Dec. 29. By Mark Washburn. Rapid development — a Cornelius constant for more than two decades — is putting a squeeze on the town’s ambitions for more parkland.
“Land is No. 1,” said Troy Fitzsimmons, Cornelius Parks and Recreation director, in a presentation to the Newsmakers Breakfast on Nov. 13 at The Peninsula Club.
Cornelius is looking for two more 100-acre tracts for future parkland, Fitzsimmons said, but the west side of town is so developed that prospects are likely to be on the east side.
“A park does not typically go on a postage-stamp-size tract,” said Fitzsimmons, who has been in his job for 18 years. About half the $20 million bond issue for parks passed in 2024 will likely go toward land acquisition, he said.
Projections show that Cornelius will be mostly built out by 2035. “Now is the time,” Fitzsimmons said, “to go get that land.”
Already, Cornelius has 13 town parks including Bailey Road Park, Jetton Road Neighborhood Park and Robbins Park. Mecklenburg County also operates three parks in the town.
Busy parks
Those parks in Cornelius are packed, Fitzsimmons said. New tennis and pickleball courts at Bailey Road Park are heavily used, and there is strong demand for more facilities, he said. There are also advocates for lacrosse and rugby venues.
Passive recreation — hiking trails, picnic areas and wildlife watching — is particularly popular in the family-oriented town. “Cornelius is a really, really active community,” he said. “It wants active and passive, which means a walk in the woods with wildlife.”
Asked whether there was opposition to walking trails in residential areas because of concerns about crime, Fitzsimmons said such fears appear groundless. Studies show no discernible crime attached to such areas, and some even show they help reduce it.
“If anyone sends me a picture of someone running down a greenway carrying a 60-inch TV,” he said, “I’ll quit.”
Greenways are particularly cost-efficient because once built, he said, maintenance responsibility is handed over to Mecklenburg County.
One of Cornelius’ signature amenities is the so-called Emerald Necklace, a 13-mile loop trail system connecting parks, schools and retail areas. It also links with greenways in neighboring Davidson and Huntersville.
About three-quarters of the trail is open. The remaining miles are expected to be done by 2027.
Drawing inspiration
If there is rivalry for excellence in parks with bordering North Mecklenburg towns and the county, Fitzsimmons said, it is a friendly one. Huntersville, Davidson and the county partner with Cornelius on projects and greenways to get the most from their spending.
Asked what other park networks he took inspiration from, Fitzsimmons admitted that he admired that of Cary, the wealthy Raleigh suburb.
“I hate to admit this,” he said, “but they have the best park system in the state. I will put us up against anyone else.”
One surprising aspect of the town’s commitment to parks is economic impact, Fitzsimmons said. Land values increase about 9 percent for homes within 500 feet of a park, and businesses making relocation decisions cite quality parks among the top three things they consider.
Bailey Road Park draws thousands of youths from across the region for various tournaments, generating hundreds of thousands of dollars for local hospitality businesses, he said. Pickleball and tennis tournaments are expected to increase at the park as well.
Indianapolis, he said, demonstrated what a powerful driver amateur sports tournaments can be to the local economy. He said he wants Cornelius to be a regional player in that space and has been lobbying the county to help.
“We need a North Mecklenburg Sportsplex like Matthews has,” Fitzsimmons said. Run by the county, the Matthews Sportsplex has 11 lighted multiuse fields, including nine with synthetic turf.
One of the natural-grass fields is surrounded by a 5,000-seat stadium with a scoreboard, conference room and locker rooms.
Among facilities Parks and Recreation provides that are unique to Cornelius are two fishing piers, a gaga pit (it’s like dodgeball), 74 community garden plots and one splash pad. Fitzsimmons said programs through his agency and partners served 111,000 participants last year.
Read more in our January print issue about the bond rollout and projects that are being prioritized by the town.
It’s grand to hear about the emphasis on more parks!
Who should I contact to ask about the possibility of a public composting site by our city’s vegetable garden on Catawba,as in Davidson?
Posted by marilyn campbell | December 29, 2025, 11:12 am