Freedom Park:
The Princeton side is a great toddler park for children under four. There are only two toddler swings and four big kid swings, but there are plenty of toddler swings on the train/East Blvd side and toddlers can use big kid swings in non-traditional ways like swinging themselves on their bellies. The toddler equipment is OK – they won’t fall to their death through any gaping holes. Why anyone would design or purchase a toddler play set without full enclosure on all sides is beyond me. But you’ll find the big holes at every play yard. You just have to do your best and pick the safest one and cross your fingers. They have a great picnic area and the entire toddler park is fenced in – very key in my opinion.
Park Road Park:
STAY AWAY! Slim shady. So unfortunate because the equipment is fabulous. But since I’ve lived in Charlotte, there have been some pretty scary situations in broad daylight. We will never step foot in that park ever again.
Harris Y Park:
Great facility and you do not have to be a Y member to use the playground (photo above was taken here). Fenced in but currently, the gates are broken. So annoying. We do well here with the twins because it is not usually crowded during the day and they can just run wild in the fields. Although, last week, I had to do the fireman’s carry with both twins because all they wanted to do was run through the parking lot. I mean, come on – they have three football fields and two playgrounds to do whatever they want with and they choose to get run over by multiple vehicles. Maybe my kids just shouldn’t go to parks? But another bonus is the Fresh Market Deli in the Harris Y. The chicken salad is to die for and they have a great deli menu with Boars Head meat – very rare in Charlotte.
Latta Park:
Perfect in the summertime due to the spray-ground fully equipped with a rod iron fence to trap your crazy munchkins in. Mine like to hang on the door even though they would have the time of their lives if they just ran through the water and forgot about the fact that they were trapped in. Great equipment although they have a super tall slide that seems quite dangerous to me. I just pretend that I don’t see my kids going down it and hope for the best. Great place to grill out and have birthday parties under the pavilion.
My favorite parks in the afternoons past 2pm and on weekends (with the exception of Sunday mornings) are church/weekday school parks. We go to Sharon Presbyterian and Sharon Baptist – both of which have great equipment for all ages, monkey bars (an absolute must for my 4-and 6-year-olds, a clean bathroom, and fenced in safe equipment for the little guys. Oh and nice shade.
Oh and on rainy days, we go to Chick-fil-A, which we Charlotteans and stay-at-home moms DON’T consider fast food!
7 comments
This is a great review of parks – and I concur on all comments. I would also add that my other criteria – if there are large old trees, especially overhanging the equipment – stay away! It may look great for warm months but – these trees are rarely cared for and limbs and branches could fall. Plus it create too many blind spots (Carmel Road Park has a lot of old trees). William B. Davie Park is also good, not near the road way (Highway 51) and lots of varied equipment for all ages.
This is great information! I love the site.
Colonel Francis Beatty Park in Matthews is another great option. The playground equipt. in the new section is geared towards older kids but the older playground (on the other side of the pond) is better for little ones. Bring scooters or bikes to ride on paved trails around playground. They also have paddle boats in the summer (bring an extra adult for that adventure).Sardis Park is never crowded and a great place to meet a friend for a playdate and picnic. It is a little remote to go by yourself.Squirrel Lake park is shaded and fun for a nature hike but again…go with a friend or meet a friend there.Sardis and Squirrel Lake only have a porta potty. Go before you get there.
Our favorites are Latta Park (mentioned above–the nature trails are also a big hit with our kids) and in the summertime we spend a lot of time at The Green (better known in our household as The Fish Fountain Park) in uptown across from the convention center. My three love to splash around and there are clean restrooms and several choices for lunch. Just be aware that sometimes fountain is not running (leading to disappointment and tears) and it gets slippery so watershoes are helpful.
I want to add one of our personal favorites. Midwood Park is hidden away off of Mecklenburg Ave., but it is such a great park. It is rarely crowded and it is shady. It is also recessed a bit so your kids can run like maniacs and you won’t worry that they are going to head for the streets. There is a basketball court for older kids and a toddler and young kid playset with swings for all. In warm months, Plaza Midwood library moves their storytime there. Finally, the best part, they have bathrooms that are always open. They are a bit ugly and dank, but they are better than no bathroom when your little one has hit the potty years.
Great article & website! I would add that the parks at Ballantyne Country Club are worth a visit to for younger children. There is one right by the pool that is a series of platforms, slides, bridges that is pretty cool. The only drawback is the swings are on their own in an area towards the back of the neighborhood – there are 2 kid swings & 2 baby swings.
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