One of my favorite Charlotte tricks is finding a park that's within walking distance of good coffee. It's harder than you'd think in this city. But Sunflour Bakery in Dilworth and Latta Park? That's the perfect combo.
A Little History
Latta Park is a 31-acre park nestled in the heart of Dilworth at 601 East Park Avenue. It's named after Edward Dilworth Latta, the early 20th-century Charlotte entrepreneur and real estate developer who basically built Dilworth. The park was designed by English landscape architect Joseph Forsyth Johnson, and back in the day, it was much bigger. It even had a baseball field where the Charlotte Hornets minor league team played. The Philadelphia Phillies and Brooklyn Dodgers used to play spring training exhibition games there in the late 1800s. Pretty cool, right?
Getting There
After we grabbed breakfast at Sunflour, we walked a few blocks to Latta Park. The walk is gorgeous. You're strolling through Dilworth looking at all the cute bungalows and cottages. The park is right by Dilworth Elementary School, so sometimes you'll catch kids playing outside, which Jamie loves. There's street parking available, and it's just a short walk to the playground from there.
What's There
Latta Park is actually pretty big with a lot going on. It's one of those parks that has something for everyone, whether you're there with a toddler, training for a race, or just want to sit under a tree with a book.
Here's what you'll find:
For Kids: The playground has two play sets. A large one with monkey bars and curvy slides for bigger kids, and a smaller one with slides and a swinging bridge for toddlers and preschoolers. There's a swing set with baby swings and a few other fun slides scattered around. The ground is covered in rubber mulch, which is great for little ones still working on their balance.
Splash Pad: In the summer, there's a splash pad right next to the playground where kids can splash and play in the water. We'll definitely be back for that when it's hot. It's one of only five Charlotte parks with a splash pad, and it has a view of the Charlotte skyline, which is pretty neat.
Sports Courts: There's a full-size Hornets-themed basketball court with six hoops total (and they have single-ring rims, not the double-ring ones that are impossible to score on). Plus tennis courts, volleyball courts, and multi-purpose soccer fields.
Tom Sykes Recreation Center: Adjacent to the park, the rec center has multi-purpose rooms and a gymnasium open to the public.
Picnic Areas: There's a pavilion with a charcoal grill that you can reserve on the Charlotte Parks website.
Bathrooms: This is key. The bathrooms are in an enclosed brick building under the pavilion. They're well-kept and not porta-potties, which makes such a difference when you're out with kids. There are also water fountains.
Walking Trails: There are paved fitness trails that run through a natural area away from the main park space. People use them for jogging, walking, or just pushing a stroller. The trails are shady and stroller-friendly.
Our Experience
It was a little wet when we went, so Jamie didn't go wild on the playground this time. But every other time we've visited, he's obsessed. He loves watching the bigger kids climb up and down the stairs and following them around like he's one of the gang. The playground really does have something for every age group. He also loves the Little Free Library at the park where you can take a book and leave a book. We picked up a new one that Jamie hasn't put down since. If your toddler is obsessed with books like Jamie is, this is a huge bonus.
The Vibe
Latta Park sits in a safe, residential neighborhood with tons of activity. You'll always see people jogging, walking dogs, pushing strollers, playing pickup basketball. It's one of those parks that feels like the heart of the community. We usually stick to the playground area, but there's plenty of park to explore if you want. It's long and narrow, with mature hardwood trees and a creek running through the center.
The Sunflour-to-Latta-Park outing has become one of our go-tos, and I think you'll love it too. Coffee, croissants, and a great playground. What more do you need? Plus, when summer rolls around, that splash pad is going to be clutch.
Latta Park
601 East Park Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28203
Open daily 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.
