The U.S. National Whitewater Center, a 1,300-acre on-leash dog park in Charlotte at 5000 Whitewater Center Parkway, is preparing for a massive remodel.
The park has been a reliable spot for owners to take their dogs as long as they stay on their leash. The Whitewater Center is now getting ready to unveil a massive off-leash area, along with several other additions, including an open-air biergarten, a lakefront beach, water and trail access, retail, and the new Lake Center, according to Axios. Construction caused the opening, which was scheduled for this month, to be delayed until January 2024.
The main attraction of this will be the new 70-acre, off-leash dog park, where owners can pay $10 for a dog pass per dog unless the owner already possesses an annual, single-activity, or a day pass, which is $12 per day and a $40 for a yearly parking pass. Owners can add a dog to an annual pass for $50 per dog per pass. No other pets will be allowed in the dog park. While the dog park will encompass the existing 3-mile Lake Loop trail, the center is adding a new trail around the perimeter.
The remodel isn’t just for the dogs. In September, the Whitewater Center added two new ziplines, high ropes, and two swinging bridges over the canyon. Another project, Wildwoods, is opening in Winter 2024. It will feature a 3-acre site with a challenge course, tree houses, bouldering walls, swinging bridges, cargo net climbs, and floating hammocks. Future phases of the project will include new food and beverage options, outdoor classrooms, and art installations.
For adults who want to enjoy the park, a new open-air Biergarten is coming to the area at the beginning of next year. Customers can expect various food and drink options, including a handful of beers on tap. These refreshments can be enjoyed in the new Lake Center, a 1,960-square-foot building with a 1,800-square-foot shaded pavilion. The Whitewater Center will also have space for special events and groups.
