Evergreen Nature Preserve
Overview
Expert Summary
Detailed Insights
Evergreen Nature Preserve offers a unique urban escape in Charlotte, providing a true sense of calm and remoteness through its 1.8-2 mile shaded forest loop trails, ideal for a quick family walk, dog walking, or a picnic amidst nature without leaving the city.
Key Highlights
- ✓Provides a genuine 'escape from the city' feel despite its urban location.
- ✓Features clearly marked and generally clean hardwood forest trails.
- ✓Offers a manageable 1.8-2 mile loop trail, taking around 30-40 minutes to complete.
- ✓Trails are completely shaded, offering relief on sunny days.
- ✓Includes a picnic shelter with approximately 6 tables, suitable for family meals.
- ✓Connects to Sheffield Neighborhood Park, providing options for longer walks and exploration.
- ✓Offers basketball and tennis courts near the end of the main loop, adding extra activity options.
- ✓Allows leashed dogs, making it a great option for pet owners.
Standout Features
- ⭐**Urban Escape:** Located in the city but feels remote and tranquil, offering much-needed calmness and silence.
- ⭐**Manageable Trail:** 1.8-2 mile loop trail, ideal for families and varying fitness levels.
- ⭐**Restroom Facilities:** Clean and well-kept restrooms available at the Norland Avenue entrance.
- ⭐**Picnic Area:** Dedicated picnic shelter with approximately 6 tables.
- ⭐**Shaded Paths:** Entire trail is completely shaded.
- ⭐**Dog-Friendly:** Allows leashed dogs.
- ⭐**Extended Exploration:** Connects directly to Sheffield Neighborhood Park, offering additional trails.
- ⭐**Recreational Courts:** Basketball and tennis courts at the end of the loop.
Perfect For
Ideal For
💡Pro Tips from Reviews
- →**Footwear:** Bring waterproof shoes or boots, especially if visiting after rain, due to frequently reported muddy patches.
- →**Parking Alternatives:** If the small Norland Avenue parking lot is full, consider parking at the school across the street (on weekends) or entering through Sheffield Park on Tarrington Avenue.
- →**Food:** Pack a picnic or takeout to enjoy at the provided picnic shelter for a family lunch.
- →**Duration:** Plan for 30-40 minutes for the main trail loop, but allow more time if combining with Sheffield Park or using the sports courts.
- →**Pet Owners:** Remember to keep dogs on a leash as required.
Things to Consider
- ⚠The main parking lot is very small, accommodating only about 8 cars, and is frequently full.
- ⚠Trails can become very muddy, especially after recent rain, which may be an issue for strollers or those without appropriate waterproof footwear.
- ⚠While generally marked, some winding trails and muddy patches might require attention, especially with very young children.
Price & Value
Free admission. Offers excellent value as a well-maintained urban nature preserve with amenities like restrooms, picnic areas, and sports courts at no cost.
♿Accessibility & Special Needs
- •No specific wheelchair accessibility or special needs accommodations are mentioned. The winding nature and potential muddy patches of the trail may pose challenges for individuals with mobility impairments or those using strollers.
🍎Food & Drink Policy
- •Outside food and drinks (e.g., takeout for lunch) are permitted, and there is a designated picnic shelter with approximately 6 tables available for use.
🚗Parking Info
- •A very small parking lot (capacity for maybe 8 cars) is located at the Norland Avenue entrance and is frequently reported as full. Alternative parking options include the school across the street (on weekends) or accessing the preserve and parking via Sheffield Park on Tarrington Avenue.
👥Crowd Levels
- •Reviews often describe the preserve as offering 'calmness and silence,' suggesting it's not overwhelmingly crowded. However, the frequent reports of a full parking lot indicate it can be popular, especially on weekends. No specific times for high or low crowds are detailed.
🛡️Safety Features
- •Trails are clearly marked, aiding in navigation. No other specific safety features like staff supervision, first aid stations, or security patrols are explicitly mentioned in the reviews.
⏰When to Avoid
- • Immediately after heavy rainfall if you require a completely mud-free experience or plan to use a stroller on the trails.
- • If you are looking for long, challenging multi-hour hiking trails (the main loop is under 2 miles).
- • During peak times if guaranteed ample parking at the main entrance is crucial for your visit.
What People Say
What's Great
- Clean and well-maintained facilities (mentioned in 2 reviews)
- Spacious play areas (mentioned in 3 reviews)
Areas for Improvement
- Parking can be challenging (mentioned in 6 reviews)
Recent Reviews
Akshat Kumar
2 months agoIt’s hard to believe that Evergreen Nature Preserve in Charlotte is right in the middle of the city. It really provides some much needed calmness and silence in nature amidst the busy life of the city. It’s a 1.8-mile loop trail and takes around 30-40 minutes to complete. The hardwood forest has some wonderful trails and allows you ample time and walk to clear your head or get in a workout. The hikes are clearly marked, and are clean for the most part. We saw basketball and tennis courts at the end of the loop as well. There’s a small parking at the entrance. Restrooms are available at the entrance as well. Dogs are allowed, but must be on a leash. Overall, it’s a wonderful way to spend your time in nature.
Lenore
a month agoReally fum place to explore, family friendly
Benjamin Rorick
10 months agoAwesome forest trails. Felt hundreds of miles away from the city. Love it here.
Jacqueline Telljohann
3 years agoThis is a great outdoor area in Charlotte. We brought some takeout here to eat for lunch. There's a really nice picnic shelter with about 6 or so tables. The parking lot is tiny. There were no available spots when we were there, but we were able to park at the school across the street since it was the weekend. After we ate, we walked the trail throughout the preserve. It wasn't very long - I'd guess maybe 2 miles. It was completely shaded and a nice path. It had rained recently and parts were very muddy. This is a great escape from the city. You would never know that this is right in the middle of the city since it feels remote.
Leigh Flowers
4 years agoEvergreen Nature Preserve is another urban gem in the heart of East Charlotte. This preserve has a winding trail that connects to Sheffield Neighborhood Park. Trail starts at the entrance on Norland Avenue and ventures into the woods after a few hundred yards. Trail is fairly marked with some muddy patches throughout. Restroom facilities at entrance were clean and well kept. Parking lot is small with room for maybe (8) cars but you can enter through Sheffield Park on Tarrington Avenue. I did a couple loops ending at Sheffield Park which was certainly a pleasant surprise ❤️❤️