The Town of Cary is preparing for a fun-filled dedication of its newest park, Walnut Street Park, at the corner of Walnut Street and Lawrence Road on Saturday, August 8, 2009 at 10 a.m.  Park visitors will be among the first to see the 11-acre park and walk along the “Imaginary Garden”, an 850-foot long brick promenade that starts at the parking lot and winds through the park, ending at the plaza at the intersection of Walnut Street and Lawrence Road.  As part of the dedication, visitors can enjoy complimentary breakfast, and there will be ice pops for kids along with activities and games on the lawn. 

At the dedication, Barbara Grygutis, artist for the promenade, will speak about her inspiration for the artwork.  In addition to the promenade, the park features a major children’s play area, picnic facilities, trails, and a restroom. Visitors can also check out the creativity of their friends and neighbors in the Neighborhood Bird Box Trail, which includes eight boxes decorated by local neighborhood members.   

“We’re pleased to offer our citizens and surrounding visitors yet another premier facility for recreational enjoyment for the entire family,” said Mary Henderson, Director of Cary’s Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Department.  “In addition to improving our citizens’ quality of life, the park is also helping to protect our environment.”  Henderson added that the Park includes traditional features, while still preserving 70 percent of the natural environment for the remainder of the park.   

Initiated in January 2005, the master plan for Walnut Street Park was completed by the Office of Brian Starkey (OBS), a Raleigh consulting firm.  The planning process took about 12 months to complete.  The Cary Town Council approved the master plan for the $1.7 million project at their March 9, 2006, meeting as part of a broader effort by the Town of Cary to improve the Walnut Street corridor as proposed in the Southeast Gateway Plan. 

In August 2006, Artist Barbara Grygutis asked the community for information about their neighborhood to aid in her design for artwork at Walnut Street Park. Two strong themes emerged: the desire for art using native materials and the use of the natural environment as a possible theme. Grygutis chose to work within the shape of the promenade and use brick as the "art" material.

A later phase for the park is being planned and will include the addition of a basketball court, offsite greenway connections and the possibility of adding one or two art elements.

In case of rain, the event will be held on Sunday, August 9 at 4 p.m.