We’ve got one more thing to add to our list of what makes Cary cool—the Raleigh burb (so-dubbed the “Concentrated Area for Relocated Yankees,” among other not-so-flattering acronyms…) is getting a new park (!). Slated to open in the spring of 2023, Downtown Cary Park—a project 19 years in the making!—will be a 7-acre gathering space for the Cary community and visitors alike (plus doggos, of course) with a dog park, a children’s play area, a market, a bar, walking trails and more.
And while the park will certainly provide plenty of green space for social events, programming walks, and the like, it’s also designed to serve as a catalyst for future development of and investment in downtown Cary, says Downtown Cary Park General Manager Joy Ennis. “The park is set to energize the heart of downtown Cary and unify the Cary community,” she adds.
But wait—there’s more. Downtown Cary Park will also feature the Bark Bar, a hub near the dog play areas that will serve coffee, juice and pastries in the morning, and transition to a traditional bar with beer and wine at night. When hunger strikes, you can hit up the Marketplace, which will offer a broad range of items—from pastries to wine and Champagne—or if you’re planning a picnic, the Support Kitchen will offer grab-and-go items and picnic essentials, while also providing catering and storage for the park.
The ultimate place to just park it, the essential goal of Downtown Cary Park is to “create a space that feels like home and represents Cary in the most unique and interactive way possible,” says Ennis. “Through workshops, board committees, discussion and focus groups, and surveys, an iconic public space was conceived. Downtown Cary Park is a world-class park in the making with incredible attention placed on community engagement designed to develop a park that citizens feel is truly their park.” Don’t worry, Raleighites… it can certainly be your park too. Sharing is caring.
