Downtown Cary Park: The Heartbeat of Wake County’s Community Spirit

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, or you’re new here, you’ve heard of the new Downtown Cary Park. Anyone I speak to in Wake County, and Cary is mentioned the park is brought up. it’s just too good not to talk about.

The 7-acre Downtown Cary Park is more than just a green space—it’s a vibrant hub that blends nature, art, and community spirit into a one-of-a-kind gathering space.

Designed to be a destination for all ages and interests, the park has quickly become a standout urban park, not only in Wake County but possibly the entire Triangle region. We love it and take all our out-of-town visitors, who from the deserts of Scottsdale to the beaches of Australia sing its praises.

Here’s why it deserves your attention.

A Vision of Connection and Creativity

Downtown Cary Park was thoughtfully designed to be more than a recreational area—it’s an intentional space for connection and celebration.

Completed at the end of 2023 (after three-year construction period), the park is the result of a multi-year effort to transform almost seven acres of underutilized downtown land into a modern, multifunctional destination. Its design features were inspired by Cary’s growing diversity and commitment to innovation, emphasizing inclusivity and creativity.

The landscape architecture blends seamlessly with Cary’s charming downtown, offering a mix of natural beauty and modern functionality. Paths curve gently around lush greenery, while art installations, water features, and gathering spaces invite visitors to pause and immerse themselves in the environment.

More than 66,000 new plants and more than 650 new trees (native and adaptive species) were planted in the park. Making it a lush space (spring – fall) filled with healing energies.

Bordering the park are new residential buildings, old southern style homes, the modern Cary town library, Cary Arts Center, and businesses that line Academy and Walker Streets.

Now it did cost $60 million to create, which many locals love to complain about. While it does seem excessive for sure , they have created something that greatly enhances inspired community living. With all the influx of people coming downtown now to see it, it has also helped support the local surrounding businesses..

Park Features: A Space for Every Interest

Downtown Cary Park offers something for everyone, whether you’re looking to relax, stay active, or connect with the community. Here are some of its standout features:

The Great Lawn & Pavillion

The centerpiece of the park, this expansive green space is perfect for picnics, yoga sessions, or simply soaking up the sunshine. It doubles as an outdoor venue for large-scale events like concerts and festivals.

This open-air stage is where the park truly shines as a community hub. From live music to theater performances, the plaza hosts a variety of events that bring people together.

Academy Pavilion & Plaza

The modern pavilion serves as a welcoming landmark, housing a café where visitors can grab a coffee or snack from Market 317 Food incudes wraps, sandwiches, snacks, ice cream and more.

Unfortunately, as an Australian coffee snob, I have to say the coffee (lattes) at the cafe is a pass for me. But, if you drink it black, you’ll probably go back – it’s always busy.

It’s also a popular meeting spot for families and friends with its expansive outdoor seating area. During the winter the pavilion houses the free yoga classes, kids’ arts and crafts, workshops and more.

The best coffee in Downtown Cary is a hidden secret – found at Geluna Gelato. Thankfully, Australian owner Warwick, understands the art of making a delicious Australian style fat white. Grab it from there to go on your way to the park.

SkyWalk & Light Passage

A park favorite of mine, especially lit up at night, is the 17-foot elevated skywalk through the canopy of trees. When you look around the park from the skywalk taking in the 360 views of the park and the surrounding apartment buildings and homes you can see how beautifully this park was designed.

At night you can experience the full glory of the ‘Light Passage’ by Laura Haddad & Tom Drugan), a sculpture wrapping around the walkway.

It’s composed of four large rings, and at night, the interior faces of the rings are illuminated with dynamic color-changing lights. I love how the design with its matrix of pipes symbolizes tree branches with bird nests filling the gaps between the rings.

Landscaped Gardens & Art Installations

Beautifully landscaped gardens in the park provide peaceful spots to read, reflect, or enjoy the colorful blooms. and paved paths wind through the park, offering opportunities for gentle meanderings and viewpoints.

Between the Great Lawn Pavillion and the Skywalk there is a tiered water feature (small ponds) designed to improve water quality, mitigate flooding downstream and add a splash of beauty.

In the middle of the lower pond is Willow Isle with a recently completed public art piece by Marc Fornes, L’ILE FOLIE, a futuristic looking shell that invites you to rest in the shade and enjoy different perspective of the park.

You’ll find other art installations as you wander through the park, and at night, even more light displays. I love the lighting during their free summer concerts! It’s really such a great venue and pretty park.

