For three decades, Partners for Parks has worked to ensure that current residents and future generations have easy access to parks, greenways, nature preserves and open spaces in Mecklenburg County.
This month, we look back at 30 of our proudest accomplishments since our founding in 1996:
- Donated $50,000 to support scholarships for Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation youth sports and programs. These scholarships will serve 500 local youth.
- Donated $25,000 to help fund the renovation of Grayson Skatepark at Naomi Drenan Recreation Center to reprogram the unused space that currently exists.
- Partnered with Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation, City of Charlotte, and the city’s Department of Public Health to present a diverse series of programming through Open Streets 704, opening streets to create temporary parks for pedestrians and.
- Partnered with the Arts and Science Council’s Culture Blocks program, Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation, the Knight Foundation, and Historic West End residents to host Paths to Parks events featuring cultural performances in three parks (Lincoln Heights Park, Waddell Park, and Irwin Creek Greenway), connected by a temporary car-free, pedestrian pathway.
- Worked with Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation and the City of Charlotte to hold six Corridor Connect events in underserved neighborhoods in 2023. These events closed streets to cars for pedestrian programs and activities.
- Teamed up with Sustain Charlotte and Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation to host a Growing our Greenways series of guided walks to raise awareness of current greenways and the need for more.
- Helped activate Five Points Plaza Park and sponsored the Five Points 5k road race, bringing awareness and fundraising to this West End neighborhood.
- Advocated annually for fully funding the Park and Recreation budget.
- Invited public input and involvement in planning and design of community parks and greenways.
- Championed greenways and Cross Charlotte Trail connectors to foster community and safe routes for pedestrians and cyclists.
- Supported “Learn to Ride” bicycle training for youth at area county recreation centers.
- Spoke at Mecklenburg County Commissioner meetings to encourage investment in community green spaces.
- Helped found the Trail of History to energize the Metropolitan section of the Little Sugar Creek Greenway and partnered with Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation to upgrade the educational signs accompanying the bronze statues.
- Formed a partnership with the East Coast Greenway to advance their mission.
- Dispersed more than $40,000 worth of donations for the construction of Lincoln Heights Community Park, and over $100,000 for the Revolution Park Golf course renovation.
- Contributed to help build the first nature play facility at Reedy Creek Park
- Served as the Local Organizing Committee, responsible for bringing the 2016 U.S. Paralympic Team Trials for Cycling, Swimming and Track & Field to Charlotte
- Hosted the Sounds of Summer concert series at First Ward Park.
- Worked with Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation, Cunningham Recreation, and Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department Metro Division for the “Healing Communities Through Play” to renovate Druid Hills Neighborhood Park.
- Donated the money to buy the seeds, seedlings, and plant labels for McDowell’s Native Plant Sale to help fund camp scholarships for kids in our area.
- Earned national recognition with a prestigious Lehman Award for Park Foundation Excellence from the National Association of Park Foundations.
- Supported the Rollin’ Hornets youth wheelchair basketball team.
- Helped host Play Streets 704 in the Hidden Valley neighborhood.
- Sponsored the Little Sugar Creek Greenway masterplan and worked with Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation on the development of the Metropolitan section of the Little Sugar Creek Greenway and the Liz Hair walkway into Freedom Park.
- Partnered with Wesley Chapel Friends of Parks and Recreation to raise funds and develop Dogwood Park to serve the Wesley Chapel community, which didn’t have a park or playground.
- Supported the Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation initiative to reimagine and reopen Latta Place Historic site.
- Provided land and donated $2 million dollars to be used as seed money to develop a new park in East Charlotte.
- Partnered with Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation to resurface the model airplane field at David B. Waymer Aeromodeller Flying Field Park.
- Partnered with Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation to install new fencing and facility improvements that doubled the size of the William R. Davie Park dog parks for both large and small dogs.
- Partnered with Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation on the Volunteer Build project to improve the playground at Druid Hills Park.
We believe that great parks are the foundation of a strong community. Whether through advocacy, fundraising, or education, we remain dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for all residents and we look forward to 30 more years of impact. Will you join us in building this legacy?
Thanks for reading!
As a nonprofit, Partners for Parks depends on donor support to advocate for, enhance, and expand access to parks, greenways, nature preserves, open spaces, and recreation opportunities. Is a safe, healthy, equitable, and connected community important to you? Join us by making a donation!
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