Cary Tennis Classic Board, State of Cary at MacGregor, Cary #1 Playground in US, CAMPO, and Elected Officials Reception

Manager One-On-One

Monday I met with the town manager for our weekly one-on-one. Topics of discussion included the capital projects review, council interactions, and the upcoming town hall State of Cary address.

Cary Tennis Classic Board

Monday night I met with the Cary Tennis Classic board. Topics of discussion included sponsors, funding for the Cary Tennis Classic scheduled for June 29th through July 6th, the ACC tournament, electric line calling, and a potential trip to the US Open.

State of Cary at MacGregor Rotary

Tuesday I gave a 25-minute version of the State of Cary address to the MacGregor Rotary. This was my shortest presentation of the year. There were about 30 to 40 people in attendance and based on comments afterwards it was well received. I was only able to answer about three or four questions after the presentation. One of the questions was about the relocation of the cross-country trail at the WakeMed Soccer Park. I assured them this would happen before Trinity Road was extended over the railroad tracks.

Cary #1 Public Playground in US

Wednesday I was notified that Cary has the #1 playground in the nation with the Nest in the Downtown Cary Park. The bird play structures were created in Canada and shipped here. It is a one-of-a-kind playground and is one of the reasons our Downtown Cary Park gets national recognition. Here is the press release:

Cary’s signature play space, The Nest at Downtown Cary Park, has been named the #1 Public Playground in America by USA TODAY’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards.

“This national recognition is something every Cary citizen can take pride in,” said Harold Weinbrecht, Mayor of Cary. “It reflects the thoughtful, community-driven values that guide our work, and the kind of quality-of-life investment that makes Cary such a special place to call home.”

Located in the center of Downtown Cary, The Nest has quickly become a landmark in the Research Triangle Park region. Its forest-inspired towers, slides, splash features, and inclusive design draw visitors from across the region—but it’s the pair of vibrant cardinal play structures, inspired by North Carolina’s state bird, that have become its most recognizable symbol. The Nest also serves as a prominent feature of Downtown Cary Park, a catalyst project driving economic activity and community engagement since opening in 2023.

“More than 750,000 people visited in the Park’s first year, and we’ve seen a direct boost to nearby businesses and events,” said Joy Ennis, General Manager of Downtown Cary Park. “This national award highlights the Park’s growing role as a community anchor, supporting local business, drawing regional tourism, and enriching Cary’s sense of place.”

Voting ran from March 10 to April 7, placing The Nest in a national spotlight among playgrounds in cities like New York, Los Angeles, and San Antonio, and states from Florida to Hawaii. Its top billing highlights Downtown Cary’s evolution into one of the East Coast’s most dynamic destinations—walkable, connected, and constantly drawing new energy with free events year-round.

This latest win adds to a growing list of accolades for Downtown Cary Park: 

  • 2024 Voters’ Choice Award – Best Park, WRAL 
  • 2024 GOLD Award, National Association of Landscape Professionals (NALP) 
  • 2024 GRAND Award, Landscape Contractors Association (LCA) 
  • 2024 Space Award, Triangle Business Journal – Top Municipal Project 
  • 2022 Merit Award, NC ASLA – Analysis & Planning 
  • 2020 Best of Design Award, Honorable Mention – The Architect’s Newspaper 

Visitors to Downtown Cary can explore other award-winning destinations within walking distance, including: 

  • Bond Brothers Beer Company (202 East Cedar Street, Cary, NC 27511) — USA TODAY 10Best #1 Best New Brewery (2017) 
  • La Farm Bakery (220 West Chatham Street, Cary, NC 27511) — 10Best pick for Best Artisanal Baker in North America (2019)

Elsewhere in Cary, several other events and locations have made the list as USA Today 10Best winners or runners up, including: 

  • Hum Sub Diwali – 10Best runner-up for Best Cultural Festival (2025), held October 11 at Koka Booth Amphitheatre, a lakeside venue just a short drive from Downtown Cary.
  • The Umstead Hotel & Spa – 10Best runner-up for Best Hotel Spa (2018), located 15 minutes from both Downtown Cary and Raleigh-Durham International Airport.
  • Herons at The Umstead – 10Best runner-up for Best Hotel Restaurant (2021), led by James Beard semifinalist Steven Devereaux Greene and known for its seasonally inspired menus. 

The USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards celebrate top destinations across the country, chosen by experts and voted on by the public. Cary’s growing presence across multiple categories underscores the town’s rise as a hub for recreation, culture, and community in North Carolina’s Research Triangle region. 

To plan your visit to The Nest and explore all that Downtown Cary has to offer, visit downtowncarypark.com. 

