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.

Annie Jones, R.S. Dunham, and Walnut Street Parks Court Improvements 

Construction is expected to begin on the renovation of Annie Jones Park, R.S. Dunham Park, and Walnut Street Park this spring. Work at Annie Jones Park includes renovating the six tennis courts and upgrading court lighting, utilities, sidewalks, and landscaping. At the R.S. Dunham Park, Cary will replace the existing five tennis courts with six new asphalt tennis courts, a practice wall, LED court lighting, landscaping, and a shelter. These upgrades will provide Cary tennis players, including students from the local schools, upgraded courts to host tournaments and practice for years to come. Finally, improvements at the Walnut Street Park include the addition of two pickleball courts and a small basketball court with upgraded LED lighting. The Annie Jones Park and R.S. Dunham Park renovations are funded by the 2019 bonds. 

This quarter, Cary completed a headstone restoration project at the Cary First Christian Church Cemetery, a local landmark that is historically significant because of its association with Cary’s first African American religious congregation. In addition, Cary assisted in beautification work, including planting trees that are complementary to the historic context. Staff continue to work with the church to ensure preservation of the cemetery, including pursuing additional historic designations and looking at options to better recognize unknown persons buried within the cemetery.

Cary reached a key milestone this quarter in the important work to preserve its oldest known residential structure, the Nancy Jones House. After years of careful planning, the historic house was successfully relocated March 20. Meaningful work will continue on the house to ensure it can best serve the Cary community in the future. Next steps include establishing the Nancy Jones House on its new site; completing the new foundation; beginning the process for rehabilitation, including asbestos removal, siding repair, and replacement of damaged structural elements; and pursuing final approval to keep the house listed in the National Register of Historic Places. 

Throughout the third quarter, staff continued to produce successful virtual programs while planning for facility reopening and in-person, outdoor programs. On March 17, PRCR held an in-person, community-based recreation program for the first time in more than a year. The first program to roll out with limited participation was a wildflower nature hike at Hemlock Bluffs. Spring programs are following new safety protocols, including a contactless program check-in feature.

Sk8 Cary reopened on February 17 with scheduled open skate/bike/scooter sessions. The first two weekends the park hosted 104 participants. Several families shared feedback on the reopening, including one father who shared a story about his teenage son who struggled during the pandemic. As soon as they heard Sk8 Cary was opening, the situation improved for his son. The dad wished he had known just how important the park was to his son. With a tear in his eye, he turned to staff and said softly, “I have my son back. Thank you.”

Now in its fifth year of production, Good Hope Farm adapted to COVID-19 while furthering the mission of supporting beginning farmers and connecting the community to local food. Good Hope Farm increased food production by more than 60% in the last year by selling at the Downtown Cary and Western Wake Farmer’s Markets and at separate farm stands off-site. A grant of nearly $25,000 is funding the opening of additional acreage on the property to farmers. In addition, managers of the farm successfully pivoted to online educational programming during the pandemic.

The Public Art Advisory Board approved the creation of a Creative Placemaking Award starting this year. This biennial award recognizes exceptional public art commissioned by private developers in their projects. Memorable public art contributes to a sense of place and exemplifies creative placemaking qualities that help define Cary by adding character and identity that make it appealing to residents and visitors alike. In addition, the advisory board approved eight projects created over the last 20 years to receive the first awards.

Cary held its first-ever Hoppin’ Around Cary Easter Egg Hunt March 19 through March 21 in parks throughout Cary. Citizens followed clues posted on Cary’s website to the location of nine giant Easter eggs. More than 300 participants entered into a drawing to win a prize by finding at least one egg.  

Throughout February, Cary celebrated the contributions of African Americans with a variety of programs. First, Tru Access, in collaboration with Cary Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources, presented the fourth annual Future of Black History Month Celebration: An Online Experience. The event celebrated and connected the contributions of African Americans across diverse cultures and generations. Next, the African American Celebration returned for the 26th year with virtual cinema screenings of “River City Drumbeat,” exploring the culture of a black drum corps in Louisville, Kentucky, and “Through the Night,” examining the dedication and struggles of America’s childcare providers. Cary also shined a light on its community with the program “Backyard History: Cary’s African American Community.” 

Cary honored the life and work of Martin Luther King, Jr. during the MLK Dreamfest Celebration from January 16 to January 18. Award-winning storytellers Willa Brigham and Janice Greene shared tales highlighting fairness, equality, and the story of Harriet Tubman’s work on the Underground Railroad. Actor Mike Wiley brought the story of baseball legend Jackie Robinson to life in “A Game Apart.” The Cary Theater showed the award-winning documentary “John Lewis: Good Trouble” about the life and work of the great congressman and civil rights activist. The Cary Area Ministerial Alliance, Christ the King Lutheran Church, and other faith organizations partnered with Cary to present the Martin Luther King Interfaith Celebration. 

The weekend wrapped up with a virtual food drive benefitting Dorcas Ministries. As part of the drive, interested parties could register to host a “contactless” donation station from the safety of their front porches. More than 55 participants, including families, churches, and businesses, participated, collecting more than 2,880 pounds of food that went to support an estimated 400 community members. In advance of the Dreamfest Food Drive, the North Carolina Volunteer Service Lead with the Biden-Harris Inaugural Committee reached out regarding efforts to organize a national Day of Service on Inauguration Day. They heard about Cary’s MLK Dreamfest Food Drive and replicated Cary’s program around the state with other food bank partners. Additionally, they extended the program concepts to their national group as a model for safe, meaningful, and successful service. 

On March 25, Applause! Cary Youth Theatre hosted “A Round of Applause!” after-school workshops for students at Cary Elementary School in response to PTA concerns of student social isolation. Twenty students enjoyed an afternoon of theater games and activities rooted in collaboration, teamwork, and play. 

This year’s annual New Year/New You campaign focused on promoting physical and mental health, engaging the community, and caring for the planet. Throughout the month of January, social media posts, motivational signs in Cary parks, and use of the hashtag #CaryCares encouraged citizens to safely explore new health and wellness routines, learn something new, “go green,” and nurture relationships with others. Cary staff hosted or suggested for citizens to pursue on their own a variety of virtual and outdoor programs. Nearly 800 people engaged with the social media posts, resulting in more than 550 visits to the CaryCares page on Cary’s website. 

Awards and Recognitions 

From January to March, Cary received several recognitions for its programs and facilities. 

• Applause! Cary Youth Theatre received the 2021 Sara Spencer Child Drama Award from the Southeastern Theatre Conference, the broadest network of theatre practitioners in the United States. Unanimously selected from among 11 organizations, Applause! was recognized for inclusive, innovative, student-centered programming that promotes social connection, self-awareness, empathy, and personal resilience in participants.
• UDisc.com recognized Cary’s New Hope Disc Golf course as the seventh best course in the world.