Have you heard about Charlotte’s butterfly park?

No? Well, it is kind of a secret park in Charlotte’s Sedgefield neighborhood located just a few minutes from downtown Charlotte. If you ask people who live in the Sedgefield, Myers Park or Dilworth neighborhoods about parks and which they would recommend, most will mention Freedom or Latta Park. They’re both jewels, but the “butterfly” park is a little different.

Last fall, my seven-year-old nephew and I took my dog for a walk. After several twists and turns we ended up in unfamiliar territory. We had never been to this particular park so decided to spend some time investigating. The park itself sits on about five acres with a playground, basketball court, tennis court, picnic shelter and walking trails.

So, why is it called the butterfly park? Well, it is because the pathways that outline the park are in the shape of a butterfly! You may not pick up on this when you’re there, but you’re bound to pick up on the butterfly imprints in concrete throughout the park.

Once back home, we “Google-mapped” it and, from a bird’s eye view, we instantly saw the shape of a butterfly! The real name of the park is Sedgefield Park, but after seeing that image, I will always think of it as the “butterfly park.”

Mecklenburg County has 210 parks and facilities on more than 17,600 acres. Parks come in all shapes and sizes; this one, now one of my favorites,  happens to be in the shape of a butterfly!

What is your favorite park?

By Joan Chapman (Client Specialist, Allen Tate Client Relations) – Guest Blogger