On Monday, September 8, the Central Catawba Basin Watershed Symposium brought together professionals and community leaders at the Gastonia Conference Center to explore water-related challenges across the Greater Charlotte region. Organized by the Catawba Riverkeeper, the symposium highlighted collaborative strategies for addressing water quality, quantity, and management within the Central Catawba River Basin.
Among the speakers were Mayor Harold Weinbrecht of Cary, North Carolina, and WithersRavenel’s Tucker McKenzie, Practice Area Lead for Site Civil. Together, they shared the story of Downtown Cary Park. This ambitious project reimagined an urban space and demonstrated how thoughtful design can balance community engagement, environmental stewardship, and economic development.
Mayor Weinbrecht reflected on the Town of Cary’s vision for a dynamic public space that strengthens the community’s identity and creates opportunities for connection. McKenzie provided insights into WithersRavenel’s role as civil engineer, surveyor, and stormwater design lead on the project. Their presentation celebrated the success of Downtown Cary Park as an example of how municipalities and engineering professionals can collaborate to deliver innovative, resilient solutions.
Downtown Cary Park, a 14-acre urban destination that opened in November 2023, features a signature 1-acre water feature designed as both a community amenity and an advanced stormwater management system. WithersRavenel partnered closely with nationally recognized OJB Landscape Architecture and the Town of Cary to bring the project to life. By blending civil engineering innovation, award-winning design, and community-driven planning, the park has become a model for sustainable urban development in North Carolina.
You can learn more about WithersRavenel’s work on Downtown Cary Park here.
