The Downtown Cary Park was an intentional visit this time. Although this time I had a knee injury, so I wasn't sure how much I would see. The park is very accessible so I came to appreciate that as I was able to take the ramps and paths to avoid the stairs. The maps and signage make the park easy to navigate. Parking was also very easy; you can park behind the Cary Library, in the Town Hall Deck, in the parking lot on Charlie Gaddy Lane or in street parking spots. I enjoy the public art while strolling through the park. The cardinals in the play area, the water fountain, the Skywalk, the Gathering House, and just taking in nature. The park offers many options for visitors. It is a nice addition for the community. read more

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Beautiful park! I enjoy walking around the park and looking at the beautiful scenery. The park and area is kept clean. There are comfortable chairs to sit in near the water. There are lots of ramps, which make it more accessible for strollers, wheelchairs, etc. The park includes a very nice playground for kids, and a dog park. It's a great location to visit next to the library. They have lots of drink options at the bar. read more

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we looove cary park! there are so many fun games arts to visit with different sections and walking paths. there's always so thing fun to do or see! the playground can get very busy so we normally steer clear and let our kids play on the turf read more

Downtown Cary Park - Parks Near Me - Cary, North Carolina

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After the recent upgrade to the park, it's given New Life to that area! It looks incredible, I've taken my family there a couple times now and even my niece and nephew, and they loved going to the kids park! It's huge, it's got a lot of fun activities and things to do! The dog park is nice, I'm still not sure how I feel about having to pay for using the dog park. I did like the little bar next to it, I think they were doing trivia when we were there so it was really cool to see how lively it was. Nice safe area, family friendly, would definitely go again! read more

Lots of sights to see at DT Cary Park. The day I went there was a lovely jazz ensemble performing. There's also plenty of spaces to sit and walk around. The bathrooms here are also really clean! read more

Downtown Cary Park - Parks Near Me - Cary, North Carolina

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What can I say about this place! This was an outstanding public place that is just made from such creative enginuity. This park is beautiful and truly brings people together from families connecting with their children, dogs connecting with other dogs at the dog park and people connecting with other people. From the incredible fountain, trails, playground, visual designs, stages, structures and so much more. This place is by far the coolest place in Cary that's the heart and soul of this growing city. Plenty of activities are hosted here if you look online. Parking can be iffy but it's really worth checking out! read more

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This is a beautiful park! The garden and sky walk is relatively small, but great for a little stroll, even at night since everything lights up. There are some cool structures/statues that make this park unique. They have table tennis, Foosball, and many sitting areas too. There are many families with dogs here. There is a small dog park that has a "bark bar" where you can order drinks and let you dog play in a fenced area. There's a day pass fee for $5 and annual memberships available. Lots of free parking and there are several restaurants in the area. Most of the restaurants closed at 9pm for a weekday though, in case you're coming by later in the day. read more

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A lovely place to visit. Plenty of free parking at the library parking garage. I went on a Wednesday in October and they had music playing by the shop. Great dog park area. On the weekend, there is a bar! Fun outdoor art and a fantastic playground area. I had a wonderful time exploring the park. They were setting up for a festival on the weekend. This park alone would make me want to move to the area--great use of space and tax dollar funds. I wish we had things like this in my hometown. I am glad I found it while I explored North Carolina. I am very jealous of the Cary residents. read more

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DCP is basically my second home! I live nearby and enjoy taking frequent walks around the park and attending all the events. I LOVE how dog friendly everyone is! It's so much fun to meet all the pups and see them playing in the dog park. I wish the parking situation was easier, but I've learned to deal with it. read more

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This place is really something else. The vibe is immaculate. They have a Dog park for small dogs and one for larger dogs and "bark bar" w cocktails can't beat it!!!! fun night tonight read more

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Their events here are always just so much fun and friendly for all ages. We visit at-least once or twice a month and it's always such a nice time. We've come for valentines, Halloween, their annual birthday party where they had a drone show, etc. I would recommend registering for events ahead of time to make sure you get a spot! read more

