September 2025

4 CHARLOTTE’S GREEN RENAISSANCE Parks and Nature Preserves You Need to Visit I used to be tethered to my phone—checking emails, updates, messages. Then I discovered Freedom Park, and everything changed. That moment when my eyes lifted from the screen to the treetops, I realized the power of green spaces. But Charlotte’s outdoor bounty goes well beyond one park—it’s a quiet revo- lution reclaiming our health, our creativity, and our shared life. Reedy Creek: An Urban Sanctuary Reedy Creek Park, nestled in the Newell section of Charlotte, spans 125 acres and offers ev - erything from basketball courts and playgrounds to a nature center and community garden. Directly adjacent is the Reedy Creek Nature Preserve, with an impressive 737 acres of forested habitat—trails weav- ing through wetland, pond, and woodland environments. Within the preserve lies the Reedy Creek Nature Center, home to live native animals, educational exhibit halls, class- rooms, a gift shop, and the Dr. James F. Matthews Cen- ter for Biodiversity Studies. The nature preserve offers over 10 miles of designated hik- ing trails—through forests, across brooks, and around small lakes—ideal for explor- ers of all ages and fitness levels. But the story doesn’t stop there. Historic remnants lie hidden too—like the Robinson Rock House Ruin, dating back to the late 1700s. It sits quietly off the forest path; a colonial era senti- nel in modern woodlands. Beyond Reedy Creek Charlotte’s commitment to green space extends county- wide. Mecklenburg County manages over 7,600 acres of nature preserves spanning 26 sites, including Reedy Creek, McDowell, and Latta Planta- tion. These areas collectively offer miles of trails, ecological programming, and immersive outdoor learning opportunities. McDowell Nature Preserve, located near Lake Wylie, cov- ers over 1,140 acres and fea- tures hiking trails, boat ac- cess, camping facilities, and a nature center—all framed by forest and open water. Meanwhile, Latta Planta- tion Preserve and others provide additional trail net- works and habitat diversity. On the planning front, green- way development is surging. As of 2024, Mecklenburg County has 69 miles of completed gre- enway trails, with 16.4 miles under construction and 117 miles funded to be complet- ed by 2030. Projects like the Long Creek and Little Sugar Creek greenways are reshap- ing how people move through and connect with our city. Why Charlotte’s Green Renaissance Matters Health & Well-being: Research from the American Public Health Asso- ciation links regular nature exposure to reduced stress, improved mood, and increased cognitive functioning. Education & Engagement: The nature cen- ters here offer hands-on learning—whether throughbiodiversityexhibits,Hummingbird Festivals, or self-guided trail interpretation. Reedy Creek