Cary open-space plan would cover more than public parks

Cary’s proposed Open Space Plan looks beyond public parks to land and water that support recreation, habitat, water quality and local history. The town’s current project page places Planning and Zoning Board review before a return to Town Council for final adoption.

Mayor Harold Weinbrecht’s October 25 meeting report says Council held a public hearing on the plan and ACT 46 on October 22. ACT 46 is a companion amendment to the ENRICH section of the Imagine Cary Community Plan. He identified the board’s review and recommendation as the next step.

Protected and unprotected land are both in scope

The town’s definition includes protected and unprotected land, as well as water devoted to conserving natural, historic and cultural resources. Recreational uses, habitat, water quality and scenic landscapes also fall within it. A parcel can therefore fit the plan’s definition without already having protected status.

Cary describes five goals and 13 objectives, supported by recommended actions. A toolkit considers potential policies and incentives for private property, while an implementation matrix identifies priorities and partners.

How the plan would fit Cary’s existing work

The proposal builds on Imagine Cary, adopted in 2017, and planning work started in 2022. It connects with the town’s bike, climate-action, historic-preservation, public-art, stormwater, urban-forest and parks plans. Cary says the urban forester would monitor the plan, with implementation involving parks and recreation, utilities, public works and stormwater staff.

Residents can read the proposed plan and vision map through Cary’s project page. For a question about a particular property or the review process, the page lists 311 within town limits, 919-469-4000 from outside Cary and 311@carync.gov.