Parks , Recreation , & Cultural Resources
FY2023-2024 Accomplishments Continued
� The Department continued to increase efforts to support inclusion through park amenities , performances , and programming . GPAC offered sensory friendly performances , White Deer Park created an outdoor Barefoot Sensory Path , GRC added an outdoor accessible traverse climbing wall , and the team participated in various training ' s to learn about new and emerging best practices in inclusive recreation . Many of these efforts were supported by grants .
� The Department launched Adaptive Recreation and Inclusion Services for Everyone ( ARISE ) in the fall with an event featuring adapted sports such as futsal , volleyball , and boccia . The most popular ARISE program , Journey League Basketball , is now running three seasons per year with 30-35 participants each season .
� The Department celebrated “ Where Community Grows ” Park and Recreation Month in July 2023 with various initiatives including a park decal contest , popsicles and Rec & Roll in the park , lighting Town Hall green , chocolate day giveaway , and a video produced in coordination with the Communications Department .
� GPAC celebrated the 100 th birthday of its historic home , originally Garner High School , with a free outdoor concert . � GPAC hosted and managed the Wake County Senior Games Silver Arts competition . � Festival Latino was added to the Department ’ s event lineup and was held in September 2023 at the
Garner Recreation Center , featuring live music and dance performances , artisan vendors , and more . � The Garner Senior Center hosted U . S . Department Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra and N . C . Secretary Kody Kinsley in February 2024 to discuss the Inflation Reduction Act .
� White Deer Park natural areas were improved with new donated plants . The National Wildlife Federation donated 64 native pollinator plants through its Garden for Wildlife program . The Wake Forest Foundation donated flowering dogwoods , high-bush blueberries , and viburnums . Staff and volunteers planted the donations valued at $ 2,500 .
� During Spring Big Sweep , 38 volunteers contributed 57 hours of service removing trash from multiple parks and roadsides .
� During White Deer Park ’ s Parks for Pollinators Bio Blitz , participants and staff logged a total of 147 different species of pollinators in this annual citizen science event .
� The 2024 Groundhog Day event had more than 700 attendees , the highest attendance since starting the event in 2010 . The event also attracted media , with over five media connections made .
� The Department finalized a new Brand Style Guide to support marketing efforts . The two micro buses were wrapped to reflect the brand .
� The Department participated in the statewide celebration of the North Carolina Year of the Trail , offering 67 programs celebrating Town of Garner trails attended by more than 760 participants . � Youth basketball and volleyball leagues were held in the summer and winter . � Camp K Jr . and Sr . are exceeding maximum numbers each summer session with many local youth on the wait lists . During the summer of 2023 , there were 960 total camp enrollments for Camp K , plus another 167 on wait lists .
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