Public Spaces

City Park Rules and Regulations

The following activities are not permitted:

Use of tobacco products or drug use
Consumption of alcohol without a permit
Glass containers
Littering, including placing food, drinks or any other substances in the splash pad
Weapons or Fireworks
Panhandling, solicitation, or distributing flyers (unless approved by the City of Charlotte)
Bathing in the splash pad
Camping or sleeping. Any personal belongings stored or left will be removed and disposed of
Open flames, barbecue grills, and any method of outdoor cooking
Amplified sound without a permit
Generators without a permit
Defacing property including driving stakes/ poles into the ground, hanging signs (unless approved by the City of Charlotte), or affixing anything to plaza property
Structures larger than 4' x 4' without a permit
Bicycle riding and parking, skateboarding, rollerblading, or roller skating
Motorized vehicles (excluding approved accessibility devices and approved maintenance vehicles)
All users are subject to ARTICLE VI. - CONDUCT IN PUBLIC PARKS of the City of Charlotte ordinance

Playing in the fountain
Listening to music at the amphitheater
Learning about history and the identity of the Historic West End – explore art!
Rocking on the porch swings!
Moving the tables and chairs to enjoy lunch with your friends
Watching the streetcar passing by
Checking your email and working on homework
Enjoying some pizza and frozen custard (please clean up your table)
Listening to the breeze in the trees
Playing chess and other games

The City of Charlotte manages three public spaces that are available for reservations: Five Points Plaza, the Green at Prosperity Village and the Ritz at Washington Heights. Learn more about the permitting requirements for using these spaces.

Five Points Plaza

Five Points Plaza is located in the Historic West End across from Johnson C. Smith University at the W. Trade/Rozzelles Ferry/Beatties Ford Road/W. 5th St. intersection. The plaza is made up of two spaces on each side of the intersection and has a splash pad, amphitheater, public art installation, moveable furniture and custom swings. Both sides of the plaza can accommodate events of 850 people. No parking is provided. Use of the CityLynx Gold Line is encouraged.

Five Points Plaza is managed by a grassroots community organization. To learn more about the plaza, as well as sponsorship and volunteer opportunities please visit Five Points Plaza website

The Green at Prosperity Village

The Green at Prosperity Village is located in Prosperity Village at the corner of Johnston Oehler and Benfield Roads. The park has an event green, patio with shade sails, hand pump play feature, murals, and enhanced landscaping. The Green can accommodate events of 2,500 people. Limited street parking is provided.

The Ritz at Washington Heights

Reimagining The Ritz in Historic Washington Heights

The Ritz at Washington Heights is the City of Charlotte’s newest open space on the Beatties Ford Road corridor. At this location The Ritz, the last movie theater to be built only for black people during segregation, once stood as a hub of community life. It closed in 1971 and was demolished in the early 1990s. The city-owned lot has been sitting vacant ever since. As part of the city’s Corridors of Opportunity (COO) program, The Urban Design Center (UDC) led the Beatties Ford Road community in an engagement process to identify placemaking and public space opportunities. The Ritz at Washington Heights has elements that meet the desires and needs of the community in an open space. There is a performance area with a shipping container and shelter, a plaza area with moveable seating and chairs, and a small play area. There is beautiful, enhanced landscaping and four art elements completed by local artists: A wall mural by Makayla Minter, a painted plaza and inspirational quotes by Sala Faruq and the “The Ritz at Washington Heights” sign by Junior Gomez.