The Charlotte and the surrounding areas have so much to offer in terms of playgrounds and other family-friendly activities for the spring and summer months. We’ve rounded up a list of the top playgrounds and outdoor adventures to add to your spring and summer bucket list. Be sure to follow House of Hensen on Instagram for more family friendly activity ideas in our area.
This FAMILY TO DO in CHARLOTTE series is sponsored by CEENTA.
Best Playgrounds
William Davie Park (South Charlotte/Arborteum Area)
Important Features:
- Bathrooms
- Fully Fenced
- Toddler and big kid friendly
- Convenient Parking
- Some shade
William Davie located off Rea Road near the Arboretum is a great overall playground and checks almost all the boxes of the ideal playground for most ages. It has three different playset areas and two of them can work well for younger toddlers. One of the best aspects is that it’s fully fenced and set up in a way where you can keep an eye on multiple kids in different areas of the playground. There are a few soccer fields close by that can be used to play and run around as well as a dog park further into the facility.
Park Road Park (Southpark Area)
Important Features:
- Bathrooms (they do require a walk down to the pond area)
- Shaded
- Convenient Parking
- Soft Turf Flooring
- Great for toddlers and older kids
Park Road Park located a few miles south of downtown is an awesome park for a wide variety of ages. There are two main playgrounds close together (one for older kids and one for young toddlers) plus a boat structure, sand box, and walking trails around a fishing pond.
The larger playground is one of the few in the area that is partially shaded which makes a huge difference in the summer months. The toddler is a perfect size for little ones due to its scale and options for play. Both playgrounds have a cushioned turf underneath that was recently refurbished.
Freedom Park (Myers Park/Central CLT Area) – Playground and Greenway Combo
Important Features:
- Some shade
- Restrooms
- Convenient Parking
- Good for toddlers and older kids
Freedom park located in central Charlotte near the Dilworth and Myers Park areas is probably one of the most popular parks in Charlotte. With a large playground, Panthers football activity area, and a beautiful pond with walking trails it has so much to offer and can easily take up a whole morning or afternoon.
The playground has a good mix of larger slides and rock walls for older kids and then smaller slides and climbing areas for young toddlers. There is also an old steam train engine that kids can walk into and an area with lots of swings. There are a few large trees and canopies that provide some shade which is really nice during the summer months.
The pond area is beautiful and perfect for stroller walks or scooter rides plus it connects to the greenway if you want to jump on the trail. There are also lots of picnic tables and grassy areas to have a meal.
Crooked Creek Park (Indian Trail) – Playground and Splash Pad Combo
Important Features:
- Fenced
- Convenient Bathrooms and parking
- Splash Pad
- Picnic Tables
Located in Indian Trail this park is a little outside of Charlotte but definitely worth the drive. The main playground has a unique treehouse design and there is even a small zip line for older kids. There are also a variety of swings and climbing features that go with the treehouse theme. One of the best parts of this park is that is has a very large splash pad right by the playground. The splash pad has lots of great sprinklers and sprayers plus covered picnic table areas nearby.
This park also has an ADA – accessible playground located on the other side of the grounds that offers play experiences for children of varying abilities and ages.
Squirrel Lake Park (Matthews) – Playground and Greenway Combo
Important Features:
- Convenient restrooms and parking
- Great for a variety of ages
- Walking trails
Squirrel Lake Park located in Matthews is another favorite park in the CLT area. In addition to a nice playground, it has a fishing pond, wooded walking trails, and connects to the Four Mile Creek Greenway. There is even a popular part of the Greenway close by with a shallow creek area where kids can play in the water.
The playground caters more to older toddlers and big kids with several steep slides and climbing walls but there is a small one for younger toddlers too. The short walking trail is great for young kids since it doesn’t require too much walking.
Pineville Lake Park (Pineville, NC) – Playground and Splash Pad Combo
Important Features:
- Convenient parking and restrooms
- Great for a variety of ages
- Splash Pad
Pineville Lake Park located near downtown Pineville, NC has so much to offer with three different playgrounds, a splash pad, and a beautiful pond with a walking trail. It also has several picnic tables and shelters that can be rented for parties.
I love the variety of playground equipment that is great for toddlers and older kids. My kiddos had such a blast on the unique treehouse style one with the large tube slide. The fully fenced splash pad is located on a hill above the play area and opened up Memorial Day.
Trailhead Park (Tega Cay, SC)
Important Features:
- Fully Fenced
- Convenient parking and restrooms
- Inclusive and adaptive for special needs
- Soft turf flooring
Trailhead playground has lots of great features that makes it a great playground and worth the drive from Charlotte. It is fully fenced and contained in a way that makes it easy to keep track of your kids. The ramp style entries and soft rubber flooring makes it very safe for toddlers and older kids will love the fun slides and climbing features.
Rosedale Park (Huntersville, NC)
Important Features:
- Fully Fenced
- Convenient parking and restrooms
- Unique hill slides and nature play space
- Soft turf flooring
Rosedale Park is Huntersville is a new and very nice playground that has a fully fenced equipment area plus some very unique hill slides. It also has some natural play areas plus a small walking trail. The treehouse design is something kids will also love.
Other Family Outdoor Activities:
McDowell Nature Preserve (South Charlotte)
McDowell Nature Preserve is a thousand acre nature preserve and nature center in southwest Charlotte. It has hiking trails, picnic areas, campground, playground, nature center with animals and programming, and lakefront picnic areas and views.
This is the perfect spot to spend a morning or an afternoon and most of the trails are kid-friendly.
The Union Exchange Farm (Monroe, NC)
The Union Exchange is a newly opened family-run farm in Monroe. It’s a beautiful 54 acre property and is perfect for a simple and stress free outing to enjoy a nice day. There is a market that sells coffee, adult beverages, ice cream and snacks and you can enjoy them in their pavilion overlooking the beautiful pond. There is also a kids playground and farm animals and they host many public events.
Anne Springs Greenway (Ft. Mill, SC)
Anne Springs is a 21-acre green space and nature preserve just across the NC line in Fort Mill. The property offers tons of outdoor activities including walking and hiking trails, a beautiful pond and creek, fishing, and kayaking, historic houses, animals (horses, cows, and other wildlife), and lots more. They also host several special events in the spring and summer months.
Ramsey Creek Beach (Lake Norman)
Ramsey Creek is a waterfront beach and park at Lake Norman. It offers swimming, boat docks, a playground, nature trails, and fishing pier. Lifeguards are on duty at the beach and its open Wed-Sun late May through Labor Day.
Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden (Belmont, NC)
Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden is so beautiful this time of year and is a great kid-friendly way to enjoy the sunshine. Lost Hollow, the children’s garden, has several natural play spaces for kids where they can dig, climb, build with rocks, and play inside some cool structures.
Charlotte Eye Ear Nose & Throat Associates, P.A. (CEENTA) has nearly 140 providers in almost 20 locations bringing specialty care to the community. CEENTA provides comprehensive pediatric and adult eye, ear, nose and throat care, and highly specialized care, too.
These services include but are not limited to: audiology, allergy treatment, cataract surgery, cochlear implants, cornea diseases, diabetic eye care, glaucoma treatment, head and neck cancer, neuro-ophthalmology, oculoplastics, optical and contact lenses, pediatric airway care, sleep medicine, thyroid treatment, and voice and swallowing care.
To schedule an appointment with any of CEENTA’s board-certified physicians, please call 704-295-3000.
