What is Freedom Park?
Freedom Park is a regional park of about 98 acres serving the Plaza Midwood area. Facilities and hours are administered by Mecklenburg County Park & Recreation.
Regional park
Freedom Park
Charlotte's signature regional park, reachable by greenway from the neighborhood.
Type
Regional park
Size
About 98 acres
Managed by
Mecklenburg County
Area
Plaza Midwood
About Freedom Park
A lake, band shell, courts, and the city's most-used festival grounds — the standing destination for a long weekend walk or ride.
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. Freedom Park 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
- Lake
- Band shell
- Courts
- Festival grounds
Around the park
Closest to Freedom Park
Straight-line approximations from published locations, for orientation only.
Shop · $$
Paper Skyscraper
A long-running independent bookstore and gift shop.
about 1.2 mi
Restaurant · $$
Earl's Grocery
A sandwich counter and small-provisions shop in nearby Elizabeth.
about 1.5 mi
Bar · $$$
The Crunkleton
A serious cocktail room a short drive southwest in Elizabeth.
about 1.6 mi
Brewery · $$
The Suffolk Punch
A brewery, coffee bar, and kitchen on the opposite side of Uptown.
about 1.7 mi
Restaurant · $$$
Supperland
A converted church turned wood-fire restaurant, minutes from Plaza Midwood.
about 1.7 mi
Bakery · $
Las Delicias Bakery
Conchas, tres leches, and a case that changes through the morning.
about 2.1 mi — a short drive
Families
Schools nearest this park
Public high · 9–12
Myers Park High School
A large, long-established high school south of the neighborhood.
about 1.0 mi
Public middle · 6–8
Sedgefield Middle School
An IB middle years program on the southwestern side of the city core.
about 1.0 mi
Public elementary · K–5
Eastover Elementary
A long-established elementary school serving parts of the area south of the neighborhood.
about 1.5 mi
Interactive map
Freedom Park 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
Nature preserve
Chantilly Ecological Sanctuary
A restored wetland and woodland pocket at the neighborhood's southern edge.
About 8 acres
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
Frequently asked
Questions & answers
What facilities does Freedom Park have?
Lake, Band shell, Courts, Festival grounds. Current amenity and program information is published by Mecklenburg County Park & Recreation.
Is Freedom Park 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.