I'll be honest. We drove past James Boyce Park probably a hundred times before we actually stopped. It's tucked right off Sardis Road behind Charlotte Preparatory School and Charlotte Christian, and from the road, you'd never know there were 73 acres back there. I kept meaning to check it out and kept not doing it. Classic.
Well, we finally went. And I'm glad we did, even though Jamie was mostly there for the rocks.
The Playgrounds
There are two separate play areas: one for smaller kids and one for bigger kids. The equipment is clean, well maintained, and feels relatively new (or at least well kept). Jamie's playground has a couple of slides and some climbing structures. Nothing massive, but plenty for a toddler who's happy to go down the same slide nine times in a row. Which, obviously, he is.
The bigger kid playground had a handful of older kids on it when we were there, and Jamie was completely mesmerized watching them. He stood at the edge of the wood chips just staring like it was a live sporting event. 
Now here's the thing I want every parent of a toddler to know: the smaller kids' playground is right up against the parking lot. Cars were pulling in and looping around, and there's not much of a buffer between the play area and the lot. Jamie is not a runner (yet), but I was still watching him closely. It's not a dealbreaker, but if your kid bolts, just be aware of the layout before you settle in.
The Fields
This is where the park gets bigger than you'd expect. There's a near full-size soccer field and a near full-size baseball diamond, plus a lot of open green space around them. When we walked down to the fields, Jamie immediately found a whole new supply of rocks and sticks (his love language), watched a dad and his little boy practice some baseball, saw a couple of dogs running around, and discovered that bleachers are, apparently, the most fascinating thing ever built.
There were also some kids riding bikes and a mom having a little picnic with her son on the grass. It had that easy, neighborhood-park energy where everyone's just doing their own thing and it all feels very chill.
The Little Free Library
We spotted a little free library near the playground and got excited. Jamie loves pulling books off of things (shelves, tables, my hands). Unfortunately, when we opened it up, there were zero kids' books inside. A bummer. But honestly, he moved on in about four seconds because he found a very important rock nearby.
We're planning to stock it with some kids' books next time we go. If you beat us there, do us all a favor and toss a few in.
The Trails
I didn't realize this before we went, but James Boyce connects to the McAlpine Creek Greenway. There's a trail path that heads out from the park, and from what I've read, you can connect to about 4 miles of greenway from here. We didn't do much trail exploring this time (toddler legs have a range limit), but it's good to know it's there for when Jamie's a little older or if David and I ever manage a solo walk.
The Bathrooms
Full enclosed bathrooms. Thank you, Mecklenburg County. They were clean and functional. One thing to note: no changing table inside. There's a bench right outside you could use in a pinch, but honestly, the parking lot is steps away, so I'd just pop the trunk. We've all been there.
The Gazebo
There's a picnic shelter/gazebo that I believe you can rent out for parties and gatherings. I could see this being a solid birthday party spot, especially if your kid is into sports or just running around on the fields. It's not a flashy party venue, but it's got space, shade, and bathrooms nearby.
The Bottom Line
James Boyce Park is not going to blow your mind with a massive playground or a splash pad or a nature play area. That's not what it is. What it is: a clean, well-kept, surprisingly spacious 73-acre park that's great for when you just need to get outside and let your kid explore. The fields give you room to roam, the playground is solid if not spectacular, and the greenway connection is a nice bonus.
If you're in the Sardis Road area and you've been driving past it like we have, just stop. You don't always need Park Road Park. Sometimes you need a park where your kid can find a really good stick, watch some older kids do cool things, and run his hands along a fence for ten minutes. Jamie approved.
The Details
- Address: 300 Boyce Rd, Charlotte, NC 28211
- Hours: Sunrise to sunset
- Parking: Free lot on site (small, but we had no trouble on a weekday)
- Bathrooms: Yes, fully enclosed. No changing table.
- Ages: All ages. Two separate playground areas for smaller and bigger kids.
- Dog friendly: Yes (leashed)
- Greenway access: Connects to McAlpine Creek Greenway
- Picnic shelter: Yes, rentable
- Water fountains: Yes (people and dog fountains)
- Good to know: Toddler playground is adjacent to the parking lot. Keep an eye on little ones.
