HELP CELEBRATE THE START OF TOWN’S 22^ND PUBLIC PARK

11-acre park is Town’s first to include integrated public art

CARY, NC – On August 7, 2008 at 7 p.m. , come be part of the official groundbreaking for Cary ’s newest park, Walnut Street Park .  The groundbreaking ceremony will be held at the actual park site, 1420 Walnut St. , at the corner of Lawrence Road near Walnut Street and will feature members of the Cary Town Council as well as Town staff and park enthusiasts. Cary ’s 22^nd public park will boast a children’s play area with rubberized surfacing under all equipment, picnic facilities, trails, restrooms and a parking lot on its 11 acres.  When completed in 2009, Walnut Street Park will bring the total number of developed public parkland acres in Cary to 1,011.

One of the most prominent features of the Walnut Street Park will be its integrated artwork -- a brick promenade designed by Barbara Grygutis of Tucson , Arizona in collaboration with OBS Landscape Architects of Raleigh.  Grygutis’ work, entitled " Imaginary Garden ", is a complex woven design in native North Carolina brick, which begins at the edge of the parking lot pavement, extends the length of the park, and eventually “bursts” into a blossom to create a plaza at the intersection of Lawrence Road and Walnut Street .  Grygutis, a nationally-acclaimed artist who specializes in large-scale public art projects, has over 20 years experience creating environmental works that help give meaning and identity to public spaces.  

“The Walnut Street Park will be a destination, not only because of the outstanding public art but also because of the high-quality play area and trails within the park,” said Town of Cary Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources Director Mary Henderson.  “We have worked closely with our citizens to ensure the Walnut Street Park reflects the Town’s continuous efforts to enhance the lives of Cary ’s citizens through opportunities for enjoyable recreation.

In case of rain, the groundbreaking will be cancelled.

For more information about the park, include site and area maps, visit the Walnut Street Park site at www.townofcary.org or call (919) 469-4061.

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