Mecklenburg County plans to add more skate parks, dog parks, spray grounds and pickleball courts
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Renaissance Park skate park. Photo: Ashley Mahoney/Axios
Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation is focusing on adding skate parks, dog parks, spray grounds and more pickleball courts to existing parks across the county.
Why it matters: Historically the county has funded parks or trails, which it'll continue to do. But it's also working to add highly requested amenities that the region doesn't have enough of, Mecklenburg County, Park and Recreation senior planner Katie Lloyd tells Axios.
Driving the news: The county is seeking feedback on the design to expand Renaissance Park's skate park at 1536 W. Tyvola Road. You can submit your input here by Nov. 15.
- Other park improvements include expanding the existing dog park and pedestrian connections to the neighborhood.
- Additional improvements may include repairing and expanding existing paved trails, parking and restroom upgrades and/or wayfinding.
- Project funding will also be used to improve or add necessary facilities, like restrooms.
By the numbers: In June, the Mecklenburg Board of County Commissioners approved $429.5 million for Park and Recreation capital projects beginning between fiscal year 2025-2029.
- $6.9 million for skate parks.
- $1.7 million for dog parks.
- $7.6 million for spray grounds.
- $18.9 million for pickleball courts.
Skate parks will be added to Nevin Park, Shuffletown Park and Idlewild Road Park. The skate park at Renaissance Park will expand and the DIY skate park at Kilborne Park will also get improvements, as will Grayson SkatePark.
- While a full skate park is not planned for the new park at Eastland Yards, there will be a skate spot to honor the previous use of the site. The park is currently in design. Other proposed elements for the park include a sprayground and a dog park. Funding for this park is separate from the funding above.
New dog parks will be added to North Charlotte Park and McKee Road Park. The ones at W.R. Davie Park and Renaissance Park will get upgrades, per the county's current adopted budget.
New spray grounds will be added to Sugaw Creek Park, Clanton Park, Thomas McAlister Winget Park and Shuffletown Park.
New pickleball courts will be added to Colonel Francis Beatty Park, Elon Park, Nevin Park and Robert L. Smith Park.
- Existing tennis courts at Sugaw Creek Park, Unity Park, Mason Wallace Park and Collins Park will be converted into pickleball courts.
- The county is focusing on creating standalone pickleball courts rather than dual-purpose courts for tennis and pickleball.
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