Albemarle declares July as Parks and Recreation Month

With the National Recreation and Parks Association having designated July as “Parks and Recreation Month” throughout the USA, Albemarle City Council joined thousands of municipalities and counties in adopting a local proclamation of the same at its July 8 meeting.
Albemarle Parks and Recreation Director Lisa Kiser read the proclamation, which summarized the benefits of parks facilities and recreation programs to Albemarle’s citizens and visitors, namely:
• Promotion of health, wellness, and active lifestyles, which lead to lower rates of mental and physical illness;
• Provision of services that encourage healthy childhood development, such as after school programming, youth sports, and environmental education;
• Preservation of natural, ecological, and environmental resources, which encourage individuals to connect with nature; and
• Production of economic prosperity through bolstered property values, increased tourism, attraction of businesses, and reduction of crime.
Council members Bill Aldridge, Martha Sue Hall, and Benton Dry all expressed strong praise for the Parks and Recreation staff.
“Thanks to Lisa for her leadership, and to the staff for all you do, not only for the residents of Albemarle, but for those coming to visit on special occasions,” said Aldridge.
Hall was complimentary of the department’s Food Truck Fridays program, as well as recent work at Don Montgomery Park.
“Compared to last year, (Don Montgomery Park) looks so good, the bathroom facilities, the mound, everything looks great,” she said.
“As you know, Parks and Recreation is a big thing with me,” said Dry, adding, “and with the way (Albemarle) is growing, it’s going to require a lot more in the future; people are going to expect more.”
Dry also complimented Kiser’s leadership and foresight.
“I feel like we have good leadership, and look forward to greater things happening with Parks and Recreation,” he added.
In other business, council members:
• Rescheduled the Sept. 2 meeting to Sept. 3 in observance of Labor Day.
• Appointed Ben Lisk to the city’s Historic Resources Commission, and Elizabeth Landrum to an alternate position on the Planning and Zoning Board.
• Heard concerns from East Main Street resident Markeeta Hamilton regarding possible code violations and excessive noise at a neighboring property.
Albemarle City Council will next meet on at 6:30 p.m. July 22 at City Hall.

Toby Thorpe is a freelance writer for The Stanly News & Press.

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