Charlotte Parks - the big picture...

[KJHburg]

In the study that mentions a low score and access for parks  for Charlotte do they count these greenways?  The reason I ask is that the Clark Creek Greenway in the University area is heavily used has 9 connections to neighborhoods in under 2 miles and is within walking distance of all those neighborhoods?  Our greenways are linear parks that offer passive use like walking, jogging, bike riding etc.  Not to mention their natural preservation aspects. I wonder if they do count them as Raleigh is not as high on the park list either yet has one a much bigger greenway system than we do.  If anyone knows if they only include parks but not greenways I declare this study as bunk.  These natural buffers preserve our tree cover and provide habitats for birds and small animals.  In looking at property ownership you will not believe how much land Meck County owns around these greenways acres and acres. 

Here is an example of community neighborhood park maintained by HOA of Winchester.  Plus most of the adjoining neighborhoods have such facilities too.  I know they do not count these areas but what about our greenways?   I am sure if asked people on this greenway today if they felt they had access to parks they would say yes and cite these greenways. 

that all being said yes we need more parks but we need more greenways as well. 

[CLT2014]

9 hours ago, KJHburg said:

In the study that mentions a low score and access for parks  for Charlotte do they count these greenways?  

The greenway adjacent neighborhoods in University count as walkable to a park. The problem is the rest of the North Charlotte neighborhoods are largely not walkable to a park (purple) in 10 minutes or less.

Edited May 15, 2022 by CLT2014

[KJHburg]

this is part of the Big picture of Charlotte parks.  There is a new 606 acre park on Lake Norman opening this weekend in Catawba County in Sherrills Ford area.  Why is this important?  there are only a few public access points on Lake Norman the largest lake in the state.  

Notice the Catawba Lands Conservancy is a part of this.

https://www.catawbacountync.gov/county-services/parks/mountain-creek-park/

master plan https://www.catawbacountync.gov/site/assets/files/8003/overall_development.pdf

will have 19  miles of trails at completion

I will check this out soon you better believe me.   Then a bit to eat in either Denver of the East or Mooresville. 

Edited June 15, 2022 by KJHburg

[UPEnergy]

About 5 minutes from my home - will be at the opening this Saturday!

[KJHburg]

27 minutes ago, UPEnergy said:

About 5 minutes from my home - will be at the opening this Saturday!

check in out and post some photos you will  beat me up there but I will be coming on the next not blazing hot day. 

Edited June 15, 2022 by KJHburg

[JacksonH]

2 hours ago, KJHburg said:

this is part of the Big picture of Charlotte parks.  There is a new 606 acre park on Lake Norman opening this weekend in Catawba County in Sherrills Ford area.  Why is this important?  there are only a few public access points on Lake Norman the largest lake in the state.  

Notice the Catawba Lands Conservancy is a part of this.

https://www.catawbacountync.gov/county-services/parks/mountain-creek-park/

master plan https://www.catawbacountync.gov/site/assets/files/8003/overall_development.pdf

will have 19  miles of trails at completion

I will check this out soon you better believe me.   Then a bit to eat in either Denver of the East or Mooresville. 

Why is it called Mountain Creek Park?  Is there a mountain there?  Or a creek?

[CLT2014]

12 minutes ago, JacksonH said:

Why is it called Mountain Creek Park?  Is there a mountain there?  Or a creek?

It is in the township of Mountain Creek: https://catawbacountync.gov/site/assets/files/3066/mountain_creek_township.pdf

Which is named after the creek that flows into that part of Lake Norman,.

Edited June 15, 2022 by CLT2014

[KJHburg]

Went to 2 parks I have been to before for short walks (in this heat I can do my normal longer walks)  both in Cabarrus County.

One the Rob Wallace Park which was a quarry in the 1950s and the county bought it and there is a .75 mile walk around the old pit that is 70 feet deep now a lake.  This park is in Midland 

Also over to Pharr Mill Park along the Rocky River and discovered this historical site I had not seen before.  This park is in Harrisburg. 

Sunshine low humidity moderate temps walk a greenway or visit a local park this weekend.   

For those looking in Meck County here are your greenways.   KJ recommends Little Sugar Creek from south of I-485 to Polk birthplace state historical site.   Also Four Mile Creek from Piper Glen shopping center over to Johnston Rd and see some of the biggest wetlands in Meck.  Intown greenways I recommend Irwin Creek by the Golf course off Barringer Drive look for the beaver pond.  Northeast University  Meck peoples love the Toby Creek Greenway though UNCC campus all the way up to Rocky River Rd.   Davidson Cornelius peeps  the West Branch of Rocky River in Davidson the only greenway I have been on where you see no houses! 

https://www.mecknc.gov/ParkandRec/Parks/SiteAssets/Pages/default/Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Greenways Map Aug. 2021.pdf

a staycation in your own county! 

