Biketoberfest 2022!

Biketoberfest 2022 is coming up and now's the time to get your tickets to this family-friendly urban adventure! The event, hosted by one of our favorite local nonprofits, Sustain Charlotte, offers participants the chance to see how easy it is to get around the Queen City by bike and foot -- and earn prizes along the way!

Biketoberfest is a scavenger-hunt-style ride or walk that begins and ends at Triple C Brewing Co. and explores neighborhoods in and around uptown. The route features protected bike lanes, greenways and quiet neighborhood streets, making it perfect for riders of all ages and skill levels.

Over the course of a 12-mile bike ride or 3-mile walk, participants stop at local businesses, organizations and restaurants to get their passport stamped. The more stamps you get, the more chances you have to win in the raffle at the after-party.

 

The fun starts with a packet-pickup party at Triple C from 5-7:00 p.m. on Friday, October 28, where there will be live music and you can try a new beer (named "Oh Shift!" . . . clever, huh?) brewed specially for Biketoberfest. Then Biketoberfest runs from noon to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 30, and the celebration continues at Triple C Brewing Co. until 6:00 p.m., where prizes will be awarded.

 
You can register online now or in-person on event day (but the price, which starts at $25 per person, escalates the longer you wait).

 

In addition to being lots of fun, Biketoberfest is a fundraiser that helps Sustain Charlotte continue its advocacy work to make Charlotte a healthier and more equitable city with better transportation options, more accessible green spaces, and more affordable housing. It's also a way to support the local businesses that sponsor the event and have stops along the route.

 
Bonus: The event's proximity to Halloween means a perfect excuse for a costume dress rehearsal if you're feeling festive.

 
Our family is looking forward to exploring Charlotte on two wheels at the end of October. Join us! Hope to see you there.

Spring Into April: 5 Local Outings For Your Calendar This Month

Friends! There are so many fun, family-friendly things to do in Charlotte this month. From art to recreation, adventure to celebration, tiny houses to giant bunnies, and some novel activities in between. Get out your calendar and make plans now to take part in some of these local excursions. Hope to see you there! 

South Fork Sampler

On Saturday, April 2, try a scavenger-hunt-style adventure race along the South Fork River, about 20 minutes from Uptown in Gaston County. Participants in the South Fork Sampler will paddle, bike and run to various checkpoints, getting to know this beautiful, historic natural area. The event benefits the South Fork River Health Project and the Catawba Riverkeeper's mission of ensuring clean and plentiful drinking water for nearly 4 million people throughout the river basin. Get more information and register here. 

Charlotte SHOUT!

After several pandemic-related postponements, Charlotte SHOUT! is back. This community festival, which runs from April 1-16, includes music, food and art, and features many talented local and international artists, dancers, musicians, poets, chefs and thought leaders. Charlotte SHOUT! is all about celebrating our city's creativity and innovation. Here's a list of events. And here are tips for planning your visits. 

Earth Day Celebrations

Kick off Earth Day weekend with the 10th Annual Charlotte Sustainability Awards, honoring organizations and leaders in our community working toward sustainability and smart growth, and by their actions, inspiring others to do the same. This event will be on Friday, April 22 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at The Depot on N. Tryon St. You can register here. 

Then, on Saturday, April 23, head to First Ward Park (301 E. 7th St., Charlotte, NC, 28202) for Charlotte Earth Day: All Together NOW!, a community Earth Day celebration from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This event will celebrate the beauty and diversity of our ecosystems and raise environmental awareness. There will be parades, speakers, performances, music, information stations, and a family treasure hunt. This event is free and open to the public.  

Sensory-Friendly Tiny House 

Visit Marion Diehl Park (2219 Tyvola Rd., Charlotte, NC, 28210, from 10:00 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 30 and Saturday, May 21 to play in Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation's Therapeutics Program Sensory Friendly Tiny House. Built with a grant through the Walt Disney Company and National Recreation and Parks Association's "Meet Me at the Park" initiative, this fun temporary exhibit is full of musical instruments, sensory bins, a rock wall and activities designed for kids ages 10 and under. 

Bike Charlotte 

Bike Charlotte returns for its 20th year April 26 - May 8. This citywide celebration of all things cycling overlaps National Bike Month and encourages the everyday use of bikes for transportation, recreation and discovery. There are a number of programs and events planned over the two week period to educate the community about cycling and safety, celebrate the diversity of Charlotte cyclists, and recognize those who've made significant contributions to local cycling. 

