Freedom Park is the 98-acre (400,000 m2) "Central Park"[1] of Charlotte, North Carolina. Located at 1900 East Boulevard, between Charlotte's historic Dilworth and Myers Park neighborhoods, the park is centered on a 7-acre (28,000 m2) lake, and is about 3 miles (4.8 km) from the heart of Charlotte's downtown area.[2]
The park has paved trails, tennis/volleyball courts, sport/athletic fields and playground equipment. The park contains a steam engine that is fenced and has safety bars added over the tender, but one can walk into the cab. In earlier years the train was open and kids could climb on top of it and under it. During that time period there were two fire engines with an old-fashioned handle crank in front for the engine. Both fire trucks had the insides and rear hose area open for kids to explore, play and learn. There was also a tank that the access hatch was welded it shut but could be climbed and played on.
Free films and musical performances in the park pavilion are featured throughout the summer.[3] Every September Freedom Park is the site of the five-day long Festival in the Park, which annually attracts over 100,000 visitors, and has been recognized as a Top 20 Event by the Southeast Tourism Society.[4][5] Adjacent to Freedom Park is the Charlotte Nature Museum, a fun and learning center for young children operated by Discovery Place, which exhibits animals and plants of the Piedmont region.[6]
Canada geese problem
A prominent feature of Freedom Park, and a favorite with some visitors, is the large number of Canada Geese that congregate year round on the central lake.[7] Charming to some, the geese are considered a pest by Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation officials because of bird feces in public areas, destruction of turf, and danger to young children. Abatement programs worked for a while, but the geese have always returned.[8]
A similar conflict between wildlife and urban park management exists with the Beavers at Charlotte's Park Road Park.
References
- ^ HelloCharlotte.com, Freedom Park: The "Central Park" Of Charlotte , April 18, 2010
- ^ Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation: Freedom Park
- ^ AOL Travel: Freedom Park, Charlotte
- ^ About the Festival in the Park
- ^ Festival in Freedom Park (57 images)
- ^ Charlotte Nature Museum website
- ^ Freedom Park in winter with Canadian geese on pond
- ^ Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation: Fewer Geese Around Freedom Park Lake