A spot of their own: New 27-acre Mint Hill public park carves out space for dogs
As Mint Hill readies to open its third park in about 30 years, it plans to add a designated space for dogs.
The latest town park is a 27-acre park at 9801 Brief Road will include playgrounds, picnic areas and a hiking trail. A 1.9-acre area for small and large dogs will be the first for canines in town, said Steve Frey, town of Mint Hill engineer and director of public works.
Construction started this month and the park is expected to open by the end of the year.
“It’s going to be a nice little nature-type sanctuary,” Frey said. “I want it to be a showcase playground and kids’ eyes will light up.”
What to expect at the new park
The park will include elaborate swings, a park merry-go-round, slides and a multi-level playground structure. There will be two playgrounds, one for toddlers and the other for about ages 5 and older, he said.
There will be a family-friendly, easy about 1-mile hiking trails through the woods.
Frey said it’s the first park he’s designed and constructed by Carolina Cajun Concrete.
The town is seeking name suggestions for the park through Oct. 1 by emailing info@minthill.com.
Building a park
Mint Hill has two other park-run parks: Park On Wilgrove at 7750 Jim Harper Lane and Mint Hill Veterans Memorial Park at 8850 Fairview Road. Frey said the memorial park was the last park the town built in the early 1990s.
Mint Hill had purchased the Brief Road land about 10 years ago through the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund, Frey said. The site was initially intended to be an athletic sports complex as part of a failed 2018 $15 million Parks and Recreation Bond.
Mint Hill decided to use American Rescue Plan Act COVID relief funds to build a park. Total cost is just under $800,000, Frey said.
Frey said parks were a good way for people to get out of their houses during the pandemic. “We’re trying to use the money for something COVID relief money was intended to be used,” he said.
Mint Hill also has a 91-acre park called Ezell Farm Community Park at 4101 Mintwood Drive in development that will include a splash pad, tennis and basketball courts, community garden improvements, informal amphitheater, pavilion and walking trails. Completion is expected in fall or early 2024 for the first phase, according to Arts & Science Council’s website. The group will provide public art for the park.
But the town of Mint Hill likes to have “its own crown jewels as well,” Frey said.
This story was originally published August 25, 2023 at 2:04 PM.