What is Chantilly Ecological Sanctuary?
Chantilly Ecological Sanctuary is a nature preserve of about 8 acres serving the Plaza Midwood area. Facilities and hours are administered by Mecklenburg County Park & Recreation.
Nature preserve
Chantilly Ecological Sanctuary
A restored wetland and woodland pocket at the neighborhood's southern edge.
Type
Nature preserve
Size
About 8 acres
Managed by
Mecklenburg County
Area
Plaza Midwood
About Chantilly Ecological Sanctuary
A quiet, unmanicured counterpoint to the maintained parks, with boardwalks and native planting. Birding here is better than its size suggests.
How residents use it
Green space in Plaza Midwood works as an extension of the front porch: short, frequent, social visits rather than destination trips. Chantilly Ecological Sanctuary is used most heavily in the early morning and the hour before sunset, and its edges are among the most sought-after addresses in the immediate area.
Features
- Boardwalk
- Wetland
- Birding
- Native planting
Around the park
Closest to Chantilly Ecological Sanctuary
Straight-line approximations from published locations, for orientation only.
Restaurant · $
The Diamond Restaurant
A restored mid-century diner serving Southern plates in a chrome-and-vinyl room.
about 0.7 mi — walkable
Coffee · $
Undercurrent Coffee
A modern cafe that turns into a wine bar in the evening.
about 0.7 mi — walkable
Music venue · $$
Petra's
A velvet-dark cocktail bar with karaoke, drag, and live performance.
about 0.7 mi — walkable
Market · $
Common Market
Part corner store, part deli, part bar — and entirely the neighborhood's crossroads.
about 0.7 mi — walkable
Restaurant · $$
The Pizza Peel
Neighborhood pizza with a patio and a family-friendly early hour.
about 0.7 mi — walkable
Brewery · $$
Legion Brewing
A neighborhood brewery with a large patio and a rotating kitchen menu.
about 0.7 mi — walkable
Families
Schools nearest this park
Preschool · Infant–PreK
Neighborhood Preschools & Early Learning
Church-based and independent early-learning programs within the neighborhood.
about 0.7 mi — walkable
Public elementary · K–5
Eastover Elementary
A long-established elementary school serving parts of the area south of the neighborhood.
about 1.3 mi
Public elementary · PreK–5
Shamrock Gardens Elementary
The elementary school most closely associated with the Plaza Midwood side of the corridor.
about 1.3 mi
Interactive map
Chantilly Ecological Sanctuary on the map
Location is approximate and provided for orientation only.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Point locations are approximate and provided for orientation only.
Nearby
More green space
Neighborhood park
Midwood Park
The green heart of the historic district, ringed by bungalows and mature hardwoods.
About 5 acres
Recreation center
Veterans Park
The neighborhood's active park: recreation center, courts, playground, and pool.
About 12 acres
Greenway
Briar Creek Greenway
A paved creekside corridor linking the neighborhood into the county greenway network.
Multi-mile corridor
Greenway
Little Sugar Creek Greenway
The county's spine greenway, reachable from the neighborhood via Briar Creek.
Multi-mile corridor
Neighborhood park
Independence Park
Charlotte's oldest public park, just southwest in Elizabeth.
About 21 acres
Neighborhood park
Cordelia Park
A large park northwest of the neighborhood serving Villa Heights and Optimist Park.
About 20 acres
Frequently asked
Questions & answers
What facilities does Chantilly Ecological Sanctuary have?
Boardwalk, Wetland, Birding, Native planting. Current amenity and program information is published by Mecklenburg County Park & Recreation.
Is Chantilly Ecological Sanctuary dog friendly?
Most Mecklenburg County parks allow leashed dogs, with rules varying by facility and by designated off-leash areas. Confirm current rules with Mecklenburg County Park & Recreation.
Sources & verification
Figures and descriptions on this page are compiled from the public sources listed above and reviewed periodically. Conditions change; verify anything you plan to rely on with the responsible authority before acting.
Related
Continue through the guide
Parks & Greenways
Midwood Park, Veterans Park, and greenway access from the neighborhood.
Things to Do in Plaza Midwood
Murals, markets, festivals, and a month-by-month calendar.
Living in Plaza Midwood
Walkability, daily rhythm, dogs, porches, and neighbors.
Getting Around Plaza Midwood
Streetcar, buses, bikes, parking, and drive times that actually hold up.