Hidden Parks: Sedgefield

We are fortunate to have a great neighborhood playground that we can walk to. It's usually our default afternoon activity destination. Sometimes, though, it's fun to mix it up a little bit.

There are a number of really fantastic Charlotte Mecklenburg Park and Recreation spaces. Some of them are easier to find than others. Here's one we enjoy that you might not have stumbled on, yet.

Sedgefield Park is tucked between the Dilworth and Sedgefield neighborhoods. This impressive park is both surprisingly spacious and comfortably contained.

With playground equipment, a picnic pavilion, tennis and basketball courts and paved walking trails, it feels like a smaller, more approachable sibling of the nearby universally popular Freedom Park.

The main entrance is off of Poindexter Dr., one of the main arteries of the Sedgefield neighborhood. The park sits behind Sedgefield Middle School, adjacent to the school track and an apartment complex. Parking is limited, but we've never been when that's been a problem.

There's playground equipment suitable for all ages and a sand play area. There's also a large pavilion with a half dozen tables, a grill and electricity. We like to hit the nearby Chick-fil-a on the way there for a take-out picnic lunch.

Our favorite part, though, is the mile or so of wide paved walking trails that wind around the playground, across a bridge, past the basketball and tennis courts, and along the Dairy Branch Creek tributary, ending at McDonald Ave. off of Ideal Way at the other end of the park. There's a lot of ground to cover, but it's confined to five well-designed acres. The paths are perfect for bikes, scooters, skates and strollers.


If you haven't discovered Sedgefield Park, yet, it's worth checking out. Definitely a solid alternative to your old standby.


Note: There are no bathroom facilities, so make sure to make a stop before you go.

How to get there:
Sedgefield Park is located at 621 Elmhurst Rd., Charlotte, NC 28203.

Don't forget to pack:

• A picnic or snack: There's a great big picnic shelter with half a dozen tables as well as plenty of green space to spread out a blanket.
• Sunscreen, hats and sunglasses: The trails are shaded, but the rest of the park is wide open.
• Bikes or scooters and helmets: The paved trails are perfect for riding.