The Cary Town Council has approved a neighborhood park plan, including an entrance on a neighborhood street, despite the protests of some who live near the site.

Carpenter Neighborhood Park will begin construction by mid-2014, with 16 acres that will feature a community garden, a playground, a basketball court and walking paths.

Some residents of Carpenter Village said they worry a secondary entrance on Carpenter Town Lane will draw extra traffic through their neighborhood.

Eric Sanchez, who has rallied neighborhood opposition to the park entrance, put it this way: “Our optimal choice is that there is no access. When you live there, you feel it,” he said. “It's that simple.”

But town staff contended that the second entrance would be safer and easier for people looking to access the park from adjoining subdivisions.

The question of access split the council 4-3, with council members Ed Yerha, Lori Bush and Jennifer Robinson dissenting on the decision to install a full-access entrance on Carpenter Town Lane.

“It is not a vote against Carpenter Village,” said Councilwoman Gale Adcock, who supported the secondary entrance. “It is a vote for upholding Cary’s design standards.”

Mayor Harold Weinbrecht noted that the town also could install bollards to block vehicle access to the park from Carpenter Town Lane should future problems arise. From staff reports