• The Nest at Downtown Cary Park is nominated for USA TODAY's 10BEST Readers’ Choice Award for Best Public Playground for the second year in a row. 
• The Nest was ranked the No. 1 public playground in the United States in last year’s voting. 
• Vote daily through noon on April 6 at the USA TODAY's 10BEST website. 

Photo Credit – © Tzu Chen Photography 

Cary, NC — The Nest at Downtown Cary Park has been nominated again in USA TODAY's 10BEST Readers’ Choice Award for Best Public Playground, its second consecutive year on the national list. The nature-inspired play space earned the top ranking last year and continues to draw families and visitors from across the Triangle. 

 “We’re thrilled to see The Nest at Downtown Cary Park nominated again for USA TODAY’s 10BEST Public Playground,” said Cary Mayor Harold Weinbrecht. “Since opening, The Nest has become a favorite gathering place where children explore, families connect, and visitors experience the creativity and care our staff and community bring to spaces like this. We hope everyone will join us in celebrating this incredible space by voting each day and sharing the opportunity with others.” 

 Voting is open through noon on April 6. Supporters can vote once per day at the USA TODAY's Readers' Choice Awards website. No registration or email is required. 

 “As Downtown Cary Park enters another year of welcoming visitors from across the region, we’re proud to see The Nest recognized again on a national stage,” said Downtown Cary Park General Manager Joy Ennis. “This nomination reflects the creativity and care that went into designing a space where children of all ages can explore and play.” 

 Nestled within Downtown Cary Park, The Nest is a biophilic, nature-inspired play space designed to spark imagination and exploration. Key features include: 

• Two unique play areas for different age groups 
• A signature 20-foot climbing structure modeled after two cardinals – North Carolina’s state bird – by playground design-build company Earthscape 
• Slides, large acorns, and fallen logs to encourage imaginative and active play 
• A seasonal splash pad that provides a place to cool off during warmer months 

Designed by award-winning firms OJB Landscape Architecture and urban design firm  Machado Silvetti and constructed by Balfour Beatty, Downtown Cary Park reflects Cary’s commitment to innovative public spaces that enhance quality of life and strengthen the local economy. 

 Since opening in 2023, the seven-acre park has become a hub for recreation, events, family play, and community connection. It has hosted millions of visitors and thousands of events and has emerged as a national model for modern public spaces, with recognitions including: 

• 2025 American Architecture Award – Parks And Gardens, The Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design, The European Center for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies, and Metropolitan Arts Press
• 2025 Innovation by Design Award – Best Urban Design Project, Fast Company 
• 2025 Awards for Excellence Finalist, ULI Americas 
• 2024 Voters’ Choice Award – Best Park, WRAL 
• 2024 Gold Award, National Association of Landscape Professionals Awards of Excellence 
• 2024 Grand Award, Landscape Contractors Association Excellence in Landscape Awards 
• 2024 Space Award – Top Municipal Project, Triangle Business Journal 

According to the Incentis Group, the Park is generating $5 million in direct economic impact and has contributed to more than $800 million in property value increases. It has supported the creation of more than 80 full-time jobs and is projected to add $3.5 million annually in property and sales tax revenue by 2028. 

The USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards recognize top attractions and destinations across the country, selected by a panel of experts and voted on by the public. To learn more about the awards, visit 10best.usatoday.com.  

Primary Contacts

 If you have specific questions, visit carync.gov/311, dial 311 anywhere in Cary, (919) 469-4000 outside Town limits, or email 311@carync.gov. 

Resources 

• Vote for USA Today's 10Best: Public Playgrounds
• The Nest at Downtown Cary Park
• About Downtown Cary Park  

About Cary, North Carolina 

With excellence and innovation at its core, Cary is a thriving community of over 190,000 residents representing more than 60 nationalities, located at the heart of North Carolina’s renowned Research Triangle Park. Ranked by U.S. News & World Report as the No. 1 Best Place to Live in North Carolina and No. 5 nationally for 2025-2026, Cary is known for safe neighborhoods, 100+ miles of greenways, environmental stewardship, and its premier sports and cultural venues. For more information, visit carync.gov/about and follow us on social media @caryncgov. 

About Downtown Cary Park 

Spanning seven acres in the heart of Cary, Downtown Cary Park is a dynamic, intergenerational gathering space designed to inspire connection, creativity, and community. Thoughtfully envisioned and purposefully built, the Park offers something for everyone – regardless of age or ability. Highlights include the CaryLIVE! Concert Series, the Bark Bar, botanical gardens, and two iconic cardinal play structures at The Nest. As a nationally recognized leader in urban parks, Downtown Cary Park is part of Cary Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources, a four-time nationally accredited department and 2016 Gold Medal Award winner for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management (AAPRA & NRPA). For more information, visit downtowncarypark.com and follow on Instagram.