Worth noting: Your bike can ride for FREE from whenever you rack and ride on any CATS service, including the LYNX Blue Line.

See you out and about! 

Five Points Plaza in the Historic West End

This past weekend, our family took a fun outing to the grand opening of Five Points Plaza, a beautiful new community space located across from Johnson C. Smith University. Situated at the spaghetti-junction intersection of Rozzelles Ferry Rd., Trade St. and Beatties Ford Rd., Five Points Plaza offers formality to what's long been considered the gateway to the Historic West End.  

In this thoughtfully designed area, which spans two corners on opposite sides of Rozzelles Ferry Rd., you'll find swings, an amphitheater, a splash pad, public Wi-Fi, tables and chairs, solar lighting, brick pavers, and a decorative wall. 

Another remarkable feature is the artwork, which includes two public pieces, called the Excelsior Collection (after the landmark Excelsior Club), commissioned by the City of Charlotte and created by J Stacy Utley + EVOKE Studio Architecture. One of the installations is called "Ever Upward" and the other is titled "Even Higher." Both names are a nod to Latin definitions of the word "excelsior." 

A trip to visit Five Points Plaza can be an adventure in and of itself (let me recommend a ride on the CityLYNX Gold Line -- currently free! -- to get there; there are two train stops -- Bruns Ave. and Johnson C. Smith -- straddling the Plaza). But community-led teams are already planning events and festivals to take place regularly in the newly designed space. Check out upcoming events here. 

Next time we go back, we'll include a stop at neighboring Rita's Italian Ice and, in the heat of summer, will opt for a dip in the splash pad. 

Another great option while you're in the area is to take a Neighborhood Walking Tour, created by renowned Charlotte historian Tom Hanchett. 

While Five Points, in such close proximity to uptown, has long been a local hub for activity, it's seen a remarkable renaissance in recent years. If it's been a while -- or never -- since you've visited the beautiful, sprawling campus of Johnson C. Smith University, or enjoyed a walk along the neighborhood streets of the Historic West End, consider the opening of Five Points Plaza an excuse and an invitation to check out this beautiful, burgeoning part of Charlotte. 

Note: Five Points plaza is open 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily. Public Wi-Fi can be accessed by searching for network name Five Points Plaza.

How to get there: 

Five Points Plaza is located at 1803 W Trade St, Charlotte, N.C., 28216. To get there, I highly recommend you take the train! CityLYNX Gold Line is currently free and offers two stops (Bruns Ave. and Johnson C. Smith) a short walk from on either side of Five Points Plaza. 

Alternately, there are some on-street parking spaces and a few parking decks (Mosaic Village Parking Deck/1601 W. Trade St., Charlotte NC 28216; SP+ Parking/116 S. Cedar St., Charlotte, NC 28202; 

Gateway Village Parking/700 W. Trade St., Charlotte, NC 28202). 

Of course, walking or riding your bike are other fantastic options. 

Nevin Community Park

Sometime over the course of the pandemic, the playground at Nevin Community Park got a major renovation. The previous wooden set was replaced by a sprawling new jungle gym of brightly colored equipment, anchored on one of those springy rubber foundations that make even the oldest kids (at heart) among us want to bounce from one area to the next. 

We went to check it out the other day and I'm pleased to share that the kids give the revamped playground two enthusiastic thumbs up -- AND it's just one of many very cool features that make Nevin Community Park a worthwhile destination. 

Nevin Community Park, located about 10 minutes north of uptown, adjacent to RibbonWalk Nature Preserve, covers a generous 197 acres of green space and offers just about every recreation amenity one could hope for. 

There are three playgrounds all together, as well as lighted soccer and softball/baseball fields. There are paved and natural-surface walking trails. There's an 18-hole disc golf course. And, of course, restrooms and picnic shelters. 

But what puts Nevin Community Park over the top are the shuffleboard courts, horseshoe pits, bocce ball courts AND a sprayground (open seasonally). Everything is spread out, but walkable. (Here's a park map.) Parks and Rec definitely went all-in when they were planning this space and it's a wonderful amenity for the community. 

