Parkdale (Charlotte neighborhood) facts for kids

Parkdale is a neighborhood in Charlotte, North Carolina. It's a place where people live in single-family houses. You can find it about a mile west of SouthPark Mall and 1.5 miles south of the historic Park Road Shopping Center.

Where is Parkdale Located?

Parkdale is surrounded by different areas. To the north is Briar Creek. To the west is Park Road. The Picardy neighborhood is to the south. And to the east, you'll find businesses along Carnegie Road and homes in the Barclay Downs neighborhood.

Neighborhood Rules and Agreements

Parkdale has some rules, called restrictions or covenants, that help keep the neighborhood a nice place to live. These rules are officially recorded with the Mecklenburg County Register of Deeds Office. They make sure that homes are used for families only. These rules automatically renew every 10 years and can be enforced by any of the 119 property owners.

A Look at Parkdale's History

In the early 1950s, the land where Parkdale now stands was part of a dairy farm. This farm belonged to the famous Billy Graham family and Morrison Farms. A company called the American Investment Company bought this land. They planned to build about 150 family homes here.

Early Home Styles

The first homes built in Parkdale were split-level and ranch-style houses. These styles were very popular back then and fit well with the area's hills. The main entrance to the neighborhood, along Park Road at Manning Drive, used to have a special sign made of brick. This sign is now old and damaged, showing how some of Parkdale's history has become less visible.

Old and Beautiful Trees

The neighborhood still has many old and beautiful trees. You can see different kinds like Magnolias, White Oaks, Tuliptrees, Maples, Eastern White Pines, and Willow Oaks. Many of these trees were growing even before the houses were built. Today, the city of Charlotte considers them "Heritage trees," which means they are protected and cannot be easily removed.

How Parkdale's Identity Changed

Between 1990 and 2020, Charlotte grew very quickly. The South Park area became a very popular place to live. Because of this, Parkdale has often been included in the general area known as Barclay Downs. Barclay Downs is the neighborhood right next to Parkdale on its eastern side.

Why the Name Shifted

Many people who live in the area believe that local real estate agents helped change Parkdale's identity. They started marketing homes in Parkdale as if they were part of Barclay Downs. This is because Barclay Downs is generally thought to have higher property values. As a result of this marketing, and because many old homes are being remodeled or new ones built, the value of homes in Parkdale has actually grown faster than in Barclay Downs since 2010.

Joining the Neighborhood Pool

The Barclay Downs Swim & Racquet Club (BDSRC) is a popular spot. It's located in the middle of the Barclay Downs area, about half a mile north of SouthPark Mall. The club started in 1961. It's a non-profit club owned by its members, and the original builders of Barclay Downs created it.

Membership Details

The club has about 400 members. While anyone can apply, it's mostly meant for people who live in the Barclay Downs area, including Parkdale and Picardy neighborhoods. New members are chosen based on a few things: if their family members were already members, if they own a home in the club's resident map area, and how long they've been on the "wait list."

The club usually grants 20-30 new memberships each year when old members leave. Residents in the area might wait 1-2 years to join. People who don't live in the area might wait 5-7 years or even longer, and they are not guaranteed a spot.