After years of planning and construction, the long-awaited Downtown Cary Park in Cary, North Carolina is finally opening its doors to the public on Sunday. Spanning seven acres in the heart of the city, the park aims to provide a space for nature preservation, inclusivity, and new experiences. It features various amenities, including a dog park, a grab-and-go market called Market 317, a skywalk, and The Nest, a children’s play area.
Residents and local business owners are eagerly anticipating the opening of the park. Brandon Toledo, a downtown resident and government consultant, expressed excitement about the park’s amenities, which cater to people of all ages and even their furry friends. Michelle Smith, the owner of Gather Goods Co., a gift shop near the park, hopes that the park’s opening will increase foot traffic and benefit local businesses.
In addition to the park itself, the opening ceremony will mark the start of Cary’s social district, allowing people to walk around downtown with alcoholic beverages. This makes Cary one of the few cities in the Triangle area to establish such a district, following in the footsteps of Raleigh and Durham.
To celebrate the park’s opening, a day of festivities has been planned, including live music, performances, a flyover from the Bandit Flight Team, arts and crafts, food trucks, and tours of the park. The schedule of events is detailed on the park’s website.
Due to limited parking in the area, a shuttle service will be available from Cary Academy to Downtown Cary Park. Various parking options are also provided for parkgoers. Additionally, the park will have designated areas for social drinking, where participants can purchase alcoholic beverages from participating businesses within the district.
Looking ahead, Downtown Cary Park has more events planned, including a holiday celebration called “A Gift to Cary” on December 2. Volunteers are needed for this event, and those interested can sign up through the park’s website.
The park also offers accommodations for visitors with accessibility needs. Restrooms are available throughout the park, and there are two dog parks called the “Barkyard” for pet owners. Membership or a daily pass is required to access the dog parks.
For any changes or updates regarding the opening ceremony, parkgoers can receive notifications by texting “DCP” to 51597.
