HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRC minutes 050615
FROM: Parks and Recreation Advisory Council
SUBJECT: Monthly Meeting
DATE: May 6, 2015
LOCATION: EAC conference room
____________________________________________________________________________
MEMBERS PRESENT: Neal Bench; Tori Williams Reid; Joel Bulkley; James Carter; Evelyn
Daniel; John Greeson; Betty McDade Khan, Haywood Rhodes; Rob Robinson;
MEMBERS ABSENT: Allan Green (Excused)
STAFF PRESENT: David Stancil; Lynn Hecht; Chris Sousa
____________________________________________________________________________
I. Beginning time of meeting: 6:30. Introductions were made as Daniel, Greeson and
Rhodes were new board members in attendance for the first time. Prior to the
meeting, the board had a tour of our northern most parks and the new members were
provided a brief board member orientation.
a. Meeting Summary (3/4) No comments on the March notes.
b. Additions or Changes to the Agenda: No additions were requested.
II. Report of the Chair.
a. Welcome to New Members, all introduced themselves.
b. Prior Membership Recommendations Status: the board still has an at large
position after an applicant for this position did not work out.
c. Consideration of Cheeks Township position: Rachel Massai is a new applicant.
The board looked at her application for this position. Daniels moved to
recommend, Greeson 2nd the motion. All voted in favor. All the other applicants
were then up for the at large position. Bill Kaiser was noted as since appointed to
another advisory board. Daniel Siler is chair of Carrboro Parks & Recreation
Board. Both were still the strongest applicants, however, the board did not move
either name forward. Bench asked if Stancil can talk with Kaiser about wanting to
be involved and provisionally include him if he is interested. The board will
forward Massai’s name to the BOCC for recommendation for the Cheeks
Township Position (along with Kaiser’s if he is interested).
d. The BOCC is watching attendance closely now. Members need to attend 2/3 of
the meetings. Each quarter, the attendance of the board is turned in to the BOCC.
III. New Business
a. Discussion with Recreational Bicycling Group Representatives, Alex Castro, Jr
and Clifford Leath, from Bingham Township. One issue is bicycling in the rural
areas. There have been incidents of riders getting killed or injured. The group
wants the department to put bike paths into the Park plans, specifically bike paths
through the parks. The representatives would like for the board to look at Hollow
Rock and Millhouse. Can biking be included in the MTS trail in Orange County
where suitable? Something similar to the rails to trails. Castro and Leath added
that they would like to see the County organize a community event where there is
a big ride including a segment of a road, and all levels of riding expertise with
policing at intersections. Castro provided the council a copy of his remarks.
Project ENGAGE is a program for Senior Citizens, letting seniors know in
Orange County know what all is available. 50% of seniors live in the rural
community. Many ride bikes still. This group would like to educate riders and
drivers as to how they should work together. If there were bicycle paths in parks,
they might get off the road. Greeson did not think this would solve the problem of
the typical bicyclist using slim tires. Williams Reid said this would not work for
her type of riding because of the slim tires she uses. Education is the foremost
solution. Pelotons are a problem group to work with as they are dangerous in their
riding styles of riding in large groups. Rhodes asked about the length of the trail
that they are thinking of. At least 2 miles was the answer. Bench said, for
example, if there is an outer 4-mile loop at a park, then it could be multi use. The
board thanked Leath and Castro for their presentation.
