HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 02-15-2018 Item 1 - Park Construction and Funding Update
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: February 15, 2018
Action Agenda
Item No. 1
SUBJECT: Park Construction and Funding Update
DEPARTMENT: Environment, Agriculture, Parks
& Recreation (DEAPR)
ATTACHMENT(S):
Table of Planned Park Projects
Map of Current and Future Parks
INFORMATION CONTACT:
David Stancil, 919-245-2522
PURPOSE: To discuss the status of planned park construction projects and existing funding
sources.
BACKGROUND: At the December 12, 2017 BOCC meeting, the Board suggested that an
update of park construction projects and funding sources be planned for the February work
session.
As shown on the attached table and map, the adopted Capital Investment Plan (CIP) –
consistent with the County’s adopted 2030 Parks and Recreation Master Plan – includes a
number of park projects. These include completion of several existing or partially-built facilities,
as well as plans for parks with sites land-banked through the Lands Legacy Program, and a few
facilities for which land has not yet been acquired.
In general, Orange County parks and public open spaces fall into the following categories, which
are elaborated on in the 2030 Master Plan:
• Regional Parks (such as Little River and Blackwood Farm)
• District Parks (such as Twin Creeks/Moniese Nomp)
• Community Parks (such as Fairview Park and Cedar Grove Park)
• Linear Parks (Trails – such as the portion of the Mountains to Sea Trail)
• Nature Preserves / Nature Parks (such as Hollow Rock and Seven Mile Creek)
There are a total of 13 projects listed in the CIP and shown on the attached table. The cost
estimates shown are total projected cost, and do not include potential grants or partner funding
amounts, which may significantly reduce the cost of the projects. It is also worth noting that
many parks may be completed in phases. Twin Creeks Park, for example, was broken into three
phases last year (Phase 1 is completed), while other large district parks like Northeast and
Bingham have not yet progressed to that level of discussion. There is also the potential to scale
back the scope of facilities and amenities planned. The cost estimates shown are based on
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estimates prepared to date for a comparable park of the size and type, or by actual cost
estimates created for the park in question.
In some cases, land for an identified park need has been acquired using previously-approved
general obligation bond funds. This “land-banking” program was a conscious and deliberate
component of the Lands Legacy Program (created in 2000) to identify, evaluate, secure and
protect good park sites while they still existed, in the aggressive real estate boom years before
2007. Acquisition of future park sites is but one of five areas of activity for the Lands Legacy
Program.
There are two projects where land acquisition is still needed – Bingham District Park and the
Mountains to Sea Trail (MST). Funding for land acquisition is included within the Lands Legacy
Fund or in the park project account, and work is underway to secure these lands at present.
Looking at the timing of planned park construction projects, two significant projects are currently
slated for funding in the upcoming FY 2018-19 (pending further Board discussion of the CIP
later this spring). Construction of many of the planned facilities at Blackwood Farm Park is
scheduled for next fiscal year, upon completion of infrastructure improvements needed. This
infrastructure work (parking, turn lanes, entrance road) has been delayed pending the decision
of the location for the Parks Operations Base, which was originally slated for this site. The Board
will see an updated master plan in March as a prelude to the hiring of engineering and design
consultants later this spring.
The second phase of Cedar Grove Park is also scheduled for construction beginning in FY
2018-19. This would involve new baseball/softball fields, tennis courts, parking and other
amenities. An update to this master plan will also be forthcoming to address a possible change
in the type of ballfields planned, to help replace several small fields in Hillsborough that will be
lost to development in 2020.
On a smaller scale, funds are also proposed next fiscal year for Little River Park (to address the
Laws House near the park entrance) and a waystation/trailhead for the MST at Seven Mile
Creek Nature Park.
Funding Sources
Historically, funding for County parks has come from:
• General obligation bonds approved by voters in 1997 and 2001;
• State grants from sources such as the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund and the
Regional Trails Program, and federal grants from the Land and Water Conservation
Fund;
• Funding from partner entities, including Durham County and the Town of Chapel Hill;
• Payment-in-Lieu funds collected and used by district for park projects; and
• Other general fund appropriations made by the Board
These sources are expected to continue to be an important part of funding for parks, especially
for the MST (which may also include the bond funds available from the State).
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with receiving the update. As
noted above, the bulk of park construction funds to date have come from voter-approved
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general obligation bonds augmented with grants, partner funding and payment-in-lieu funds.