The Nest Play Area

The park features imaginative playgrounds designed to spark creativity and engagement in younger visitors. Kids love the giant cardinals (NC state bird) that they can climb over. There’s another nice shady section with places for parents to sit while kids play.

As a child growing up in the baking heat of an Australian summer and burning my butt and legs on stainless steel slides, I was shocked that in 2023 the designers of this park did not know any better. I’ve seen these steep, fun slides the kids love, closed a few times when those temps scale up!

A playful favorite for kids (and kids at heart), the splash pads offer refreshing fun during the warmer months.

If you still need convincing that your kids will love the NEST, it was just officially named (as of April 2025) the #1 Public Playground in America by USATODAY’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards!

Park Street Courts

Up the back of the park on Park St near the Bark Bar there is a games area with foosball, a very small putting green, and table tennis. Food trucks are here on Fridays and Saturdays from April – December and during select events.

Frantz Square

Those who know Cary pre-park days, will recognize Frantz Square, the original park area with its central fountain (lit up at night), green lawn, and places to sit. It’s a central gathering place in the park for events, classes, and get togethers.

Gathering House and Gardens

We’re all waiting to see how the Gathering House and gardens will enhance the park. It’s pretty much been closed since opening due to a design issue.

The Barkyard

Dog owners will love the Bark Yard – I do enjoy walking past and seeing the dogs of all breeds and sizes happily playing together. The yard is divided into a section for smaller dogs, and one for larger dogs. (the larger one is cooler!)

A dog pass and signed waiver are required to enter the Barkyard. Your dogs have to be well behaved, fully vaccinated, not in heat, supervised (and on a leash outside the park fence). Children under 12 aren’t allowed in.

The Barkyard can be accessed daily 7 a.m – 10 p.m.

Bark Bar

Many park visitors love the low-key small outdoor bar situated on the edge of the park. Lines can be long on weekends and during events at the park. As Downtown Cary Park is a social district, you can take your drink for a walk around the park with you.

Right near the bar is a nice covered sitting area under an undulating roof with gas firepits that is very popular! Get here early to grab a spot.

Personally, I don’t like the drink selections at the Bark Bar, but that is because I’m gluten free so cannot indulge in a nice cold beer. And because life’s too short to drink less-than-desirable drinks, I can’t stand that the seltzer options are White Claw and Truly! Like drinking a bud in a craft brewery! The bar also has wine, non-alcoholic drinks and light snacks.

Therefore, I tend to walk past the bar straight to the Pharmacy, the Albatross Bar, or RBF Champagne bar ibn Downton Cary just two blocks away! But you’re probably not fussy like me or can probably drink beer, so you’ll enjoy the Bark Bar If they had drinks I liked, I’d be a frequent visitor, because it is cool and who doesn’t love an outdoor bar!?

What to Do at Downtown Cary Park

Whether you’re a resident or a visitor, Downtown Cary Park offers countless activities to enjoy:

• Attend a Concert: The park regularly hosts live music performances featuring local and national talent.
• Join a Fitness Class: Yoga, tai chi, and fitness boot camps are held weekly on the Great Lawn or in designated areas.
• Visit the Farmers Market: Every Saturday on Park St is a small farmers market with local artisans and producers
• Explore Local Art: Stroll through the park to admire rotating public art installations that reflect Cary’s creative community.
• Relax with Friends: Grab a drink at the café and enjoy a laid-back evening with friends in the pavilion seating area or meander slowly along the walkways and skywalk.
• Let Kids Play: Bring your little ones to explore the interactive play spaces and splash pads.
• Celebrate at an Event: From holiday festivals to cultural celebrations, there’s always something exciting happening in the park.
• Have a picnic: While you can’t bring in your own alcohol, you can certainly bring in your own food. Grab a blanket, pack and picnic, and find a relaxing space to rest with loved ones. We had a picnic by the pond for Mother’s Day and it was lovely.

Events: The Park Comes to Life

One of the standout aspects of Downtown Cary Park is its robust event calendar, offering over 750 events a year and including activities for every interest almost every day of the week, and almost all free.

I love how the Town of Cary have been so intentional in making this huge investment into the community ALL ABOUT bringing community together and making it a space of fun and connection. I really wish it was around when my daughters were younger as I would have been taking advantage of all the amenities and events to entertain them.

