A 70-acre off-leash dog park will open at the U.S. National Whitewater Center on Saturday, March 30, Axios' Ashley Mahoney reports.

Why it matters: Head to the 1,300-acre Whitewater Center any day and you'll see more than a few pooches, but up until now, they've been required to be on leashes. Now dogs of all breeds and sizes can roam freely.

If you go: The dog park includes lake and beach access and a dock.

• You'll purchase your pass and check-in, grab a beer, order food or buy a treat or toy for your dog at the 2,480-square-foot main building called the Barley House.
• There's a 1,100-square-foot covered pavilion with picnic tables, bathrooms and a 1.5-mile loop inside the new park. You cannot bike inside the dog park, but you can bike on a 2.5-mile loop that's just outside the perimeter.

Between the lines: The new park has several rules to keep humans and dogs safe, including a minimum four-month age requirement and up-to-date vaccines.

The bottom line: The Whitewater Center is among Charlotte's most popular attractions, drawing 1.2 million visitors in 2023, per a Whitewater Center spokesperson. Adding an off-leash dog park gives people another reason to visit.

Take a look around

The Charlotte area is among the fastest-growing metros in the U.S.

Why it matters: People moving here signals the area is economically healthy and desirable. But it also adds urgency to supply housing and improve infrastructure.

By the numbers: Mecklenburg County has grown 4.1% since 2020 to 1.16 million residents, census data show.

Zoom out: North Carolina's population is growing most significantly along the coast, the mountains and in the Piedmont, home to most of its largest cities.

• The fastest-growing county in the state continues to be Brunswick, home to towns like Ocean Isle Beach and Oak Island. The county grew by 15.8% to 160,000 people since 2020.
• Wake County has grown 5.3% since 2020 to 1.2 million residents.

Yes, but: The rural northeastern part of the state has shed population, with Hertford County's population falling 9% to 19,450 from 2020.

A record number of passengers are expected to go through Charlotte Douglas International Airport security this week during spring break travel, according to TSA officials.

By the numbers: 43,000 people are projected for today and 41,5000 for Friday, Ashley reports.

• Charlotte's current record is 41,175 passengers, set on Aug. 2, 2019.

The bottom line: Get to the airport early.

CLT's plans for traffic congestion around airport

📲 North Carolinians bet $198 million and won $142 million during the state's first week of legalized online sports betting. (CBJ 🔒)

🎤 Rosanne Cash, a Grammy Award-winning artist and daughter of Johnny Cash, will perform at Queens University of Charlotte on Saturday, April 6, at 7:30pm. (Axios)

🚨 The Mecklenburg County District Attorney's Office asked for a state investigation into alleged "irregularities" by a Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department crime lab analyst. (WBTV)

💼 Take your career to the next level and see who's hiring.

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People are catching rides on Charlotte public transit more and more these days.

By the numbers: Bus ridership has increased by 50% since 2022, when workers were returning to offices coming out of the pandemic, according to a Charlotte Area Transit System presentation recently shared with City Council.

• Passengers on rail have more than doubled.

Yes, but: Total ridership is 34% below prepandemic levels.

• Gold Line usage is falling each month, likely because of long headways, a Metropolitan Transit Commission report notes.

Charlotte SHOUT! returns this weekend and will present plenty of entertainment, including a yoga-dance party at First Ward Park.

• Here are some other fun things to do around the city:

🍻 All weekend long: 15th Anniversary Celebration at The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery & Biergarten | Free | Details

🤪 Friday: Comedy Open Mic Night at The Common Market | Free | 7pm | Details

⚽️ Saturday: Charlotte FC vs. FC Cincinnati at Bank of America Stadium | $45 | 7:30pm | Details

🧘‍♀️ Sunday: Yoga at Southern Strain Plaza Midwood | $12 | 11am-12pm | Details

Full weekender

Salud Cerveceria, NoDa's James Beard-nominated beer shop, has brought back some sandwiches by popular demand, Axios' Laura Barrero writes.

We ordered: The "Call of Da Wild," made with house focaccia, chicken, bacon, mozzarella, arugula, tomato, house ranch, lemon vinaigrette and arugula.

Also on the menu: The "Players Ball" is house focaccia, meatballs, house pizza sauce, mozzarella, parmesan and pesto, served with lemon vinaigrette on the side. Vegan options are available.