Grand Reopening at Independence Park
Renovations are complete, and the Queen City’s oldest public park has finally reopened to the public -- with more than a shiny new coat of paint to show for it! Following a temporary closure in 2021, Independence Park underwent a $6 million transformation, which included renovations and restoration of park amenities, trailways, ballfields, and nearby American Legion Memorial Stadium.
Independence Park was originally built in the city of Charlotte’s drinking water reservoir, and after over a century of use, development and residential growth in Elizabeth, the park was overdue for some TLC.
“Independence Park is truly a Charlotte landmark,” said Al Brown, Partners for Parks Treasurer. “It’s hosted countless weddings, events, and family picnics… this investment quite literally breathes new life into this beautiful, historic and well-loved park.”
The restoration process was split up into three phases– the first phase focused on the park’s next-door baseball field and American Legion Memorial Stadium across Charlottetown Avenue, home of the Charlotte Independence and formerly the Charlotte Hounds. The recently completed second phase focused on the restoration of the center of the park, which included the playground and historic pavilion, and the addition of a 12-foot wide greenway that will eventually connect the Hawthorn Lane section of the park, which will be fully renovated as part of the third phase.
Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation worked closely with Charlotte Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission to make sure the original park fixtures were kept and restored properly. This includes many of the original walls and stairs, as well as the reflecting pool closer to Hawthorne Lane.
Although these fixtures are an integral part of the park and Charlotte’s history, the park has a not-so-bright past of its own. When the park originally opened in the early 20th century, it was a White-only park, even stating so in the original 1905 deed, that there should be, “established … a public park for the use of white people.”
“We really made that an effort, even at the opening , to refresh people’s minds that that is no longer the case,” said Kevin Brickman, Senior Planner for Mecklenburg Parks and Recreation. “That’s a reason why at Independence Park, prior to COVID, we always did the Juneteenth Festival there. We want to bring that back, and bring back more programming for all, and make it accessible for all, and heal those wounds of the past.”
As part of the effort to address and educate residents on the park’s past, a new mural was installed by Charlotte artist Georgie Nakima, in collaboration with the Charlotte Arts and Science Council. Nakima’s piece, titled “Natural Rhythms,” can now be seen on the Armory Building facing the park.
The new and improved Independence Park was officially reopened to the public on Thursday, June 29. Here’s to another 100 years of this Charlotte landmark!
County’s Budget is Good News for Parks
Mecklenburg County Commissioners vote to invest in parks and green spaces with the approval of the County’s Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). The CIP is the County’s five-year investment plan in current and future projects and facilities. Commissioners approved the Plan earlier this month.
The $4 billion, five-year Plan funds a range of projects from FY2024-FY2028, from Parks, to schools, courts and community resource centers, and libraries. The Plan covers the renovation or replacement of County-owned facilities, infrastructure, equipment, and land acquisition.
For Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation, the Plan will fund reinvestment in existing and future parks, nature preserves, rec centers, and greenways; new or upgraded amenities at Parks across Mecklenburg County; and improved access to those parks, facilities, centers, and greenways.
“The County’s investment in the public’s parks and green spaces is really in investment in its people,” said Beth Poovey, Partners for Parks President. “And like any investment, it will pay off over time. We’re excited about the fruits these seeds will bear for the entire community.”
This year, the County is implementing a rolling CIP, meaning plans will be reevaluated each year and adjusted to account for changes in construction costs, revenue estimates and the addition of new projects based on evolving priorities.
Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation priorities are based on the Department’s guiding principles set within the Meck Playbook. The Playbook is the Department’s Master Plan; the result of community input and Park and Recreation staff evaluations of priority projects. The CIP will fund 37, listed here on the County’s website. https://www.publicinput.com/S0843
Connectivity Continues with Greenway Extension
It’s official! Mecklenburg County’s Little Sugar Creek Greenway now reaches all the way to the South Carolina State line. Partners for Parks along with other friends and advocates joined Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation representatives for a ribbon cutting earlier this month, celebrating this newest stretch of greenway.
This newest greenway section runs from the President James K. Polk State Historic Site into Lancaster County, South Carolina. The $8 million project includes four pedestrian bridge crossings, five neighborhood connections, and three boardwalk systems, similar to those seen at Torrence Creek and Four Mile Creek Greenways.
