Cary has 30-plus parks and over 100 miles of greenway. Bond Park covers 310 acres; Black Creek Greenway runs 7.1 miles. Open dawn to dusk.

Last checked Oct. 11, 2026. Facts on this page come from the Town of Cary’s parks pages and greenway pages.

Cary has more than 30 parks and natural areas, linked by over 100 miles of greenway, according to the town’s parks page, which also has a full interactive map. Town parks are open dawn to dusk unless a sign says otherwise or the park has lighted courts or fields.

Who to call

  • Parks questions: Cary 311, or 919-469-4000 from outside town limits; after hours, text 898311
  • Bond Park Community Center: 919-462-3970
  • Herbert C. Young Community Center: 919-460-4965
  • Middle Creek Community Center: 919-771-1295
  • Hemlock Bluffs and Stevens Nature Center: 919-387-5980
  • Downtown Cary Park guest services: 919-653-7180

The big parks

Park Address What’s there
Fred G. Bond Metro Park 801 High House Road 310 acres, Bond Lake and boathouse, trails, ballfields, ropes course, Sertoma Amphitheatre, playground
Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve 2616 Kildaire Farm Road Eastern hemlocks, about three miles of mulched trails, overlooks, Stevens Nature Center
Downtown Cary Park 327 S. Academy St. Great Lawn, splash pad, Barkyard dog park, Market 317, events most weeks
Robert V. Godbold Park 2050 NW Maynard Road Dog park, Cary Action Sports, Black Creek Greenway trailhead
Jack Smith Park 9725 Penny Road Dog park near Penny and Holly Springs roads

Bond Park is one of the largest municipal parks in Wake County, the town says on its Bond Park page. The boathouse sells bait, snacks and ice cream, and there is a point-to-point orienteering course. Waterfront picnic tables are walk-up only for groups of 10 or fewer; larger groups should reserve the Kiwanis or Buehler shelter. The town says shelter booking online is down for maintenance, so call a community center to reserve. Wake County is studying maintenance options for the Bond Lake dam.

Hemlock Bluffs protects a stand of eastern hemlocks and other mountain plants, according to its preserve page. The preserve is open 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; the nature center is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday. Stay on the trails; bikes, fishing and picnicking are not allowed, and dogs must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet.

Greenways

The Black Creek Greenway runs 7.1 miles from Lake Crabtree to Bond Park, 10 feet wide and paved, open dawn to dusk, according to the town’s Black Creek page. At Bond Park it meets the White Oak Creek Greenway, 4.8 miles of trail that will eventually link to the American Tobacco Trail. Together they are part of the East Coast Greenway. Parts of Black Creek have been closed for renovation; check carygreenwaydetour.com before you go.

Trailheads with parking: Old Reedy Creek Road at Lake Crabtree (82 spaces, restroom, water, bike repair), North Cary Park, the Black Creek lot on NW Maynard Road across from Godbold Park, Godbold Park and Bond Park.

Greenway rules, from the town’s greenway rules page:

  • Daylight hours only. No motor vehicles; top speed 15 mph.
  • Bikes yield to people on foot. Keep right, pass on the left and call out before passing.
  • Dogs on a leash no longer than 6 feet. No alcohol.

Dog parks

Cary’s dog parks have lighted, fenced areas for small and large dogs, water and seating, the town says on its dog parks page. Three need a pass: the Barkyard at Downtown Cary Park (312 S. Walker St.), Godbold and Jack Smith. A resident annual pass is $41 for one dog or $61 for more; nonresidents pay $56 or $82; a day pass is $5. The dog park at the Neighborhood Park on Carpenter Fire Station Road needs no pass.

  • Open 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., no entry after 9 p.m.
  • Closed 7 a.m. to noon on the second Wednesday of each month for cleaning.
  • No children under 12, two dogs per person, vaccines up to date.
  • A dog bite to a person must be reported to Animal Services, 919-319-4517.

Park rules

Pets on a leash, no alcohol, no open fires outside designated areas, and no tents or inflatables without an approved rental, according to the town’s park rules. Shelters and fields are first come, first served unless reserved.

What this means for you

  • Check carygreenwaydetour.com before a walk or ride on the Black Creek Greenway.
  • Buy a dog park pass online before your first visit and save the barcode on your phone.
  • Bond Park shelters: call a community center to book while online booking is down.

More: things to do in Cary this month and getting around Cary.

Frequently asked questions

What is the biggest park in Cary?

Fred G. Bond Metro Park, 801 High House Road, covers 310 acres, one of the largest municipal parks in Wake County. It has a lake and boathouse, trails, ballfields, a ropes course and a playground.

What are Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve hours?

The preserve at 2616 Kildaire Farm Road is open 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. The Stevens Nature Center is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Do you need a pass for Cary dog parks?

Yes, for the Barkyard at Downtown Cary Park and the Godbold and Jack Smith dog parks. An annual single-dog pass is $41 for residents; a day pass is $5. The dog park at Carpenter Fire Station Road needs no pass.

How long is the Black Creek Greenway?

7.1 miles of 10-foot-wide paved trail from Lake Crabtree to Bond Park, where it meets the White Oak Creek Greenway. It is open dawn to dusk and is part of the East Coast Greenway.