Charlotte Real Estate Homes, Luxury Homes and Condos

The Charlotte Greenways- Nature in the Heart of the Queen City

By Andrew Jones- Andrew is a guest blogger writing from his home in South Charlotte.

Imagine waking up one Saturday morning in Charlotte, NC and in a
flash, you grab your bicycle, head down your driveway and within
minutes, youve left your suburban neighborhood, and headed
down a wide, well-maintained, dirt trail that winds through lush
forest. You can ride for 10, 20, or even 30 miles, and never have your
trip interrupted by automobile traffic. And yet, for the whole time,
you are never more than a few minutes from civilization. This is what
is in store for Charlotte in the near future.

The Mecklenburg County Greenway System is already one of the jewels in the Queen City. All
over Charlotte, there are miles and miles of trails, boardwalks, and
paved pathways that provide a natural habitat for local wildlife- and
solitude for anyone looking to escape the constant din of the city.
The Greenways stretch from Pineville, near the South Carolina border,
through the center of Uptown, the University Area, and almost to Lake
Norman.
The Greenways are easy to miss if you dont know where to look so
carefully have these refuges been woven into the surrounding urban
environment that. Today, there are more than 33 miles of trails in 11
separate parks. Plans are in the works to open more than half a dozen
new greenways, as well. Moreover, many of these parks will eventually
be linked together, making it possible to hike, jog, or ride your
bicycle uninterrupted through the whole system, from one end of town to
the other.
Each Greenway has its own distinct features and atmosphere;
some that are primarily woodsy, and others that feature open meadows,
wetlands, or dramatic rock outcroppings. All areas are full of plant
and animal life, including some species that are rarely seen so close
to a major city. For example, the McAlpine Creek Greenway is home to
beavers, otters and minks, while the Sugar Creek Greenway provides a
habitat for Gulf Coast soft-shell turtles. A huge variety of birds also
call the greenways home. Feel free to bring along your binoculars or a
camera, to get a better look at the action.

The
Charlotte greenways are open from dawn till dusk, seven days a week,
all year round. Each park is situated so that it directly borders
residential neighborhoods, commercial areas, and major city landmarks.
Many subdivisions have direct access trails into the system. All areas
are open to foot, bicycle, and wheelchair traffic, as well as to
skaters and skateboarders. Just keep in mind that some areas can be
quite muddy after a hard rain.

Dogs are welcome, as long as they are leashed, and their owners pick up after them. Many parks feature picnic areas, playgrounds, and free parking.

The Greenways are cared for and maintained by the Mecklenburg Park and
Recreation Department. For more information, complete with detailed
maps, visit Mecklenburg County Greenways
. Two easy access points are off Highway 51 across from McMullen Creek
Parkway (McMullen Creek Greenway), and at the corner of Davidson Street
and Parkwood Avenue adjacent to the YWCA & Belmont Center (Little
Sugar Creek Greenway).

Moving to Charlotte? Considering a
Move? Call me, Terry, about these or any other homes in the greater
Charlotte area at 704-351-1519 or Search All Charlotte Homes , for that perfect home in Charlotte.

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