Some of the funds that originated in the 2001 Parks and Open Space Bond remain in a different
form and are part of the designated funding sources in the CIP. However, much of the planned
future funding for park construction would be from undesignated future sources. Staff plans to
apply for grants for projects that are projected to stand the best chance for funding, from
sources such as the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (and in the case of the Mountains to Sea
Trail, the Connect NC state bond). Depending on the location of the project, some payment-in-
lieu funds will be available to help augment park construction, but these funds are not large
enough to provide full funding for the park projects. Likewise, re-appropriation of funds from
other capital projects (including Conservation Easements, Lands Legacy and other County
capital projects) are not likely to provide significant funding assistance, as these accounts have
a number of pending and encumbered funds awaiting action.
SOCIAL JUSTICE IMPACT: The creation of public parks and open spaces are consistent with
all five Social Justice Goals:
• GOAL: FOSTER A COMMUNITY CULTURE THAT REJECTS OPPRESSION AND
INEQUITY
The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race or color;
religious or philosophical beliefs; sex, gender or sexual orientation; national origin or
ethnic background; age; military service; disability; and familial, residential or economic
status.
• GOAL: ENSURE ECONOMIC SELF-SUFFICIENCY
The creation and preservation of infrastructure, policies, programs and funding necessary
for residents to provide shelter, food, clothing and medical care for themselves and their
dependents.
• GOAL: CREATE A SAFE COMMUNITY
The reduction of risks from vehicle/traffic accidents, childhood and senior injuries, gang
activity, substance abuse and domestic violence.
• GOAL: ESTABLISH SUSTAINABLE AND EQUITABLE LAND-USE AND
ENVIRONMENTAL POLICIES
The fair treatment and meaningful involvement of people of all races, cultures, incomes
and educational levels with respect to the development and enforcement of
environmental laws, regulations, policies, and decisions. Fair treatment means that no
group of people should bear a disproportionate share of the negative environmental
consequences resulting from industrial, governmental and commercial operations or
policies.
• GOAL: ENABLE FULL CIVIC PARTICIPATION
Ensure that Orange County residents are able to engage government through voting and
volunteering by eliminating disparities in participation and barriers to participation.
Orange County has built and has plans to expand parks in historically underserved
communities, which offer opportunities for improvement of public and personal health; safe
settings for informal play and recreation for youth and adults; places where food distribution and
other public services are provided; protection of the natural resources of the county within the
park, fostering enjoyment and interaction with nature; and opportunities to volunteer both within
County government as coaches and mentors but also with community groups that use parks to
further their participatory goals.
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RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board receive the update and
presentation, and provide direction to the Manager and staff on priorities for park construction
and funding.
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Current Planned Park Capital Projects
(Listed alphabetically…from the adopted FY 2017-22 Capital Investment Plan)
Park Approved
Master Plan?
Design Year and
Funding
Construction Year and
Funding
Comments
Bingham District Park
60-120 acres TBA in Bingham
Township
No FY 22-23 ($300,000) FY 23-24 ($6.7 million)1 Land to be acquired. Located along MST
route? Mix of active and low-impact
recreation.
Blackwood Farm Park
152 acres between Hillsborough
and Chapel Hill. Opened under
limited facilities (Phase 1) and
hours June 2015.
Yes Existing FY 18-19 (1.8 million)
FY 23-24 (602,000)
Infrastructure in 2018, Phase 2 in 18-19;
Phase 3 in 23-24. Low-impact recreation,
nature center, open fields, house repairs,
disc golf. (Parks Op Base removed.)
Cedar Grove Park
44 acres on NC 86 North. Adjacent
to community center
Yes FY 18-19 (100,000) FY 18-19 (1.64 million)
Phase 2: Ballfields, walking track, trails.
Revise master plan to show smaller
baseball/softball fields.
Fairview Park
50-acre park site in north
Hillsborough, contains large former
Town “landfill.”
Yes (update
needed by
2020)
FY 20-21 (In House?) FY 21-22 (1.5 million) Landfill site assessment underway,
potentially followed by mitigation FY 19-
20 (State funded). Possible park
improvements – scale dependent on
results of study. Update plan in 2020.
Hollow Rock Nature Park
72-acre public access area within
larger New Hope Preserve. Located
south of Erwin Road along New
Hope Creek, in Durham and
Orange counties.
Yes In House FY 18-19 - ?1
Ca FY 24-25 (165,000)
Opened June 2016. Joint Orange
County/Durham County. Additional work
could be done in 2019 if state grant
received. Further improvements (shown as
FY 24-25) if Pickett Road closed.
Little River Regional Park
Joint park with Durham County,
operated by Orange. Off Guess
Road, 391 acres along county line.
Yes 2 In House FY 18-19 (50,000)
FY 21-22 (250,000)
Trails, picnic shelters, nature areas and
programs. FY 18-19 funds for Laws house.
New playground and trail improvements
planned in FY 21-22. Durham County 50%
funding.
