Cary's four dog parks and how to get a pass, the Bark Bar at Downtown Cary Park, dogs on greenways and the town's leash ordinance.
Last checked Oct. 11, 2026. Rules and hours come from the Town of Cary and Downtown Cary Park, linked below. Hours change with the seasons and the weather; check before you go.
Cary has four town dog parks, a dog-park bar downtown and a network of greenways where leashed dogs are welcome. Here is where to go and the rules that apply.
Who to call
- Dog park passes: any Cary community center, or Downtown Cary Park Guest Services, 919-653-7180
- Loose or dangerous dogs: Cary Police Department, non-emergency 919-469-4012
- Town questions: Cary 311, or 919-469-4000 from outside town limits
- Emergency or a dog bite with injury: 911
The leash rule
Cary’s animal ordinance, Sec. 6-65, makes it unlawful for an owner to let a domestic animal be “at large” in town or on any town property. The one exception: dogs may be off leash in approved, designated areas inside town dog parks (Cary Code, Chapter 6). A dog off its owner’s property must be under restraint, such as a leash or lead, and the code says electronic leashes and training collars do not count.
The town’s park rules say all pets must be on a leash at all times in parks (park rules), and North Carolina law, cited by the town, requires any human bite from a domestic animal to be reported to the police (Cary Ordinances Sec. 6-69).
Dog parks
From the town’s dog parks page:
| Dog park | Address | Size and surface | Pass |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barkyard at Downtown Cary Park | 312 S. Walker St. | Separate “Biggies” (about 10,200 square feet) and “Smalls” (about 4,600 square feet) areas; turf, concrete, gravel and mulch | Required |
| Godbold Park | 2050 NW Maynard Road | About one acre, wood chips | Required |
| Jack Smith Park | 9725 Penny Road | About two acres, wood chips | Required |
| Neighborhood Park on Carpenter Fire Station Road | 7119 Carpenter Fire Station Road | Not required |
Each town dog park has lighted, fenced areas for small and large dogs, water stations and cleanup stations.
Passes. An annual or day pass covers the Barkyard, Godbold and Jack Smith. The town lists an annual single-dog pass at $41 for residents and $56 for nonresidents, a multi-dog pass at $61 and $82, and a $5 same-day pass. Buy online through RecTrac or in person at Downtown Cary Park, Middle Creek, Herb Young or Bond Park community centers. You scan your RecTrac barcode at the gate; a key tag is available on request.
Hours. The Barkyard is open 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily and closes for maintenance from 7 a.m. to noon on the second Wednesday of each month, and every fourth Wednesday from April to November (Barkyard page). The Jack Smith dog park closes from 7 a.m. to noon on the second Wednesday of each month.
Key rules: a pass and signed waiver; no children under 12; at most two registered dogs per person; vaccinations up to date; no dogs under four months or females in heat; no spike, choke, prong or pinch collars; no food, bones or toys in the play area; no strollers; leash on entering and leaving.
A drink with your dog: the Bark Bar
The Bark Bar is an open-air pavilion beside the Barkyard at Downtown Cary Park, serving beer, wine, nonalcoholic drinks and light snacks under a covered roof. Hours are Monday to Thursday 4 to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday noon to 10 p.m., and Sunday noon to 8 p.m., weather permitting. It is card and contactless only (Bark Bar page). The park also runs dog events through the year at the Bark Bar, such as its Blessing of the Animals, and a fall Barktoberfest series of dog classes that ends with Barkitecture, a pet-architecture competition for local rescues (Barktoberfest).
Fenton, the shopping and dining district at 1 Fenton Main St., says on its visit page: “And yes, please, bring your dog!”
Trails and greenways
Dogs are welcome on Cary’s greenways on a leash no longer than 6 feet, walked on the right-hand shoulder; pick up after them, and use greenways only in daylight (greenway rules). At Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve, 2616 Kildaire Farm Road, pets must stay on a 6-foot leash and on the trail. Routes and trailheads are in our walking and biking trails guide.
Dog events
The town’s Cary Dog Daze and Pet Expo brings rescues, an agility course, pet vendors and training demos to the Cary Police Department grounds at 120 Wilkinson Ave. The May 2, 2026, event was canceled for weather, and the town says it returns in 2027 (Dog Daze page).
What this means for you
- Get a $5 day pass to try the Barkyard before you buy an annual pass.
- Leave kids under 12 outside the dog-park fence.
- On greenways, keep the leash to 6 feet and stay to the right.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a pass for Cary dog parks?
Yes, for three of them. The Barkyard at Downtown Cary Park, Godbold Park and Jack Smith Park need an annual membership or a day pass, scanned with a RecTrac barcode. The dog park at the Neighborhood Park on Carpenter Fire Station Road needs no pass.
Does Cary have a leash law?
Yes. Town ordinance Sec. 6-65 makes it unlawful to let a domestic animal be at large in Cary or on town property; dogs may be off leash only in the designated areas of town dog parks. Electronic collars do not count as restraint.
Are dogs allowed on Cary greenways?
Yes, on a leash no longer than 6 feet, walked on the right-hand shoulder, and owners must pick up after them, according to the town’s greenway rules.
Where can I have a drink with my dog in Cary?
The Bark Bar, an open-air pavilion at Downtown Cary Park next to the Barkyard dog park, serves beer, wine, nonalcoholic drinks and snacks. It is card and contactless payment only.
Can children go into Cary dog parks?
No. Children under 12 are not allowed inside town dog parks, and each person may bring no more than two registered dogs per visit.
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