The Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department is home to 210 parks and facilities located on more than 18,000 acres of parkland throughout Mecklenburg County. The department is also responsible for 23 recreation centers, 5 public golf courses, 3 indoor pools, 2 outdoor pools, 3 nature centers, a public campground and disc golf courses. In Mecklenburg County you'll always have somewhere fun and exciting to go! For outdoor enthusiasts there are 33 miles of developed greenways and 147 miles of undeveloped greenways. Mecklenburg Park and Recreation is responsible for 21 nature preserves.

Watch the Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation video and learn ways to Recreate All Year. 

The structure of our department is organized to provide the most staff to each need and public interest. Formal divisions of the Park and Recreation Department are:

• Nature Preserves and Natural Resources - manages the nature centers, nature preserves, and natural heritage sites
• Aquatics Division - oversees all of our Aquatic facilities including neighborhood pools, Ray's Splash Planet and the Aquatic Centers
• Therapeutics Division - develops programs for the disabled, elderly and under-privileged
• Recreation Centers - provides physical fitness and wellness programs
• Park Planning Division - responsible for park projects and park planning
• Park Services Division - maintenance of our parks and facilities
• NC Cooperative Extension - the bridge between University specialists and Mecklenburg County residents

 Other links of interest in About MCPR section:

• Advisory Councils
• Forms and Policies
• Staff Directory
• Commissioners
• Employment
• Partners For Parks
• Outsourced Facilities
• Sponsorships
• Volunteer Opportunities

Geographically, the Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department is divided into three regions: North, South, and Central.  View the region map


Park and Recreation Mission Statement

"To enrich the lives of our citizens through the stewardship of the County's natural resources and the efficient and responsive provision of quality leisure opportunities, experiences, and partnerships."

Park and Recreation Vision Statement

"People who recreate in Mecklenburg County will have a system of parks, greenways, and open space located throughout the County that will provide more parkland per capita than the national average, will connect neighborhoods, satisfies public recreation needs, and will protect environmentally sensitive areas."