Goal 5
ABUNDANT PARKS, PUBLIC SPACES AND NATURAL AREAS
Create a strong connected network of diverse outdoor spaces and experiences throughout Center City.
BIG IDEA: Consolidate rail infrastructure at Norfolk Southern rail yard to create a large (75 - 150 acre) signature public space in Center City
Why is This Important?
Spending time outdoors provides access to fresh air and sunlight, a break from screens, opportunities for recreation and socializing, and connections to nature. Research shows that access to nature and the outdoors improves physical, social and mental wellbeing.
The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the value of parks and public spaces when mobility was restricted and indoor gatherings were prohibited. Parks and public space suddenly started to function as gyms, offices and living rooms. Responding to evolving urban park trends and increasing outdoor activities in a post-pandemic world, small parks and plazas should include elements and spaces that allow sites to be used differently throughout the day and week.
While each ward in Uptown and several adjacent neighborhoods have parks, Center City does not have a very large public park with space for celebration, gathering and community-building. As the population and density of Center City grows it is critical to identify, protect and improve urban parks and public spaces to ensure these benefits are enjoyed by current and future residents.
CENTER CITY PUBLIC SPACE
Parks and public spaces are a valued asset for Charlotteans and play a significant role in the quality of life for all Center City residents and visitors (see Figure 5.5.A). The following are general observations and recommendations which are reflected in the strategies and recommendations that follow.
Access and Distribution: Existing parks and public spaces, distributed throughout the Center City, are within walking distance for many neighborhoods. However, significant gaps are evident, particularly in the North End and in areas with fewer homes. While this analysis does not account for obstacles and barriers to access, it demonstrates clear service gaps.
Park Enhancements: Existing parks identified for upgrades should include improvements to the park design and amenities (e.g., play spaces, water and shade) as well as and park access, including visibility, entrances and connections to sidewalks and trails.
Connections: Opportunities to connect parks and public spaces can provide multiple benefits, by improving access and creating more active transportation routes through Center City.
Future Parks: New open and gathering spaces will be needed to fill in the parks and public spaces service gaps in Center City and to meet other Vision Plan goals. Significant park investments can also help overcome barriers, such as the Norfolk Southern Railyard and I-277 by connecting neighborhoods with public space.
Land Opportunity: There are still parcels in Center City that are undeveloped or under-developed and could be acquired for use as public space. As Center City land prices and density increase, it will only become more difficult to purchase the spaces.
How Can We Achieve This?
STRATEGY 5A: CREATE A NEW, LARGE-SCALE SIGNATURE PUBLIC SPACE
Vision Plan outreach showed that Charlotteans are excited about establishing a major, iconic park within Center City. Like New York’s Central Park and Atlanta’s Piedmont Park, this space would be a major destination for both residents and visitors.
The space will be accessible and welcoming to all residents and visitors, providing no-cost recreation options. It would include many different spaces, environments and amenities including a large outdoor public area for public celebrations, cultural events and socially-distanced gathering.
RECOMMENDATIONS
5a-1 Consolidate rail infrastructure north of Uptown at the current Norfolk Southern yard and secure at least 75 - 150 contiguous acres of land within a 2.5-mile radius of Trade and Tryon.
5a-2 Plan, design and program the new signature space as part of a coordinated effort that leverages public resources to maximize community benefits including affordable housing, small business support, equity goals and improved access to parks and public spaces and recreation opportunities.
5a-3 Ensure the new space is seamlessly connected to Uptown and adjacent light rail stations, greenways and trails, and nearby parks and public spaces.
5a-4 Provide multiple destinations, environments and experiences within or adjacent to the new space, including:
› Cultural venues
› Recreation center(s)
› Schools and / or other educational facilities.
5a-5 Include a central, flexible civic gathering space for events that allow social distancing, as needed, in the new park.
5a-6 Engage neighboring communities in all stages of the design, planning and programming of the new space.
5a-7 Preserve the site and redesign the existing Amtrak station on North Tryon Street to serve the North End and new signature park.
STRATEGY 5B: INCREASE THE NUMBER AND DIVERSITY OF PUBLICLY ACCESSIBLE PARKS AND PUBLIC SPACES
Making it easy for people to have access to more parks and public spaces can be accomplished by adding additional parks closer to people, and by improving access to parks that are already close by, but may be inaccessible due to major barriers like freeways, busy roads, fences, and vacant and underutilized spaces.
RECOMMENDATIONS
5b-1 Ensure each Center City household is within a half-mile (10-minute walk) of a public park or public space.
5b-2 Identify new and renovate existing parks and public spaces to be welcoming to people of all incomes and cultures.
5b-3 Analyze Center City land use and ownership to identify opportunities for new public spaces within existing neighborhoods, such as vacant lots or underutilized public land.
5b-4 Pursue or strengthen partnerships and joint use agreements with schools, non-profits, places of worship and other civic organizations to enhance public access to private parks, playgrounds and open spaces.
