CityView Magazine

Time for Tennis W BY CAMILLE WHITESIDE to take to one of the local tennis courts and you can't use the excuse of not being a member of a country club, either. The Cumberland County Parks and Recreation Department has tennis courts at five area parks: • Arnette Park at 2165 Old Wilmington Rd. • Lake Rim Park at 2214 Tar Kiln Dr. • Mazarick Park at Belvedere Ave. • Tokay Park at Hamilton Dr. /Sanford Dr. • Westover at Bonanza Dr. With summer quickly approaching, it is time to get outside, enjoy the warm e all have excuses for why we do not do more to improve our health and fitness, but why not make this summer your time of no more excus- es? It doesn't matter what your age is, it is never too late to improve your health. Your name does not have to be Novak Djokovic or Petra Kvitova temperatures, and get active. Tennis provides numerous health benefits. These ben- efits include aerobic fitness, leg strength, general body coordination, speed, agility, gross motor skills, bone strength and density as well as eye-hand coordination. An hour of singles tennis can actually burn 750 calories. Not knowing how to play tennis isn't an excuse either. Cumberland County Parks and Recreation provides tennis lessons for both adults and children. Lessons for adults began March 3 and will run each month through December. Beginners to intermediate players can learn and enjoy tennis in a group setting. Each weekly lesson lasts for one hour during a four week session. Lessons are held at Arnette Park, Lake Rim Park, Mazarick Park, and Tokay Park. You can register at any local recreation center or at Mazarick Park Tennis Center. Adult tennis lessons are for anyone 18 years of age or older. The cost is $40 per month. County Parks and Recreation will also be hosting a tennis camp at Mazarick Park Tennis Center for children 7 to 17 years of age. The camp will be August 13 — 17 from 9 a.m. until noon. The cost is $50. Campers will need to bring snacks and drinks each day, but water and all equipment will be provided. You can register at your local recreation center or at Mazarick Park Tennis Center. Aſter a few tennis lessons, when you're feeling more confident about your game, or if you already know how to play tennis, there will be a free adult tennis social held at Mazarick Park on Saturday, June 16. The social will be from 1 to 5 p.m. and lunch will be served. The social is a great way to meet people and have a healthy aſternoon of fun. For additional information on any of the activities sponsored by the Cumberland County Parks and Recreation Department, contact 910.433.1392. Tennis pro Mike See, Alex Barkman, Nathan Lieberman, and Lauren McDonough CityViewNC.com | 45

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