When we went, I wanted to scope out everything, but the kids would have gladly played at the playground for hours, and have already asked to go back. If you've never been to Nevin Community Park, or the last time you visited was pre-pandemic, definitely consider a trip. The playground alone is an excellent draw, but I think you'll find the rest of it pretty compelling, too! 

Note: If you're up for a hike, consider this wooded tour of the disc golf course.  

How to get there:
Nevin Community Park is located at 6000 Statesville Rd, Charlotte, NC, 28269. There is plenty of parking, but follow directional signs to get to what you're interested in doing. The sprayground is offset from the playground area, which is on the other side of the park from the ball fields. It's all walkable. 

Uptown CycleLink

When my husband returns to the office uptown, he plans to commute by bike. Partly for exercise, partly to save on parking costs, partly because it's way better for the environment, and partly because, these days, it's so much easier to do than ever. 

If you haven't been uptown much or at all over the past couple of years, you might be surprised by the extensive network of new, fully protected bike lanes, called CycleLink, that now traverse the city. Offset from traffic by concrete and plastic physical barriers, delineated with distinct road paint, and marked with directional signs, these bike lanes offer a welcoming invitation to ditch the gas in favor of pedals and all the mental, physical and environmental benefits that riding provides. 

The CycleLink runs east/west on 5th St. and 6th St., connecting Irwin Creek and Little Sugar Creek Greenways. At the Little Sugar Creek end of the CycleLink, you can head south (someday soon, this will take you all the way to Pineville; right now you can get to Park Road Shopping Center) or head north for a protected ride to NoDa. 

Also accessible from the CycleLink: Charlotte Rail Trail, which you can follow (with some maneuvering across I-277) all the way through SouthEnd. 

Here's a CycleLink map. 

The plan is for the CycleLink to connect more than 40 miles of "AAA" (All Ages and Abilities) bikeways across Center City. While pieces of this plan are complete, others are still in the feasibility study phase. Still, this is an exciting endeavor for our community. More bikes and fewer cars would benefit Charlotte and our citizens in many important ways. 

Last weekend, when the sun came out and temperatures warmed, our oldest and I decided to clip on our helmets and head uptown for a ride. While intersections and driveways still require active attention, we found the protected bike lanes to be very accessible, safe and pleasant. Of course, the hills will remind you why it's called "uptown," but the return is a breeze! 

Whether you're about to resume commuting to an uptown office or just want to take a fun urban bike ride, CycleLink is worth checking out. If you're feeling hesitant, check out this "how to" video. Then give it a spin. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised. 

Park Road Park

In Charlotte, some parks have been around so long and have been such fixtures in my growing-up years that it doesn't occur to me to spotlight them for the recreation jewels they are. But then I'll discover a new angle to an oldie-but-goody, and it reminds me that these places are too cool not to share. 

A good example: Park Road Park. This 72-acre greenspace, chock full of amenities, is situated in South Charlotte between Park Road, Tyvola Rd. and Archdale Dr., a little more than a stone's throw from South Park Mall.

In contrast to the mini retail metropolis that surrounds the mall, Park Road Park is an urban oasis, complete with a pond, quiet footpaths and an impressive playground. 

What drew me to the park most recently was a visit to the Little Sugar Creek Greenway to check out progress on the stretch between Brandywine and Tyvola (getting tantalizingly close!). I decided to take a southbound stroll while I was there and detoured toward the park along the path just beyond the water treatment plant. Isn't it a treat when greenways lead so magically to destinations like this? 

At Park Road Park, you'll find a small pond, surrounded by a smooth, paved walking path about (approximately 0.75 miles around), brand new picnic shelters with restroom facilities, a sprawling and engaging playground area, six ball fields, full-court basketball courts, beach volleyball, lighted tennis courts and two horseshoe pits. 

The park also makes for a great starting point for a nice long greenway ride all the way to Pineville (take the Tyvola to I-485 and I-485 to President James K. Polk State Historic Site segments). Someday soon, you'll be able to start here and head north toward uptown and beyond. 

There's plenty of parking throughout the sprawling park. It is worth noting that getting out of the parking lot entrances, which face Park Road, can be challenging during rush hour traffic, so plan accordingly. 

South Charlotteans already know what a treasure Park Road Park is for the area. I'm glad to have rediscovered it myself and invite you to check it out, too.

