Each of Cary's dog parks (Downtown Cary Park's Barkyard, Godbold and Jack Smith) require an annual membership or day pass to enter. A RecTrac barcode is needed to access these three parks.

How to obtain your RecTrac barcode with your Cary dog park pass:

1. Visit the Cary RecTrac webpage. 
2. Click on Sign in/Register in the top right corner of the webpage.
3. Once logged in, click on your name in the top right corner of the webpage.
4. In the drop-down menu that appears when you click on your name, select ‘My Passes’ located under the column, ‘Reprint.’ Your dog park pass will be listed under ‘Membership Details.'
   *If you do not see your dog park pass listed under ‘Membership Details,’ your pass could be linked to another member within your household. To access the pass barcode(s) for others in your household, click on ‘All Household Memberships.’
   *If you still do not see your dog park pass listed, please email recreation.support@carync.gov or call a community center or Downtown Cary Park Guest Services. Staff will assist you.
5. This is the barcode you will use to access all Cary dog parks.
   *You can screenshot this barcode, print it, or save it to an app such as ‘Key Ring’ to avoid having to login to your account each time you visit a Cary dog park.

Key Tag Pass Option
If you wish to obtain your pass in the form of a key tag, we will be happy to provide this for you. Call or stop by any Cary Community Center or Guest Services at Downtown Cary Park (located under the library by the cardinals). If you would like us to mail you a key tag, contact us at carydowntownpark.support@carync.gov.

Register & Purchase Online

Annual (Single Dog): $40 | Purchase Now
Annual (Multi Dog): $60 | Purchase Now   
Day Pass (Same Day Entry Only): $5 | Purchase Now 
Annual and day passes allow entry into any Cary dog park (Godbold, Jack Smith or Downtown Cary Park). Visit one or all three parks.

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Register & Purchase In-Person

You can register and purchase a pass in-person by visiting one of the following locations:

• Downtown Cary Park
• Middle Creek Community Center
• Herb Young Community Center
• Bond Park Community Center

Renew Online

1. Visit the Cary RecTrac webpage.
2. Login to your RecTrac account in the top right corner of the webpage.
3. Click on Search.
4. Under Passes, select Pass Renewal. You will renew from here.
   If you do not see any passes to renew, the pass may be under another person within your household. To view passes for others in your household, click on your name in the top right-hand corner, and click on 'My Passes' in the Reprint column. Then select 'All Household Memberships.'

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Renew In-Person

You can renew a pass in-person by visiting one of the following locations:

• Downtown Cary Park
• Middle Creek Community Center
• Herb Young Community Center
• Bond Park Community Center

Cary Dog Parks provide a place for dog owners to let their pets run free and safely without a leash. Each park features: lighted, fenced and secured areas for both small and large dogs; paved entrances; seating; water stations; information kiosks; and pet cleanup areas.

Barkyard at the Downtown Cary Park
312 S. Walker Street
The Barkyard at the Downtown Cary Park features separate play areas for 'Biggies' (approx. 10,200 sq ft.) and 'Smalls' (approx. 4,600 sq ft.) Your pups can enjoy natural shade, play mounds, water features, and multiple types of ground coverings: artificial turf, concrete, gravel and mulch.

Cary Dog Park at Robert V. Godbold Park
2050 Northwest Maynard Road
The dog park at Godbold Park is approximately one acre,  is located near the corner of Maynard and Chapel Hill Road and features wood chips for ground cover. 

Cary Dog Park at Jack Smith Park
9725 Penny Road
The dog park at Jack Smith Park is approximately two acres in size, is located near the corner of Penny Road and Holly Springs Road and features wood chips for ground cover.  

For the safety and enjoyment of our human and canine visitors… 

• A dog pass and signed waiver are required to enter all Cary Dog Parks.
• Children under 12 are not allowed in Cary Dog Parks.   
• Each person is limited to a maximum of two registered dogs per visit.

 Dog Rules

• All vaccination shots must be up-to-date. 
• Dogs under four months and female dogs in heat are not permitted within Cary dog parks. 
• Remove spike, choke, prong or pinch collars prior to entering. 
• Dogs must remain on leash when entering, when exiting and when outside the fenced area.  
• Only well-socialized and friendly dogs are allowed; aggressive behavior will not be tolerated.
• Please control barking for the courtesy of all guests and neighbors. 

Human Rules

• Never leave your dog unattended. 
• For each dog’s safety, no (animal or people) food, bones or toys are allowed in the play area. 
• Clean up after your dog. They poop, you scoop! 
• No littering. Use trash and recycling receptacles to dispose of trash, and keep our dogs safe and the play areas clean. 
• Prevent your dog from digging and promptly fill any holes. 
• Always wear shoes.
• Strollers are not permitted. 

Owners who fail to adhere to Cary Dog Parks rules and regulations may face temporary or permanent revocation of their dog park privileges.

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Basic Etiquette, Guidelines and Tips for Use

• Keep walking or playing. This helps keep the off-leash area "neutral" territory for all.
• Keep your dog on leash until you enter the off-leash areas, and carry a leash on you for each dog at all times while in the park.
• Be aware that dogs have different play styles. Talk to your veterinarian, talk to other park users and educate yourself on dog behavior.
• Ensure each gate closes behind you before you enter the next one. 
• Fill in any holes your dog digs or make appropriate repairs to disturbed areas.
• Do not bring a dog with a known history of biting or fighting.

All canine and human visitors enter Cary Dog Parks at their own risk. You are solely responsible for your dog’s behavior and any injury caused by your dog. To prevent incidents, please always supervise your dog.

Reporting Human Bites

North Carolina state law mandates that all human bites from a domesticated animal be reported to the Police Department (Cary Ordinances Sec. 6-69 (b) Animal Bites, Notification).

If a dog bites a human, immediately contact Animal Services at (919) 319-4517. For emergencies, call 911.

Reporting Dog to Dog Incidents

While dog owners are responsible for addressing and managing any incidents involving their dogs, incidents may be reported by completing the Cary Dog Parks Incident Report Form.

The completed report will be documented by Cary staff for the sole purpose of administering dog park membership eligibility. In cases of repeat or egregious incidents, Cary may temporarily or permanently revoke dog park memberships.

Non-Compliance

Owners who fail to adhere to Cary Dog Parks rules and regulations may face temporary or permanent revocation of their dog park privileges.

Animal Services
Cary Dog Days