5b-5 Encourage large mixed-use development to provide publicly accessible open space as a part of their projects.
5b-6 Reinvest in the publicly accessible parks and open spaces in neighborhoods with service gaps and/or poorly rated parks.
5b-7 Enable the ongoing use of public spaces such as sidewalks, streets and parklets to provide safe places for socially distanced gatherings.
5b-8 Continue to renovate, activate and increase maintenance of Pinewood/Elmwood cemeteries in Uptown to be used as a public space.
STRATEGY 5C: CREATE A CONNECTED SYSTEM OF OUTDOOR EXPERIENCES ALONG CREEKS, TRAILS AND GREENWAYS TO SUPPORT ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION AND ACCESS TO COMMUNITY AMENITIES
Connecting parks and public spaces to one another and to trails, greenways and neighborhood centers makes it easier for people to access and enjoy a range of activities and experiences.
RECOMMENDATIONS
5c-1 Design and build the Silver Line Rail Trail as a premiere trail and public space that connects neighborhoods, provides access to all ages and abilities (AAA) destinations, and reflects local identity, diversity and character.
5c-2 Complete the West End (Irwin Creek) Greenway along West 5th Street to provide a seamless connection between Five Points, Uptown / Gateway Station, the Irwin Creek Greenway and the AvidXchange Music Factory.
5c-3 Improve and expand the Blue Line Rail Trail, including:
› Extending the trail north of 12th Street
› Filling key gaps
› Building more activity areas
› Adding more public art
› Developing guidelines to manage a vendor program
› Creating guidelines and/or ordinances to encourage the development of ground floor space to add shops, basic neighborhood services, cafes, and galleries.
5c-4 Complete trail and greenway networks in Center City including the Cross Charlotte Trail, Urban Arboretum Trail and other trail networks.
5c-5 Create a seamless connection across the rail lines connecting the future Silver Line Rail Trail to the AvidXchange Music Factory.
STRATEGY 5D: STRATEGICALLY IMPROVE PRIORITY PARKS AND FACILITIES THROUGH DESIGN AND PROGRAMMING
Center City has many existing public and private open spaces that can be improved to better meet the needs of a growing and changing population, and to adapt to recreation trends over time. Additional recommendations for Center City are included in the 2021 Meck Playbook plan.
RECOMMENDATIONS
5d-1 Establish the new City program for local shared management and programming or adoption of public spaces for all Center City parks, in partnership with Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation, neighborhood groups, stewardships, conservancies and other community organizations.
5d-2 Convene a working group to advise on public space design and practices that foster safe, secure and welcoming environments for Charlotte’s diverse population.
5d-3 Establish a mixed-use all ages and abilities recreation center in Uptown to serve the growing residential population, expanding on the existing Second Ward High School Gymnasium and Mecklenburg County Aquatic Center
› Serve as a tool for welcoming people from across the community into uptown for low- or no-cost recreation
5d-4 Develop and implement a Master Plan for Frazier Park that:
› Enhances its attraction as a community destination
› Ensures access and experiences for all ages and abilities
› Improves park design and function
› Emphasizes access to Irwin Creek
› Incorporates nature play
› Provides amenities for an urban neighborhood, including off-leash dog areas and flexible gathering spaces
› Reduces the area dedicated to open turf, and adds sustainable features and ecosystem services such as wildlife habitat and stormwater filtration.
5d-5 Improve Seversville and Martin Luther King Parks and enhance the connections from Frazier Park along the Stewart Creek Greenway to create one large public space that serves the growing West End neighborhoods.
5d-6 To protect Romare Bearden Park and to add new destinations and experiences, relocate some events and programs from to other nearby neighborhood parks
STRATEGY 5E: RESTORE AND EXPAND THE TREE CANOPY AND URBAN FOREST
As Center City has grown and developed over the last several decades, many trees that make up the urban tree canopy have been lost, along with their ecological, health and aesthetic benefits.
RECOMMENDATIONS
5e-1 Protect and preserve the existing tree canopy in Center City through auditing, maintenance, regulation, and stewardship consistent with the Tree Canopy Action Plan recommendations (anticipated 2021).
5e-2 Enhance and extend the tree canopy in underserved neighborhoods, focused on locations where trees can provide multiple benefits such as shade, improved air quality and carbon sequestration, particularly in South and North End.
5e-3 Establish best practices and guidelines for tree planting in Uptown and other dense City Center neighborhoods to ensure maximum flexibility on sidewalks and other public spaces for programming, outdoor seating, vending and other uses.
5e-4 Pursue other opportunities to expand the benefits of the tree canopy through green roofs and conversion of impervious surfaces (e.g., surface parking).
5e-5 Work with NCDOT and other owners of large land areas (e.g., Tree Canopy Preservation Program properties) to create pollinator plantings on remnant or undevelopable land along highways or other infrastructure.