Downtown Cary Park - Parks Near Me - Cary, North Carolina

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Bottom line: The newly reimagined and very spacious Downtown Cary Park is pretty impressive. Full stop. Great resources provided for people in Cary to use...nice, modern, clean, with plenty to do/see/enjoy. Check out the pics to find out. All the stars for a public town park. The Deets: I really think that Downtown Cary Park is wonderful. For a town like Cary, it's a pretty good sized park with plenty to enjoy and see. In the center near the Academy St. side, there is a main building with what appears to be a meeting space/plaza/pavilion as well as a market and cafe area. There are great areas to explore such as the Botanical Garden, the Barkyard dog park, the Skywalk, Great Lawn, amphitheater for shows or gatherings, and great art work and structures to take in throughout the park...just to name a few. The large fountain at the corner of Academy St and Dry Ave/Kildaire Farm Rd is pretty impressive and even more so at night when all lit up, again with lighting made definitely to impress. Speaking of impressive lighting, the lights throughout the area around the park are wonderful during the holiday season. I took pics of the park map as well as some of the sights there for you to enjoy (more than Yelp will allow attached to a review so look at the Yelp page pics to see them all). People are always enjoying this resource about any time of day or night I've gone and always seem to respectful of the space. I think that this park is an amazing resource for those in Cary to use and it's great to see the town invest in something so beneficial for all to enjoy. read more

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Downtown Cary Park is fantastic. This is a great park for the town of Cary and it's certainly worth visiting if you're in the area. This is a relatively new, clean, and modern park. It opened on November 17, 2023 after about three years of construction and 20 years of conceptualization and planning. It spans seven acres and features ponds, streams, fountains, bridges, greenspaces, community event spaces, a playground, splash pad, and more. What makes Downtown Cary Park stand out is its overall contemporary design, which is also sustainable and energy-efficient. Aesthetically, it's unique and absolutely beautiful. You can tell a lot of money has been put into this place. $68 million is the number according to a quick Google search. We visited two times on the same Saturday. First, around 11:45am and again around 1:45pm. When we first arrived, the park and downtown area were very busy and packed. There was at least one event going on. Close to 2pm, the park was still bustling with activity. One of the little kids in our group pointed at one of the park's "Art Carts" and told me he created art in the park during a previous visit. Activities like the Art Cart are free. Check the park's calendar for upcoming events and programs: https://downtowncarypark.com/calendar For adults, there's the open-air Bark Bar that serves beer and wine. You can get snacks there as well as at Market 317, the on-site store. I think it's called "317" because that's the street address for the market: 317 S Academy St. There are several neat spaces to explore. Frantz Square, at the southwest end of the park (corner of S Academy St and Dry Ave), has a fountain that resembles fountains in big cities like Chicago and Philadelphia. This is Cary's version. I recommend going on the Skywalk, which not only gives you nice views of the park, but also takes you through one of the park's public art installations: "Light Passage." Light Passage is one of the most photographed places in the park due to its cool symmetrical design and look. Everything said, my favorite spot in the park is probably on the bridge above The Nest playground. There, you can see two giant cardinals, one male and one female. The cardinal is the state bird of North Carolina, so it's symbolic and couldn't be more perfect of a feature, in my opinion. On top of that, the birds are actually climbable and part of the things on the playground that kids can interact with. Music plays throughout the park via in-ground speakers. Parking is free and easy. We parked in the library parking deck at 113 Walnut St. The deck has a pedestrian exit/entrance on the south end of the park, adjacent to the aforementioned Nest playground. read more

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Beautiful public park in Cary that opened Nov 2023! I especially like the bark bar and dog park. Located right in downtown Cary, this park is close to numerous restaurants, businesses, and the Cary public library. Parking can be tricky, usually we park along the street or in a public church lot. The library and town hall also have parking decks. The park has a skywalk, play structures, splash pad, gardens, fountain, restrooms, and pavilion. We look forward to our next visit! read more

Downtown Cary Park - Parks Near Me - Cary, North Carolina

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Haiku: Downtown Cary Park Breathe in the fresh air Place of wonder and pure joy Arts, nature, beauty. --- It was a joy to finally experience this impressive, beautiful outdoor space filled with art and nature. There is something for everyone, whether it's playing foosball and put put golf, watching a youth Shakespeare play at the amphitheater, kids playing at the cardinal play structure, having a doggy playdate at the Barkyard, enjoying a beer at the Bark Bar, or strolling by the pond. My kid enjoys arts and crafts at the Art Cart Tuesday and Thursday mornings. There's also a Saturday Farmer's Market along Park Street. The Cary Regional Library is also next door. Tip: Check their Events Calendar for all the happenings, like concerts in the park, Art Cart, movie nights, and food trucks. Parking is plentiful and they share with the Cary Regional Library parking structure. read more

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Downtown Cary is such a beautiful and lively spot. It is perfect for walking around, grabbing a coffee, or just people-watching. The park is super clean, with plenty of seating, and there's always something going on, from live music to small events. It's the kind of place you can visit any time of day and still feel relaxed and happy to be there. read more

This is a beautiful space with a playground, outdoor venue for concerts, a library and just a well-planned and aesthetically pleasing park. You can take a walk, dine in a nearby restaurant, take exercise classes and enjoy the surroundings. read more

