Marla Dorrel Park

Marla Dorrel Park, located in Cary, North Carolina, is a 17.3-acre community park that features the unique Kids Together Playground. The park is known for its commitment to inclusive play, designed to accommodate children of all abilities.

The centerpiece of the park is the Kids Together Playground, a 2-acre accessible playground that incorporates principles of universal design. This ensures that children with various physical and mental abilities can play together seamlessly. The playground includes a variety of play structures with graduated levels of difficulty, wheelchair-accessible ramps, and equipment designed for integrated play.

One of the most distinctive features of the park is a large climbing structure in the shape of a dragon named Katal. This eye-catching sculpture serves as both a play structure and a unique landmark within the park. The playground area also includes various swings, including chair swings with clickable harnesses for children with special needs, traditional swings, and a swinging platform with wheelchair-accessible ramps.

The park's design emphasizes shade and comfort, with numerous trees providing natural cover and shade sails installed over some play areas. Wide, paved sidewalks wind throughout the park, making it easy to navigate for visitors using wheelchairs or strollers. The park also features interactive elements such as purple whisper benches and wheelchair-accessible sand tables along the pathways.

For younger children, there is a partially fenced-in toddler area that includes a playhouse, a river of sand, water sources, and small climbing structures. The park also incorporates sensory play elements, including a misting garden where children can cool off on hot days.

Beyond the playground, Marla Dorrel Park offers additional recreational amenities and connects to the wider community through the Hinshaw Greenway, a 1.7-mile asphalt pathway that links the park to other areas of Cary.