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"Improving Quality of Life" Town of Huntersville "S.O.U.L.S." Program Through the years, the Town of Huntersville has built numerous parks and recreation facilities to meet grow- ing demands and needs. However, while the parks and recreation department offers numerous opportunities in senior programs, one area of the town's recreation portfolio that lacked specific offerings for seniors was at the Huntersville Family Fitness & Aquatics (HFFA). The S.O.U.L.S. (Seniors: Older, United & Living Stronger) program through HFFA supports seniors through special programming that connects them with local resources, assists them in navigating within the medical and local community, increases health awareness and encourages positive healthy behaviors. The program provides three key areas of service: Fit- ness, Education /Screenings and Social Activities. These three areas of service contribute to the Town's ability to create lifelong communities and helps to foster a high quality of life, regardless of age or disability. The S.O.U.L.S. program is expected to continue to grow and the program's strategic planning team is cur- rently working with local medical professionals to help expand service offerings. I — I I I — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — "Improving Quality of Life" Town of Matthews Sewer Pipe Art Initiative I I I i I i I Upon the opening of the Town of Matthew's Four Mile Creek Greenway, Town officials were looking for ways to improve the greenway's aesthetics. However, 1 due to the recession, there were very little funds for "extras" on the trail. The sewer pipes along the Green- way provided the perfect opportunity for the Town's Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resource Department to collaborate with local artists to enhance the space. 1 As with many greenways, much of the path travels along a sewer easement. Thus, there are methane pipes and manhole covers along much of the greenway. These 1 pipes were an eyesore and stuck out when compared to the new, beautiful greenway. Utilizing the talents of local artists, the Town worked to beautify the appearance of the pipes. The Town start - ed the project with roughly 25 paintable locations and 1 had 12 -15 local artists transform the pipes and manholes into whimsical art pieces. 1 The project is recognized as an all- around win -win for the community —the artists are proud to have their work on display in the Town, citizens have a much more aesthetically pleasing experience while traveling the greenway and the Town was able to expand its public art I initiative. One of a Pair of Giraffes from Vicky KaA�"ment number C - 3 Page 69 S.O.U.L.S. participant receiving specialized training to help improve health and physical functioning. "The Upside Down Flower" by Diane Ramirez - Harrison