Master Plan Update: Park and Recreation to Host Workshops, Survey for Future Investments

Person running on path near the lake at Freedom Park

Mecklenburg County is inviting community members to help shape the future of local parks and recreation.  

The Park and Recreation department is updating Meck Playbook, a 10-year master plan adopted in 2021. The plan sets the County’s vision for investing in parks, nature centers, recreation centers, trails, environmental preservation and sustainability, programs, and staffing.  

Since adopting Meck Playbook, Park and Recreation has grown its operations by more than 60 full-time staff and more than $600 million in capital projects. Now, as the plan enters its fifth year, residents can offer input on past and future investments by attending one of two workshops and completing a short survey.  

Why Update Meck Playbook?

Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation is committed to ensuring every county resident, no matter where they live, has access to the amenities they need to be healthy, active and thriving.  

“We are building the next chapter of Meck Playbook — one that keeps us moving forward and keeps our community at the center of everything we do,” said Nick Walker, director of Park and Recreation. “To our residents: Help us shape a plan that reflects who we are as a community, and where we’re headed. Your voices are essential.”  

Recommendations from the 2021 master plan have successfully guided many County investments, including support for:  

  • Renovations and improvements to existing parks, including Albemarle, Enderly, and Tryon Hills parks, that are in "priority communities” — areas with higher rates of renters, youth, older adults, low-income households, households with limited access to a car, and communities of color. 
     
  • Greenway expansions and connections.
     
  • Improved systems for residents to report issues or request services at a park or facility.  
     
  • Programs such as MeckRoots and staff positions that connect people to the historic and cultural significance of Mecklenburg County spaces.  

Meanwhile, some of the 2021 recommendations are yet to be realized. Renewed alignment on Park and Recreation’s priorities and funding will help the department address its needs for additional staff members and programs in parks, and for resources that can support crafting measurable goals and meeting new and emerging trends in recreation.  

The purpose of the 2026 Meck Playbook update is to reflect on what has been accomplished toward Park and Recreation’s mission, and to revise the master plan’s recommendations for investments over the next five years.

Residents will have additional opportunities in 2026 to learn about the Meck Playbook update and to provide input. Be the first to learn about these opportunities by subscribing to updates on PublicInput.com/MeckPlaybook.