Greenways & Trails

Overview

Choose from a variety of options throughout Cornelius for your enjoyment, from earthen trails through wooded areas to paved greenways across open fields. Find your favorite.

Walter Henderson Park trail

Greenway Projects

Emerald Necklace

Have you heard about the Emerald Necklace?

When completed, it will be a +/- 13-mile network of greenways and multi-use paths encircling the Town of Cornelius. View the map to see the vision and its progress!

UNDER CONSTRUCTION: Caldwell Station Creek Tributary Greenway

Mecklenburg County is building an extension connecting the existing Caldwell Station Creek Greenway at Poole Place to the Northern Regional Recreation Center. Projected completion for this project is fall of 2023. View the alignment.

UNDER DESIGN: Smithville-to-JV Washam Greenway

This 1.6-mile greenway will be built along with a 0.7-mile multi-use path along Westmoreland Road and a restoration project for Upper McDowell Creek. View the proposed alignment.

PROPOSED: Greenway Trail Construction

Find out more about the proposed Mooresville to Charlotte Trail, a 30-mile trail that will provide a corridor for non-motorized transportation (bicycle and pedestrian) in our region. Get additional information.

Caldwell Station Creek Greenway Parking Lot

There is a gravel parking lot at 10000 Bailey Road, providing five (5) parking spaces for you to use while you enjoy the Caldwell Station Creek Greenway. Additional parking is available at Bailey Road Park, 11536 Bailey Road.

EmeraldNecklaceMap
McDowell Creek Greenway Phase II

Greenway Rules

Download the Cornelius Parks & Recreation Department's Greenway Rules.

Additionally, the Mecklenburg County Park & Recreation Department operates and maintains the Town of Cornelius greenways, so their rules also apply. Download the Mecklenburg County Park & Recreation Department Rules.

Master Plan

Greenway trails are located in linear corridors designed to connect people and places together. The trails are paved and can accommodate a variety of trail users, enhance existing recreational opportunities, provide routes for alternative non-motorized transportation, and improve the overall quality of life. See below for information about greenways currently under construction or under design. We have many more miles of greenway planned. See maps and more by viewing our 2015-2025 Parks and Greenways Master Plan.