Specialized Recreation and Inclusion staff, families, and friends gathered in September at the Bond Park boathouse and lakefront to celebrate 10 years of programming and services. Bond Park is where Cary held the first “meet and greet” in fall 2013 when Specialized Recreation and Inclusion Services began. Since then, people of all ages with disabilities have benefited from a variety of specialized recreation program offerings in art, dance, performing arts, culinary, fitness, nature education, outdoor recreation, sports, social gatherings, parent workshops, and special events. 

In addition to Specialized Recreation programming, Inclusion services have provided ongoing support to hundreds of individuals, giving them the opportunity to participate in any Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources program or event alongside individuals without disabilities. More than 60 people attended this festive celebration for an evening of socializing, participating in a scavenger hunt, boating, listening to favorite tunes, eating delicious food, and drinking signature mocktails named creatively by staff. 

Cary is about halfway through its planning process to update its Parks and Open Space Plan in the Imagine Cary Community Plan. To date, staff has reviewed background information, held stakeholder meetings, and conducted public outreach. Next, some of Cary’s boards will hear presentations and be asked for feedback before recommendations are finalized. As part of this quarter’s outreach, Cary held several public meetings and had a booth at Lazy Daze to solicit feedback. A collage activity gathered input on what citizens desire. In addition, residents were asked to share ideas and shape the future of Cary’s parks and open spaces via an online feedback form.

Neither the record heat nor the forecast rain — which luckily stayed away — deterred Lazy Daze attendees and organizers. With a massive turnout of over 40,000 people, the energy was electric from start to finish. The music was on point, the art was inspiring, and the sense of community was heartwarming. From the new Pixel Wall to Paint by Number, the food trucks to the cultural celebrations, not to mention the hundreds of artists showcasing their work, Lazy Daze was a great success. Visitor and vendor feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with more than 85% of Happy or Not survey takers pressing the green happy buttons during the festival.

In September, Cary-based nonprofit, Asia Focus Inc., produced its 8th annual Asia Fest at Koka Booth Amphitheatre. Organizers estimated about 10,000 attended the festival, which featured a variety of pan-Asian foods, arts and crafts, cultural performances, and a health fair. The main events were the Dragon Boat Races on Symphony Lake. Members of Cary’s fire and police departments fielded a race team this year with Mayor Harold Weinbrecht and Morrisville’s Mayor TJ Cawley. 

Cary welcomed more than 15,000 people to its Independence Day Celebration at Koka Booth Amphitheatre, which included performances by the Cary Town Band and the North Carolina Symphony. Mayor Harold Weinbrecht, joined by U.S. Rep. Deborah Ross, provided a warm welcome from the stage. Councilmembers Jennifer Robinson, Jack Smith, Carissa Kohn-Johnson, and Ryan Eades also attended with family and friends.

Cary hosted the second Atlantic Tire Championship of the year in September as well as an additional pro tennis tournament in August. The August event, a Men’s Professional Challenger 75 tournament offering $80,000 in prize money, saw more than 3,000 in attendance. In singles, Adam Walton of Australia defeated Nicolas Moreno De Alboran of the United States. In doubles, U.S. players Evan King and Reese Stalder defeated Latvia’s Mikelis Libietis and Australia’s Adam Walton. During the September tournament, American Zachary Svajda defeated Australian Rinky Hijikata. The Men’s Challenger 75 brought in big crowds with players ranked in the top 200 in the world.

In September, Cary and the NC Courage hosted the UKG NWSL Challenge Cup final at WakeMed Soccer Park. With only two days notice, Cary staff worked diligently to set up and ensure the event ran smoothly. Just three hours before kickoff, the stadium field at WakeMed Soccer Park sat under two inches of water because of a quick-moving storm. Due to the field quality, resources, and countless hours the Public Works staff dedicates to maintaining the field, the match started without delay. Aired in front of a national TV audience, the NC Courage won the Challenge Cup for the second year in a row and will share the largest prize pool to date of $1.1 million. 

In August, Cary hosted American football for the first time ever at WakeMed Soccer Park. Cary, Wake County Public School System Athletics, and the U.S. Army came together to create the first annual “Be All You Can Be Clash,” which served as the kickoff event for high school football in Wake County. Millbrook opened the night with a 28-point victory over Apex Friendship. Middle Creek then defeated Fuquay-Varina by a nail-biting score of 17–14. This event, along with The Soccer Tournament and NCAA lacrosse, are showcasing Cary’s sports venues as versatile and nimble as staff continue to expand to other creative uses.