1 This park could be split into phases. Grant funding may be pursued, or partner funding may exist to offset County costs.
2 A master plan was completed in 2002 for the developed portion of the park. OC and DC staffs are working on updated plan to cover entirety of park.
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Millhouse Road Park
79 acres on Millhouse Road.
Current Parks Op Base. Expected
partner project with Chapel Hill
No (internal
sketches)
FY 20-21 (300,000) FY 21-22 (6.4 million)1
(Proposed 50% cost-
share with Town of
Chapel Hill)
Proposed to be soccer complex with trails
and low-impact recreation adj Duke Forest
to west. Phasing? Partner project with
Town of Chapel Hill. Possible “home park”
on 8-10 acres?
Mountains to Sea Trail
Segment 11 from Occoneechee
Mountain to Alamance County
Yes In House FY 18-19 (100,000)
FY 19-20 (390,000)1
FY 24-25 (623,000) 3
(includes land and
construction)
Funding assistance from State Parks. Trail
assistance from Friends of MST. Work
underway on Occ Mtn south to Seven Mile.
Seven Mile waystation in FY 18-19.
Buckhorn Road to Alamance in FY 19-20.
Buckhorn to Seven Mile as final section
Northeast District Park
142 acres bordering on Schley and
Mincey Roads. Land-banked,
leased for cattle grazing.
No
(Preliminary
Concept Plan)
FY 21-22 (350,000) FY 22-23 (7.65 million)1 Mix of active and low-impact recreation.
Possible baseball/softball complex.
Includes Solid Waste convenience center,
other possible uses
River Park
Approximately 10 acres between
Courthouse and Eno River.
Includes Riverwalk (MST) section
Yes Existing Existing Riverwalk bridge, performance shell, trail
connections, new entrance from Churton
Street and stormwater improvements
from existing funds
Soccer.com Center
75 acres on West Ten Road south
of Efland, adjacent to Gravelly Hill
Middle.
Yes (update in
2018)
Existing FY 19-20 (4.5 million)1 Expansion of the facility would include new
fields, parking, road, restrooms
maintenance and stormwater work. Tennis
courts?
Twin Creeks Park
(Moniese Nomp)
Aka Chapel Hill Township District
Park. 96-acre park adjoining
schools campus along Old 86 north
of Carrboro. Phase 1 built 2011.
Yes Ph 2 FY19-20 (220,000)
Ph 3 FY26-27 (220,000)
FY 20-21 (3.78 million)1
FY 27-28 (3.78 million)
Park will require access road. Mix of active
and low-impact recreation, connecting to
schools. Planned as three phase
construction, Phase 1 complete.
Upper Eno Nature
Preserve – Nature Parks
1) Seven Mile Creek
2) McGowan Creek
No
(Preliminary
Concept Plan)
In House FY 20-21 (400,000) Seven Mile Creek Nature Park work
underway (MST). McGowan Creek in FY 20-
21 pending NCDOT transportation
improvements
3 Phases 2 and 3 in adopted CIP proposed to be shifted to reflect landowner interest and trail opportunities
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Projects By Year (as shown in CIP)
Project FY 18-19 FY 19-20 FY 20-21 FY 21-22 FY 22-23 “Out Years”
(FY 23-28)
Bingham Park $300,000 $6,700,000
Blackwood Farm Park $1,795,000 $602,000
Cedar Grove Park 1,740,000
Fairview Park 1,500,000
Hollow Rock Nature
Park
165,000
Little River Regional
Park
50,000 250,000
Millhouse Road Park $300,000 6,400,000
Mountains to Sea Trail 100,000 $390,000 623,000
Northeast District Park 350,000 7,650,000
River Park
Soccer.com Center 4,500,000
Twin Creeks Park
(Moniese Nomp)
220,000 3,780,000 4,000,000
Upper Eno Nature
Preserve Nature Parks
400,000
Not all funds shown are County funds. Does not include grant funds, or partner funds. Does not reflect potential phasing (except for Twin Creeks
and Mountains to Sea Trail).
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CIP Park Project Locations
DEAPRMap prepared by Land Records/GIS Division2/28/2013 Update 3/27/2017<OC 220K O:\gishome\gisproj\land_resources\CIP_PkPrjLocations.mxd
1 in = 2 miles
Legend Main roads
LakesMunicipal ETJsTowns
Existing Parks1. Cedar Grove Park2. Little River Regional Park3. Soccer.com Center4. River Park5. Fairview Park8. Blackwood Farm Park9. Hollow Rock Nature Park
Future Parks 6. Twin Creeks (Moniese Nomp) Park 7. Millhouse Road Park10. Upper Eno Nature Preserves11. Northeast District Park
Proposed Mountains to Sea Trail
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