 

[KJHburg]

Told you I would visit this new Mountain Creek Park on the first non blazing hot day and that day was this morning.   This park is AMAZING with so many miles of trails, the kayak launch, huge playground, dog park, tennis courts, fishing pier etc.  There is literally something from everyone here.  I got there around 850 am and there were a lot of people already there. 

That is the steepest and tallest kayak launch I have ever seen.   Saw an eagle flying over Lake Norman and diving into the lake for a fish I guess.  This cove of the Lake is fairly shallow it seems.  Saw a wild turkey walking across the paved trail see the photo.  

First photos of Little Mountain off Hwy 16 hence the park's name Mountain Creek Park.   The paved .9 mile one way trail has a 90 foot elevation change from the lakeside to front entrance.  Miles and miles of mountain biking trails check out some of those names like Shiners Stash a difficult one.  Well worth the 45 minute trip up from Charlotte.   I will be back up here again to explore more. 

https://tarheeltrailblazers.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/MCP-Map_4x5_branded_040622.pdf

Now an interview with a Catawba County resident who resides in Maiden

Siri !   What do you think of the new Mountain Creek Park in Catawba County?

Siri: The new Mountain Creek Park in Catawba is awesome.  There are many activities like kayaking, hiking, mountain biking, tennis playing, fishing to name a few.  I am proud to share the county with this new Mountain Creek Park.   I am located only 16.5 miles away in Maiden also in Catawba County.

Thank you Siri !

Siri: No problem Mr.  KJ

http://james-a-martin.blogspot.com/2011/11/siri-supposedly-lives-in-apples-north.html   

https://baxtel.com/data-center/apple-maiden-north-carolina

So there it is even Siri recommends Mountain Creek Park in Catawba County. 

 

 

[CLT2014]

Well done Catawba County. Looks great!

[KJHburg]

State parks are popular in the region and we have 3:  Crowders Mountain the most popular in Gaston County, Lake Norman State Park up in Iredell and of course Morrow Mountain to the east in Stanly County.  I like Morrow Mountain the best I think since they have great hiking trails and lake river access. 

 I have now been to 31 state parks across the state with just a few more to explore.    This year check out some new state parks you have not seen and unlike our neighboring states all are free but just a few.  

My 30th and 31st parks were Weymouth Woods in Moore County home of the tall longleaf pines and the newly opened Carvers Creek SP in Cumberland County near Fayetteville winter home of one of the Rockefellers who founded Citibank.   Oh yeah that huge live oak at Carvers Creek the Rockefellers had it transplanted over 100 years ago from Georgia and brought up to Cumberland County.    Don't want to get the whole tree controversy started again but as much as I like the built environment and high rises nothing holds a candle to large tree of any kind.  We need MORE trees in Charlotte and yes that includes uptown. 

Check out the pine bark on that Longleaf pine only a few pieces and you could fill a bed. 

Other great parks in the region would be South Moutains in Catawba County and Lake James in Burke County.

My personal top 5 favorites:  Mt Mitchell, Jockeys Ridge, Merchants Millpond,  Pilot Mtn and Mt Jefferson.  

[KJHburg]

Concord has a $60 M bonds proposal coming up at next month's election for parks and greenways.  Concord currently has no bonded debt.

https://concordbonds.com/

4 new parks and renovations at 5 others. 

[KJHburg]

was out in Stanly County today and decided to continue on to Morrow Mountain State Park.  It was in full color today all over it is 5880 acres.  This is a great park with mountain like trails, lake access etc.  And so close to Charlotte 1 hour from the city.  

[KJHburg]

Local Mecklenburg county town park.  Mint Hill Veterans Memorial Park which has a little bit of everything.  Walking trails,  disc golf, war memorial, soccer fields, playground etc.  

This is the NC Korean War Monument 

Beautiful Camellias the winter southern flower.  And those Girl Scout motivation sayings. 

I-485 and NC 218. 

[KJHburg]

Was down in the Lake Wylie Steele Creek area today and walked around Copperhead Island and other parts of McDowell Park which is over 1100 acres.  Thankful for this part as it surely would have been a massive subdivision on the lake by now if not county owned.   Plus they are restoring a Piedmont prairie like they have done in Cabarrus County too. 

https://www.mecknc.gov/ParkandRec/StewardshipServices/NatureCenters/Pages/McDowell.aspx

Nice trails and here is my advice walk around Copperhead Island on the paved trail you can not get lost!  Attention parks and rec dept.  please clear the fallen tree on the boardwalk on the left side of the island when coming across the land bridge.  I had to crawl under the tree! 

Evidently you can rent Copperhead Island for a fee!  Crowdsoure and we can rent for an UP picnic!  Or we can just to got Papa Docs on the lake on the SC side.   Saw no copperheads today on the island. 

despite what some national rankings say Charlotte Mecklenburg has  some great parks and many large ones which is nice.  

