Mecklenburg County Parks
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- U.S. NATIONAL WHITEWATER CENTER: The center is the world’s largest artificial whitewater river and an official U.S. Olympic training site, the 307-acre facility includes whitewater rafting and kayaking, mountain biking, hiking trails and a climbing center, along with a restaurant overlooking the action. Young kids may enjoy walking around the center while watching kayakers and rafters navigate the rapids, and climbing on some small rocks with toeholds near the entrance. Admission: $5 per car. www.usnwc.org
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CHARLOTTE/DOUGLAS INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT OVERLOOK PARK: Pack a lunch and come here to watch the planes take off and land. One of the best freebies around. Off Old Dowd Road near the intersection with Besser Drive. For maps and other information, visit the airport’s Web site.
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REEDY CREEK PARK AND NATURE PRESERVE: 10 miles of hiking trails, as well as picnic shelters, a playground, a fishing pier, an 18-hole disc golf course and a variety of sports facilities off Rocky River Road in northeast Charlotte. http://www.charmeck.org/Departments/Park+and+Rec/Parks/Parks+By+District/Northeast+District/ReedyCreekPK.htm
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MCALPINE CREEK PARK AND GREENWAY: Charlotte’s original greenway park, it was the first public greenway trail ever built in the western piedmont of North Carolina. It includes 8.9 miles of greenway, cross country trails, and nature trails off Monroe Road in east Charlotte. http://www.charmeck.org/Departments/Park+and+Rec/Parks/Parks+By+District/East+District/McAlpinePK.htm
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JETTON PARK: 150 acres of beach on Lake Norman in Cornelius that includes a playground, tennis courts, a 1.3 mile bike trail, a 1.5 mile walking.roller blade trail and more. http://www.charmeck.org/Departments/Park+and+Rec/Parks/Parks+By+District/North+District/Jetton.htm
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MCDOWELL PARK AND NATURE PRESERVE: The park serves as the gateway to the 1,108-acre nature preserve, which is mostly forested, rolling terrain along the banks of Lake Wylie. You can rent paddleboats and canoes, fish, hike seven miles of trails, see live animals in the nature center and let the kids play on the playground. Try the rent-a-tent program and spend the night in a 9 x 12 tent with two cots at the campground, which even has with hot showers! Click here for more information. http://www.charmeck.org/Departments/Park+and+Rec/Inside+The+Department/Divisions/Stewardship+Services/Nature+Preserves/McDowell.htm
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OTHER LOCAL PARKS: Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation operates 210 parks and facilities on more than 17,600 acres of parkland. To read about some of the others, go to www.parkandrec.com.
