Recreation Review: Reedy Creek Nature Preserve and Park

For UNC Charlotte students, faculty, and staff looking for a place to wind down and spend time outdoors, Reedy Creek Nature Preserve and Park in Mecklenburg County offers a variety of nature and recreation activities. Located at 2986 Rocky River Road, Charlotte, NC 28215, the park is about a 10- minute drive from campus and offers activities for people of all ages. Reedy Creek features over 10 miles of hiking trails, ponds, fishing, disc golf, playgrounds, sports facilities, picnic areas, a dog park, and a nature center.

The park is most easily accessible by car from UNC Charlotte’s campus; however, for people who prefer biking, the park is about a 16-minute bike ride from campus. Students with access to a car or bike can easily spend a couple of hours or even an entire day enjoying the park. 

Reedy Creek’s most noticeable feature is its combination of natural and historic areas. The nature preserve is home to the stone remains of the late 18th-century Robinson Rock house, giving visitors a chance to see some of the land’s history as well as explore nature. 

trails and nature

One of the biggest features at Reedy Creek is its hiking paths, which are broken up into seven different trails. The trails allow visitors to explore different parts of the preserve, such as the trees, streams, ponds and wildlife. 

The preserve also has several freshwater habitats. Reedy Creek is the main stream that runs through the park, while Dragonfly Pond, Kingfisher Pond, and Slider Pond provide additional water habitats. These areas give visitors opportunities to see different types of wildlife. 

The park is home to wildlife such as birds, deer, turtles, squirrels and beavers. The park also provides an indoor nature center. The nature center has reptiles, amphibians and fish that have been injured and cannot be released back into the wild. It also contains animal pelts, bones, and interactive devices to give families another way to learn and experience nature. 

recreation and activities

Not much of a hiker? Don’t worry, Reedy Creek offers many other ways to spend time outdoors. Visitors can go fishing, play disc golf, use playgrounds, or use the picnic and grilling facilities. The park also has a community garden and a self-service recycling center that accepts the same items you can recycle with curbside cart recycling in Mecklenburg County.

The park also has several sports facilities, including basketball and volleyball courts, tennis and pickleball courts, and fields for soccer, baseball and softball. For visitors bringing their dogs, Reedy Creek has Barkingham Park, a dog park that gives pets a place to run free and socialize.

upcoming events

Reedy Creek Nature Preserve and Park also hosts events throughout the year. 

The Charlotte OCD walk will take place Oct. 4 from 1:15 to 3:30 p.m. The park will also host Kids in Nature Day on Oct. 4 from 2 to 5 p.m., giving children an opportunity to participate in activities to learn about the environment.

Later in the month, visitors can participate in a Nocturnal Wildlife Walk on Oct. 27 from 5 to 7 p.m. The event gives people a chance to learn about wildlife that is active after dark. 

On Oct. 31, the park will host bewitching Botanical DIY Plant Pressing from 2 to 4 p.m. The event gives visitors another way to interact with the plants found throughout the preserve.