[KJHburg]

a cold walk in a park in Harrisburg today.  It is interesting to see frozen water and ponds which of course is unusual for this area.  All that rain we had before the big freeze is now frozen. 

Pharr Mill Park Harrisburg

 

[KJHburg]

this is a great park and close to you who live in town.  Reedy Creek Park is over 900 acres and has 10 miles of trail.  Went by the old Robinson Rock house ruins and found a resident living there.  anyway great park and remember NC is the Great Trails state. 

https://www.mecknc.gov/ParkandRec/StewardshipServices/NatureCenters/Pages/Reedy.aspx

[KJHburg]

was out in Union County and checked out Cane Creek Park today for the first time.  It has a 350 acre lake as centerpiece and total park is over 1000 acres.  It is really nice and lots of trails around the lake (though a bit muddy today).  In the warmer months they do charge an admission but not right now.  

https://www.unioncountync.gov/government/departments-f-p/parks-recreation/cane-creek-park

you can even camp there believe me you will feel like you came a long way especially from Charlotte. 

it is far south Union County closer to NC SC state line than even to Monroe.  Lots of cows, horses and even a solar farm on the way out there.  

 

[KJHburg]

Was over at Reed Gold Mine State Historical site this weekend (notice the sunshine) I wish the NC State Parks would take over this park.  This park is over 800 acres and they do have miles of trails that just need a little more improving and it would be open 7 days a week instead of 5 as it is now. 

https://historicsites.nc.gov/all-sites/reed-gold-mine

In this region we have only 2 states parks in counties adjacent to Mecklenburg Lake Norman state park and Crowders Mtn.  At 800 plus acres  there is even room for a campground to be added and being a state park would get it more resources.   Sure it has some small open pits where they once mined for gold but the main gold mine is preserved and secured at the entrance and on top.    If you haven't been here I would recommend a visit and the property is really beautiful.   And when you get hot just walk into the gold mine and cool off in the upper 50s year round. 

[KJHburg]

Major new park coming to Cabarrus County and the Mt Pleasant area.

""Cabarrus County purchased the land for approximately $3.5 million from the Conservation Fund, an environmental nonprofit, in 2020.

The property, located off Highway 49 in Mt. Pleasant, contains several unique habitats: dry oak-hickory forests, pine forests and upland mountain depressions (like a swamp on top of a mountain).

The community weighed in on the project during a public input meeting back in February. Officials will continue refining the plan, with more presentations and input sessions in the works. 

Plan includes:

More than nine miles of hiking/walking paths, including a roughly three-mile gravel multiuse trail that connects to the Carolina Thread Trail and four miles of narrow trails

A nature center facility, located at the main entrance to the park along St. Stephens

Nature-themed playground and picnic shelters""

here is the master plan

0b4a6874-007f-4866-89e0-228a5e4fda36.pdf (constantcontact.com)

[Windsurfer]

14 hours ago, KJHburg said:

Major new park coming to Cabarrus County and the Mt Pleasant area.

""Cabarrus County purchased the land for approximately $3.5 million from the Conservation Fund, an environmental nonprofit, in 2020.

The property, located off Highway 49 in Mt. Pleasant, contains several unique habitats: dry oak-hickory forests, pine forests and upland mountain depressions (like a swamp on top of a mountain).

The community weighed in on the project during a public input meeting back in February. Officials will continue refining the plan, with more presentations and input sessions in the works. 

Plan includes:

More than nine miles of hiking/walking paths, including a roughly three-mile gravel multiuse trail that connects to the Carolina Thread Trail and four miles of narrow trails

A nature center facility, located at the main entrance to the park along St. Stephens

Nature-themed playground and picnic shelters""

here is the master plan

0b4a6874-007f-4866-89e0-228a5e4fda36.pdf (constantcontact.com)

So awesome to see the wetland restoration! There is hope. 

[KJHburg]

NC budget includes millions for open space preservation and conservation  across the state.

Conservation Wins Big in 2023 Budget - Land for Tomorrow (land4tomorrow.org)

[Windsurfer]

17 hours ago, KJHburg said:

NC budget includes millions for open space preservation and conservation  across the state.

Conservation Wins Big in 2023 Budget - Land for Tomorrow (land4tomorrow.org)

I'm not seeing any money for purchasing and protecting more land,  On the surface it sounds great, but this quote bothers me: "“In particular, this budget will help keep many acres of working lands in production by offering additional funding for our state’s farmers, ranchers, foresters, and others who are stewarding their lands for the good of us all.”..

 

[KJHburg]

The Independence Park redo looks good though they are still working on some lighting here and there I saw.  Charlotte's oldest park founded in 1924 needed a refresh.  Kudos to restoring it back to its greatness.  

[Windsurfer]

What does the plaque under the waterfall say?

I think the old King's Business College used to be located alongside the park somewhere.  Perhaps that evolved into CPCC?