Mecklenburg County runs Charlotte's parks: 290 parks, 85.5 miles of greenway and four nature centers. Little Sugar Creek Greenway runs 17 miles. Call 980-314-1000.

Last checked Oct. 11, 2026. Facts on this page come from Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation, which runs the parks in Charlotte.

In Charlotte, the parks belong to Mecklenburg County, not the city. County Park and Recreation runs 290 parks and facilities on more than 23,000 acres, plus the greenways, recreation centers and more than 8,300 acres of nature preserves.

Who to call

  • Park and Recreation: 980-314-1000, weekdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Shelter, court and pavilion bookings: county reservations
  • Emergency on a greenway: 911; give the greenway name and the nearest mile marker or neighborhood exit
  • Find a park: Park Explorer map

Trails by the numbers

The county’s trail count, updated March 2026:

Type Miles
Greenway trails 85.5
Greenway access trails 25.9
Urban trails 30.4
Nature preserve trails 76.2
Park trails (115.7 paved, 109.8 natural surface) 225.5

The Tarheel Trailblazers manage the county’s mountain bike trails.

Greenways in Charlotte

From the county’s greenway listing:

  • Little Sugar Creek Greenway: more than 17 miles from Brevard Street in NoDa to the South Carolina state line, and part of the Cross Charlotte Trail. Its urban section near Uptown carries the Charlotte Trail of History, bronze statues of people who shaped Mecklenburg County.
  • Mallard Creek, Barton and Clarks Creek greenways: 7.6 miles in northeast Charlotte from Fairlea Drive and Amaranthus Court to Mallard Creek Church Road, joining Toby Creek.
  • Toby Creek Greenway: 2.9 miles from near Kirk Farm Fields through the UNC Charlotte campus to Rocky River Road, also part of the Cross Charlotte Trail.
  • Lower McAlpine, McMullen Creek and Four Mile Creek greenways: 7.3 miles through south Charlotte from Highway 51 to Johnston Road and Rea Road, with connectors to Park Road and Ballantyne Corporate Place.
  • Campbell Creek and Upper McAlpine Creek greenways: 5.8 miles from Lockmont Drive to Providence Road in east Charlotte.
  • Irwin Creek, Stewart Creek and Wesley Heights greenways: 2.7 miles from State Street to Cedar Street with a link to Freedom Drive, 1.7 miles from West Boulevard to Clanton Road, and 1 mile from Lakewood Avenue to Yellowstone Drive.
  • Briar Creek Greenway: three short sections, including 0.9 miles behind Myers Park High School.
  • Long Creek and Dixon Branch greenways: 3.5 miles in north Charlotte near I-77 and I-485.

The county’s greenway brochure and maps and nearest-greenway finder show access points.

Nature centers and preserves

The county runs four nature centers, each with programs and visitor information, according to its nature page:

Nature center Address
McDowell Nature Center and Preserve 15222 York Road, Charlotte
Reedy Creek Nature Center and Preserve 2986 Rocky River Road, Charlotte
Stevens Creek Nature Center and Preserve 15700 Thompson Road, Mint Hill
Quest at Latta Nature Preserve 6345 Sample Road, Huntersville

Eastway Regional Recreation Center also has a nature space.

Dog parks

County dog parks are open daily from 7:30 a.m. to sunset, according to the dog parks page. Dogs must have current vaccinations (rabies with tag number, DHLPP and Bordetella) to use off-leash areas, and children under 12 are not allowed inside.

Parks to know

  • Romare Bearden Park in Uptown, beside Truist Field.
  • Park Road Park, 5300 Closeburn Road, and McAlpine Creek Park, 8711 Monroe Road, both with city recycling drop-off sites.
  • Reedy Creek Park, 2900 Rocky River Road.
  • William R. Davie Park, 4635 Pineville-Matthews Road.
  • Freedom Park, home of the Mahlon Adams Indoor Pavilion at 2435 Cumberland Ave., where the county is building the Charlotte Museum of Nature.
  • Ray’s Splash Planet, 215 N. Sycamore St., a county facility with a splash park and gym.

Free public Wi-Fi is available at six neighborhood parks: Druid Hills, Grier Heights, Kilborne, Reid, Tryon Hills and Fred Alexander. The large playground at Nevin Park is closed until further notice.

What this means for you

  • Questions about a park go to the county (980-314-1000), not City Hall.
  • On a greenway, note the mile markers; dispatchers use them to find you.
  • Dog park visits need up-to-date shots, and no children under 12.

More: things to do this month, getting around Charlotte and trick-or-treat events at county recreation centers.

Frequently asked questions

Who runs the parks in Charlotte?

Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation runs the parks, greenways, recreation centers and nature preserves in Charlotte. It has 290 parks and facilities on more than 23,000 acres; call 980-314-1000.

How long is the Little Sugar Creek Greenway?

More than 17 miles, from Brevard Street in NoDa to the South Carolina state line. It is part of the Cross Charlotte Trail.

What are the dog park hours in Mecklenburg County?

County dog parks are open daily from 7:30 a.m. to sunset. Dogs need current rabies, DHLPP and Bordetella shots, and children under 12 are not allowed inside.

Where are the nature centers near Charlotte?

The county runs McDowell Nature Center at 15222 York Road and Reedy Creek Nature Center at 2986 Rocky River Road in Charlotte, plus Stevens Creek in Mint Hill and Quest at Latta in Huntersville.