Hello Thursday.
April 25 2024
Southeast Raleigh is now home to a Panthers Play 60 Challenge Course + playground at Barwell Road Park (located at 5857 Barwell Park Dr.). The new project — funded by a donation from the Carolina Panthers organization and a Parks Bond — is designed for kids ages 8-12, but can be enjoyed by all.
Children playing on the challenge course | Image by RALtoday
The course includes an NFL-style 40-yd dash with an automated timing device + various climbing obstacles. The park also features a traditional playground and swing set.
Tom Glick, president of the Panthers, credited the team’s community relations director Riley Fields as calling the challenge course “the NFL combine meets American Ninja Warrior.”
The NFL Play 60 program — which is celebrating its 15-year anniversary — aims to help youth be active for at least 60 minutes each day. The Panthers have opened playgrounds + challenge courses in line with the program in Charlotte, but Barwell Road Park is Raleigh’s first.
Former Panthers player Kevin Donnalley attended the ribbon cutting ceremony on Tues., July 13. Kevin grew up in Wake County, and attended Athens Drive High School before playing for Davidson College + UNC Chapel Hill.
Kevin Donnalley at the 40-yd dash | Photo by RALtoday
Playground at Barwell Road Park | Photo by RALtoday
“I spent a lot of time in Pullen Park — my mom had to raise 5 kids, 4 of them boys, and we were very active,” Kevin said. “So the park system was vital to keeping her sanity. It kind of helped me develop some things that helped me go on to be a professional football player.”
After working for the UNC Charlotte football team for a few years, Kevin now works for the UNC Chapel Hill football program.
“I'm just thrilled that I got to be a part of this because I think it's just great for the Panthers organization. It's great for, obviously, Raleigh and the park system here and all these kids will have so much fun.”
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Civic
- Board of Commissioners Meeting | Wed., July 14 | 12:30–2:30 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Wake County is hosting a public meeting to discuss housing authority in the area.
Learn
- Midweek with Doug | Wed., July 14 | 3–4 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Tag along as the JC Raulston Arboretum Garden Manager walks listeners through plants for all seasons + shares some of his favorites. 🌱
Talk
- Virtual Youth Coffeehouse | Wed., July 14 | 5–6 p.m. | Virtual | Free | Grab a cup of coffee + sit down with the LGBT Center of Raleigh for this engaging youth group.
ForKids
- Art Snacks | Wed., July 14 | 10 a.m. | Virtual | Free | Children ages 3-5 will engage in fun art activities + videos. 🎨
- Volcanoes! | Wed., July 14 | 10:15–11:15 a.m. | 2100 Shepherd's Vineyard Dr., Apex | Free | Kids are invited to this outdoor event where they will decorate a volcano + watch as it explodes. 🌋
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Weather
- 90º | Mostly sunny | 20% chance of rain
NowOpen
- Oak City Sports Cards opened last week at 401 N. West St. in Downtown’s Glenwood South area. The store buys, sells, and trades sports cards + other collectibles — from baseball cards all the way to Pokemon cards. You can also find their available collection online.
- Buena Papa Fry Bar has opened Downtown in Morgan Street Food Hall. The spot offers gourmet, made-to-order french fries with premium toppings. Take a look at their Instagram to see what they’re serving. 🍟
Tech
- Raleigh’s insightsoftware has secured a ~$1 billion investment from private equity firm Hg — one of the largest deals in NC history. The company is now one of NC's few unicorns, with a current valuation of ~$4 billion. 💰(The News & Observer)
WaterCooler
- The Carolina Hurricanes are now on the hunt for a new assistant coach. Dean Chynoweth, defensive assistant for the Canes since 2018, left for the Toronto Maple Leafs on Mon., July 12. Dean will become 1 of the highest-paid assistant coaches in the NHL + has not been replaced yet. 🏒(The News & Observer)
Ranked
- Ranked No. 2 in the newest US News & World Report for the Best Places to Live in the US, the Raleigh and Durham areas are attracting growing populations. Charlotte ranked No. 20 on the list — if they’re the Queen City, does that make Raleigh the King City?
- If we had to guess, the Triangle had to have something to do with this. CNBC named NC No. 2 for America's Top States for Business this year. See how the Old North State stacked up in various categories against our northern neighbor, VA, who took the top spot.
- In a study conducted by AdvisorSmith on the Safest Cities in America, Cary ranked No. 1 for mid-sized cities + Raleigh came in at No. 3 for large cities. Check out the study here. 🏆
Listen
- Tomorrow, Thurs., July 15, local company Earfluence Media is hosting a podcast marathon from their studio at Raleigh Founded. The company will be live streaming 10 podcasts — including First Check with Tim McLoughlin and Hustle + Gather. Special guests include Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin, Terrence Holt, and Larry Long.
Civic
- After 20 years in office, Mayor John Byrne of Fuquay-Varina is retiring. Though he ran unopposed in 2019, Mayor Byrne will not be seeking reelection this term. Unlike Raleigh + Cary, Fuquay-Varina’s municipal elections will be held this year on Tues., Nov. 2. (The News & Observer)
FeelGood
- What started as a hobby has turned into his motivator throughout his hardships. Matt Flippin, a Cary cyclist, is participating in the annual Victory Ride that raises money for cancer research. The ride takes place Sat., Aug. 28 + runs through Raleigh ranging from 10-100 miles. 🚴(ABC11)
Outdoors
- With summer bringing our not-so-friendly insects out + about, WRAL has put together a list of a few precautions to take when it comes to ticks + hanging outside. Check out how to protect yourself here.
Correction
- In yesterday’s newsletter, we mistakenly said that the Raleigh Night Market is on Thurs., July 13. This is incorrect — the Raleigh Night Market is Thurs., July 15.
- In Monday’s newsletter, the photo used for the conversation at the beginning of the newsletter was posted by LeVelle Moton but taken by Joshua Mallory.
Wellness
- Drink LMNT replaces essential electrolytes with no sugar, no coloring, no artificial ingredients or any other junk found in conventional electrolyte drinks. Get your free LMNT Sample Pack here (you only cover the cost of shipping). Ⓟ
NC State’s famous corpse flower is expected to bloom sometime this month for just the third time ever. It bloomed for the first time in 2016 — after living on State’s campus for 13 years — and then again in 2019.
When it bloomed, it grew to be over 6 ft tall + let out its namesake odor. Guess when Lupin — named after a Harry Potter character — will bloom using this form by Thurs., July 15 at 12 p.m. for a chance to win a prize pack from NC State.
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