First Ward Park

Located in Uptown Charlotte, First Ward Park is a 4.5-acre park spanning two city blocks. The park is anchored to the north by a proposed mixed-use building and the current UNC Charlotte Uptown Campus and to the south by the renovated Phillip Carey building. The site, which is adjacent to the light rail line and commercial district to the west and a residential district to the east, positions the park as an important destination and gateway into the city. The park provides a context unlike any in Charlotte and serves uptown professionals, visitors, and residents alike. Bolton & Menk was the landscape architect of record and provided civil engineering, landscape architecture, and master planning services. Bolton & Menk, Mecklenburg County Parks and Recreation, and the City of Charlotte conducted multiple interactive workshops with residents and stakeholders to involve them in the programming and design of the park and the surrounding infrastructure. In addition, we designed and coordinated the infrastructure improvements surrounding the park, which included the relocation and redesign of multiple streets and utilities to facilitate the park design, improve connectivity, and create a foundation for future private development, creating a centerpiece for First Ward and all of Charlotte Uptown.