Rhino Times readers often point out in article comments whenever a free city event is announced that no city event is really free because taxpayers paid for it. So, perhaps a better way to describe those events is in this way: You’ve already paid for these so you might as well go out and enjoy them if you’re interested.
This week, the City of Greensboro announced three “free” events that will appeal to a wide range of area residents.
For intellectuals interested in history, on Thursday, April 25, the Greensboro History Museum is welcoming J. Myrick Howard, the author of “Buying Time for Heritage: How to Save an Endangered Historic Property.”
Howard will discuss his book with Preservation Greensboro Executive Director Haley Moloney at 6 p.m. that evening at the museum at 130 Summit Ave. in downtown Greensboro.
Howard is President Emeritus of the statewide nonprofit Preservation North Carolina – an organization he led for 45 years. He’s also the recipient of the 2023 Louise du Pont Crowninshield Award from the National Trust for Historic Preservation. If you don’t know, that’s the highest honor there is in the field of preservation.
Buying Time for Heritage is described as “a practical guide built on decades of historic preservation experience to provide readers with legal, financial, political, and technical tools and strategies to be more effective preservationists.”
He stresses that it doesn’t take a lot of money to save endangered historic properties – just knowledge and passion.
For those who like things with wheels, there’s a “free” “Wheels on the Greenway” event set for Saturday, May 4. The Greensboro Parks and Recreation Department is hosting the ninth annual event from 9 a.m. to noon along the Downtown Greenway.
The center of activity will be Woven Works Park at the intersection of Lindsay Street and Murrow Boulevard.
Parking is available at the State Employees’ Credit Union at 405 N. Murrow Blvd. – “although visitors are encouraged to roll up to the event on their bikes, skateboards, roller skates, or scooters.”
All human-powered wheels and e-bikes and e-scooters are welcome.
At the event, over 30 organizations will be offering things like “adaptive cycle demos, youth helmet giveaways, a bike repair station, a mini skate park and skateboard demos, a children’s bike safety rodeo, guided rides, ‘bling your bike’ stations, prize drawings, face painting and the wild animals of the ECO Bus.”
This event may actually be truly free; it’s made possible by the support of these 2024 Downtown Greenway sponsors: Cemala Foundation, Cone Health, Dawn S. Chaney Foundation, Deep Roots Market, Fleet Feet Greensboro/High Point, Greensboro College, the Greensboro Parks Foundation, Joymongers Brewing Company, and Ready for School/Ready for Life and The Basics Guilford.
And finally, on Sunday, May 5, Lake Townsend is hosting a “Demo Day” Paddling Event.
There, people can try kayaking, canoeing, standup paddleboarding or rowing a boat on Lake Townsend from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The event will feature expert paddling demonstrations, live music and food trucks (which will want money).
All boat launch fees, fishing pier fees and boat rental fees will be waived that day.
There will be booths at the event from Get Outdoors Paddle & Pedal, the North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission, City of Greensboro environmental educators, REI, and the Lake Townsend Yacht Club.
Children under 16 will need permission from an adult to paddle, preferably an adult who has some sort of responsibility for them and not just some random adult.
The City of Greensboro adds this note to patrons: Lake Townsend will be closed to power boats during the Demo Day event.
For more information about programs and events at city lakes, you can visit www.greensboro-nc.gov/lakes.