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Visited here during the day and at night. It was a spectacular vibe and I wish where I lived had something like it. Just a beautiful hangout spot that I'd love to visit again. read more

Our first time at the new park and it was very enjoyable. I love the different sections and all the activities for children. My granddaughter had a blast! We took some beautiful pictures as there are many nice pictures for photos. The park was clean and well maintained. There were staff members all around keeping things nice. We will return! read more

My favorite spot in the Triangle! Carefully crafted landscaping, Amphitheatre, Slide City, holiday festivities, dog park, Bark Bar, market, 2 splash pads, clean bathrooms with changing tables. This park is unbeatable and recently nominated one of the best metro parks in the US! Parking in town is tough, so come early, bring your strollers, umbrellas and walking shoes. Cary is definitely a top contender in the Southeast for family friendliness! read more

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Came on a Saturday night and it was pretty busy. Lots of families and groups that came to see all the pretty Christmas lights. However, there was also a few great park art installations that were amazing! It also had a large dog park with a bar nearby. Lots of places to sit and enjoy your hot or cold drinks. Would highly recommend this park to hang out with friends outdoors! read more

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Downtown Cary, NC had a beautiful big new public park. Lots of play area for the kids, bridges and ramps to get around, an amphitheater, 2 dog runs - one for large and one for small dogs- and yes, you can even get a beer! We were there in a beautiful Fall day and the park was packed with locals and, like me, tourists. This kind of park needs to be built in more cities! read more

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My wife and I visited this park during a recent trip to the Research Triangle, and we were so impressed! There were so many fun kid activities for our toddler. The playground was pretty cool, but the splash zone was even better. He had an amazing time running around and getting sprayed :) There were some activities for older kids as well, including some pretty steep slides! The landscaping was immaculate throughout, and we found lots of nice surprises as we wandered around. For example, there was a dog park that had loads of dogs running around, which was very entertaining for our toddler :) There was also a bar selling beer and wine (and maybe food as well!) and a big stage in front of the nearby grass area where people were doing a dance workout. Parking-wise, it wasn't too tricky to find a spot on the street, but it depends a bit on when you are visiting. In the morning, though, there's a ton of availability. We also noticed that there was a farmer's market set up right outside the park. Overall, this is an amazing place to hang out as a family! read more

We visited while in town for the holidays since we heard about the tree trail and lights. It was so festive and lovely, but we wanted to explore the park in the daylight, too, so came back a second time. The park has such a thoughtful design from the overall layout to the way the features are integrated into nature and the incorporation of local symbols like the cardinals. There were so many different areas each both separated in just the right way while also being blended into the greater functionality of the park. There were bathrooms where needed but beautifully designed to the point that they blended into the natural environment. The various hang out areas such as the bar and snack stations were beautifully designed and spaced well also. Parking was also plentiful, easily accessible, and free in the garage. If I lived in the area, I would spend quite a bit of time here, whether with friends, for a solo outdoor reading spot in the afternoons, or with nieces and nephews to enjoy the playgrounds. We greatly appreciated the holiday cheer and look forward to visiting again when in the area next. read more

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A great park to visit with restaurants in walking distance. It's also right next to a beautiful library and the Cary Arts Center. There is a large water fountain that changes colors at night, an amphitheater with plenty of grass lawn, Adirondack and rocking chairs throughout the park, a manmade water area, a huge playground with slides, foosball tables, fire pits with seats around them, 2 dog parks, and an outdoor bar by the dog park with plenty of tables and chairs. There is also a gathering area for weekend yoga and tai chi. A cafe is on site as well with gluten free options. It also has electric plugs by some of the benches/chairs. A nice place to hang out with beautiful landscaping. read more

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This renovated park is a must visit. My friend and I grabbed a drink from the Bark Bar and walked around. It's beautiful, I really liked the nest area for kids, skywalk and bark yard dog park. I can't wait to see what events they have here once it gets warmer. read more

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The newly renovated Downtown Cary Park is amazing. It's open with a lot to see. I hope to revisit during low-crowd times. I came on Thanksgiving afternoon while strolling downtown. Surprisingly it wasn't busy Thanksgiving afternoon around 1, but it has started to be more crowded now during the Christmas season. read more

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Gorgeous park, carefully planned for the community and the people were extraordinarily kind and respectful.