• Weekly Gatherings: These range from farmer’s markets featuring local produce and crafts to casual music nights and family-friendly movie screenings. I love how they have board game socials, jigsaw puzzle swaps, Toddler story time and arts and crafts, and workshops like making cocktails or learning how to pot plants.
• Seasonal Celebrations: The park hosts major events like Cary’s annual Christmas tree lighting (it’s very magical), Fourth of July festivities, park birthday celebrations, and cultural festivals showcasing the area’s diversity.
• CaryLive! Concert Series: During the warmer seasons, they have a monthly free outdoor concert on the great lawn. It’s a fantastic event with incredible up and coming artists, accompanied by a great light show, excellent sound, beautiful background views, and a relaxed community atmosphere.

• Lunchtime music: I love how they have live music during Thursday lunch hours during warmer months. Such a great way to give surrounding workers and local residents a relaxing and pleasant way to take a break!
• Jazz’d Up Sundays Concert Series: Again, in the warmer months on the Great Lawn, is this free concert series taking you on a journey through the vibrant world of jazz, featuring talented musicians and unforgettable performances.
• Community Classes: Participate in gardening workshops, art classes, or cooking demos hosted in the park’s event spaces. I absolutely love the free yoga classes every Saturday hosted by Pura Vida. In the warmer months its down on the Great Lawn which is just a beautiful way to start the weekend. During the winter it’s in Academy Pavilion. They have the yoga on other days in the week as well as Tai Chi
• Pop-Up Markets: Shop for unique, handmade goods at artisan markets that rotate throughout the year.
• Food Trucks: Food trucks arrive for weekends, through the week during warmer months, and for all the major events.

The park’s event team ensures there’s never a dull moment, making it the perfect spot to connect with others and create lasting memories. See the event calendar here. We include many of their events in our Raleigh weekend guide. Be sure to subscribe to our newsletter so you’re always in the know about good things happening!

Downtown Cary Park Social District

The Downtown Cary Park Social District allows alcoholic beverages to be consumed within district boundaries, Sunday–Saturday, 11 a.m.–11 p.m. Boundaries for the social district are clearly marked with signage at prominent entrance and exit points of the district. 

Visitors to the district are not allowed to bring and consume their own alcoholic beverages – no BYOB. Any alcoholic beverages consumed in the social district must be consumed from the required social district cup. A person cannot pour their wine, beer, or liquor into a solo cup or any other type of container. Only beer and wine sold by a participating ABC permitted establishment within the district may be consumed in the social district cup. 

A person may take their alcoholic drink into the establishment where they bought it, another participating business that allows the specially labeled cups, or a public, outdoor space within the district’s boundaries. 

Parking at the Downtown Cary Park

It really amazes me how much complaining I hear about parking at the Downtown Cary Park. I’ve rarely had a problem parking, there are plenty of options, but know, no matter where you are in Wake County, if you have a lack of public transport, and events that draw in over 2,000 people parking will be a challenge. Plan for it, arrive early, park and ride, park and walk, carpool, ride your bike. -you have options. I do understand for some there are physical conditions that require parking close, so hopefully for those it’s not that necessary for can make space for you!

There is an accessible parking deck located behind the Cary Regional Library with parking available. Additionally, parking is available in the lot on Charlie Gaddy Lane, at labeled street parking, and at the Town Hall Deck. 

There are two new parking decks in Downtown Raleigh almost complete. We often park in Downtown Cary, behind Bond Brothers, or some side streets a little East of the park, or we park down near Vicious Fishes and walk in. Parking at any of these places will result in a healthy and happy 5–15-minute walk. Think of the good it’s doing to your body, mind, spirit.

And good news, for now, parking in Cary is free!!

Restrooms at Downtown Cary Park

My only big complaint about the park is the lack of bathrooms to accommodate such huge numbers of people. It’s fine on quiet days but when 1,000 people show up for event, enjoy those long lines for any one of the five individual bathroom areas and 24 total public toilets.

If you are doing the social district, you might want to pick up a drink from a surrounding participating location and use their restrooms!

Why It’s the Best Urban Park in Wake County—and Beyond

Downtown Cary Park sets a new standard for what an urban park can be. Its combination of thoughtful design, versatile features, and rich programming makes it more than a park—it’s a destination. Its ability to foster community, celebrate creativity, and cater to diverse interests solidifies its reputation as the best urban gathering space in Wake County, and arguably, the Triangle.

Whether you’re attending a festival, enjoying a quiet walk, or simply relaxing on the lawn, Downtown Cary Park invites you to connect with the heart of Cary—and each other. It’s a must-visit for anyone looking to experience the best of Wake County’s vibrant community spirit.

While in Cary consider…

• Restaurants in Downtown Cary
• A guide to Downtown Cary
• Our 2-day sophisticated itinerary includes Cary
• Stretch your legs at Bond Park