In July, WakeMed Soccer Park hosted Chelsea Football Club and Wrexham Associated Football Club for an open training, giving 4,000 fans a chance to get an up-close look at how they prepare for a match. Attendees had the unique opportunity to get pictures and autographs and to share stories with some of the world’s best soccer players. Cary worked closely with the North Carolina Football Club to create a first-class experience for these world-renowned clubs. At a debrief with Cary staff at the end of the night, Chelsea mentioned that they might make WakeMed Soccer Park their home base for their U.S. tour in the future. Chelsea staff were amazed that the field quality at WakeMed Soccer Park was equal to their own training fields in England.

Fan favorite Billy Strings returned to Cary’s Koka Booth Amphitheatre for three consecutive sold-out performances in July. Over 20,000 fans enjoyed three completely different shows from the Grammy Award-winning artist, who has built his reputation on delivering high-energy, dynamic live performances. For the second year in a row, Billy Strings has broken attendance records at Koka Booth Amphitheatre.

The summer of 2023 saw a fun-filled season of opportunities for youth in the Cary community. Over 440 half-day and full-day camp options at 15 different facility locations across Cary kept youth busy all summer. Camp programming included specialty offerings like arts, drama, ceramics, outdoor recreation, action sports, traditional sports, and weekly field trips. Camps had over 7,000 registrations and served 2,685 unique camp participants, representing a 53% participation increase over 2022. Thanks goes out to all Cary’s sensational 100-plus seasonal staff and interns who make summer camps a success each year.

In July, Applause! Cary Youth Theatre presented “James and the Giant Peach,” the company’s first summer intensive program. Over the course of five weeks, a group of 19 teenagers worked onstage and behind the scenes to develop the show through rehearsals, prop/set/costume creation, and acting workshops with a variety of theater professionals. Over 600 audience members enjoyed the Roald Dahl classic tale, including  120 Bond Park summer campers, who attended the final dress rehearsal. Applause! Cary Youth Theatre looks forward to establishing the tradition of annual summer intensive productions every summer.

BEYOND: The Cary Film Festival returned in September for its sixth year of celebrating short films by independent filmmakers from around the world. This year, Cary was excited to welcome over 1,200 attendees to The Cary Theater and nearly 150 film and screenplay submissions from independent filmmakers whose works competed for more than $6,000 in cash and prizes. The competition lineup featured 22 short films from the United States, France, and Israel and a live table reading of the Grand Jury winner for best screenplay, “Infinity Care,” a personal, heartfelt story that paid tribute to the screenwriter’s late daughter. The opening night film, “In the Bubble with Jaime,” directed by filmmaker Emily Harrold, was presented in partnership with the Southern Documentary Fund. 

In honor of Constitution Week, 200 people came to the One Day Wonder display at the Page-Walker Arts & History Center on Sept. 22. Sponsored by the Samuel Johnston and Asbury Station chapters of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the display featured a section of the original 1766 North Carolina State Constitution and Declaration of Rights, North Carolina’s copy of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution, the 1868 State Constitution, and other supporting documents. Members of the DAR and Sons of the American Revolution dressed in period costumes to serve as guides.

On Aug. 13, friends and neighbors gathered at Jack Smith Park for Popsicles, Playtime, and Pups, an end-of-summer event filled with games, crafts, bubbles, dog fun, and a doggie kissing booth. It was a hot day with temperatures in the 90s, but that didn’t stop close to 250 humans and 60-plus canines from having fun in the sun. The Pup Parade started off the event, which honored the NC Year of the Trail. Pups sporting costumes paraded around the sprayground sidewalk. Then kids and adults enjoyed the activities and cooled off in the sprayground and with popsicles.

Over 250 people donned their Crocs for the Where Community Grows Croc Walk on the Swift Creek Greenway in July. After the walk, participants enjoyed the music of My Cousin Skinny as well as Kona Ice and other food trucks. Kids and parents alike played yard games and joined others in their community in a friendly game of 9 square.

