Just blocks away from WithersRavenel’s Downtown Cary office, Downtown Cary Park continues to shine as one of North Carolina’s premier public destinations. Since opening in 2023, the 14-acre park has become a hub for recreation, events, family play, and community connection. In 2025, it received multiple national recognitions that highlight its growing impact.
USA TODAY Names The Nest the #1 Public Playground in America
In April, The Nest at Downtown Cary Park was ranked USA TODAY’s #1 Public Playground in America. According to the Town’s release, the park welcomed more than 750,000 visitors in its first year. This significantly boosted nearby businesses and cemented its role as a regional draw.
Fast Company Awards Downtown Cary Park “Best Urban Design Project” for 2025
In September, Fast Company recognized Downtown Cary Park as its Best Urban Design Project of 2025 through the Innovation by Design Awards. This national honor celebrates the park’s thoughtful integration of public space, environmental performance, and community-focused design.
Spotlight at the Central Catawba Basin Watershed Symposium
Also in September, Downtown Cary Park was featured at the Central Catawba Basin Watershed Symposium. Cary Mayor Harold Weinbrecht and WithersRavenel’s Tucker McKenzie discussed the project’s transformation and its value as a model for sustainable, community-centered urban development.
Engineering Innovation Behind the Vision
WithersRavenel played a key role in bringing Downtown Cary Park to life, partnering with OJB Landscape Architecture and the Town of Cary to deliver a unique blend of recreation, design excellence, and environmental stewardship.
Key engineering elements include:
- A 1-acre water feature that doubles as an advanced stormwater management system
- A design that reduces downstream peak flow rates by approximately 40% during major storm events
- Enhanced nitrogen and phosphorus removal from runoff entering the Walnut Creek watershed
- Green infrastructure and permitting strategies that support environmental resilience
- Civil engineering, surveying, grading, utilities coordination, and stormwater design led by WithersRavenel
A Destination Worth Exploring
From national awards to industry recognition, Downtown Cary Park continues to demonstrate what thoughtful design, engineering innovation, and strong public partnerships can achieve. For residents and visitors alike, the park remains one of the region’s most exciting places to visit, explore, and enjoy.