b. River Park’s Concept Plan and FY 2015-16 Improvements. Staff explained the
planned improvements to Churton Street. As a result, Stancil noted that River
Park is likely going to jump up on the list of priorities. With the previously-
planned funds, a performance shell would be added to the site, trails and bridges
improved, and the Occoneecchee Village would be restored to some degree. The
Town of Hillsborough is going to do some improvements on Churton Street, with
a bus turnout at the park across from Weaver Street Market is planned, connected
by a cross walk where it meets RiverPark. At that point, the land grades down
quite a bit. Right-of-way will be requested by NCDOT and the Town to build the
bus turnout lane This lane and the lack of guardrail will effectively create a new
entrance into the park. Staff will need to figure out what to do with the park
patrons entering from there. There might need to be a new trail connection to
either River Walk or to the Farmers Market Pavilion, since those are likely
destinations. Greeson asked if the County could bring in money by having
performance within a gated off section or would it be open and free? Stancil said
that activities in the park cannot be charged a fee, but that was something to think
about. He added that down the road, Weaver Street Market might want to do
something like their Carrboro location does with performances on the lawn by the
building. Bulkley asked if the County could sell alcohol. Stancil said yes, with
approval from the County Manager. $300,000 capital funds are in the plan for its
improvements, and this will be considered as part of the CIP and budget next
month..
In terms of other concept planning, fall will probably be a time when a plan is
begun between Chapel Hill and Orange County for the Millhouse Road Park.
Staff is meeting with Chapel Hill counterparts on this in coming weeks.
c. Schedule Adjustment – The June meeting will be the Council’s cookout meeting
instead of May. The staff is hoping to have the meeting at Blackwood Farm.
IV. Old Business
a. Blackwood Farm Park – Update. The park is under construction now. The parking
lot and driveway improvements are underway. Picnic Shelter, table and amenities
need to be added. Trails are largely completed, but signage is awaiting
installation. Tentatively, May 29 is a possible date for a soft opening with official
opening perhaps to be Friday, June 12 (subject to change). Ribbon cutting will
happen at that time.
b. Mountains to Sea Trail (MST) Master Plan – the Draft Master plan is out. The
State has been working on a plan for the whole state. Orange County has the most
difficult segment of the plan with almost 19 miles, much of it cross country in the
southwestern section of the county. In particular, the stretch from OWASA land at
Cane Creek Reservoir travels up to the County’s Upper Eno Preserve (Seven-Mile
Creek Access) with cross country path, no natural features to follow, and multiple
landowners. Further east, RiverWalk in the Town is part of the MST trail. County
staff thinks that an initial focus on refining how to get from Seven-Mile Creek
access back to Occonneechee Mountain/River Walk would be the best first
section to address. Bench asked that this be placed again on the June agenda.
Discussion took place related to use of water at Moorefields and Seven-Mile
Creek for the MST, and how that would work.
V. Report of the Director (Stancil)
a. Community Centers; Fairview Park; Updates on Other Projects.
March’s Council discussion on Community Centers and the write up from that
meeting was helpful at a recent BOCC meeting. The Manager and Board seem
supportive of addressing resources to these centers. Staff is in a good place to
have Cedar Grove and Efland Cheeks Community Center up and running in the
early part of 2016. Construction is in progress at Cedar Grove, opening projected
for March 2016. Fairview Park - Discussion has taken place about the potential
annexation of the park into Town of Hillsborough. The department has an inter-
local agreement with the town that is up for renewal soon.
VI. Committee Reports
a. Items from the Council. No comments from the Council.
b. Intergovernmental Parks Work Group (Khan) UNC campus recreation presented
on what the new Recreation facility. A new recreation facility is being built. They
were not sure where it will be located. It will be somewhere in the Woolen Gym,
Fetzer Gym area across from Kenan Stadium. Bench asked who is in the
Intergovernmental group. Orange County, Town of Hillsborough, Carrboro,
Chapel Hill, Mebane Parks & Recreation Departments; UNC; Triangle Land
Conservancy; Schools; Eno River Association, elected officials from all entities;
and more.
c. Friends of Orange County Parks and Recreation (FOCPR) report. FOCPR looking
for anyone to join the group. Khan is the chair, Green, treasurer and secretary; and
Robinson.
Next meeting is at the Blackwood Farm on 6/3/2015 (tentatively.)
Meeting adjourned at: _8:20pm____________________
Name of Notes Taker _Lynn Hecht___________________