Find a reason — or many — to visit Downtown Cary Park

It’s possible to make the most of a beautiful day with a trip to Cary’s massive seven-acre play space, Downtown Cary Park. The vision for this park began in 2001, when Cary’s Town Council first imagined a park that would become a destination for the downtown Cary area. It took two decades of planning before it opened in 2023. And today, it has become a favorite hot spot for people throughout the Triangle.

If you haven’t yet been to Downtown Cary Park to play or explore, there’s never been a better time to check it out. Here’s what you need to know about this fun new spot and the attractions it’s bringing in daily.

Looking for a great place to be active or a spot for the kids to run and play? This park is the place to go. Park Street Courts is a lively recreation area loaded with amenities like table tennis, foosball, and putt-putt golf. There’s something for all ages to enjoy here.

And for younger kids, The Nest is a must-see. The Nest features two play structures that looks like cardinals, where kids climb and explore to their heart’s content. Massive slides, wooden climbing structures with ropes, and even a summertime splash pad keep kids running and playing non-stop. The Nest is a great spot that helps imaginations grow.

Downtown Cary Park is a wonderful destination for helping people relax and find a bit of peace and calm within the city. The park’s Gathering House is a stunning indoor/outdoor structure with French doors that open to its botanical garden and a gathering garden.

The park features numerous lawns, gardens, and quiet spaces throughout, where you can put down a blanket for a picnic or sit quietly to enjoy the weather. Take a stroll to search for public art displays. Enjoy yoga on the lawn. Or simply walk through the park to see the over 66,000 plants and 650 trees that make up the park’s many gardens.

With a variety of spaces available, the park is home to several types of events for the general public. The Academy Pavilion event space is a spot where you can learn about horticulture, take a flower arranging class, learn to sew, or swap puzzles with other puzzle enthusiasts. And don’t forget to put the park’s annual Pimento Cheese Festival on your calendar every April. The events calendar is a must-watch for those who like to make the most of free time.

The park also hosts the Cary Farmers Market every Saturday, and families can gather on the great lawn on Fridays to watch popular movies on the big screen — for free. From the kid-friendly art cart to yoga on the lawn to Zumba classes and trivia nights, there’s something you’ll want to do nearly every day of the week.

One of the unique features of Downtown Cary Park is the food and beverage options that are available inside the park. Within Academy Pavilion sits Market 317, which offers grab-and-go meals, take-and-bake items, as well as snacks and North Carolina foods. You can even grab pastries and coffee to enjoy on a stroll around the park.

There’s also the Bark Bar, which is an open-air pavilion where you can sit and enjoy beer, wine, non-alcoholic beverages, and snacks. And the park’s social district allows for alcohol consumption in specific boundaries, so you can enjoy that stroll with beverages in-hand. And don’t forget — the Cary Farmers Market takes place on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon. Pick up local goods, arts, and foods from your soon-to-be favorite vendors each Saturday.

One of the most fun parts of Downtown Cary Park is the Barkyard, an off-leash play area for dogs of any size. The Barkyard is more than just a fenced-in space. It features interactive water features, tunnels, hills, logs, and shade spots where your pup can play, rest, explore, and be entertained until it’s time to drag your dog home.

The Bark Bar sits between the two spaces of the dog park, one for bigger breeds, and one for the smaller pups. Dogs are welcome at the bar when playtime is over, or before it’s even begun. There is a cost for the Barkyard; you can purchase a day pass or an annual pass in advance.

The park’s Skywalk gives visitors the chance to explore from 17 feet above ground. This elevated walkway puts you right into the heart of the tree canopy and helps you see from an aerial view you can’t get from the ground.

The Skywalk also features a public art display called “Light Passage,” which provides a colorful display of lights at night. Created by Laura Haddad and Tom Drugan, it wraps around the walkway and is inspired by tree branches and bird nests. It was designed to project light inward in the evening while reflecting sunlight during the day.

The park is open daily from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Guest Services are located near The Nest. Parking is available at 327 S. Academy St., next to the park. Visit DowntownCaryPark.com for full details.