More Greenways Could Come To Charlotte

Charlotte could soon have more greenways and updated parks.

It’s all thanks to a partnership inspired by 2024’s ParkScore where our city ranked lower than average. But there is a solution.

“Nature is actually medicine. It is the first medicine,” James Smith said.

Smith, the creator of My Outdoor Joy, is working on a partnership with Allison Rhodes and Meg Fencil, representing Sustain Charlotte, a nonprofit that advocates for smart land use and transportation choices.

“When we talked with James, we realized that if we can both support each other’s goals of making sure that people have healthy, safe places to get that outdoor recreation while also having the option to walk and ride bikes for transportation to meet their daily needs, this was a natural fit for us to be able to connect with that audience,” Fencil said. 

It’s more important than you may realize to get out and enjoy nature. If Charlotte’s ParkScore has you down, you can help make sure the Queen City stays in the green.

“We want to have usage. We want them when they’re using their video cameras, seeing people. We want them to understand that their investment in the greenways was productive, profitable and it’s actually helping the long-term health of the community,” Smith said.

So, what does that long-term health in the community look like?

“We want people to use different forms of transportation besides a car,” Rhodes said. “We want people out on their bikes, walking, using the greenways, using the parks. Just to have the green space around because that really does add to the quality of life and the vibrancy of the city.”

Together, these organizations are making real change, supported by the people of Mecklenburg County.

“More than 1,500 people signed our petition asking the Mecklenburg County commissioners to support capital funding for the next five years to build more greenways,” Fencil said. “It’s really exciting to see that people, who care about recreation and transportation, came together to call on our elected officials to use the money to make our community amazing.”