Fresh renderings: Eastland Park will break ground in 2025
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Eastland Park. Rendering: Courtesy of Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation
A new park at Eastland Yards will break ground in 2025.
Why it matters: Eastland Yards is one of Charlotte's most highly anticipated developments. Having greenspace as part of the project will be an added draw for future residents and businesses.
Catch up quick: Redeveloping the former Eastland Mall site, which is off Central Avenue, has been in the works for years. The mall opened in 1975, closed in 2010 and was ultimately demolished in 2013.
- Ground broke on Eastland Yards in 2022. The city is working with local developer Crosland Southeast on the 80-acre project, as well as other partners on smaller sections of it. The overhaul will include residential, retail and an amateur sports facility.
- Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation is designing the 4.5-acre Eastland Park.
What to expect: The park will feature amenities the region lacks, Mecklenburg County Park and Rec leaders tell Axios, specifically a spray ground, dog park and a skate spot.
- A full skate park is not part of the plan for Eastland Park, but there will be space for skateboarding, honoring the site's previous use as a skate park.
- The spray ground will include the Eastland "rising sun" logo, which was designed by Alfred Kloke and used at Eastland Mall.
- The park will also include a three-tier playground with swings, slides, a hammock grove, plus places to climb and spin.
- There will also be a stage, restrooms, walking paths and public art.
By the numbers: Mecklenburg County's budget for fiscal year 2025 includes $12.35 million for the project.
What's next: Design on the project will run through early 2025. Construction is expected to begin in spring 2025 and be complete in late 2026.
Take a look at what the park will look like:
Go deeper: Mecklenburg County plans to add more skate parks, dog parks, spray grounds and pickleball courts