“This is truly a legacy project that will provide lasting impact on not just the communities adjacent to it, but also the region as a whole,” said Al Brown, Partners for Parks Treasurer. “These projects showcase Mecklenburg County’s commitment to providing safe, equitable, and connected access to parks and green spaces.”
The Little Sugar Creek Greenway, which is also part of the Carolina Thread Trail and the Cross Charlotte Trail, now runs continuously from Cordelia Park in Charlotte’s Villa Heights neighborhood, all the way to the state line. The section between Brandywine Road in Myers Park and Tyvola Road west of Park Road opened up in late April.
And it’s not just exciting news for walkers, runners, and cyclists looking for car-free places to log some miles. Consider it another real step forward in creating real connectivity throughout Mecklenburg County.
“This new greenway segment adds another three miles to the Cross Charlotte Trail connecting users to many more existing miles of a safe, off street place to walk or ride,” said Shannon Binns, Founder and Executive Director at Sustain Charlotte. “Connectivity and extending existing greenways is critical to creating a network that can be used for transportation as well as recreation.”
The greenway will eventually extended to the University City area connecting with the Mallard Creek greenway. Mecklenburg County has at least seven projects planned which should add nearly 15 miles of additional greenway. Those projects should begin construction within a year.
Learn to Ride Returns
Riding a bike is a life skill. And as some skills go, it’s one not everyone has aptitude for or access to. The Learn to Ride program works to change those dynamics with free, volunteer-led opportunities around Mecklenburg County. Earlier this month, Learn to Ride program coordinators and partners hosted the first Learn to Ride event since 2020, after a nearly 3-year hiatus.
More than 100 participants registered for the Learn to Ride event held at Mecklenburg County’s Eastway Regional Recreation Center. Volunteer partners from the Bank City Bike Club, Birdsong Brewing/Slippery Sasquatch Race Team, joined Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation team members, Bicycle Sport, and friends to guide want-to-be cyclists through the tried-and-true “balance bike” method.
“This is a perfect partnership,” said Gabe Hackney, Facility Manager at Eastway Regional Recreation Center. “It means everything to help provide people with the skills be active, and to have committed partners in the process.”
“There’s nothing like the joy on the face of a person who’s just learned how to balance on two wheels,” added program co-founder, Dick Winters.
Winters, along with Bicycle Sport owner, Ben Cooley; and other partners launched the program 10 years ago. The shared vision to get people on bikes in a safe, accessible environment made the partnership with Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation a natural fit. Since then, Learn to Ride has been recognized by the state for its efforts in teaching thousands of kids – and adults – how to ride a bike.
“Getting people on bikes is how we’re going to keep growing the Charlotte cycling community,” said Ben Cooley, program co-founder and owner of Bicycle Sport. “The more people on bikes, the easier, safer, and more convenient cycling is going to be for everyone-- and the more good things will come from that.”
Plans for upcoming fall Learn to Ride events will be published on the program website at LearntoRideClt.com, or its Facebook page at Facebook/LearntoRideCLT.
Go West for Some Outdoor Fun
There’s plenty to do outside this time of year! From outdoor festivals, tours, and events, to picnics, hikes, and strolls along the trails and greenways; there’s probably not enough spring and summer to do it all. If you feel you’ve, “been there, done that,” close to home, there’s more to explore just west of Charlotte.
We spoke with Melissa McCauley, Marketing Manager from Gaston County Tourism Development about must-see locations and little-known opportunities to get outside. Have you seen them all yet??
Crowders Mountain State Park
The pinnacle of Gaston County State Park and a must-see for visitors! Just a 30 minute drive from Charlotte, this one-of-a-kind park includes 30 miles of hiking trails – including the Ridgeline Trail connecting to Kings Mountain National Military Park in South Carolina. There’s space for camping, paddling, fishing, rock climbing, and bouldering, too.
https://www.gogastonnc.org/post/an-insider-s-guide-to-crowders-mountain-state-park
Goat Island Park in Cramerton
Goat Island in Cramerton is a fun park where you can rent kayaks and bikes and other equipment to use in the park such as disc golf, ping pong, and corn hole via Confluence. The park features two pedestrian bridges over the South Fork River, a fishing pier, playgrounds for the kids, and an adult fitness pavilion. There’s also an 18 hole disc golf course on the property. Make a day of it and rent one of the reservable picnic shelters.
