One thing that has helped ease the stress of our new lifestyle has been the weather. Being able to go for walks on the regular and eat outside has been sanity saving. We are all familiar with Charlotte’s larger and popular parks; Freedom, Romare Bearden, Latta, but we are trying to keep some extra space between other park goers. A few suggestions on parks, nature preserves and green spaces that may let you stretch out a bit.
Chantilly Neighborhood Park
222 Wyanoke Avenue
Seven acres with a multipurpose field, picnic shelter with grill and walking trails.
Midwood Park
2100 Wilhelmina Ave.
Six acres with a community garden, outdoor amphitheater, field and picnic table shelter with a grill.
Big Rock Nature Preserve
6500 Elmstone Dr
Twenty-two acre preserve with giant rock formations to climb and a 4 mile creek perfect for exploring.
UNCC Botanical Gardens
9090 Craver Rd
10 acres of gardens open to the public including leashed dogs. The UNCC Botanical Gardens offers the largest diversity of plants in one location in Charlotte.
Elon Park
11401 Ardrey Kell Road
118 acre park with fishing pond, a walking trail and 2 disc golf courses if you want to try something different.
McDowell Nature Preserve
15222 South York Road
The oldest preserve in Mecklenburg County, McDowell Nature Reserve offers over 1100 acres of mostly forested terrain along the banks of Lake Wylie. There are over 7 miles of dog-friendly hiking trails too.
Venture outside of Charlotte for smaller crowds
Latta Nature Preserve
6211 Sample Road, Huntersville
Latta Nature Preserve has 16 miles of trails offering hikers, nature enthusiasts, and horseback riders the chance to explore a variety of terrain while enjoying scenic views of Mountain Island Lake, forests, and streams. Dogs are welcome on the preserve trails.
George Poston Park
1101 Lowell Spencer Mountain Road, Gastonia
10 miles of hiking trails, a fishing lake with a pier, dog park and 2 covered picnic shelters, there is plenty of space to social distance from others.
Anne Springs Close Greenway
2536 Lake Haigler Drive, Fort Mill
Anne Springs Close Greenway provides 36 miles of trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding and plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities. The Greenway is currently open to the general public and Greenway members Monday – Thursday and open to members only Friday – Sunday. Now is a great time to become a member for access on the weekends, families are $10 month and individuals $5/month.
