Downtown Cary Park by OJB Landscape Architecture

Built in 2023 / 2025 Built Landscapes / 2025 Entries / 2025 Public Projects / North Carolina / USA /
ojb.com

By prioritizing equity, economic vitality, and environmental sustainability, Downtown Cary Park was planned to reflect changing community needs and growth. Nestled in the heart of North Carolina’s Research Triangle, the park was realized after almost two decades of incremental site acquisition in the downtown core, and an extensive open community listening process. A comprehensive sustainable framework protects and expresses the native ecologies of North Carolina’s Piedmont region and utilizes green infrastructure solutions to solve intractable issues of flooding.

Opened in November 2023 after a year-long community-focused master plan, the 7-acre highly programmed park balances active programming with a native botanical expression. Connected to downtown hospitality, retail and housing neighbors, the park acts as a dynamic hub for recreation, relaxation, or social gatherings, while breathing new life into the downtown business district.

A series of outdoor rooms are knit together by multi-dimensional vantage points, including elevated walkways, meandering paths and water features that help control stormwater. Three serpentine pavilions showcase the craft of the region, and their organic form is purposefully omni-directional, gathering gather people and creating invitation to the outdoor rooms of the park. Key areas include a plaza with a pavilion and an interactive water feature; an inclusive children’s play environment; a flexible great lawn for large community gatherings; and a gathering house and garden for special events and quiet contemplation.

Circulation connects and extends activities for a wide range of ages and interests. To take advantage of a 30-foot change in grade across the site, elevated walkways connect the distinct park rooms physically and visually. Water management and sustainability are also addressed across the grade change. Being at the top of an important urban watershed, green infrastructure is deployed for both performance and enjoyment. A series of water features, swales, and rain gardens create a public amenity where visitors can enjoy and interact with water throughout the park. Along with rain gardens and bioretention areas, the on-site water detention pond collects site runoff and assists in alleviating downstream capacity stresses. The pond itself provides capacities that detain to 500-year levels in peak demand condition and protect floodplain functions. The natural pond replaces concrete culverts, which displaced water offsite, and allowed neighborhoods downstream of the park to flood.

Native planting and regional plant communities require less water and thrive under heavy use. Mature overstory trees on the existing site were visual and ecological landmarks. In addition to preserving 40 overstory trees, 650 new regional variety trees were added, along with more than 72,000 plants in 125 distinct species. A variety of birds, frogs, insects, and pollinators have found a new home in the park — . bird species diversity has increased by 156% since opening.

The Academy Plaza Pavilion features comfort amenities and event space, along with a unique market concept that provides park-goers with access to snacks and sundries. The Bark Bar is an open-air all-season pavilion that offers libations in the park. It is adjacent to an off-leash dog area with unique features like play mounds and water features. The Bark Bar’s undulating roof creates covered outdoor seating and provides restroom amenities for park patrons. The Gathering House provides space for rentals for community and private events.

While active programming is a defining feature of the park, the design team planned for extensive passive landscape spaces where residents and visitors can be immersed in nature in the heart of the city. Program activities are diversified into the following categories: arts and culture; children and families; fitness, recreation and wellness; food and beverage; games; hobbies and interests; and live entertainment. The calendar includes core programs held weekly, along with a rhythm of monthly and special events. Seasonal events are also well distributed, with the most active season in the summer and temperate shoulder seasons, and dedicated activities in the winter to draw people outdoors. Collaborative partnerships are the foundation of its early success. In the first year, there were more than 750 programs, events and classes, and the park welcomed an estimated 750,000 plus visitors, adding interest and quality of life to the region.

• Project typology:

Public park with sustainable and botanical features, children’s play, three pavilions for multipurpose use, flexible lawn, elevated walkways and public art

• All landscape architecture offices involved in the design of landscape:

OJB Landscape Architecture

• All architecture offices involved in the design:

Machado Silvetti Architects

• Other credits:

Town of Cary, Client
Withers Ravenel, Civil Engineer
SGH, Structural Engineer
Cosentini, Mechanical Engineer
LAM Partners, Lighting Designer
RSM Design, Graphics and Wayfinding
Fluidity Design Consultants, Water Feature
Balfour Beatty, General Contractor