After 20 years of planning, this park has become a treasure for the town of Cary, North Carolina. With seven acres of land, the park includes botanical gardens, fitness areas, and event spaces. As the final design came together, the town worked with Ruppert Landscape, based in Laytonsville, Maryland, to bring the vision to life, leading to the company earning a 2024 Gold Award of Excellence.
“We knew that delivering a high-quality project on a tight schedule would require an ‘all hands on deck’ effort,” says Dan Flake, assistant branch manager for Ruppert’s North Carolina landscape installation branch. “This project demanded significant time and resources from our team, and everyone rose to the occasion. The result is a beautiful, finished project that we’re proud of. Earning this award is a testament to the dedication of our team, our subcontractors, and the general contractor – a win we all share.”
This project was complex, so Ruppert broke it down into seven phases called zones. Some of these zones focused on installing large amounts of material, like turf, soil, and drainage. Other zones were more intricate, like the playground area.
“Many trades were involved with installing this area, including the boulders, play equipment, and fountains, so extra coordination was required,” Flake says. “We installed rubberized surfaces, which required extra focus on weather to avoid rain or cold temperatures. This area took about six months to complete.”
Before the installation, the team had to excavate over 20,000 yards of existing soil.
“We removed 2-3 feet of soil in most areas and replaced it with an 8” sand layer, perforated drainage pipe, and manufactured soil blend,” Flake adds. “A large part of our scope was the excavation and installation of site soils. Across the property, we had 11 different soil profiles, including structural soil, planting soil, lawn soil with fibers, etc.”
The new soil became a foundation for 49,000 perennials, 7,300 shrubs, and 830 trees. With so many plants to install, Ruppert used just-in-time delivery to minimize the wait time for getting plants in the ground. If the plants couldn’t be installed right away, the team used an onsite water truck and a temporary drip system.
Another priority was preserving the existing trees. Since excavation wasn’t an option, the team used air spades to add compost and avoid damaging the tree roots. These trees are scattered around the site, which limited access to heavy machinery to avoid compacting the soil. Skid steers and ball carts were allowed in a few paved areas, but much of the material was moved using a wheelbarrow, Georgia buggy, or by hand.
Rain was a factor throughout the project. To prevent storm runoff, Ruppert installed filter fabric and gutter buddies around the sewer grates. When the rain was heavy, the crew focused their work in areas where the ground was workable. The heavy equipment was fitted with wide track shoes, and gravel was added to some areas for better traction.
During the install, Ruppert had about 20 employees onsite daily for 8 months straight.
“Every day began with a morning huddle to discuss our goals for the day and divide the crews accordingly,” Flake says. “To ensure efficiency, the team performed the same scope items throughout the different zones (we had an excavating crew, soil install crew, tree install crew, and shrub/perennial install crew). We also had 2-3 field managers on the job at a given time and weekly site visits from the project management team.”
Almost 100 subcontractors were also present, so the team made sure everyone was on the same page to coordinate deliveries, delays, or changes to the plan.
This park had only one access point for deliveries, so extra safety measures were in place to keep residents safe and minimize disruption. A fence was installed for security, and deliveries were set up to avoid full road closures. Hundreds of deliveries occurred during the project, so two full-time employees oversaw each delivery.
As the park came together, the results were stunning. Visitors get to experience a unique botanical theme that highlights the native landscapes of North Carolina. A network of pathways lets them explore each garden and enjoy the other amenities.
Additionally, visitors can access a dog park, splash pad, and even a restaurant inside the dog park. Many of these areas are woven together in a series of rooms, giving each area a distinct feel. The result is equally satisfying for the town and the Ruppert team.
“It’s incredibly rewarding to see the park used as intended,” Flake says. “As a large, densely planted site, the thoughtful selection and installation of materials give it a mature, well-established feel that truly sets it apart. What really stood out during the project was everyone’s commitment to get it done the right way. We’re honored to have been part of this effort and hope the community enjoys the park for years to come.”
Interested in participating in the Awards of Excellence? Enter your projects by July 31, 2025.
