Two new parks open in western Cary with more options for family fun
The number of parks in Cary just grew with the addition of two neighborhood parks in the western part of town.
Work is still being completed at the Neighborhood Park at McCrimmon Parkway and the Neighborhood Park at Carpenter Fire Station Road, but residents are welcome to enjoy some of the amenities like tennis and pickleball courts, trails and playgrounds, according to John Collins, the town’s Parks and Recreation director.
Construction began on both parks two years ago and is funded by a $112 million parks bonds approved by voters in October 2019, a month after the Cary Town Council approved master plans for both sites.
The growth of West Cary has been a priority for town leaders in recent years, with plans for a community center, public works operation, and more transportation. The area has also been growing as companies seek available land for development.
Both parks come after the opening of the 20-year planning of Downtown Cary Park that was opened in November. The town currently has over 30 parks and more than 80 miles of green spaces.
“These two parks enrich our community’s quality of life and underscore the town’s commitment to providing accessible green spaces for all throughout our community,” said West Cary’s District D Councilwoman Sarika Bansal. “These parks promise to become vibrant hubs for social engagement, fitness, and relaxation.”
Cary hired local artists Mary Carter Taub and Erik Beerbower to join the design team to create public art for the park. They consulted with students at Green Hope High School in Cary to gauge interest in what the teenagers wanted to see included.
Celebrations for the two parks will be scheduled later this spring, Collins said.
Neighborhood Park on Carpenter Fire Station Road
The 20.8-acre park is on the southeast corner of Carpenter Fire Station Road and Highcroft Drive in northwest Cary. Almost all of the land for the park came from the rezoning of the Cameron Pond subdivision in West Cary. In total, the park cost $13 million for the design and construction.
The park has a wide wooded buffer with planted trees along its borders, creating a shield from lights and other noise. The park’s features are an adult fitness hub, a shelter, a restroom, a playground, and a basketball court. Other amenities are
two lighted youth ballfields
dog park
activity nodes for kids
misting feature/sculpture
paved trails to the Panther Creek Greenway
The greenway has also been extended to link to the Cameron Pond subdivision and another trail east of the park.
Neighborhood Park on McCrimmon Parkway
There are six lighted tennis courts and six lighted pickleball courts at the park. All of the courts are now open for use.
The addition of the pickleball courts comes at a demand for some Cary residents looking for more spaces to play the sport.
The park’s natural characteristics were enhanced during the design with topography, tree canopy and existing creeks. Specific features include
on-street parking and a parking lot
a community garden
public art and hammock art designed for teens
paved loop trails connecting to Morris Branch Greenway and Amberly
a bridge/trail connection in the middle of the park to both sides
playground with a nature theme and natural play elements
Access to the 20-acre park is at the southeast corner of Green Level Church Road and McCrimmon Parkway. The entrance and most of the park’s development runs from Cary Glenn Boulevard and connects to nearby neighborhoods. The design and construction of the park cost $10.1 million.