CAMPO

Wednesday afternoon I participated in a meeting of the CAMPO (Capital Area Metropolitan Planning Organization’s) Executive Board. Here are some of the takeaways and actions from that meeting:

  • This region will grow by over 1 million people and 800,000 jobs in the next 30 years.
  • Amendment #8 to FY2024-2033 Transportation Improvement Program was approved. (These are recommended changes for the 10-year transportation improvement plan for the region.)
  • The Executive Board will now meet every third Wednesday at 3 PM instead of 4 PM.
  • The Wake Transit Plan will generate about 3 billion between FY2026 and FY2035. Roughly half of the revenue has been programmed. 54% from the sales tax collections and 24% from the long-term bond proceeds.
  • The Executive Board adopted a 50% reduction in fatalities and serious injuries by 2055 instead of 0 fatalities as part of Vision Zero. An interim goal of a 10% reduction from now until 2035 was approved. The board felt that the zero goal by 2055 was not realistic.
  • Four scenarios were presented for consideration that would convert Capital Boulevard (US 1) into a controlled-access highway in Wake County between I-540 and Purnell/Harris roads in Wake Forest:
    • Scenario 1: All-tolled Expressway; Standalone
    • Scenario 2: All-tolled Expressway; added to the Triangle Expressway System
    • Scenario 3: One Express Lane in each direction; Standalone
    • Scenario 4: One Express Lane in each direction; added to the Triangle Expressway System

Cary Chamber Elected Officials Reception

Thursday night I attended and spoke at the Cary Chamber’s Elected Officials Reception. In my remarks I talked about how fortunate we are to benefit from meaningful collaboration at every level: federal, state, and local. These partnerships are the foundation of our success and central to our ability to deliver the services and programs our citizens and businesses rely on.

I spent my time at the reception talking to several business leaders and elected officials including Congresswoman Deborah Ross to NC Senator Gale Adcock. I was there for a little over three hours.

NC Metro Mayors

Although the NC Metro Mayors didn’t meet this week, we did receive a legislative summary from Checkmate Government Relations:

Senate Budget

On Monday, the North Carolina Senate released their spending plan for this biennium. The Senate’s budget bill, Senate Bill 257,  prioritizes replenishing the Rainy-Day Fund, setting aside $1.3B for Hurricane Helene recovery and DOT recovery support, and initiating personal income tax cuts in 2027 (3.49%) and 2028 (2.99%). The bill was heard in committees this week and passed on the Senate Floor (30-15). Democrat Senators Blue (Wake), Lowe (Forsyth), Robinson (Guilford), and Waddell (Mecklenburg) voted for the budget and Republican Senator Bobby Hanig (Bertie) voted against it. The budget also included: 

  • $638.5M for NC Children’s Hospital, a partnership between the UNC and Duke Health care systems to build the state’s first and only freestanding children’s hospital
  • Total repeal of the Certificate of Need laws in North Carolina
  • $110M to the Department of Environmental Quality to provide grants to local governments and water/sewer authorities for PFAS mitigation efforts. 
  • Doubled the tax rate on revenue collected by sports betting operators in the state from 18% to 36%.
  • Decreased annual spending on Powell Bill funding for local governments by $50M.

The House will begin working on their own budget proposal with the hope of voting on it in early June. 

House and Development Implications

Representative Jeff Zenger (R-Forsyth) introduced House Bill 765, Local Gov. Development Regulations Omnibus. This legislation would make substantial changes to a local government’s ability to set development regulations. The bill contains provisions that would:

  • Require local governments to provide fiscal notes regarding any ordinance with impacts on housing.
  • Allow developers and citizens to sue a city under new conflict of interest language.
  • Preempt local authority in regulating mixed housing units, such as auxiliary dwelling units, tiny homes, and triplexes.
  • Remove allowances for parking lot minimums. 

H765 received a favorable report in the House Housing and Development Committee. It is currently sitting in House Rules. 

Legislative Spring Break and Crossover 

Next week, the House and Senate will be on a Legislative Spring break. Both chambers will not be scheduled to meet until Monday, April 28th. Crossover deadline is scheduled for Thursday, May 8th. A bill must pass out of its chamber of origin before May 8th to be eligible for consideration during the biennium. 

Town Manager’s Report

No town manager’s report this week due to the holiday.

Mayor’s Mailbox

I typically receive several complaints a week. But it has always fascinated me that holidays generate several complaints. Here are the emails I received this week:

  • Dozens of complaints about the Regency proposal 24-REZ-06 (Council has yet to see a staff report and hold a public hearing).
  • Dozens of complaints about the Waverly proposal 23-REZ-12.
  • A complaint about downtown parking during events.
  • A request for help with a legacy bench.
  • A request to buy someone’s property because a development “is a heartless and cruel way to treat Cary’s senior citizens by the Town.” (The town’s development follows the Cary Community Plan created by Cary citizens. In addition, property owners have a protected right to develop their property, and we have no authority to prevent that. The authority we have been given is to decide the type of use. And again, that is based on the Cary Community Plan.)

Next Week

Next week’s activities include staff meetings, a private meeting with a citizen, a Wake County Mayors Association meeting, a State of Cary address open to the public, an Economic Development meeting, a meeting with Regency residents, a council reception to welcome sister city students from Le Touquet, the last regularly scheduled council meeting of April, a NC Metro Mayors meeting, and the Triangle Walk to Defeat Dementia.

Well, that is all for this week. My next post will be on Sunday, April 27th, 2025. Although I have Facebook and Twitter accounts, those are not the best means of communication with me. Please send all Town of Cary questions or comments to Harold.Weinbrecht@carync.gov and email personal comments to augustanat@mindspring.com.