How to get there:
Park Road Park is located at 6220 Park Rd., Charlotte, NC, 28210. You can also access the park via the Little Sugar Creek Greenway. 

Revisiting Pearl Street Park

Next time you head uptown, carve out at least a little time to swing by the newly renovated Pearl Street Park. This beautiful space, located along E. Stonewall St. just outside of the I-277 loop (across from The Metropolitan complex) is as striking in its design as it is significant in its historical importance. 

In 1943, Pearl Street Park became the first and only public recreation area for African Americans in Charlotte. Located in what was then the Brooklyn neighborhood, it became an important athletic and social gathering spot for the community. You can read more about the park's history here. 

Over the years since Brooklyn was demolished in the name of urban renewal, the park space has been poorly maintained and offered few amenities to visitors. Mostly, park traffic was limited to Saturday morning rec league soccer games. 

Recently, though, the surrounding area has undergone a transformation with the redevelopment of the adjacent property.  Fortunately, part of the grand plan included a concerted effort to protect the green space, preserve the area's history, and offer visitors plenty of reasons to stop and play. 

A few weeks ago, a reimagined Pearl Street Park officially opened to the public. The space now includes reconfigured multi-purpose fields, pickleball and basketball courts, a restroom facility, plaza areas, a playground, a stationary workout center, and an amphitheater. You'll also find paved walking paths, public art, and a pretty impressive view of the Charlotte skyline. 

Our favorite features are the "Bamboo Jungle" -- a series of poles that create a climbing obstacle course -- and the rope merry-go-round. 

Importantly, part of the reconstruction included "daylighting" the stream that runs through the park. This not only alleviates flooding, but also restores ecological functions and gives park-goers more opportunities to connect with nature. 

Under the amphitheater pavilion, you'll find placards telling the story of Pearl Street Park and its place in our City's history. Take a minute to linger here. Pivoting from the wall to the park, you might just be struck by the diversity of folks now enjoying the space. 

The last time we went, with the park's backstory fresh on my mind, I marveled at the mix of kids and families -- people of all ages and colors -- playing together on the playground. It was a poignant and powerful reminder of the evolution of the park and what it has meant to its visitors over the decades since it was first built. 

I'm grateful Pearl Street Park has been rehabilitated. It's a true amenity for the area. And to know and appreciate its place in our City's history makes it even more beautiful. I highly recommend a visit. 

As an aside, there's a lovely protected bike lane along Baxter St. If you visit, consider cycling over to try it out. 

How to get there: 

Pearl Street Park is located at 1200 Baxter St., Charlotte, NC 28202. Parking is available on street.   

Hidden Parks: Davis Flohr Neighborhood Park

Busy making an entertainment gameplan for winter break? Me, too. Why not plan to check out a new park? 

Here's a suggestion: Davis Flohr Neighborhood Park in NoDa. Formerly Clemson Avenue Park, this pocket greenspace recently got a makeover and a new name. 

Located about 10 minutes east of uptown, Davis Flohr Park offers recreation options for all ages (grown-ups, included). There, you'll find a swing set with multiple types of swings, a sprawling set of new playground equipment with imaginative play and climbing options for a span of ages and development levels, and a stationary adult cardio workout station. 

There's also a basketball half-court with one goal, benches, paved walking paths, and plenty of field space to run around. And, our kids' favorite: One of those spinning balance rings (kind of like a merry-go-round, but not) that you can find in the NFL Play 60 area at Freedom Park. 

It's sort of surprising the number of amenities tucked into this 1-acre corner lot just off Matheson Ave.

This park was renovated in the past couple of years and, in 2020, was renamed in honor of proud NoDa resident, Davis Flohr, who faced a lifetime of health challenges with courage and strength, and lived with a determined spirit, optimism and an infectious light. 

Davis passed away in 2019 at 13 years old, leaving a gaping hole in the lives of his family and the NoDa community. They rallied to rename the park, where Davis enjoyed spending many afternoons with friends, in his honor. 

If the weather remains this mild, there ought to be plenty of opportunity for outdoor play over winter break! Consider visiting Davis Flohr Neighborhood if you're looking for a new place to explore. 

Note: There are no restroom facilities and parking is on-street only. 

How to get there: 

Davis Florh Neighborhood Park is located at 3020 Clemson Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205.