We were visiting family in Charlotte and were searching for something fun to do with our 2 year old son. Hands down, the Reedy Creek Nature Center, Park, and Preserve was the most fun we had while visiting this beautiful city. From a playground, to a nature center, to hiking trails, to archaeological ruins, this park has it all. And I can honestly say that there is something here for everybody.
Reedy Creek Nature Center, Park, and Preserve
Together, the Reedy Creek Nature Center, Park, and Preserve comprises 927 acres of land just outside of the Charlotte’s city center. It was purchased by the city in 1981 and in 1991 it was passed on to the City and County Park and Recreation Departments. The Nature Preserve is safeguarding 727 acres of the natural forested land allowing people to get close to all sorts of local faunal and fauna. This park is named after Reedy Creek that runs through the preserve. The three ponds within the preserve, the Dragonfly Pond, Kingfisher Pond, and Slider Pond, provided a wonderful spot to fish.
This area has long been occupied by humans. Prior to Europeans moving in, Native Americans occupied these lands as far back as the Woodland Period. At the time of contact, the Catawba Indians were living here. After British rule, this land was part of a 100,000 acres land patent owned by King George. Between 1745 and 1767, he passed out land grants to farmers to help bring in new European settlers that would colonize the area. Often times, these were sold to squatters who were already living on the land.
The Nature Center has educational programming providing information about the park and preserve. Visitors can learn about the wildlife, or purchase a keepsake from the giftshop. A large bird feeding area just outside of the Nature Center gives a personal look at the variety of birds found here.
The Reedy Creek Park itself is 116 acres and contains a dog park, picnic areas with grills, playgrounds, a fishing pier, and athletic areas (fields and courts).
The Playground!
The best part of this nature preserve for my son was undoubtedly the unique wooden playground right next to the Nature Center. This playground has a lot of fun things to offer your kiddos, from xylophones, to hoppable tree stumps, to tunnels, slides, and suspension bridges.
Hiking
There are eight trails throughout the park and preserve offering visitors over 10 miles of hiking. All of these trails loop on their own and connect up with each other allowing visitors to hike for as long or as little as they like. The trails take you through fields of flowers, over streams, by ponds, and even past archaeological ruins. We were interested in the archaeology and visiting the Robinson Rockhouse Ruins so from the nature center, we hiked from the Umbrella Tree Trail to the South Fork Trail to the Robinson Rockhouse Trail.
The Robinson Rockhouse Ruins
The Robinson Rockhouse Ruins date are the remnants of a stone cabin built sometime between 1775 and 1800. It was built by a local farmer, Robert Robinson, as a new home for his family. A cabin made of stone indicated that the family had some wealth, as most structures from this time were definitely made of wood.
In 1982, archaeology students from the University of North Carolina-Charlotte excavated the site. Between 1985 and 1986, the students were able to stabilize a corner of the cabin which is still standing today. Visitors can see the artifacts from the ruins on display at the Reedy Creek Nature Center. Interpretive signs at the house site provide those that are interested with additional information. The Robinson Rockhouse Ruins were added to the National Registry of Historic Places.
Where is it Located?
The Reedy Creek Nature Center, Park, and Preserve is located at 2900 Rocky River Road in Charlotte, NC 28215. It is about ten miles and a half hour drive northeast from downtown Charlotte.
Maps
There is a great map of the Reedy Creek Nature Center, Park, and Preserve available from the Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation website here.
