A map last year provided the general outline of the Caldwell Station Greenway, with several route options. After months of work, consultants May 23 will present a proposed trail alignment. Click for the full map.

Consultants will present the proposed alignment for the Caldwell Station Creek Greenway at a public workshop Thursday, May 23. The $2 million, 2-mile greenway will link Bailey Road Park on NC 115 with US 21 near the Home Depot.

The meeting runs 6:30 to 8pm at Cornelius Town Hall, 21445 Catawba Ave.

The project is the first since the town adopted a Pedestrian Master Plan last year, which envisions a variety of pedestrian and cycling paths in town. Troy Fitzsimmons, director of Cornelius Parks, Arts, Recreation & Culture (PARC), has said it could be the first in an eventual “emerald necklace” of paths around town. Read the full story

Registration is now open for 2013 summer camps offered by the recreation departments of area towns. We have more information, plus links to their program guides and online registration sites, today in THE GUIDE»

Cornelius Parks, Arts, Recreation and Culture will offer a variety of activities for kids during spring break this week, from drop-in art to open gym to a Friday PARC Day at Smithville Park. Read the full story

Cornelius Parks Arts Recreation and Culture (PARC) offers a pair of Easter-related events this weekend, a visit with the Easter Bunny on Friday morning at Cornelius Arts Center and the annual “Hop into Spring” family festival on Saturday afternoon at Bailey Road Park. Read the full story

Scenes from the ‘Tawba Walk Friday night in downtown Cornelius. See a gallery below. (Chuck McShane/CorneliusNews.net)

‘Tawba Walk flier.

By CHUCK McSHANE
CorneliusNews.net

The sound of live music and the smell of popcorn filled the air at the Oak Street Mill Friday night in Cornelius as the third annual ‘Tawba Walk kicked off spring downtown. The art crawl drew  a big crowd on a sunny and cool evening.

Artist, crafts sellers, and food vendors from Cornelius and surrounding towns set up in the parking lot and inside the converted mill. The action spread up the hill to Catawba Avenue, where local shops stayed open late, while local artists and musicians painted and performed on the sidewalk.

The event was presented by Bella Love Studios and Cornelius PARC, with sponsorship from Cooke Rentals, Corneliusnews.net, Kadi Fit, Mama’s Pizza Express, Memoories Pawn Show, the Olive Branch, and Promo Spread.

The festival was the latest in a series of events aimed at promoting downtown Conrelius as an arts district.

Entertainment included music by The Goodnight Brothers and Güder and Arsena Schroeder as well as a live graffiti wall. Artists sold everything from jewelry and accessories to paintings, hand-crafted items and home décor.

See our coverage of previous ‘Tawba Walks on CorneliusNews.net.

TAWBA WALK GALLERY

Rain fell on a baseball field at Westmoreland Athletic Complex last week. (David Boraks/CorneliusNews.net)

Sen. Jeff Tarte

The Cornelius Parks, Arts, Recreation, and Culture Committee will hold a public hearing at its meeting Thursday, March 7, on a proposal to name a field at the Westmoreland Athletic Complex after former mayor Jeff Tarte. Read the full story

Cornelius residents listened to music at Saturday’s Celebrate Smithville community festival at Town Hall. More photos below. (Cornelius PARC photo)

Dozens of Cornelius residents came to Town Hall on Saturday, Feb. 23, for the 2nd annual  “Celebrate Smithville” festival, hosted by Smithville CommUNITY Coalition and Cornelius Parks, Arts, Recreation & Culture.

There was food, dance and music, including performances by the Calvin Edwards Trio Jazz Band and local choral groups. Children’s crafts also were offered, and some residents also worked on a community quilt. Read the full story

Tedd Duncan (center) of Stantec Consulting, and Dan Dodd (left) of Dodd Studio go over a map at Tuesday’s workshop on the Caldwell Station greenway plan. (David Boraks/CorneliusNews.net)

By DAVID BORAKS
CorneliusNews.net

Cornelius some day could have an “emerald necklace” of greenways and trails around town, the town’s parks and recreation director says. And that network will begin with a $2 million, 2-mile greenway connecting Bailey Road Park on N.C. 115 with US 21 near the Home Depot.

About two dozen citizens came to a workshop at Town Hall Tuesday night to learn about possible alignments for the trail, which is being called the Caldwell Station Greenway. Officials have discussed several routes: One following Caldwell Station Creek, one that would run along along Bailey Road, and a third that could go through or behind the Oakhurst neighborhood. Read the full story