Home › North Carolina › Gastonia › Gastonia Optimist Club Park
Gastonia Optimist Club Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 77 Google reviews · Running trail in Gastonia, North Carolina · Dawn to dusk
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Paved
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Dawn to dusk
Confirmed from Gastonia Optimist Club Park's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
What runners say about Gastonia Optimist Club Park
“Quiet and under used, playground is nice.”
Pretty quiet. Peaceful walking trail and flower garden. Small park for kids to play in. This park is a good addition to the area, I just wish there was some kind of crosswalk to get to the park easier across Franklin Blvd.
This is a wonderful park with lots of things for children to climb on. Anytime we’ve been there’s not a lot of other people there. There is also a little walking trail behind the park.
Cute little park with a walking trail. Quiet. Peaceful. Clean. Plenty of green space.
Trail conditions & character
Plan your run at Gastonia Optimist Club Park
The practical stuff
- AccessDawn to dusk — the gates close, so do not plan a run that finishes after dark
- SurfacePaved — asphalt or concrete. Fast and predictable, runnable year-round, and fine with a stroller
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- LightingRunners report lights on the path — useful for pre-dawn and after-work miles. Lighting and opening hours are separate things, so check both.
- At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
- Stroller / wheelchairReported as smooth and step-free enough for a running stroller or a chair.
- Websitegastonianc.gov
- Phone+1 704-866-6839
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | 7 am–9 pm |
| Tuesday | 7 am–9 pm |
| Wednesday | 7 am–9 pm |
| Thursday | 7 am–9 pm |
| Friday | 7 am–9 pm |
| Saturday | 7 am–9 pm |
| Sunday | 7 am–9 pm |
Running trails near Gastonia
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Avon/Catawba Creeks Greenway
4.7 ★★★★★ 117 reviews
Asphalt trail for exercising, running, walking and biking, with shaded sections.
Rankin Lake Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 2,425 reviews
Park featuring a reservoir, picnic shelters, horseshoes, paved trails, fishing, boating & more.
Martha Rivers Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 1,711 reviews
48-acre park with a youth sports complex & castle-themed playground, plus trails & picnic shelters.