https://www.gogastonnc.org/places/goat-island-park
Tuckaseege Park in Mount Holly
Tuckaseege Park in Mount Holly is a popular place for locals to picnic, play, and spend some quality family time. The park stays busy with three baseball fields and one multi-purpose field, too. The park is adjacent to the Tuckaseege Community Center, which includes a fitness center, and courts for basketball, volleyball, and indoor soccer. McCauley says there’s also a great trail to explore along the Catawba River.
https://www.gogastonnc.org/places/Tuckaseege-Park-in-Mount-Holly
George Poston Park
Tucked near the base of Spencer Mountain, George Poston Park features 13 miles of trails built by Piedmont Area Single Track Alliance. The park is also home to North Carolina's first asphalt pump track. But Poston isn’t just for bikes. The park includes lighted ballfields for soccer and softball, a volleyball court, covered shelters, trails, a fishing pier, a dog park, playground equipment, and a whole lot more.
https://www.gogastonnc.org/post/george-poston-park-mountain-biking
Rankin Lake Park
A Gaston County landmark since its construction in the 1920’s, Rankin Lake Park boasts a beautiful trail running along the perimeter of the lake with opportunities to paddle and fish. And that’s just the start of it. The 242-acre park includes picnic shelters, an 18-hole disc golf course, two horseshoe courts, an outdoor classroom, and a trailhead and connector to the Highland Rail Trail of the greenway system.
https://www.gogastonnc.org/post/copy-of-go-gaston-poston-park-perfect-place-to-bike-walk-fish-romp
Off the Trail and Into the Water
Paddling in growing in popularity since Catawba Riverkeeper moved their headquarters to McAdenville. Visitors can access the water via the Boathouse run by CR for a fun day on the water. They will completely get you outfitted for a fun day. There are several other mobile companies that will also get you geared up for a fun day with hourly rentals.
https://www.gogastonnc.org/paddle
https://www.gogastonnc.org/post/nc-weekend-features-paddling-on-gaston-county-blueways
Did we miss one of your favorites or best-kept secrets in Gaston County? Let us know in the comments!
Advocacy for More Parks and Recreation
Beth Poovey, President
Hi I am Beth Poovey, President of Partners for Parks.
We are an all-volunteer board, from all over the County, several who are here with me, including Sean Langley who will speak next. Partners for Parks aims to improve the quality of life for the citizens of Mecklenburg County and the surrounding region by preserving, promoting and enhancing the parks, greenways, open spaces.
We believe that parks build community and greenways connect communities.
We think YOU have a really important job.
You are the safe holders, the overseers, of a critical part of the urban infrastructure – the green infrastructure.
Communities that thrive, are communities that understand the value that is created by investing in greenways and parks – they understand that the investment is not an “extra”
They prioritize investing in buying land, building parks and greenways, keeping them looking great (because they are face of the community), and keeping them activated –
These communities know that parks and greenways are critical in making our urban areas liveable, equitable, attractive to live in, safe to grow up in, places to keep our air and water healthy, our bodies and minds healthy. Places to learn, explore, discover.
That investment is not optional.
You are charged with understanding the importance of the infrastructure that breathes life into our community. You are charged with giving it the necessary funding to buy the land, to staff it with enough people to plan, operate and maintain it to a high level, and to build the system, the infrastructure.
And you are charged with making it equitable to all our communities, all our residents, to have equitable access to high quality parks and greenways. We are hopeful that you will increase the budget, approve additional funds, help us continue to create a system with equitable access to this critical, green infrastructure.
Sean Langley, Board Member
Good Evening, My name is Sean Langley and I serve on the Partner for Parks Board alongside our President, Beth Poovey. I also serve as President of the McCrorey Heights Neighborhood Association located on the northwest edge of our city.
Charlotte Trail of History Festival
In a city brimming with history – and equally famous for paving over it – the Charlotte Trail of History and Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation teamed up to help make the past part of a modern and approachable conversation.
The first-ever Trail of History Festival featured music and art demonstrations, talks by local historians and museum interpreters, and tours of the statues along the adjacent Little Sugar Creek Greenway. Organizers dubbed it a fitting nod to Mecklenburg County’s history and a celebration of its culture and growth.
“History really does deserve its day,” said Kendall Kendrick, Executive Director, Charlotte Trail of History. “We have a wide variety of organizations here to help tell those stories.”
