City: Charlotte, NC

Category: Parks & Recreation

Telephone: (704) 598-8857

Address: 2900 Rocky River Rd.

Description: There’s plenty to do at this 727-acre nature preserve and adjacent 116-acre park in northeast Charlotte. At the preserve, where Native Americans and early Charlotte settlers once lived, head to the award-winning Environmental Education Center for nature-trail studies, or take a walk on 10 miles of winding paths. One of the most popular routes leads to the ruins of the Robinson Rockhouse, built circa 1790. The nature center features live native animals, an exhibit hall, a classroom, and a gift shop. Outside there are bird-feeding stations and butterfly gardens. A total of 109 species of birds are known to inhabit the preserve. The park features fields for softball and soccer, volleyball and basketball courts, picnic shelters, playgrounds, a walking path, a disc golf course, and a lake for fishing. Barkingham Park, a leash-free park for dogs, is a recent addition.