New Park Coming to East Charlotte: Officials Want Your Input
The 27-acre strip of land was once used as a training base for pilots during WWII and later operated as a plane restoration center, but it now stands as a dense forest with a few trails.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A new park is coming to East Charlotte, and local leaders, like Greg Asciutto with Charlotte Eastland Area Strategies Team, (CharlotteEAST), are excited to bring another green space to the Queen City.
“This is ecstatic,” says Asciutto, “Mecklenburg County time and time again proves that it’s willing to invest in East Charlotte where it matters.”
CharlotteEAST is a non-profit community group led by East Charlotte business owners and residents that helps guide city officials when it comes to policy and development. Asciutto sees the new park as another positive investment in the area.
“These parks and these investments give us the opportunity to grow and build community together,” Asciutto adds.
The space on W.T. Harris Boulevard is only in the development stage right now, but construction will begin shortly and the first phase is planned to be open to the public by early 2026.
The 27-acre strip of land was once used as a training base for pilots during WWII and later operated as a plane restoration center, but it now stands as a dense forest with a few trails. Due to its industrial history, the future park is classified as a brownfields site, meaning Mecklenburg County will work with the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality to make sure the grounds are up to health standards. After that, it’s time to build something Asciutto says the community desperately needs.
“Having places that actually gather, meet face-to-face, having amenities not just for families, for kids, for seniors, having elements that there’s a little bit of something for everybody, right?”
But WCCB Charlotte heard some pushback from residents in the Wallace Creek neighborhood, which lies across the street from the proposed park.
“I think that it’s a bad decision,” says Quenton Hood, who’s lived here for nearly 20 years and is worried about overdevelopment.
“It’s going to bring too much traffic,” Hood laments, “And then the people over here that are already paying a certain amount in rent, those things are going to go up, and the people who are less fortunate, they’re going to get pushed out.”
Momoh Roberts, who also lives in Wallace Creek, is more concerned about the environmental aspect.
“They are taking all the trees. Now, I get sunshine every day, which I didn’t like. But, what can I do? People have to live, so that’s what they’re doing.”
Asciutto told WCCB Charlotte that the biggest concern he’s heard from the community matches Roberts sentiment – the rapidly shrinking forest and canopy around East Charlotte needs to be preserved. While he understands residents’ concerns, he also says feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.
City officials are also excited for the new green space. Charlotte City Councilwoman Marjorie Molina represents District 5, which covers most of East Charlotte, said this about the proposed park:
“The new park represents a significant investment in East Charlotte, providing much-needed green space and recreational opportunities for our residents. It’s a testament to an ongoing commitment to enhance the quality of life in our district. Parks are essential! They add character to a community and this will be a vibrant green space that residents can share and enjoy for years to come. I’m also thankful for our county leaders and their strategic partnership, which will bring this project to fruition.”
Leaders also want to hear Charlotte residents’ input on what the park should look like. You can weigh in HERE.
