Dining · Old Town
Cool Fish
Seafood, sushi and American plates on Catawba Avenue east of the Old Town core.
Places / Parks / Old Town
Legion Park
A small Old Town park with a ballfield, playground, shelter and short walking loop.
Why choose it
For a playground break during an Old Town outing.
What to expect
A half-mile walking trail, restrooms and picnic shelter.
Practical notes
- Open dawn to dusk.
Parks and greenways in Cornelius
Cornelius parks range from a small Old Town green to athletic complexes with courts, fields, playgrounds and paved loops. Several are operated by the Town of Cornelius Parks, Arts, Recreation & Culture department, while lake parks are run by Mecklenburg County.
Seasonal features such as splash pads, field rentals and programmed events follow the operator’s calendar. Facility lists and rules are published on the operator’s park page.
Before you go
- Check the operator’s page for closures, rentals and seasonal features.
- Combine a park with a casual lunch nearby for an easy family outing.
- Bring water and shade in summer; Piedmont afternoons are hot and humid.
About the Old Town area
Old Town is the historic center of Cornelius along Catawba Avenue near Main Street, organized around the Cain Center for the Arts, Cain Park and a few walkable blocks of coffee, dining and independent shops. It is the one part of town where parking once and walking works well.
Nearby: Old Town
Coffee & Bakeries · Old Town
The Coffeeshop
A family-owned specialty coffee shop in Old Town with locally baked treats.
Drinks · Old Town
Old Town Public House
A laid-back Old Town bar for craft beer, wine and coffee, with food trucks and live music nights.
More parks in Cornelius
Parks · Bailey Road & east Cornelius
Bailey Road Park
The Town’s largest active park, with courts, fields, disc golf, playgrounds and paved walking trails.
Parks · West Catawba & the lake
Robbins Park
A wooded park with two fishing ponds, a long boardwalk, trails, a playground and courts.
Parks · North Main Street
Smithville Park & Splashville
A neighborhood park in the historic Smithville community with the free Lake Norman Kiwanis Splashville splash pad.