The Downtown Cary Park opened to the public on November 17, 2023. It is a seven-acre development located in the heart of Cary. The park offers a diverse offering of amenities and events that are designed to cater to all ages and interests.
The park was designed to emphasize sustainability and engagement within the community. Over 72,000 plants and 35 legacy trees are incorporated into the landscape. With two food and beverage facilities, the park attracts over 750,000 people annually, and 95 “backyard visitors” (dogs) daily.
“The park has hosted almost 900 programs and at least 40,000 people visit the park each month.” Some of these activities include art exhibitions, concerts, fitness classes, movie nights, food festivals, and even holiday events and celebrations.
Key Features in the Downtown Cary Park
Great Lawn Pavilion
The Great Lawn Pavilion is located in the center of the park, it serves as the focal area to host large events. Referred to as the “Great Lawn” it provides a big open area with a pavilion allowing a space for concerts, movies, fitness classes, and live performances.
Emma Thomas, junior, said, “I went to go see the Nutcracker around Christmas time, and there were many holiday decorations all around the pavilion. It was a beautiful sight that I would go back to again.”
Barkyard and Bark Bar
Downtown Cary Park has a unique dog park known as the “barkyard,” it is split into two sections: one for small dogs and one for bigger dogs. It is open from 7 a.m. – 10 p.m. each day, however, the barkyard is one of few places that is not free.
An annual membership can be purchased online, or a day pass can be bought in-person or online.
In between the two sections of the Barkyard is the Bark Bar, an open pavilion that offers craft beer, wine, and non-alcoholic drinks. It’s a place for dog owners to relax and meet new people while their pets enjoy puppy playtime.
Park Street Courts
The active recreation area in the Downtown Cary Park is located on Park Street.
Some of the activity options include an arena, putting green, table tennis, foosball, and volleyball courts.
The Cary Farmers Market also lines Park Street on Saturdays throughout the year. From April – December on Fridays and Saturdays food trucks set up in the surrounding area, and come to select events.
Skywalk
A favorite amongst a lot of parkgoers is the skywalk, an elevated walkway that floats 17 feet above the park.
The skywalk runs through the park’s botanical gardens and up into the tree canopies. It overlooks the tiered water feature that was added in for both aesthetics and to help mitigate flooding. The Skywalk also connects to the “Willow Isle” a floating island in the pond that is part of a public art piece called L’ile Foile.
At night, the skywalk lights up and makes colorful light shows. The “Light Passage” portion of the path is part of another public art piece as well.
The Nest
The Nest is an ideal space for imaginative play, offering something for everyone, but especially to younger visitors. It features two distinctive cardinal-themed play structures, hence the name “The Nest.” Multiple slides, a splash pad for cooling off on warm days, as well as a designated toddler play area, are featured.
- March 7: Barbie Movie Night
- March 8: International Women’s Day Celebration
- March 21: Cary Night Market
- March 28: Teen Game Night
- March 30: Cornhole Tournament
- April 2: Self-Defense Workshop
- April 12: 2025 Pimento Cheese Festival
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