Did you know... Fairview Road by Piedmont Town Center in SouthPark was once a dairy farm? Fast forward to 2025, it's easy to realize how much has changed.

City Editor Jack, here. I recently took an exclusive tour of the SouthPark Loop, a three mile urban trail, to learn more about its rich history and what's to come for this ever-changing chunk of the South Charlotte neighborhood.

With my guides Drew Thrasher and Bill Bartee from Jesse Brown's Outdoors, we set out to learn if there's more to SouthPark than meets the eye. Spoiler alert: There's A LOT more.

"We'll be connecting to the past, but also connecting to the present and the future," said Bartee.

The SouthPark Loop weaves along restaurants, libraries, work offices, and shopping complexes. | Map via SouthPark Community Partners

What's the SouthPark Loop?

The South Park Loop is a pedestrian path aiming to connect the neighborhood to SouthPark landmarks like SouthPark Mall, Symphony Park, and Phillips Place. About 10% of the loop is finished, with another 20% committed, and the remaining 70% depends on future property redevelopment. The project includes features like "living ends" to connect dead-end streets to the loop, and plans for wider sidewalks to improve safety for walkers and cyclists.

SouthPark was a rural outpost in the early 1900s, ideal for cotton and dairy farmers. | Photo via SouthPark Community Partners

History of SouthPark

The SouthPark area was originally rural farmland and dairy farms before becoming a suburban retail hub in the 1960s. The name "South Park" first appeared in 1968 with plans for a large shopping mall which opened in 1970 and became the center of the area's development.

Early major employers in the area included Eastern Airlines and Celanese Corporation, whose offices helped drive growth outside of Uptown.

Fun fact: During our tour, I learned Rev. Billy Graham and former CBS News anchor Charles Kuralt both attended the former Sharon School in SouthPark.

Symphony Park is SouthPark's only park, and is looking ahead to a possible $21 million redevelopment. | Photo by CLTtoday

Symphony Park

Symphony Park is SouthPark's only true park. There's a $21 million redevelopment project in the works to add new boardwalks, upgrade the bandshell, plus retail space, an ice cream spot, and improving visitor access.

Charlotte City Council is expected to vote on critical funding in the coming weeks. An exact date is still TBA with construction expected to begin in late summer and wrap by mid-summer 2027.

The future of SouthPark's trees

One of South Park Community Partners' big focuses is maintaining natural beauty. Efforts are being made to preserve the native tree canopy and green spaces lining The Loop.

The SouthPark Forward vision plan includes more community gathering places, and an enhanced streetscape along Carnegie Boulevard. | Rendering via The City of Charlotte

What's next for SouthPark?

The development of The Loop is part of “The SouthPark Forward 2035 Vision Plan” — a layout for growth and development projects set to be completed by 2035 with an estimated cost of $250 million.

The plan includes revitalizing Carnegie Boulevard into a walking space for public events, plus a half-acre pocket park on Cameron Valley Parkway, and public artwork displays along The Loop.

Our tour of The Loop took us along Carnegie Boulevard and Legion Brewing SouthPark. | Photo by CLTtoday

Want to hike the SouthPark Loop yourself?

Jesse Brown's offers pubic tours of the Loop during the spring and fall, with Drew Thrasher serving as the guide.

Editor's note: Jesse Brown's sends out notices for upcoming tours via social media, email, and the Carolina Outdoors radio show and podcast.

"My mission in all this is just to help people know what was here and build that sense of place," said Thrasher.