, 4th of July fireworks, 5k Road Race, Deacon Day, the Honeybee Festival, and the Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony.

Kernersville has invested in its people and currently has a dynamic duo of two certified Parks & Recreation professionals, Director Jim Pryor and Recreation Operations Supervisor Ernie Pages. Each was the recipient of the Young Professional Award for the State of North Carolina (2000 and 2002 respectively). In 2004, Pryor was recognized as the National Young Professional of the Year.

The nine parks in the vicinity of Kernersville feature 3 lakes, covered picnic shelters with grills, playgrounds, baseball and soccer fields, volleyball and tennis courts, paddle boats, rental fishing boats, and fishing piers.

The YMCA, with 70,000 feet of programming space situated on a 27 acre campus has over 5,600 members. Seeking to be open to all, financial assistance for memberships is available. Members can enjoy a variety of youth and adult sports that focus on allowing everyone to play. As expected, the YMCA is very responsive to community needs and recently added an indoor playground and a 150-foot climbing wall that operates like a treadmill. The YMCA also has two indoor gymnasiums, two indoor pools, and a state-of-the-art computerized fitness center.

In a cooperative venture between the town and the YMCA, an indoor aquatics center and outdoor water park were constructed. Located at the YMCA, the facility is open to non-members. There are wading pools and fountains, open swim areas, and 8 lanes for swimming laps.

Commercially operated recreational opportunities include a movie theater, indoor roller skating, a bowling alley, an indoor skateboard park, dance, gymnastics, hot air balloon rides, gyms, and spas.

Spectator sports are also well supported. With Kernersville located in the center of a vibrant Triad, major league, minor league, and college sports are just minutes away.

GOLF
Kernersville has three public 18-hole golf courses, at Pine Knolls, Maple Leaf, and Olde Home Place. In addition, there are two driving ranges in Kernersville, one is near Glenn High School and the other is at Kernersville Golf Center.

Four of the five top-rated golf courses in the Triad: Tanglewood Championship Course (which hosts the Senior PGA Vantage tour), Bryan Park Champions Course, Grandover Resort East Course, and Salem Glenn Country Club, are all within a 45-minute drive of Kernersville. Pinehurst, often referred to as the “Golf Mecca of the US” is 2 hours away.