Archive for June, 2009
Fayetteville/Cumberland County Parks & Rec
I’m a mom of two girls – ages 9 and 11. Cumberland County Parks & Rec offers a bunch of programming for tweens; and pre-teens – we are constantly involved in something. I wanted to share some of the available programming with you.
First, there are youth sports throughout the year. Click the linked text to see what current registration is underway. And the cost is minimal – I mean like $20 to participate per season. Literally – all year long there is something going on.
Each of our Rec Centers offer their own programming as well. There are 17 throughout the county. My kids have taken cooking classes, done crafts, gone to ‘parents night out’ – where they get to hang out and watch a movie – and done a lot more through our regional rec center. Each center also offers a variety of exercise classes – yoga, aerobics and karate are common.
We have a number of special parks in the area. Lake Rim park, offers baseball fields, soccer and football fields, playgrounds, picnic areas, and an interpretative nature trail. I’ve linked to some of the special programming at Lake Rim park. When my kids were younger they went on dinosaur and fish adventures for 1/2-day specialty camps. It was great. Next to Lake Rim Park is the John Pechmnann fishing education center. Lake Rim is a stocked lake and the center offers a bunch of educational opportunities and times the kids can go fishing and catch some massive fish.
Another personal favorite is the Cape Fear River Trail. This is a 4.7 mile walking/biking trail along the Cape Fear River. Here’s a quote direct from their website:
Along the trail are interpretive signs explaining the wildlife and plant life found in the area. There are more than 700 species of plants and trees, and 150 species of birds. The River Trail area is also home to an unusual combination and diversity of hardwood trees. Frogs, lizards and turtles are common sights, with an occasional deer.
This is just a sampling of the cool stuff offered by Fayetteville/CC Parks & Rec at their 66 parks and recreation centers throughout the county. Please take a moment and check out the current Activities Brochure to see the wide range of available activities. You’ll be caught up in the cool stuff your family could be experiencing !
Fun in Fayetteville
Do you know all of the fun activities and places to go in Fayetteville? If not, you will know a large portion by the end of this blog!
Fayetteville is a place that is full of rich history, selfless heroes, and a warm & welcoming hometown feeling. Six months ago, I moved here from the D.C. area, and have been pleasantly surprised by the numerous and exciting things I have experienced in this town.
My ultimate favorite event to attend is Fayetteville After Five (every 3rd Thursday of every “warm” month). It amazes me when I ask other locals here if they know what that is, and a large percentage don’t know about it! Fayetteville After Five is located in Festival Park in downtown Fayetteville. Either a local, regional or national band puts on this free concert every 3rd Thursday just for us! You can sit in the lawn, sip on a beer, and eat a hot dog, cotton candy, funnel cake or whatever your heart desires from our wonderful outside vendors! This event is geared towards all ages!
Now, I will cover a number of other enjoyable things to do in Fayetteville.
Watch a play at the Cape Fear Regional Theatre. See a fabulous concert or attend a trade/craft show at Crown Coliseum. Have a lovely picnic by the lake at the Botanical Gardens. Admire the artwork at Fayetteville Museum of Art. Go to the largest indoor climbing wall on the East Coast @ The Climbing Place and if you’re feeling extra adventurous, go indoor Skydiving at Paraclete Sky Adventure!
If you’re into sports, there’s always a game going on at Crown Coliseum, whether it’s watching the Fayetteville Guard, indoor football games or the Fayetteville FireAntz Hockey Team play. And how about grabbing some peanuts and crackerjacks at JP Riddle Stadium for some SwampDogs Baseball games?
Now if you’re a huge history buff, there’s plenty of history to go around in this town! Set up a personal tour to visit both the Fayetteville Area Transportation Museum downtown and the Museum of the Cape Fear Historical Complex and learn all about Fayetteville’s rich history. Experience the simulator at The Airborne and Special Operations Museum and learn about the Army here. Visit the old Poe House which was owned by a large wealthy family in the 18th century and is still preserved as it was back then! Please note that these museums just previously mentioned are just to name a few!
If you are interested in our all- American Army heroes, take a tour of Fort Bragg, home to approximately 50,000 soldiers! You can watch the Paratroopers jump out of Army aircrafts @ the Sicily Drop Zone! Also, be sure to check out the 82nd Airborne Museum located on post as well.
Downtown Fayetteville is a big hot spot for entertainment & festivities! Fourth Friday is a great way to get a taste of Fayetteville’s galleries, bookstores, bistros and shops. You could sit out on the patio of Huske Hardware House and enjoy one of their freshly brewed beers! Hit up the Piano Bar and request your favorite song.
Boy, I could go on for a while but I think I’ll stop here for now!
I truly hope this has helped some of you learn a little bit more about Fayetteville’s entertainment scene. The next time you hear someone say, “There’s nothing to do in Fayetteville,” please tell them they are incorrect and share the information, which I have just shared with you! Fayetteville is an extremely vibrant community full of fun and entertainment and I am proud to call this place, my new home.