Lake Norman is a thriving community experiencing rapid growth and development through the towns of Huntersville, Cornelius, and Davidson. As the area continues to attract new residents and businesses, strategic planning has become crucial to ensure balanced growth in the community. From Greenway projects to enhanced infrastructure, the planning developments around Lake Norman are setting the stage for a brighter future. Let's take a look at some of the current development projects!
Parks
Legion Park
In 2021, the stormwater drain under Legion Park's baseball field collapsed. The old steel pipes and timber headwall were over 25 years old and could no longer convey stormwater through the park given the growth of the downtown area over the years. At the beginning of 2023, the new system was installed, leading to the creation of a permanent spot to hold the stormwater surge. As well, the baseball fields are in the process of a new look with the addition of new batting cages and a new playground for the community to enjoy! The playground will be ADA accessible and will be relocated closer to the existing shelter and bathroom buildings to allow more natural shade cover under the park's canopy of trees. These renovations are scheduled to be finished in the Fall of 2024.
River Run Soccer and Diamond Fields
Projected to begin in 2025 if approved, the River Run community plans to add T-Ball diamond fields to the open field space while still allowing for the use of the rectangular field for soccer and other recreational uses. Just three miles from historic Davidson and a short drive to downtown Charlotte, River Run seamlessly has the charm of small-town living with access to a variety of public parks and athletic fields for the community to enjoy.
Parham Park
A brand new kayak launch has been put into action this year at Parham Park in Cornelius and is projected to be completed in early 2025. It will serve as an accessible access for residents and visitors using wheelchairs. Currently, they are in the steps of a final review by Duke Power and the submittal for federal review. This project total will cost $255,000.
Eastfield Park
Mecklenburg County's master plan for a new 114-acre "adventure park" in Huntersville is complete and construction is expected to begin in 2026! This will be the county's first adventure park meaning it will retain most of its natural features with overlooks and wildlife viewing and much of the land's existing state will be maintained, leaving canopy trees, streams and homestead structure remnants untouched.
The park won’t have recreational facilities like ball fields, but will feature mountain bike trails, hiking trails, nature-inspired play areas, a dog park and a shelter for community gatherings.
County officials said the challenge is to balance accessibility to the public with low maintenance. The land has a total of 70 to 80 feet of grade change, which limited handicapped-accessible trails to 0.7 miles. The park will have a total of 3.75 miles of site trails, with 1.5 miles of natural surface trails, 1.3 miles of mountain bike trails and a 0.25 miles multi-use path. The walking and biking trails will not intersect.
Greenways
McDowell Creek
The McDowell Creek Greenway will extend its existing path from Sam Furr Road to Gilead Road. It connects the Town of Cornelius and the Town of Huntersville providing visuals of connected neighborhoods, parks, retail areas such as Birkdale Village, and nearby schools. These developments are projected to add approximately 2.5 miles of trails to the Mecklenburg County greenway system.
South Prong Clark
The South Prong Clarke Creek Greenway is planned to be two miles long extending from Huntersville-Concord Highway to Monocacy Boulevard. It will pass through Vermillion Front, Vermillion Village, and Mirabella subdivisions. A stream restoration by Charlotte Mecklenburg Stormwater Services will provide a more stable cross-section and will reduce the pollutants in the creeks.
Torrence Trib. II / Rosewood Meadow Ln
In partnership with the Town of Huntersville, the development extension of the Torrence Creek Greenway will extend by about a mile from Rosewood Meadow Lake at the Huntersville Gateway Park. The project will connect neighborhoods along the North and South sides of the creek and will serve as an important regional connection to the Carolina Thread Trail. It is predicted to be finished by the end of 2024.
Establishments
The Serve Pickleball + Kitchen
A new major entertainment complex is planned to come to Cornelius. Pickball, one of today's most trendy sports has become vastly popular in the area. The Serve Pickleball and Kitchen is planned to be located along Charltown Drive and Interstate 77 near Westmoreland Road. The development is planned to call for 16 courts, a restaurant bar, a lounge, Topgolf simulators, and a community space.
Atrium Health Hospital
In May of 2023, Atrium Health began to break ground in Lake Norman's newest Hospital that will provide critical care to North Mecklenburg County. The 170,000-square-foot facility will be located in Cornelius off of Westmoreland Road and State Highway 21. It is expected to open its doors to patients in 2025 with approximately 280 available jobs.
Red Line Light Rail
The Red Line Light Rail is a proposed passenger train that will start from the Uptown area to Mooresville. Passengers would be able to commute the long distance in only a matter of 45 minutes while taking in the view of the beautiful towns. Although the development timeline is unclear, the Red Line is on its way to open to the public soon!
Royal Bliss Brewing
A popular Charlotte-area brewing company is expected to arrive in Cornelius in late 2025. Royal Bliss II will be located on Catawba Ave and will feature both indoor and outdoor seating. The special thing about Royal Bliss is that they like to create a space where you feel at home while enjoying a brew or two. Owners Larry and Ginger Griffin are thrilled to expand their business and bring the wonders of Royal Bliss to the Lake Norman area.
The Lake Norman area is always developing and expanding to shape the future of the community. Our mission is to make the area as welcoming and inviting as possible. Make sure to follow us @visitlakenorman and to check out our website Visitlakenorman.org for more updates on new establishments coming soon!
