Sep 13, 2026
Dear Neighbors and petition signers,
The current DYSA field proposal will not move forward at Madison Central Park. But our fight is not over.
CMS confirmed Thursday night that it will work with DYSA to identify an alternative location and plans to work with Mecklenburg County Park & Recreation to add Madison Central Park to a Master Joint Use Agreement.
This is an important accomplishment for our community, and it would not have happened without YOU. Thank you to everyone who attended meetings, contacted decision-makers, put up signs, shared information, asked questions and continued showing up. Your involvement made a difference.
CMS heard the history and concerns shared by our community, and we appreciate their willingness to change course and work toward a path forward. CMS Board Vice Chair Dee Rankin also joined CMS staff for the discussion, and we appreciate him taking the time to attend and listen.
But this is an important step forward—not the finish line. Madison Central Park is not yet permanently protected, and important decisions about the Joint Use Agreement still lie ahead.
We made significant progress Thursday, but Madison Central Park is not yet permanently protected and our work is not done.
The current DYSA field proposal will not move forward at Madison Central Park. CMS will work with DYSA to identify an alternative location.
- CMS plans to add Madison Central Park to the Master Joint Use Agreement with Mecklenburg County Park & Recreation. This still must go through the approval process, including a CMS Board vote.
- CMS retains final approval authority over future changes to the property.
- CMS did not commit to long-term, legally enforceable protections against the future development of dedicated facilities for organized sports leagues or other uses that would fundamentally change the park's flexible-use nature. CMS COO Tim Ivey also stated multiple times that CMS is not required to obtain community input before making decisions regarding the property.
- Take action now: E-mail CMS & County officials and ask for a seat at the table and long-term protections before the agreement is finalized.
- Keep your Save Madison Park yard sign up (at least 11 feet from the curb).
- NEW FORM — Stay informed and involved: This is separate from our previous Save Madison Park forms. [Complete the new form]if you would like your contact information shared with CMS and Mecklenburg County Park & Recreation and to hear about future opportunities to support Pinewood Elementary.
What Remains Unresolved
During the meeting, CMS stated that no formal agreement currently governs the property. Community members pointed to the extensive historical documentation surrounding Madison Central Park, including the grant and correspondence from CMS related to the property and its intended use. Regardless of the legal status of those historical documents, the fact that CMS does not consider them to formally govern the property today underscores why the language and protections put in place now must be clear, specific and durable.
CMS also confirmed that it retains final approval authority over future changes to the property. Without additional long-term protections, that leaves open the possibility that another proposal for organized league use could be brought to CMS in the future.
CMS COO Tim Ivey also stated multiple times during the meeting that CMS is not required to obtain community input before making decisions regarding the property. That makes a written commitment to community notification and an opportunity for input before significant future changes especially important.
Our goal is not to prevent recreational improvements, school activities or children from using the park for sports. Our goal is to preserve Madison Central Park as flexible-use community green space rather than allowing it to be converted into dedicated facilities for organized sports leagues or other uses that would fundamentally change its character.
Take Action: Ask for a Seat at the Table
As CMS and Mecklenburg County Park & Recreation develop the agreement, we believe the community should have a seat at the table before it is finalized and brought forward for approval.
Please contact CMS Board members and Mecklenburg County/Park & Recreation officials and ask them to support:
- an opportunity for community representatives and independent legal counsel to review the proposed agreement before it is finalized or executed; meaningful, long-term protection for Madison Central Park's flexible-use nature, including through a deed restriction, deed amendment, strong site-specific permitted-use language in the Joint Use Agreement, or another legally enforceable, recorded protection against conversion to dedicated facilities for organized sports leagues or other uses that would fundamentally change the park's flexible-use nature;
- a written requirement that the community be notified and given an opportunity for input before significant future changes to Madison Central Park are proposed or approved; and
at a minimum, independent traffic, parking, stormwater, environmental and noise studies before significant changes to the property are considered.
Can You Help With Legal Review?
Several neighbors have asked how they can help as we move forward. One area where additional support would be especially valuable is legal review.
If you are an attorney, or know an attorney who may be willing to volunteer some time, please reach out at savemadisonpark@gmail.comWe would greatly appreciate help reviewing the Joint Use Agreement or other documents related to Madison Central Park.
Your help and support has helped us move forward, but Madison Central Park is not yet permanently protected. Please continue to stay engaged and ensure that Madison Central Park is formally protected.
Thank you for continuing to show up.
Sincerely,
Your Neighbors at Save Madison Park
Site: https://sites.google.com/view/savemadisonpark
E-mail: savemadisonpark@gmail.com
Social: @savemadisonpark_clt