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Adults, you can go to Slick City: What to know about Charlotte's new slide park

In our conversations with Charlotteans, a common theme emerges: The city needs more things to do that don't revolve around drinking.

Things to Do

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Slick City" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2025/12/02/slide-city-action-park-south-charlotte" data-vars-content-id="a2a9b317-c1de-4873-8ed7-3fa7fab5116c" data-vars-headline="Adults, you can go to Slick City: What to know about Charlotte&#x27;s new slide park" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2025/12/02/slide-city-action-park-south-charlotte" target="_self">Slick City</a> looks like it&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="for kids." data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2023/06/30/family-friendly-activities-charlotte-330084" data-vars-content-id="a2a9b317-c1de-4873-8ed7-3fa7fab5116c" data-vars-headline="Adults, you can go to Slick City: What to know about Charlotte&#x27;s new slide park" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2023/06/30/family-friendly-activities-charlotte-330084" target="_self">for kids.</a> It is. But it&#x27;s also very much <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="for adults." data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2025/02/27/carowinds-carolina-shore-club-waterpark-swim-up-bar" data-vars-content-id="a2a9b317-c1de-4873-8ed7-3fa7fab5116c" data-vars-headline="Adults, you can go to Slick City: What to know about Charlotte&#x27;s new slide park" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2025/02/27/carowinds-carolina-shore-club-waterpark-swim-up-bar" target="_self">for adults.</a>Why it matters: In our <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="conversations" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DCEw1msJ6cD/" data-vars-content-id="a2a9b317-c1de-4873-8ed7-3fa7fab5116c" data-vars-headline="Adults, you can go to Slick City: What to know about Charlotte&#x27;s new slide park" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DCEw1msJ6cD/" target="_blank">conversations</a> with Charlotteans, a common theme keeps emerging: The city needs more activities that <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="don&#x27;t revolve around drinking." data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2025/03/21/chilly-coffee-club-wellness-social-charlotte" data-vars-content-id="a2a9b317-c1de-4873-8ed7-3fa7fab5116c" data-vars-headline="Adults, you can go to Slick City: What to know about Charlotte&#x27;s new slide park" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2025/03/21/chilly-coffee-club-wellness-social-charlotte" target="_self">don&#x27;t revolve around drinking.</a><ul><li>So, may we present: a massive indoor slide park that&#x27;ll almost certainly make you feel like a kid again?</li></ul>

Weekender: 35 things to do in Charlotte this weekend including outdoor markets

Events happening March 20-22 include Camden Commons, No Man's Land Festival, concerts, comedy shows and March Madness watch parties.

This weekend&#x27;s events make it feel like <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="spring is in full effect" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2023/03/09/spring-guide-charlotte-fun-things-to-do-2024" data-vars-content-id="f2fe09b1-0448-49fb-a4a5-2b1a4a3e8dd2" data-vars-headline="Weekender: 35 things to do in Charlotte this weekend including outdoor markets" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2023/03/09/spring-guide-charlotte-fun-things-to-do-2024" target="_self">spring is in full effect</a> from the return of Camden Commons to the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="No Man&#x27;s Land Festival" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2025/03/11/no-mans-land-festival-charlotte" data-vars-content-id="f2fe09b1-0448-49fb-a4a5-2b1a4a3e8dd2" data-vars-headline="Weekender: 35 things to do in Charlotte this weekend including outdoor markets" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2025/03/11/no-mans-land-festival-charlotte" target="_self">No Man&#x27;s Land Festival</a>.

How often Charlotte companies let employees work from home

We asked Charlotte companies their work-from-home policies.

News

Charlotte <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="white-collar" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/02/06/return-office-remote-work" data-vars-content-id="8cba7c2d-218d-4a34-a747-7ddbfc2fbaf1" data-vars-headline="How often Charlotte companies let employees work from home" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/02/06/return-office-remote-work" target="_self">white-collar</a> employees have settled back into the regular ol&#x27; office grind, at least for most of the week.Why it matters: In the wake of the pandemic, no company wanted to be the first to force its workers out of their pajamas and back to their desks.

DaBaby announces Charlotte music festival with 50 Cent, Busta Rhymes and other hip-hop artists

Tickets go on sale this week for the June fest featuring 50 Cent and more at Route 29 Pavilion.

