Mills Park is currently under construction and is slated to be complete by the end of Winter 2024.

November 14, 2023 update: Play equipment and surfacing installed. Remaining items for the contractor to complete: 

• Waiting on the remainder of the artificial turf to be installed on the bare hill slide. 
• Missing play net link to the orange step bridge feature on order to be installed.
• Tracking delivery and install of Prefab Restroom and Shelter structure in December. 

Mills Park will be developed as a community park serving residents within a two-mile radius of the site and will allow for group activities and recreation. Community parks are recommended to help address the active recreation needs of Cary residents and offer the best opportunities for the Town to create distinctive facilities that respond to national recreational trends our unique Town needs.

In January 2000, the Town purchased the 240-acre Hawes tract, located in western Cary on Green Level Church Road and in close proximity to Cary Park. The purpose was to provide land for a Town park as well as other potential uses.

In January 2007, the Town agreed to divide the Hawes tract with the Wake County Public Schools System (WCPSS) to build an elementary and middle school. The general terms of a new agreement between the Town, WCPSS and the developer for the building of an elementary school and a middle school on the Hawes property were provided to Council.
 
In September 2008, the Town Council approved the Mills Park Joint School Park Agreement which provided the first phase of development of Mills Park along with the Middle School. Both were designed to include facility enhancements that would provide recreation opportunities for residents including three multi-purpose fields, a softball field, a running track and basketball courts. These facilities were completed in 2010.

Project Scope

This project provides for the construction of the next phase of Mills Park, a joint-use facility with Wake County Public School System located in west Cary. The current park includes three multi-purpose fields, a softball field, a running track and basketball courts. The following facilities are planned for the phase 2:

• Playground
• Restroom/ Picnic shelter
• Walking trails and greenway connections
• Open lawn space
• Parking for 30+ cars

This second phase of Mills Park will develop an additional five acres of the existing 118-acre park. Mills Park is located adjacent to the Mills Park Middle and Elementary Schools located west of I-540.

For information on the Mills Park project, see the Council-approved Mills Park Concept Plan Report.

Funding for this project was approved by voters as part of the 2012 Community Investment Bonds referendum. The estimated total project cost is $1,070,000, which includes design and construction costs.

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