Partners for Parks was one of the organizations that helped found the Trail of History to energize the metropolitan section of the Little Sugar Creek Greenway", said Al Brown, Partners for Parks Board Treasurer and Trail of History Board member. "These beautiful bronze statues help tell the story of our history and recognize some of those who have made Charlotte/Mecklenburg a great place to live. What a wonderful gift to our Community."
Board President Beth Poovey said it’s a natural fit to be part of an event like this.“It’s really important for Partners for Parks to engage in programming like this,” added Poovey.“Bringing people together in outdoor public spaces in new and different ways is how we can all come together and help build community.”
The Festival encouraged visitors to learn a little more about local history through family-friendly activities, presenters, and musicians. The event centerpiece, if you will, is the mile and a half Trail of History itself; which features a dozen bronze statues of local history-makers.
“Knowing what has happened in the past helps make us what we are,” added Kendrick. “I hope they learn something, that they would say, ‘wow, I didn’t know that, or I didn’t know that we had such a diverse history, and so many different people who played a role in the story of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County.
Adreonna Bennett is the Community Engagement Archivist with the J. Murrey Atkins Library at UNC Charlotte, which preserves local government documents, records, and oral histories. She said the library wants to bring its collections out to the public, and talk to people about how they can preserve their own records as well.
“It’s important to be out here to share the history of Charlotte,” she added, “and I hope they can learn information they can share with other people.”
Theresa Tracy happened upon the event walking along the Greenway with her kids. They all learned a little something during the unexpected stop.
“We learned about the printing press, how they made books long ago,” she said. “My kids love going and seeing different historical sites, so this is right up our alley!”
Kendrick hopes the Festival becomes an annual event. But the learning doesn’t have to wait until next year. The Charlotte Trail of History is open 24 hours a day along the Little Sugar Creek Greenway. Plan your visit, download a map, and discover more at charlottetrailofhistory.org.
So Many Reasons to Celebrate
A new season, a new location, and all-new opportunities to breathe life into our community; Partners for Parks Annual Sponsor Celebration was all that and more! Over 100 partners, sponsors, and friends joined us for this year’s event at the new Eastway Regional Recreation Center, as we celebrated relationships new and old, and explored one of Mecklenburg County Park and Rec’s showpiece facilities.
“Our sponsors are just so important to the organization and our mission,” said Partners for Parks Board President, Beth Poovey. “They are what’s behind the organization that makes it what it is since their involvement helps us make a bigger impact on the community.”
Alta Planning + Design is a longtime supporter and sponsor of Partners for Parks and Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation. Juan Morales is a civil engineer with that firm. He said it’s the company’s support for parks and green spaces is really an investment in the community as a whole.
“It’s part of health, right? A community with parks and green spaces is a healthier community,” said Morales.“It’s a better community for kids, it’s a better community for every one of our citizens.”
“We’ve worked hard over the last several years to advocate for equity and access to green public spaces,” added Poovey. “This year, we want to add to that; whether through trails, events, or programming… we want to continue to be part of the solution.”
Tasteful catering and live music set the tone for a casual, welcoming get-together. Despite the crowd, there was plenty of room to meet and mingle.
“It’s important for us to recognize and thank our sponsors in person,” said Partners for Parks board member, James Derrick. “We couldn’t do what we do without them. It’s important to celebrate that!”
Partners and sponsors were also treated to a tour of the new Eastway Regional Recreation Center from the center’s manager, Daniel Leatherman. The state-of-the-art facility offers age-specific programs and activities, athletics, aquatics, community events, health and wellness activities, nature education programs and therapeutic recreation programs.
“This is just a wonderful facility,”added Al Brown, Partners for Parks Board Treasurer. “The center is just fabulous, and we’re excited to continue our work within the community and support the great work being done through Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation… we’re proud to be a partner and of the work we do together.”
Although this year’s Celebration is in the books, it’s never too late to become an Annual Sponsor. Simply click here for more information or to become a Sponsor now: https://partnersforparks.org/sponsor/
We’re just so grateful and appreciative.
On Growth, Equity, and Partnerships
Our interview with Corey King; Director, Matthews Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources
The Charlotte area is full of growing, vibrant, communities. As the area grows, so will their need for parks and green spaces – the very things that breathe life into these communities! Those tasked with meeting those needs have tall orders.
Corey King is one of those charged with such a task, as director of parks, recreation and cultural resources in the town of Matthews. The town, like many in our area, is growing faster than most it’s size. But King found time to sit with us and discuss how he’ll meet current and future challenges in this environment.