Music

<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="DaBaby" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2025/09/17/dababy-light-rail-music-video-stabbing" data-vars-content-id="92848cf9-f648-4c9e-875f-caecf64821d7" data-vars-headline="DaBaby announces Charlotte music festival with 50 Cent, Busta Rhymes and other hip-hop artists" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2025/09/17/dababy-light-rail-music-video-stabbing" target="_self">DaBaby</a> announced Monday he&#x27;s bringing a hip-hop festival to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Concord" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2025/11/06/concord-district-exchange-small-business-downtown" data-vars-content-id="92848cf9-f648-4c9e-875f-caecf64821d7" data-vars-headline="DaBaby announces Charlotte music festival with 50 Cent, Busta Rhymes and other hip-hop artists" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2025/11/06/concord-district-exchange-small-business-downtown" target="_self">Concord</a> this summer. Why it matters: The Be More Grateful Fest lineup includes 50 Cent, Busta Rhymes, Waka Flocka and about a dozen more artists, DaBaby <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="posted" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/p/DWPFMA2ihA3/" data-vars-content-id="92848cf9-f648-4c9e-875f-caecf64821d7" data-vars-headline="DaBaby announces Charlotte music festival with 50 Cent, Busta Rhymes and other hip-hop artists" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DWPFMA2ihA3/" target="_blank">posted</a> on his Instagram Monday.

Charlotte's safety image seen as key to landing major events

Public safety is critical in order for Charlotte to remain competitive in hosting major events, according to a local sports executive.

Public <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="safety" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/public-safety" data-vars-content-id="3f82bd05-5192-46d1-9d13-b292319f9e0c" data-vars-headline="Charlotte&#x27;s safety image seen as key to landing major events" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/public-safety" target="_self">safety</a> is critical for Charlotte to remain competitive in hosting major events, according to a local sports executive.Why it matters: Event promoters are less inclined to bring their events to a city where visitors and residents don&#x27;t feel safe. That isn&#x27;t just a bad look; it also hurts local businesses that benefit from additional foot traffic. <ul><li>Charlotte has been grappling with its national safety image since August 2025, when Iryna Zarutska was <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fatally stabbed" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/09/11/north-carolina-gop-republican-crime-crackdown-charlotte-light-rail-stabbing" data-vars-content-id="3f82bd05-5192-46d1-9d13-b292319f9e0c" data-vars-headline="Charlotte&#x27;s safety image seen as key to landing major events" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/09/11/north-carolina-gop-republican-crime-crackdown-charlotte-light-rail-stabbing" target="_self">fatally stabbed</a> on the light rail in South End. </li></ul>

Gov. Stein urges mental health funding following Iryna Zarutska's murder

Governor seeks mental health funds after light rail stabbing

Democratic Gov. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Josh" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2026/02/09/mecklenburg-sheriff-mcfadden-hearing-testimony-north-carolina-lawmakers" data-vars-content-id="a86e62ba-0354-43a9-8579-eaa66d2cbfe3" data-vars-headline="Gov. Stein urges mental health funding following Iryna Zarutska&#x27;s murder" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2026/02/09/mecklenburg-sheriff-mcfadden-hearing-testimony-north-carolina-lawmakers" target="_self">Josh</a> Stein, speaking to an influential Charlotte business audience Thursday, stressed the need for the General Assembly to invest in mental health care following Iryna Zarutska&#x27;s fatal stabbing on the light rail.Why it matters: Stein said it wasn&#x27;t just Zarutska who was killed by a suspect with a history of mental illness. He referenced a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Raleigh teacher who died following an assault in her home" data-vars-click-url="https://www.wral.com/news/local/zoe-welsh-ravenscroft-teacher-murder-suspect-ryan-camacho-2026/" data-vars-content-id="a86e62ba-0354-43a9-8579-eaa66d2cbfe3" data-vars-headline="Gov. Stein urges mental health funding following Iryna Zarutska&#x27;s murder" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.wral.com/news/local/zoe-welsh-ravenscroft-teacher-murder-suspect-ryan-camacho-2026/" target="_blank">Raleigh teacher who died following an assault in her home</a> and the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Southport mass shooting." data-vars-click-url="https://www.wect.com/2025/09/30/husband-confirms-his-wife-died-shooting-saturday-southport/" data-vars-content-id="a86e62ba-0354-43a9-8579-eaa66d2cbfe3" data-vars-headline="Gov. Stein urges mental health funding following Iryna Zarutska&#x27;s murder" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.wect.com/2025/09/30/husband-confirms-his-wife-died-shooting-saturday-southport/" target="_blank">Southport mass shooting.</a>

North Carolina lawmakers question Mecklenburg County sheriff's competency in fiery hearing

Sheriff Garry McFadden fails to name three branches of government.

