Martha Rivers Park

1515 Neal Hawkins Road, Gastonia, NC 28056. Follow internal signs for the one-acre castle playground, soccer, baseball and softball complexes, walking loops, shelters, volleyball, concessions, and restrooms.

Use 1515 Neal Hawkins Road and choose the internal area closest to the castle playground, soccer complex, or baseball and softball complex. League and tournament periods can create heavy traffic and full lots.

The general park is open daily dawn to dusk. Scheduled lighted fields, leagues, tournaments, concessions, shelters, and organized athletics operate independently and may continue under approved schedules.

General park, playground, walking, and ordinary picnic access are free. Field use, leagues, tournaments, shelter reservations, concessions, and organized activities may charge or require approval.

A restroom building serves the park, and the athletic scorers' and concession area includes restrooms during operating conditions. Availability can vary outside scheduled field activity.

Paved parking and walking loops connect developed sports, playground, shelter, and restroom areas. The castle playground includes ramps and rubberized surfacing, but its multi-level wooden structure and individual play features vary in accessibility.

Paved walking paths loop around the baseball fields, playground, and soccer fields, with crossovers that create different distances. Expect active field traffic and event circulation rather than a secluded nature trail.

The signature castle includes forts, ship and race-car themes, swings, slides, sand digging, ramps, catwalks, climbing, and hiding areas. Pair it with walking, shelters, volleyball, or scheduled youth sports.

Keep dogs leashed in allowed ordinary park areas, remove waste, and keep pets outside the playground, active fields, dugouts, concession and restroom areas, and crowded tournament circulation.

Two large shelters are reservable in daily sessions, with additional picnic opportunities around the park. Reserve for guaranteed group use and choose a session that aligns with nearby athletics.

The one-acre Operation Playground castle is the main family landmark. Other key areas are the soccer complex, baseball and softball fields, batting cages, paved loops, two shelters, volleyball and horseshoes, scorers' tower, concession stand, and restrooms.

Wet-field decisions, league schedules, tournaments, maintenance, severe weather, and shelter reservations can affect portions independently. Contact the athletics office before relying on field availability.