A super fantastic fun park. Very clean, and lots do. Visually stunning. Multiple splash pads/fountains. A large park with lots of slides. Clean restrooms. A small dog park. Nice walking path and sky walk. read more

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Love spaciousness of the new park can't wait till tbd water features Like the cardinal birdhouse! It's very

This is Cary's destination park & a place to enjoy, all ages in downtown Cary day & evening. Out of town guests always enjoy coming here & many restaurants, a hotel & pubs are within walking distance. With an outdoor stage, dog park, playgrounds & Bark Bar (beer & wine) there's something for everyone. Keep an eye online for a lot of free events. read more

Beautiful Park. There is something for everyone, children's playground, dogs, adults wanting to have a beer, or just enjoy the views. It is clean. Restrooms, coffee and snack shops. There are events. There are many parks in Cary and around but this one is definitely special and an attraction by itself. How can anyone not give this park 5 stars? (I looked to see who rated the park with less than 5 stars and it seems the reviews pre-dated the new park that was openned only about a year ago. read more

The town of Cary did a marvelous job renovating and redesigning their downtown park. It reopened in the fall to much fanfare just in time for the holiday season. From what I've seen online and our two visits this weekend, it's drawing a nice crowd and the park is nicely decorated for the holiday season. Currently, there is a small pop up skating rink. The park is situated in downtown (obviously) and is a quick walk from many of the restaurants, bars and other attractions that are nearby. There is a social district here and you are allowed to walk with your adult beverage in the park. There is an outdoor bar on the north side that offers a nice selection of wines and craft beers. The bar is open seating and there is a spacious fire pit where you can sit and enjoy your drinks while catching some warmth on a chilly evening. There is ample parking with a municipal garage nearby. On street parking can be hard to come by since there are several apartment buildings and row house townhomes that just about surround the park. I believe they will be having small concerts and shows during the summer months. read more

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This New park is amazing. They had their Christmas tree lighting on December 2. It is right next to the library. There are so many different walking paths. The dog park is hilly and unique and there's tunnels that dogs can climb through. There is a water fountain next to the marketplace. There's also like a gathering space that you can rent out for weddings. This place is perfect for kids there are so many things to climb and slide down. I can imagine they have really cool concerts here in the summer. read more

Awesome park and comfortable for parents. The metal slide in the back is super dangerous. 3 kods got hurt in the 5 minutes I was standing there. Its way too fast. The city needs to address that asap read more

The Town of Cary has done and continues to do a fantastic job. The park is wonderful. I love how children regardless of age can enjoy being at the park. I saw them rolling around while their parents watched. I can see that a lot of thought went into creating this environment where everyone can feel relaxed and loved. Thank you Town of Cary. This is brilliant. read more

This is a relatively small park, but given the space constraints in the downtown Cary area, I think the space is well-utilized. My favorite part of the park is the area with a Bocce ball court, a foosball table, and a ping pong table. Best yet, there is a box with all the balls, paddles, and other items you can use at the park. There is also a small grassy area where you can kick a ball or throw a frisbee, or spread a towel out and enjoy a picnic. There's a large fountain that appears to be more for looks than for playing, but it's a nice addition. The one thing I wish it had was a playground for small children, but I guess with the limited space, it would have been harder to pull off. The park is conveniently located next to the Cary Library and across the street from the Cary Arts Center, so if street parking is difficult to find, there usually is parking around the Arts Center or behind the Library. While I wouldn't necessarily go to Downtown Cary just for this park, if I were just strolling around the area or wanting to pass some time while already in the area, this would be a perfect place. It's very new and nice, and I hope it's kept that way. read more

Ok - so keep in mind, my rating is for what this park is, not how it compares to other city parks. Cary is not "the big city" by far. It's a small, quaint, family-friendly town with lots of public resources at residents' disposal. So this park is proportional. It's right on the edge of downtown and across the streets from the Cary library and Cary Arts Center, and a short walk from everything else downtown has to offer. All that aside, I would agree with Tim C. that it's not really a destination on its own, and it would be nice if there were a playground for kids. But it is a very nice place to sit a spell if you have some time to kill in the area and/or your kids have some energy to burn. There are shady bistro tables underneath patio umbrellas, a foosball and a ping pong table, and green space on the other side of the concrete area to run around in. No restrooms, but you're right across from the library and arts center. Get a coffee and a book from the library and settle in for a pleasant hour. read more

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New. Clean. Great smallish park just at the end of the downtown Cary area. Here you will find ping pong table, fussball, boule. Plenty of tables and benches. Large water fountain makes it a relaxing environment. No parking lot specific to the park, but street parking is usually no problem. read more

We came upon this park during the Pimento Cheese Festival recently. It's a very nice park, and it was well used the day of the festival. Since it was pretty hot that day, we didn't stay long (not much shade), but I'd like to return. I liked the fountain, and there were plenty of places to sit. read more