Charlotte’s first public park reopens after a nearly $6 million makeover

You’ll no longer see signs reading “PARK CLOSED” and fences blocking the entrance to Independence Park as you move along 7th Street or Hawthorne Lane in Elizabeth.

Driving the news: Mecklenburg County has completed a $5.9 million facelift on Independence Park.

State of play: Construction on the park began in January 2021 and was expected to reopen last October. But like a lot of projects these days, it was delayed by weather and the scheduling of subcontractors, per the county.

Details: Renovations include a wider trail, which connects the park to the Little Sugar Creek Greenway, improved playground equipment and accessibility, and permanent restrooms on the west side of the park closer to the renovated American Legion Memorial Stadium.

• Independence Park was originally completed in 1906, making it Charlotte’s first public park, according to Bert Lynn, capital planning division director for Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation. Ease of access for people of all abilities wasn’t taken into consideration when the park was built. 
• Permanent restrooms are one of the biggest additions, Lynn said.
• Hawthorne Lane splits the park in two. The eastern side includes a garden and the western side includes a mural by Charlotte artist Georgie Nakima (who goes by Garden of Journey), two sand volleyball courts with a skyline view and the restrooms.

Of note: Be mindful of ongoing construction in the park, like with its two playgrounds, which are currently closed off as new railings are installed.

Why it matters: Charlotte/Mecklenburg ranks 85th out of 100 U.S. cities for its parks system per nonprofit The Trust for Public Land’s annual report, dropping two spots from last year.

• Yes, but: Charlotte sat 97th on this list in 2018.

The big picture: Mecklenburg County has more than 60 active parks and recreation projects. And county commissioners approved $50 million last year for the Park and Recreation department to buy land for future parks, greenways and nature preserves, as Axios’ Katie Peralta Soloff reported.

Zoom out: The county also has $7 million dedicated to improving existing parks through equity funding, starting with Enderly Park.

• There are 10 total parks scheduled for improvements include: Tryon Hills Park, Devonshire Park, LC Coleman Park, Fred Alexander Park, Harrisburg Road Park, Viewmont Park, Grayson Park, Amay James Park and Albemarle Road Park.

What’s next: The county will hold an official reopening event on Thursday, June 29, from 10-11:30am on the western side of the park at the stage near the tennis courts.

• The Elizabeth Community Association will host a neighborhood picnic in the park that night from 5:30-8:30pm on the western side near the playground.

Take a look around.