This section offers Cary citizens an update on the projects funded by the Shaping Cary’s Tomorrow Parks and Transportation Bonds overwhelmingly approved in a 2019 referendum.

Downtown Cary Park Update 

Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources program offerings and participation continued to reach new heights, increasing 10–12% per quarter since facilities began to reopen in June of 2021. Virtual program options also remain available to citizens who prefer an
online format. 

Total program revenue for FY 2022 hit $1 million in the second quarter. Cary residents made up 86% of program participants, and participants made 75% of registrations online, an increase over the pre-pandemic rate of 60%. Program participation for the quarter was highest in the categories of tennis lessons and programs, sports leagues, Cary Senior Center programs, visual arts, and fitness and wellness. In particular, Cary more than doubled its registrants for senior-focused programs to more than 1,800 people since June by offering both in-person and virtual formats. 

Leading up to the 21st annual Cary Diwali celebration, Hum Sub, Inc. and the Town of Cary faced the COVID-19 pandemic and heavy rains. Yet, just as the gates opened at Koka Booth Amphitheatre on Oct. 9, the rain subsided. This year’s event was aptly themed “Vihaan,” which is Sanskrit for “dawn” and symbolizes new beginnings. Diwali programs focused on the victory of light over darkness and the community’s emergence after the darkest days of the COVID-19 pandemic. More than 5,000 people attended the event, which featured its usual dynamic mix of live performances, ceremonies, cuisine, apparel, handicrafts, and more. Mayor Harold Weinbrecht and Council members Ed Yerha and Ya Liu attended the event along with other public figures. Diwali, the Festival of Lights, concluded with a 15-minute fireworks display overlooking Symphony Lake.

Cary once again played host to the 21st annual PGA Tour Champions SAS Championship. Held Oct. 15–17 at Prestonwood Country Club, the tournament showcased the world’s top golfers over the age of 50, who competed for a purse of $2.1 million. The SAS Championship contributed more than $5 million in donations to area youth educational initiatives, most notably YMCA of the Triangle’s Y Learning Program. In addition to the three days of tournament play, the SAS Championship hosted multiple events designed to bring the community together, including Food Truck Friday, Championship 5K, and the Blue Cross Blue Shield Executive Women’s Day.

On Oct. 30, Mayor Weinbrecht joined members of Town Council, Cary First Christian Church, and Friends of the Page-Walker at Cary First Christian Cemetery for a ribbon cutting to celebrate the work that has been done to restore the cemetery, including headstone restoration, tree pruning, and planting of new trees and shrubs that complement the historical context. Staff continues to work with the church to ensure the continued preservation of the cemetery.

Image Credit: Liz Condo Photography 

Cary’s annual N.C. Chinese Lantern Festival welcomed record crowds in 2021. With nine event days remaining, festival attendance reached more than 150,000 people, surpassing 2019’s 125,000 attendance total. Dec. 4 set a single-day record of 8,321 guests. Visitors enjoyed the expanded festival footprint and additional displays, as well as new programming options with Twilight Tours and VIP tours. All tours sold out in advance. Due to increased demand, Cary created and implemented capacity restrictions and “stand by” options to manage crowds and ensure all patrons had a pleasant and safe experience. 

Halloween Recap 

In October, Cary celebrated the return of the Halloween season. Fun events, such as the Mummy and Son Ball, the Pumpkin Flotilla at Bond Park, the Great Pumpkin Carve downtown, Zombiepalooza, spooky stories at Page-Walker Arts and History Center, and Herbert’s Haunted House, each brought thrills throughout the month. With fun costumes, lots of pumpkins, spooky fan-made movies, and scares aplenty, Cary truly became the “Town of sCary.”

Veterans Day 

On Nov. 11, Council members Jack Smith and Ya Liu, along with other elected officials, honored veterans at the Veterans Freedom Park. The event included representation from all service branches and music from the Old North State Brass Band. Mayor Weinbrecht read a proclamation, and guest speakers Master Chief Curtis Leary from the American Legion and Gunnery Sgt. Jeff Sherman from the VFW provided remarks. Boy Scout Troop 200 organized the Field of Flags at the park. Each flag on display represented a tribute of honor, celebration, and pride in the members of the armed forces.

Heart of the Holidays

Heart of the Holidays returned with numerous in-person activities. This year’s Gifting Tree Project featured 80 trees supporting local charities. More than 1,000 kids wrote letters to Santa and received handwritten responses. The gingerbread house competition featured 23 beautifully designed houses hosted at 13 different downtown businesses and voted on by hundreds of citizens. 

The Christmas Tree Lighting returned to an in-person ceremony at Town Hall. A record crowd of about 1,800 people enjoyed performances by eight different acts before Hometown Spirit Award Winner Sarah Martin ceremoniously flipped the switch. Martin was joined on stage by Mayor Harold Weinbrecht; Mayor Pro Tem Don Frantz; Council members Lori Bush, Ya Liu, Jack Smith, and Ed Yerha; and other public figures. Nearby, the Page-Walker Arts & History Center offered old-fashioned Christmas fun with a holiday open house featuring Victorian carolers, Father Christmas, and more. 

