It’s time to get outside and enjoy Charlotte’s many beautiful outdoor spaces. Did you know that Mecklenburg County has more than 230 parks! Some are well-known, but others are hidden gems you should get to know.
Whether you’re looking for a new place for a run, a picnic spot with your sweetie or somewhere to lay out a blanket and pour yourself into a book, there are so many options! You could pick a new park each week and still be exploring new places four years from now.
Here are some spots in neighborhoods near center city.
DILWORTH
Latta Park, 601 E. Park Avenue This park has something for everyone. There’s a fun playground, a splash pad, basketball court, soccer fields, tennis courts, volleyball, a covered picnic area with restrooms and lots of lush grass to lay on. AND, for those of us who love real estate, this is one of the BEST places to admire the houses in this historic neighborhood.
Freedom Park, 1908 East Boulevard This 98-acre oasis on the edge of Dilworth and Myers Park is Charlotte’s most well-known park. It hosts the annual Festival in the Park in September and dog-walkers year-round. There’s a wide paved path around the pond and tree- shaded trails. There’s also plenty of open space to fly a kite, have a picnic or just people watch. The kids will love the playground, giant sandbox and the parked train car that’s fun to explore.
PLAZA MIDWOOD
Midwood Park, 2100 Wilhelmina Avenue Finding this park is like uncovering a special secret! It’s situated deep in the Plaza Midwood neighborhood, surrounded by houses. It has a small amphitheater, playground, picnic shelter, tennis court, basketball court and bathrooms. Moms who live nearby are cringing that I’m telling the rest of you about this lovely oasis.
NODA / VILLA HEIGHTS
Cordelia Park, 2100 North Davidson Street This park connects two sections of the Little Sugar Creek Greenway. It has lots of amenities, including a pool, sprayground, picnic shelters, playground and walking trails. This park offers a fantastic view of uptown too.
EASTOVER
Eastover Park, 2730 Randolph Road This park is next to the Mint Museum. There’s not much here in the way of amenities, but it is an enormous, gorgeous green space.
MIDTOWN
Pearl Street Park, 1200 Baxter Street This 11-acre park in midtown has basketball and pickleball courts, outdoor fitness equipment and a playground. It was built for the Brooklyn community, which was once Charlotte’s largest Black neighborhood during segregation. Plaques in the park honor that history.
UPTOWN
Romare Bearden Park, 300 S. Church Street Situated next to the Knights’ baseball stadium and amid uptown’s skyscrapers, this lovely five-acre park has lots of nooks and crannies to hang out with friends, have a picnic or people watch. Often, there is live music and yoga classes.
SEDGEFIELD
Sedgefield Park, 621 Elmhurst Road This is a quiet little park near the Park Road Shopping Center. There are walking trails, a playground, picnic area as well as basketball and tennis courts. People say you can get a lovely view of the sunset here.