North <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Carolina" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2026/01/05/mecklenburg-sheriff-safety-oversight-testimony" data-vars-content-id="9d714b50-1fc2-45b4-ab9a-778f4a1ada25" data-vars-headline="North Carolina lawmakers question Mecklenburg County sheriff&#x27;s competency in fiery hearing" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2026/01/05/mecklenburg-sheriff-safety-oversight-testimony" target="_self">Carolina</a> lawmakers eviscerated Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden in a hearing Monday in Raleigh.Why it matters: What was billed as a way to address crime in the state&#x27;s largest city, with mostly GOP lawmakers grilling the Democratic sheriff over a host of issues, including immigration, turned into an all-out questioning of his competency to serve — from deaths in county jails to his basic knowledge of the three branches of government.

"Crime Junkie" podcast spotlights Charlotte's Shanquella Robinson case

"Crime Junkie" podcast examines Shanquella Robinson case

Public Safety

&quot;Crime <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Junkie" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2022/11/18/charlotte-womans-death-is-being-investigated-as-homicide-mexican-authorities-say-314045" data-vars-content-id="b1625544-51f9-4e90-9f7f-3bdd72534fc4" data-vars-headline="&quot;Crime Junkie&quot; podcast spotlights Charlotte&#x27;s Shanquella Robinson case" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2022/11/18/charlotte-womans-death-is-being-investigated-as-homicide-mexican-authorities-say-314045" target="_self">Junkie</a>,&quot; one of the nation&#x27;s top true-crime podcasts, released an episode on Thursday diving into the case of 25-year-old Charlotte woman Shanquella Robinson.Why it matters: The far-reaching show is bound to spark renewed attention — and possibly place new pressure on authorities — to continue investigating the more than three-year-old case.

State lawmakers want to grill sheriff over Charlotte's crime

Mecklenburg County Sheriff McFadden summoned to testify before the legislature for "failures"

Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden and other local officials have been summoned to testify in Raleigh on the department&#x27;s &quot;failures.&quot;Why it matters: This is the latest high-profile way Republicans are casting blame on Charlotte&#x27;s Democratic leadership for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="rising crime concerns" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2025/12/03/police-cmpd-safety-chief-safe-survey" data-vars-content-id="e963502d-de7b-4d70-9107-d52fe3e53e45" data-vars-headline="State lawmakers want to grill sheriff over Charlotte&#x27;s crime" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2025/12/03/police-cmpd-safety-chief-safe-survey" target="_self">rising crime concerns</a>, especially in the wake of the fatal Aug. 22 light rail stabbing.

Sycamore co-owner accused of raping child, breaking into Stanly County home

The co-owner of Sycamore Brewing was arrested Thursday and charged with the statutory rape of a child and breaking into a Stanly County home, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="our news partners at WBTV report." data-vars-click-url="https://www.wbtv.com/2025/12/11/sycamore-co-owner-accused-raping-child-breaking-into-stanly-county-home/" data-vars-content-id="cbdc6d97-53cf-4071-8550-dc0c83cf123d" data-vars-headline="Sycamore co-owner accused of raping child, breaking into Stanly County home" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.wbtv.com/2025/12/11/sycamore-co-owner-accused-raping-child-breaking-into-stanly-county-home/" target="_blank">our news partners at WBTV report.</a>Driving the news: Justin Brigham, 44, is accused of breaking into a home in Stanfield on Wednesday and raping a 13-year-old girl inside, according to arrest warrants.

Iryna's Law will lead to dangerous Mecklenburg jail overcrowding, sheriff warns

Sheriff: Iryna's Law fuels dangerous jail overcrowding

Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden says he is bracing for dangerous jail overcrowding after the passage of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Iryna&#x27;s Law" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/10/03/north-carolina-democratic-governor-republican-crime-bill" data-vars-content-id="185e245a-7c9d-432d-9140-96e8bc00341b" data-vars-headline="Iryna&#x27;s Law will lead to dangerous Mecklenburg jail overcrowding, sheriff warns" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/10/03/north-carolina-democratic-governor-republican-crime-bill" target="_self">Iryna&#x27;s Law</a>, the state bill enacted in the wake of the fatal August light rail stabbing of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska.Why it matters: House Bill 307 is intended to keep criminals off the streets, but it does not dedicate new funding for keeping more suspects in custody longer, leading to concerns about the safety of both employees and inmates within the jail&#x27;s walls.

