New Park Plan Gins up Interest, Excitement in NoDa

Charlotte’s NoDa area has seen its share of development over the last few years. The historic and eclectic neighborhoods are home to one-of-a-kind restaurants, galleries, and shops served up with a palette of local color. NoDa’s funky vibe, welcome spirit, and walkability make it a destination for locals and tourists alike.

But it’s not an emerging artist, brewery opening, or high-rise development that’s creating a buzz in NoDa these days. Rather, it’s the idea of a new public park.

Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation is proposing a 12 – 14 acre park along Cullman Avenue near 36^thStreet, near the center of NoDa’s commercial district, several new apartment developments, and a planned grocery store. The County has cobbled together parcels of land in that space since 2008; most of it rests in a flood plain.

“Typically properties like this are developed into parks through Capital Improvement Plan funding,” said Bert Lynn, Capital Planning Division Director for Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation. “We are in the final year of the current 5-year Capital Improvement Plan cycle and are beginning to develop recommended projects for the next 5-year cycle.”

While still a concept, the story has garnered thousands of online views and generated a torrent of emails since Lynn shared the plans with the NoDa Business Association earlier this month.

“To me it’s very interesting how these articles get so much excitement,” said Beth Poovey, president of Partners for Parks. “I must have been forwarded that article 10 times!”

Poovey said the kind of excitement the story generates in the community makes her optimistic about the increasing support Partners for Parks is seeing for parks and open space. And that support doesn’t end with park advocates. Neighbors and businesses we spoke with joined that enthusiastic chorus.

And rightfully so. Current public parks nearest NoDa are much smaller, neighborhood parks. This park concept includes potential amenities like a playground, dog park, performance stage, skate park, picnic shelters, and space for public art, as well as a connection to the Cross Charlotte Trail and Greenway system.

Vanessa Infanzon and her family have lived in NoDa for 25 years and are close to the 3-acre North Charlotte Park. She says a park like the one proposed would be a welcome addition.

“We were excited to hear about it, and are looking forward to getting more details,” added Infanzon. “It would be great for the neighborhood, and would give visitors a destination park so close to the restaurants and shops.”

“It’s definitely a win win win for all involved,” said Joey Hewell. He and his partner Scott Lindsley own the NoDa Company Store and have lived in the neighborhood since 2013. “One of our main concepts for the Store is greenery and LOTS of it so having another park nearby is great! I’m a big fan of the city trying to create more green spaces. Not only is it beautiful, it brings people to the neighborhood.”

“I grew up in the area — Midwood and Merry Oaks — and loved having Veterans Park nearby,” added Lindsley. “I also lived across from freedom park for a number of years and just love what large urban parks do for neighborhoods like this.”

Poovey also pointed out how this potential park could provide so many different benefits that make it truly unique; like restoring a floodplain, contributing to the buildout of our greenway system, and providing open space in a growing and densely-populated area.

“According to Meck Playbook, the future NoDa park will help fill in the gap in an area currently underserved by parks and greenways,” she added. “Parks along our planned greenway system help get us closer to the day where we can easily and safely walk and bike between neighborhoods and destinations, provide even more opportunities for enhancing our daily experience of the urban open space that is coming together and will hopefully be a defining feature of our community sooner than later.”

As for the future of the park, Lynn says he anticipates a public input and comment period to occur in early 2023. Then it would be up to the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners to finalize the 2024 to 2028 Capital Improvement Plan.