Charlotte has officially broken ground on a long-awaited public park at the former Eastland Mall site, marking a major step in East Charlotte’s redevelopment. The new 4.5-acre Eastland Park will serve as the centerpiece of the Eastland Yards project, transforming the historic retail landmark into a vibrant community destination.
Construction began this month, with completion expected by spring 2027, according to Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation. The park’s design was shaped by community input from public meetings in 2023, where residents helped select its features and layout.
The updated plan includes two lawn areas — one artificial and one natural turf — with terraced seating, walking trails, a playground with hillside play, splashpad, picnic shelters, and multi-use courts for basketball, futsal, and hockey. The splashpad will feature the iconic Eastland “rising sun” logo, created in partnership with CharlotteEAST, symbolizing renewal and honoring the site’s legacy.
Other amenities include skateable elements, a dog lounge, and landscaped seating areas, with a nearby parcel reserved for future private development. Through the 1% for the Arts Ordinance, the county has partnered with the Arts & Science Council (ASC) to commission public art celebrating East Charlotte’s history and diversity.
Once a million-square-foot shopping hub with four anchor stores and a skating rink, Eastland Mall thrived from 1975 to the 1990s before closing in 2010. The City of Charlotte purchased the 80-acre property in 2012 and demolished the mall the following year. In 2018, Crosland Southeast was chosen as the master developer for the Eastland Yards redevelopment, which includes housing, retail, and recreational spaces.
The new park exceeds the city’s original requirement of two acres of green space, expanding to more than 4.5 acres. Officials say Eastland Park will become “a community gathering place that restores pride and connection in East Charlotte.”
For updates and project details, you can visit EnvisionEastland.com.
