CARY - Mary Henderson, whose role in creating Cary's cultural and recreational venues helped put the town on countless best-places lists, is retiring.

Henderson, director of Cary's parks, recreation and cultural resources department, will leave her post June 1. She has worked for the town for 28 years.

"She's really done a phenomenal job in a role that was very difficult because of how the town was changing," Mayor Harold Weinbrecht said. "She created world-class venues that matched the population as it was growing."

Henderson, 55, oversaw the creation of the USA Baseball National Training Complex, Cary Tennis Park, Koka Booth Amphitheater, three community centers, eight parks and 24 miles of greenway trails. She also coordinated the acquisition of more than 1,000 acres for parks.

Henderson was out of town last week and could not be reached for comment.

In a prepared statement, she said she was retiring to spend more time with family. "What a wonderful opportunity I have had throughout my career, not only to be actively engaged in the profession of parks and recreation to which I am deeply committed, but also to work in the best local government," she said in the statement.

The Statesville native joined the town's staff in 1981 and was promoted to department director in 1995. Under her tenure, the town became an NCAA Championship City, generating millions of dollars for the local economy.

Henderson developed parks for neighborhoods, emphasizing trails and open land.

Cary will begin a national search for her replacement. The town hopes to have a new director by the summer.

"This person will have big shoes to fill," Weinbrecht said.