Second Charlotte light rail stabbing reignites concerns over transit safety and immigration

One person was seriously injured after a stabbing on the light rail on the evening of Dec. 5 in northeast Charlotte.

One person was seriously injured after a stabbing on the light rail on the evening of Dec. 5 in northeast Charlotte.Why it matters: The incident has drawn national attention, including from President Trump, because the suspect is an undocumented <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="immigrant" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2025/11/20/border-patrol-ice-operation-immigration-charlotte-web-trump" data-vars-content-id="fe8c51f3-9a60-410f-bd5d-14db6798769f" data-vars-headline="Second Charlotte light rail stabbing reignites concerns over transit safety and immigration" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2025/11/20/border-patrol-ice-operation-immigration-charlotte-web-trump" target="_self">immigrant</a>.

Survey: Nearly two-thirds say Charlotte is "less safe" than a year ago

Charlotteans urge CMPD to make Uptown "safe again" in community survey

<figure><img alt="Pie chart showing responses about safety in greater Charlotte compared to a year ago: 3.9% feel it is safer (green), 30.12% feel about the same (yellow), 65.98% feel less safe (blue)." height="720" id="c869ad94-dac2-4d79-83a8-d701439b0871" src="https://images.axios.com/Spxe9_gjWgKIKQTR10r9vzkSHio=/2025/12/03/1764770894700.jpeg" width="1410"/><figcaption>Chart: Provided by City of Charlotte</figcaption></figure>Nearly 66% of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Charlotte" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2025/11/03/charlotte-new-police-chief-estella-patterson-cmpd" data-vars-content-id="aac205c4-df74-4cdf-9116-deffbe4a3e11" data-vars-headline="Survey: Nearly two-thirds say Charlotte is &quot;less safe&quot; than a year ago" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2025/11/03/charlotte-new-police-chief-estella-patterson-cmpd" target="_self">Charlotte</a>-area residents believe the city has become &quot;less safe&quot; over the past year, according to a recent community survey.Why it matters: Charlotte has long touted itself as a safe place where families want to move for the quality of life. But local leaders are struggling to counter a developing crime-ridden image as the city grows.

Border Patrol crackdown in Charlotte persists with "over 425 arrests"

Border Patrol bumps up its Charlotte arrests, heads to NOLA

The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Trump" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/12/03/ice-border-patrol-tactics-north-carolina-fear" data-vars-content-id="0637cc43-0146-4dde-b98c-ed58212eaf8b" data-vars-headline="Border Patrol crackdown in Charlotte persists with &quot;over 425 arrests&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/12/03/ice-border-patrol-tactics-north-carolina-fear" target="_self">Trump</a> administration&#x27;s surge of Border Patrol agents to <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="North Carolina" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/11/18/ice-border-patrol-north-carolina-triangle" data-vars-content-id="0637cc43-0146-4dde-b98c-ed58212eaf8b" data-vars-headline="Border Patrol crackdown in Charlotte persists with &quot;over 425 arrests&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2025/11/18/ice-border-patrol-north-carolina-triangle" target="_self">North Carolina</a> has resulted in &quot;over 425&quot; arrests in the Charlotte area, according to a Wednesday update from the Department of Homeland Security.Why it matters: This is the latest of the scant and inconsistent details that the federal government has shared about &quot;Operation Charlotte Web,&quot; which Border Patrol <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="says" data-vars-click-url="https://x.com/CMDROpAtLargeCA/status/1992287305361670147?s=20" data-vars-content-id="0637cc43-0146-4dde-b98c-ed58212eaf8b" data-vars-headline="Border Patrol crackdown in Charlotte persists with &quot;over 425 arrests&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://x.com/CMDROpAtLargeCA/status/1992287305361670147?s=20" target="_blank">says</a> aims to target immigrants who &quot;pose a direct threat to the safety and security of our neighborhoods.&quot;