The NCAA held its Men’s Soccer College Cup matches at WakeMed Soccer Park on Dec. 10 and 12. The 2021 Championship marked the 15th time the facility hosted the College Cup, including the seventh Men’s Championship. A crowd of more than 10,000 spectators filled Sahlen’s Stadium on Friday to witness semifinal action between Notre Dame, Clemson, Georgetown, and Washington. On Sunday, more than 7,000 fans returned to watch Clemson win their third national championship. All three matches were broadcast live on ESPNU. 

Bond Park Challenge Course has been redesigned to offer more adventures for patrons of varying ages and abilities. Bonsai Designs removed the 1992 tree course, which was outdated and limited the number of users. The bottom tier of the new two-tier course is a great beginner experience with a magic carpet ride, spider web, barrel crawl, and a short zip line to finish. The top tier offers more challenging elements, such as a Tarzan swing, multi-vine crossing, and a more than 300-foot zip line. Cary will offer camps, team building, corporate leadership development, and family adventures in the newly designed space. Landscaping and finishing touches are expected to be complete in early 2022.

On Dec. 16, Town Council unanimously approved the new Town and USA Baseball financial agreement that will keep USA Baseball in Cary for 20 more years. USA Baseball will use fields at the National Training Complex, Thomas Brooks Park, and the new covered training space for annual programming. In addition, USA Baseball will pay annual rent for current retail space and new office and warehouse space. Council approved the bid award to build this new space, which is expected to break ground in February. It will consist of 10,000 square feet of USA Baseball offices, 3,500 square feet of USA Baseball warehouse, two new Town offices, and a multipurpose classroom. 

On Nov. 27 and 28, Cary hosted the Downtown Urban Open, where disc golfers from across the state could participate in three events: open play, doubles, and a two-round Professional Disc Golf Association-sanctioned tournament. From its first year, the Downtown Urban Open has been a charity event that benefits Cary’s Play it Forward Scholarship Fund. This year, the tournament and partner Capital Area Disc League will donate $4,242 to the fund. This will be added to $3,130 in donations from Cary’s Disc Golf Festival, bringing total donations for this year to $7,372 and total donations since the Downtown Urban Open started to $22,344.

In December, Town Council approved a name change for Sk8 Cary. Though a unique name, it was focused on skateboarding and was specific to the skate park at Godbold Park. The facility and the program area have outgrown that name, and Cary Action Sports better represents all things “action.” The facility caters to skateboards, BMX bikes, in-line skates, scooters, remote-controlled cars, parkour, and other disciplines. The facility has also hosted national and international events over the past few years. Future plans for the facility include the installation of a roof over the ramps to allow year-round use.

Hundreds of community members visited Good Hope Farm this fall to celebrate Cary’s agricultural roots and to learn firsthand how a healthy environment supports a strong local food system. New in 2021, Cary expanded Good Hope Farm educational programming to include a monthly fall Harvest Fest event series from September to November. These free family-friendly celebrations included farm tours, children’s activities, and the opportunity to purchase produce, farm-to-fork prepared foods, local honey, culinary mushrooms, and other environmentally conscious products from local artisans and small businesses. Cary also partnered with environmental nonprofits and community groups to have educational booths for guests to engage with local experts on subjects related to renewable energy, composting, native plants, and zero waste initiatives. 

In addition, the annual Farm to Fork Celebration attracted dozens of guests to the farm on Oct. 2 for an evening of fine dining and dancing under the stars. Good Hope Farm celebrated its fifth anniversary with live music, farm tours, and a delicious gourmet farm-to-fork meal. These memorable and unique agritourism events connected guests to Cary’s heritage while also inviting the community to co-create an innovative and sustainable future through food security and environmental stewardship.

Employees Receive 2021 NCRPA Arts & Humanities Award

Operations and Program Supervisor Mike Sink and Public Art Program and Exhibition Supervisor Denise Dickens received the 2021 N.C. Recreation and Park Association Arts & Humanities Award for collaboration between arts and sports by bringing new artwork to Diavolo at New Hope Disc Golf Course. This award recognizes innovative and effective arts and humanities programs of parks, recreation, and leisure service agency members of the NCRPA. 

Artist John Merigian created the two sculptures, “Calvin” and “Rejoice,” which Cary installed at Diavolo at New Hope in June of 2021. The sculptures are made of weathering steel, and their patina will change over time to a rusty red like their companion sculptures across the street at New Hope Trailhead Park, adjacent to the American Tobacco Trail. The sculptures help tell the story of the history of the American Tobacco Trail, as they are reminiscent of the train rails that once lay beside the park.

2021 Special Tennis Event of the Year

U.S. Tennis Association Southern and U.S. Tennis Association North Carolina honored Cary with the 2021 Special Tennis Event of the Year award for the Atlantic Tire Championships. The award honors exemplary promotion and support of tennis.