River Park
Me Myself
This is my go-to place. It brings me joy. Honestly, I hate that more people are finding it. I miss the solitude. UPDATE: For some reason, they've closed the boardwalk. I'm not sure why. It looks fine. I honestly think they closed it from the flood way back when and can be bothered with picking up the fence. The employees at this park aren't known for work. They will let the trash cans overflow for days when they drive around in a cart and there is a dumpster right there. I still give it 5 stars because it's free from baby stroller moms. The wood trails are still peaceful and relaxing. Saw a really cool big animal here not long ago. I won't say what it was because I don't want people to throw a tantrum or the park to hunt it. It's crazy how they'll kill animals for being ON THEIR OWN PROPERTY! We invaded them!
PlayMe Floats
Maybe More Improvements Are Planned... Was closed for over a year for improvements. Now has a large parking area and a fancy picnic shelter (see below). ACCESS ROAD: One short section of the access road was repaved; but still VERY hazardous (long, winding, narrow, and lots of potholes). Maybe they will do a short straight road in the future (see pic). ACCESS RAMP: As of 210612... They have now cleaned most of very deep sticky mud that had filled in the whole kayak / canoe ramp -- where the concrete is under water. You can now get out of your kayak without getting covered in mud -- unless the water level is very low. ...PREVIOUSLY notes for this ramp: The concrete ramp above the water looks clean, from all the rain wash; BUT you do NOT want to get out of your kayak into this mud. Guessing this is clay that washed down from the construction area. Hopefully they will get a loader in there to dig out all the mud (THEY DID !!). There is a gravel area just 20 ft upstream of the end of the ramp that is a clean place to get out if needed. PARKING: There is now a nice large level gravel parking area with many more single parking spaces. Maybe if they pave it, there will be another single parking row down the center. There is -- per signage -- NO trailer parking in this new lot. Sign says trailers only allowed in the entrance parking lot near the main road. REST ROOMS: As of 210612... There are x2 porta potties out in the open at the far end of the parking lot. There were x2 before, but they were closer to the ramp and had nice open 'rooms' around them. PICNIC AREA: There were x2 covered picnic shelters that were on the dirtier side. There is now x1 much fancier picnic shelter all up on concrete.
Christy
Love walking here! Beautiful area along the Catawba River. There are wooded trails to walk as well as a nice, wide paved path. Biking is also fun here whether it be on the paved path or using the trails for mountain biking.
Italia Capone
Nice relaxing place to walk the trails, bicycle, kayak/canoe, or picnic. There is a large covered shelter with plenty of parking. However, there are only port-a-johns for bathrooms.
Patricia Boracci
Beautiful linear park. My experience was running with my canine running partner on The Piedmont Medical Trail. The main trail is multi purpose, paved, and appropriate for running, walking, cycling, leashed dogs, nature watching, easy hiking. The trail follows The Catawba River, and is part of the Carolina Thread Trail. It is well maintained, and patrolled by park attendants. Restrooms and water fountains. are available at trail heads. We got on near The Pump House restaurant. Here, there is a kayak and supply dropoff launch, day parking, and porto potties. We ran the main trail, 4 miles, 2 out and 2 back, and explored some of the unpaved trails, which you use at your own risk. The side trails are great for mountain bikes. The multi purpose paved trail is very shady, and was comfortable to run on, on a warm humid day. I would rate it, as easy to run on, with some challenging hills. We had a great run, and will be returning to kayak!
