Mecklenburg County to construct 114-acre "adventure park" with a dog park
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Eastfield Park's community "porch," which would overlook the park's tree canopy. Rendering: Design Workshop/Courtesy of Mecklenburg County
Mecklenburg County expects to begin construction on a massive new park in Huntersville next year.
Why it matters: Eastfield Park will be the county's first "adventure park," meaning it will retain its natural character, similar to the county's nature preserves, but will include park amenities, like a playground and dog park.
State of play: The 114-acre park would begin the first of two phases of construction in mid-2025. Phase 1 should open by fall 2026, activating 60 acres of the site. The project is currently in the design development phase, per a county spokesperson.
What to expect: Phase 1 will include the construction of a roughly 1-acre dog park, which will have separate areas for small dogs and large dogs. The dog park will also include a small shelter.
- There will also be bike trails, a nature-based playground, rest areas, an outdoor picnic shelter overlooking the tree canopy, restrooms, a multi-use path along Eastfield Road, plus parking.
- The park will be at 13729 Eastfield Road Huntersville, NC 28078.
By the numbers: The total budget to create the master plan for the park, design it, acquire the necessary permits and complete construction on Phase 1 is $8.7 million.
The big picture: Park and Rec currently has eight parks under construction, an additional 11 parks in either the design, permitting or bidding phase and an additional 14 parks funded for development over the next five years, a county spokesperson says.
- The county is also upgrading 24 of its existing parks with new amenities like dog parks, pickleball courts, splash pads and skate parks.
What we're watching: Charlotte/Mecklenburg currently ranks No. 87 out of 100 U.S. cities in the annual ParkScore report from the nonprofit Trust for Public Land.
- The area's biggest culprit is a lack of access to green space, so more parks could bolster its standing.
Go deeper: Mecklenburg County leaders seek input on new 27-acre park in east Charlotte
