Independence Park

Independence Park is Charlotte’s oldest public park, on Hawthorne Lane in Elizabeth. A recent renovation turned it into one of the better neighborhood parks in the city, with tennis courts, basketball, volleyball, a modern playground, open fields and a walking path. Restrooms are clean. Parking is easy, which is genuinely rare this close to Uptown. The renovation added new surfaces throughout, and the park now handles a weekend crowd without feeling worn. Benches and shade make it comfortable for a long visit, and the whole site is walkable from Elizabeth and Midtown.

What to know

• The park dates to 1907 and sits along Little Sugar Creek.
• The greenway runs through it toward Uptown in one direction and Freedom Park in the other.
• Elizabeth Traditional Elementary uses it for recess, so school mornings are busy.
• Dogs are welcome on leash, off the marked lawns.
• Elizabeth Avenue restaurants are a short walk away.