Northwoods/ Buckherst is a small, dog-friendly neighborhood close to the downtown area of Cary, which features wide streets, sidewalks and access to the Northwoods Greenway for a hiking adventure. It is also home to the Cary Dog Park at Robert V. Godbold Park. This fenced, off-leash 1-acre park offers separate areas for smaller and quieter dogs, and their larger, more boisterous counterparts. It’s open until 10 p.m., and provides lights for those night owl growlers and their humans, as well as water, waste receptacles and bags, benches and a gazebo. Owners need to obtain a municipal pass for entry to the dog park, and show proof of rabies vaccination.  This neighborhood is also home to 2 dog-friendly restaurants. The Lucky Chicken serves Peruvian fare, while Noodle Boulevard offers noodle and rice bowls, kimchi and other Asian street food. Both offer outdoor tables that welcome your pup!

Carpenter is a pleasant residential neighborhood that abuts Carpenter Park, a 16-acre open space that features several short trails and a community garden, along with a playground. This park has a central pond with an earthen dam, a large play lawn area for running and fetching, as well as a terraced lawn. As with all Cary city parks, dogs are welcome if well-behaved. Well-behaved owners are expected to clean up after their dogs. Your furry friend will love spending time with his family while the “siblings” play on the playground, and mom and dad just relax on the benches.