Cary’s Sustainability and Climate Action Strategy has reached the final phase of development. Sept. 1 marked the culmination of the community survey period for the associated outreach and education campaign, Count me in, Cary! — Stewardship Strategies for a Sustainable Future. This phase transitioned from goal setting to the creation of a comprehensive strategy, guided by invaluable input from the community. During this time, Cary’s dedicated team, including staff, climate ambassadors, and equity partners, connected with more than 110,000 people from a diverse representation of Cary’s population via 25 community events, two focus group meetings, two workshops, 15 presentations, about 3,000 in-person interactions, and dozens of online points of engagement. The campaign resulted in an impressive 3,786 responses across the six focus area surveys.

Preliminary results demonstrate citizens’ desire to protect natural resources, reduce waste, and champion renewable energy initiatives. As Cary crafts blueprints for actionable goals and a metrics dashboard, it is already making significant headway in these areas.

 

This quarter, Cary has been nurturing nature through numerous native planting programs, urban forestry, and pollinator support. At the end of summer, three new native-plant gardens emerged at Carpenter Park and Fire Stations 1 and 5 that are designed to restore ecosystems, replenish groundwater, and provide essential habitats. These areas are unique due to their ever-changing aesthetic, mirroring the seasons and creating a contrast with their surroundings. Additionally, signage was installed at these sites and about 20 other locations to promote awareness that Cary is protecting and integrating healthy ecosystems into the landscape across town.

In September, Cary played a leading role in hosting The Great NC Tree Conference 2023 in partnership with the North Carolina Urban Forest Council. The event supported the professional development of 185 urban forestry experts and included site tours around town highlighting streetscapes, the South Cary Water Reclamation Facility, and Hemlock Bluffs as excellent examples of municipal urban forestry management. Cary’s dedication to its urban forest is further exemplified by the addition of Leslie Moorman, Cary’s new urban forester.

Cary’s commitment to natural resources extends to the world of pollinators with honeybees as a familiar mascot to educate staff and residents. Successful beekeeping at the South Cary Water Reclamation Facility in 2022 led to a nine-month trial period beginning in March to augment efforts and identify opportunities. As part of this pilot program, community volunteers and staff across departments embarked on a journey of learning about beekeeping and pollinator protection, including the unanticipated experience of a small honey harvest at the end of July. The success midway through the pilot exceeded expectations, and staff are moving toward long-term sustainable approaches, evaluating existing and developing new policy and procedures associated with pollinator ecosystems, bees, and honey. In late September, about 30 staff signed up for the online beginner Beekeepers and Engagement Education System course with North Carolina State University to expand their knowledge and help inform the next phases of this trial.

Environmental engagement events connected more than 1,000 Cary citizens to education and outreach opportunities this quarter. Compost workshops, native plant classes, and Good Hope Farm volunteer workdays highlighted Cary’s commitment to climate action values while providing hands-on instruction. Also, September marked the arrival of the third annual Harvest Fest event series. This celebration of community and sustainability attracted hundreds of participants for an afternoon of agritourism, history, and environmental education. The event brought together 12 farmers, nine nonprofits, six sustainable businesses, and four of Cary’s environmental initiative areas, resulting in an afternoon of family-friendly fun at Good Hope Farm. Guests had the opportunity to purchase fresh produce and green-themed crafts while engaging in conversations with experts. Collaborating with community partners brought together industry experts from a wide range of environmental fields, including solar, ecology, wildlife, waste, and water quality. Harvest Fests will continue throughout the fall.

Building on the success of the 2022 campaign, Cary’s participation in the Solarize the Triangle 2023 initiative continues to illuminate the path toward clean energy. Leveraging bulk purchasing, this campaign reduces the cost of solar-energy and battery-storage installations, making clean energy more accessible to residential and commercial residents. This affordability is further augmented by federal tax credits, thoroughly explained in a no-strings-attached evaluation that provides comprehensive information on solar system performance details, warranties, and cost recovery timelines. The campaign enrollment period wrapped up this quarter with 40 new property owners expressing interest in converting to solar energy. The addition of Sara Caliendo as Cary’s new energy manager and the ongoing development of the Sustainability and Climate Action Strategy demonstrate Cary’s unwavering commitment to renewable energy projects.

Cary hosted two more Repair Café events and a sewing machine maintenance workshop in July and September. In total, these events welcomed more than 120 citizens bringing items to repair and keep out of the landfill. Local “fix-it coaches” volunteered their time and skills to service chairs, turntables, toys, electric scooters, and more. These free events bring the community together to share and teach repair skills, encourage appreciation and value of materials, and support waste-reduction efforts.