What is Independence Park?
Independence Park is a neighborhood park of about 21 acres serving the Plaza Midwood area. Facilities and hours are administered by Mecklenburg County Park & Recreation.
Neighborhood park
Independence Park
Charlotte's oldest public park, just southwest in Elizabeth.
Type
Neighborhood park
Size
About 21 acres
Managed by
Mecklenburg County
Area
Plaza Midwood
About Independence Park
Ball fields, a rose garden, and a broad lawn — a short walk or bike ride from the western edge of Plaza Midwood.
A park with a layered history
Independence Park lies in Charlotte's Elizabeth neighborhood and is described by Mecklenburg County as the first and oldest public park in Charlotte. The county says it first opened in 1912, but that its 1905 deed called for a public park for the use of white people, and the county has acknowledged that history in the park's reopening. Charlotte Magazine gives a different establishment year, so sources are not unanimous on dates. Reporting on the 2023 reopening describes a nearly six-million-dollar renovation funded through the county's capital program, after a closure that began in January 2021. The county cites 34 acres, which differs from the older approximate figure in this guide's directory entry, so use the county number when it matters. Hawthorne Lane divides the park into an upper and a lower section, and that split still organizes how people use it.
The upper and lower park
Per the county's 2023 announcement, the upper park holds a formal perennial garden, large trees, a nature playground and a reconfigured parking lot. The lower park contains more trails, a playground, a renovated picnic pavilion, updated athletic fields, permanent restrooms and the 300-seat Independence Park Stadium. A mural titled Natural Rhythms by Georgie Nakima, produced with the Arts and Science Council, decorates the Amory Building facade facing the park. The renovation was designed to better connect the park to American Legion Memorial Stadium nearby, and the county names Agency Landscape and Planning as the design consultant. Because the park has been rebuilt, older descriptions that mention specific features, including a rose garden, may be out of date. Confirm what is currently open on the county park page, and check stadium and field schedules separately because organized events can limit informal use.
From Plaza Midwood
The park is southwest of Plaza Midwood, across the Elizabeth side of Hawthorne Lane, so most visitors arrive by bike or car, although the western edge of the neighborhood is within a manageable walk. Hawthorne Lane is both the connector and the barrier, since traffic is steady, and crossing points matter more than distance. The county says the renovation added a 12-foot-wide greenway with ties to Hawthorne Lane and Little Sugar Creek Greenway, which makes the park a gateway to the wider trail system. That link lets a rider move from the park to Uptown or toward Freedom Park without joining major roads. On busy event days at the stadium or the neighboring Legion field, parking fills and neighborhood streets have restrictions, so check signs. For a different feel, compare it with Midwood Park: Independence is larger, formal and trail-linked, while Midwood is residential.
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. Independence 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
- Ball fields
- Rose garden
- Playground
- Trails
Around the park
Closest to Independence Park
Straight-line approximations from published locations, for orientation only.
Coffee · $
Central Coffee Co.
An independent coffee shop at Louise and Central avenues with breakfast and house-baked pastries.
a block or so away
Shop · $
Lunchbox Records
A new-and-used record store at 825 Central Avenue that also hosts bands.
about 0.17 mi — a short walk
Restaurant · $
Bang Bang Burgers
Scratch-made burgers, hand-cut fries, and house sauces on East 7th Street in Elizabeth.
about 0.2 mi — a short walk
Restaurant · $$
Intermezzo Pizzeria & Cafe
A European-style cafe on East 10th Street serving handmade pizza and Serbian dishes.
about 0.3 mi — walkable
Bar · $$$
The Crunkleton
Classic cocktails and live-fire cooking at 1957 East 7th Street in Elizabeth.
about 0.3 mi — walkable
Restaurant · $
Moo & Brew
Burgers and beer at 1300 Central Avenue.
about 0.4 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 0.8 mi
Independent · K–8
Trinity Episcopal School
An independent K–8 school in Uptown, a short drive from the neighborhood.
about 1.1 mi
Public elementary · K–5
Eastover Elementary
A long-established elementary school serving parts of the area south of the neighborhood.
about 1.6 mi
Interactive map
Independence 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
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 Independence Park have?
Ball fields, Rose garden, Playground, Trails. Current amenity and program information is published by Mecklenburg County Park & Recreation.
Is Independence 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.
Publisher-associated businesses
Related Peters businesses
These businesses are associated with this guide's publisher, Nicholas and Miriam Peters — not independent recommendations. The full list is in the Business Services menu.
Custom builder & renovator
Peters Custom Homes
Infill construction, whole-house renovation, and additions on Charlotte's historic in-town lots.
Real estate advisory
Peters & Associates
Buyer and seller representation across Plaza Midwood, Charlotte, and the Carolinas.
Interior design
Emerald & Oak
Interior architecture and furnishings for historic and newly built Charlotte homes.
Smart home & AV integration
Peters Audio Video
Networking, lighting control, media, and security systems designed for older houses.
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.