The area where Cary is creating Downtown Cary Park used to be a neighborhood block filled with houses, patches of trees, grassy areas, and a drainage area that feeds Walnut Creek. Over two years, this grassy knoll will turn into a nationally acclaimed park destination, with features that are smart, innovative, and work in concert with nature. Environmental elements provide function, beauty, and sustainability.

Trees

During initial park planning, arborists assessed the health and life stage of all 74 trees on site. They found that these trees were in various stages of their lifecycle and had differing levels of health. While some were healthy and vigorous, other trees were in decline due to flooding, compacted soil, and other issues. This important assessment laid the groundwork for future plans to ensure the health and vitality of existing trees, while complementing the existing trees with the next generation of trees.

Park designers took each tree’s health into consideration, and working with local arborists, created a plan for which ones to keep, and which ones to remove and repurpose onsite. Then, the new site design focused on native or non-invasive species to complement the existing trees. In combination, the existing and new trees play an important role in absorbing rainwater during intense storms, sequestering carbon to improve air quality, and providing shade for relief from high temperatures.

Preserving Trees of the Past
In 2019, arborists began tree treatments to support the trees being kept through construction and help ensure that they were healthy and safe for future parkgoers. This included proper trimming, root zone protection, and deep root injections to nourish the trees. Trees which were at the end of their lifecycle or could not be retained for other reasons will still be a part of the park through a tree-cyling program. Those with viable wood are being returned as benches and other features within the park. Others were turned into mulch used to build up the soil and protect the trees in the park and in other areas of Cary.  

Planting the Forest of the Future
Over 600 trees will be planted in the park, adding to the community’s tree canopy, and creating shade, beauty, and habitat. This includes species selected for their native habitat, visual appeal and/or variety of species to improve the quality of the forest and protect against potential threats of disease and pests. These new trees will create an environment that is significantly more forested than previously existed. This ensures that rainwater is absorbed during intense storms, carbon is sequestered to improve air quality, and impacts of high temperatures are buffered by the resulting ecosystem.

Stormwater
Watch Water Feature Design Video

As part of the planning, consideration was given to drainage features across the site. Improving drainage and water quality has been an important, ongoing initiative throughout the older areas of Cary, including downtown. These efforts take the opportunity on public lands to improve stormwater runoff for the benefit of adjacent areas, which may be experiencing impacts during intense storms. This includes reducing the volume of flow to mitigate downstream flooding, as well as incorporating vegetation to filter pollutants from runoff. These elements have been incorporated into the park’s plan, thereby benefiting downstream neighbors. 

The pond in the park is designed as an amenity and stormwater feature, something that is both beautiful and practical that will:

• Mitigate runoff from up to a 100-year storm event.
• Provide unique wildlife habitat.
• Abate the impacts of flooding to downstream properties.
• Enhance water quality.

The park is built on a 30-foot vertical grade change, creating a unique three-tiered stormwater management system that uses recirculation to mimic nature.

The upper pool is designed as a spring that transitions into a “lazy river,” slowing water down as it moves into the next pool.

The “lazy river” flows into the middle circular pond, facilitating the capture of sediment.

As water flows out of the middle pond it cascades over a stone weir which aerates the water before it enters the larger pond below. The lower pond provides detention to mitigate flooding in downstream neighborhoods and water quality treatment to filter out nutrients.

To provide additional water treatment during a storm, a separate underground filtration system is engaged as overflow water leaves the pond.   In addition, the outlet to the pond regulates the flow discharging downstream, to mitigate flooding.

Habitat

In this park, Cary is creating a place for creatures big and small. Wildlife depends on natural systems for food, shelter and living space.  Designers created a variety of habitats across the parks to attract beneficial wildlife and enhance biodiversity.

Expert landscapers using special techniques will care for the plantings to support thriving habitats and spaces for all to enjoy.

• Pond plantings provide unique aquatic habitats for fish, frogs, and swallows as well as exploration and wonder of water habitats for kids and kids at heart.
• Open grasslands attract swifts and rabbits while providing space for games and picnics.
• Botanical gardens support a wide variety of butterflies and bees while creating great spaces for pictures and quiet walks.
• Forest stands host a large variety of birds and caterpillars while providing refreshing shade and beauty.
• Plants native to the area will be reintroduced throughout the habitats.

When creating these spaces, designers took into account many different aspects to help plants survive. Some of the considerations included:

• Where there would be sun as the seasons changed and the days get longer and shorter over time.
• What plants would thrive in the shade of buildings versus which could take the light of the plazas?
• The impacts of heat, and which plants can survive the heat versus which needed cooler spaces.
• What plants grow well together to create harmonious and healthy gardens.

Amenities

In addition to being thoughtful about the natural environment, we’re taking care of the built environment by providing:

• Recycling opportunities.
• Developing a sustainable plan for waste reduction in the park, that may include compost services.
• Outdoor LED lighting.
• Ultra-efficient buildings that use light motion sensors, maximize natural sunlight, and building materials and walkways that reduce heat island effects.
• Locally/regionally sourced hardscape materials to reduce carbon emissions.
• Green roof at The Nest area.
• High efficiency irrigation.
• Electric vehicles and charging facilities for on-site park maintenance and operations.
• Low emissions energy source connections for food truck operations during special events.

Transportation Mobility

Traveling to and around the park while considering the environment means providing high-quality access to mobility options that reduce carbon emissions, traffic congestion, and parking needs. This includes:

• 40 bicycle parking spaces.
• Planned improvements to the greenway system accessing downtown Cary.
• Electric vehicles to serve park operations.
• Direct connections to public parking facilities with EV stations.
• Pedestrian-friendly walkways, including ADA-accessible walkways, skywalks, garden strolls and splash pads.
• Planned sidewalk improvements where gaps exist in the existing system.
• Bus service directly to the site on some routes and within a half mile of other routes.
  

For more information, dial 311 inside Town of Cary limits, or (919) 469-4000 outside Town of Cary limits.