Four Mile Creek Greenway

The ⁠Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department serves as the primary steward of public outdoor spaces, fitness resources, and community wellness initiatives throughout Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, and the greater Charlotte metropolitan area. Operating an extensive network of over 230 parks and facilities across more than 21,000 acres of protected parkland, the department plays a critical role in preserving regional biodiversity while fostering an active, healthy population. Residents have access to a diverse array of public resources, ranging from state-of-the-art indoor and outdoor swimming pools, multi-purpose fitness centers, and competitive sports leagues to cultural arts programming and therapeutic recreation. Furthermore, the county manages more than 8,300 acres of designated nature preserves and multiple environmental education centers, which offer hands-on nature programming and vital conservation research. A central pillar of this outdoor infrastructure is the county’s ⁠extensive greenway system, which provides miles of protected, linear park trails that double as ecological buffers for flood mitigation and crucial urban wildlife habitats.

Among these linear parks is the Four Mile Creek Greenway, a scenic trail system situated near downtown Matthews, North Carolina, that functions as both a recreational escape and a vital commuter link. This greenway offers convenient access to local landmarks like Squirrel Lake Park while seamlessly connecting residential neighborhoods from E. John Street to S. Trade Street. Structurally, the trail is composed of a well-maintained mix of elevated wooden boardwalks and smooth asphalt pathways, designed to accommodate walkers, runners, and cyclists of all skill levels. It snakes directly through a thriving, biodiverse floodplain forest dominated by native Loblolly and Shortleaf Pine trees, offering an immersive look at the region’s natural ecology. A popular and highly accessible route for a day hike begins at the stadium west gate of the Mecklenburg Sportsplex. From this starting point, hikers can cross over the waters of Four Mile Creek and follow a gentle, flat loop around athletic fields 1 through 11. Because this multi-use trail connects directly to major sports complexes and public parks, visitors enjoy ample paved parking options, excellent signage, and convenient amenities all along the route