Partners for Parks: Matthews, like the rest of the Charlotte area, is growing at a rapid clip. How are you managing the growth of the community and the growing need for parks and green spaces?
Corey King: I'll say the biggest… support system is, of course, our elected officials. Everything we do costs money. But the other piece of it is our relationship with Mecklenburg County. Partnering with them, for instance, is how the Matthew Sports worked. And certainly we are in love with the fact that is here in Matthews, and the town contributed a small portion of the cost for it. But we have is awesome facility here! And it is just making the money stretch in the towns as far as we can with partnerships and grants, whatever we can do.
P4P: If I’m coming to visit, what’s a “must-see” park and recreation opportunity in Matthews?
Corey King: You have to visit Four Mile Creek Greenway! This is another great partnership with Mecklenburg County. It’s about over two miles of trail, and it connects to the more recently built Matthews Areas Trail. You know, it is amazing how that Greenway is packed every day, walking, biking, some scooters. It’s connected to Square Park. So you're going to the park. It'll take you here to the Community Center. It'll connect to the Heritage Trail, which takes you through historic Crestdale Community. And then, of course, it ends right behind town hall, which is right in downtown, where you can come and spend some money!
P4P: What would you consider to be the most underused or hidden gem in the Matthews Park system?
Corey King: Good question! I think I'll break it also to separate these one outdoor spaces, one that is sort of still taking off. So Windsor Park is one of our parks that was here when I got here. It was built up in 1997… This one has a little more commercial around. So it's right behind Sycamore Commons Shopping Center. So when the leaves are not on the trees, you look up, you can see Costco, but the setting has a creek that runs right through, has this awesome family-size picnic shelter where you can come in and have a celebration. You go out and you really feel like you're out, even though you're surrounded by Costco and you can see Michael's. You feel like you're in the woods, that it is an awesome park and it's just now starting to take off.
Now, the indoor facility is probably a toss-up between the McDowell Arts Center and Crews Recreation Center. We opened (Crews) in 2006. So it's almost been here for 20 years. It has a full-sized gym plus large three large program rooms. On one hand, it is just sort of this unknown gym. We ask people about it and they say, where's that? But at the same time, we look at the schedule, and is bursting at the seams. A lot of people still don't know about it, but the people that know about it, they're in there.
And the McDowell Arts Center is an amazing gallery space. It was redone actually in 2012. You walk in is original wood floors. It just has an awesome feeling when you walk in. I think for the next year and a half, it’s already booked. It rotates every 4 to 6 six weeks, I believe.
P4P: People of color are generally underrepresented in the outdoor space. Being in a position of leadership in parks, what do you think that brings to the table as far as getting more people of color into parks and green spaces?
Corey King: So, you know, every community is a little bit different, it really is. So just to say for Matthews, I don't … have the magic solution to it. But we need to identify what the barriers are. And in some cases, trying different things that you think are perceived barriers and removing them. It is just simply continuing to have that conversation and attempt to find out what it is that does not seem inviting to people to just come out and enjoy the spaces there for them… to find out what is preventing you from participating? Why aren't you visiting the community center? But in some cases just this sense of not feeling welcome, even though in my mind and in our efforts, we hope that there's nothing that we've done to create that.
P4P: What do you think the biggest challenge for Matthews Parks is going forward?
Corey King: That’s a good question. Well, I'll say one of the things that we are wanting to do is to kind of stay ahead of the curve is, you know. I think we all get excited about the new stuff and the shiny stuff; the new parks and facilities and we don't want to get away from that, but we do also have these other parks.
We have to focus on the maintenance of what we have. And I think that's one way that we continue to, I'll say be great. We’re not only investing in the new stuff, but also looking at the things that are already there and how we can continue to improve and re-engineer.
P4P: What are you most excited about in the next year or season or coming years? Tell us one thing that you're super excited about.
Corey King: So I'll say, and you may be aware, that last November the voters of Matthew said yes to a bond for parks. And so once we are given the thumbs up it’ll be like, Corey, let's go! I'm so ready, too, and I'm excited about the shiny stuff right now, also some of the other improvements we're going to actually invest in. It is just this laundry list of improvements we're going to be making in the next two or three years. They're going to sort of set Mathews in place for the next 30. It's going to be awesome!