Greenways & Trails

The Emerald Necklace

Cornelius is a haven for all of the things you love. Great restaurants, peaceful neighborhoods, arts, culture, and more are all right here. While exploring Cornelius may mean walking through its historic and charming downtown or taking your family to any number of the exceptional parks, one thing connects all of your daily adventures: the Emerald Necklace. 

Get to know this 13-mile greenway network and how it can connect you to where you live, work, congregate, and recreate.

Greenway Family Bikers
EmeraldNecklaceMap
Cornelius Greenway Map with Parking

Visit Our Greenways & Trails

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.


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.

Greenway Runner
Antiquity Greenway

Greenway Map

Download the Cornelius Greenways map (includes parking, restroom, and water fountain locations)


Greenway Projects

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

See the conceptual map of The Seam, a proposed 30-mile Mooresville-to-Charlotte trail that will provide a corridor for non-motorized transportation (bicycle and pedestrian) in our region. Check back for more information!

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.