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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 10-17-2000-9dORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: October 17, 2000 Action Ager~da~ _. Item No. ~` SUBJECT: Use and Access Plan -McGowan Creek Preserve DEPARTMENT: ERCD PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: Use and Access Plan David Stancil, ext 2590 Property Orthophoto (1993) Rich Shaw, ext 2591 Proposed Site Development Plan TELEPHONE NUMBERS: Proposed Signage Plan Hillsborough 732-8181 Chapel Hill 968-4501 Durham 688-7331 Mebane 336-227-2031 PURPOSE: To consider a proposal for the future public access and use of the McGowan Creek Preserve, a new 63-acre County park located west of Hillsborough on US 70, and a menu of signage options for such County natural area parklands. BACKGROUND: On March 31 of this year, Orange County purchased .this former piece of Duke Forest from Duke University. The tract was acquired with a matching grant from the N.C. Clean Water Management Trust Fund for purposes of watershed protection and the provision of open space in an urbanizing area along the US 70 corridor. The property, now termed the McGowan Creek Preserve, lies adjacent to Corporation Lake in the critical area of the Upper Eno watershed. A proposed plan for the development and use of the preserve for limited public recreation is attached, including staffs thoughts on an entrance driveway, parking area, restroom, walking trails and signage. While there are no funds for park development currently allocated, the planning for eventual park use can be accomplished at this time. Because of the site's location in a watershed critical area and the need to preserve the natural state of the property,. only limited development for public use is permitted outside of the area subject to a conservation easement held by the State of North Carolina. In addition to the use and access plan, staff has developed a menu of signage (attached) proposed for use at this and future County parks that contain sensitive natural areas or low- impact recreation uses. FINANCIAL IMPACT: Developing the site for these public uses will require future expenditures of County funds, which are as yet unbudgeted. The estimated costs for site development is about $60,000, including tum lane ($30,000), gravel driveway and parking area ($12,000), rustic toilet facility ($15,000) and signage ($3,000). Possible sources for site development might include payment-in-lieu funds or the remaining funds from the 1997 Parks bond for facility development. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board discuss the proposed use and access plan, and the signage plan, and instruct staff to make revisions as needed. The Board may also wish to consider authorizing staff to solicit bids for aturn-lane and for the driveway/parking improvements to mare-accurately determine the full costs of implementing the plan for the McGowan Creek Preserve. Legend ~ Water McGowan Creek Preserve Parcel Boundary 63 Acres 1993 Aerial Photography Orange County Orange County, ERCD October 5, 2000 1:7QQI 4 Orange County Environment and Resource Conservation Department Draft 10/17/Z000 Use and Access Plan for McGowan Creek Preserve The McGowan Creek Preserve was acquired by Orange County to further protect the critical area'for the Upper Eno watershed and to preserve an area of open space between Hillsborough and Efland. Located at the confluence of McGowan Creek and the Eno River, the 53-acre park provides a natural area for people and wildlife to enjoy. The site will feature a rustic picnic area and two miles of trails through the mature. woodlands that were formerly part of Duke Forest. Several issues that must be considered before developing the park for public use. Staff recommendations for parkland use and access are presented below for BOCC consideration and approval.. A proposed site plan for the park is attached. Visitor Use Staff proposes developing a few basic amenities to enable the public to use and enjoy the park for picnics, hiking, and nature study. A small gravel parking area (5-7 cars) is planned near the entrance from US 70. From there visitors will be able to use picnic tables and enjoy a walk on trails leading through various sections of the property. (Please see. the attached site plan) Hours of 0 eration Staff proposes advertising the park being open to the public only during daylight hours-from dawn to dusk. There would be no gate at the entrance, nor would there be a chain to lock up or remove at the beginning and end of the day. Park Entrance Access to the park will be from a driveway entrance from US 70 West. Because of the high-speed travel and unusual lane shifts along this stretch of roadway, the NC Department of Transportation has advised Orange County that it will need to construct a new turn lane beginning at least 200 feet from the entrance. The County Engineer is calculating the turn lane specifications so that staff can submit a driveway permit application to NCDOT. The estimate cost of the turn lane is about $30,000. Trash Removal Staff proposes making McGowan Creek Preserve is a "trash-free park," meaning visitors will be asked to pack up and remove any trash or debris that they bring to the park. We could try this for a while and see whether we need to have a trash receptacle at the picnic area. If so, trash would likely need to be picked up no more than once each week: McGowan Creek Preserve Orange County ERCD 5 Toilet Facilities The Environment Health Division has issued a permit for a public toilet near the parking area. Staff proposes waiting for a period of time, six months to a year, and observing the frequency of visitor use before deciding on the need for a toilet facility. That way we could gauge whether a rustic, unisex composting toilet might serve adequately or whether we need some other kind of system. [Duke University does not provide toilet facilities in Duke Forest. Eno River State Park provides rustic toilets at some of the heavily used locations in the park.] Trails ERCD staff will enlist volunteers to help develop the trails over time and to help maintain trails as needed. Staff has staked out an initial walking trail that will guide visitors from the proposed parking area to the northeast corner of the property. The trail runs through the mature hardwood forest to a 19~' Century home site where a remarkable stone chimney sits atop a high knoll overlooking Corporation Lake. From there the trail leads down to a scenic area along McGowan Creek. Unfortunately, McGowan Creek itself is located just outside the park boundary on property owned by Orange-Alamance Water System. Staff is interested in pursuing an agreement with Orange-Alamance for use of the trail. A second loop trail is proposed that would leading hikers to the western half of the park and along a portion of McGowan Creek. A third trail is proposed along McGowan Creek, running just north of the park property. Again, an agreement would be needed with Orange-Alamance Water System, which awns the riparian corridor.. Many sections of that corridor received heavy tree damage from recent storms, creating obstructions to hiking along, McGowan Creek. In general, staff does not intend to remove downed trees unless they impede walking along a trail, interfere with an interesting park feature (e.g., chimney site), or pose a safety hazard. Signage A number of different signs are proposed for McGowan Creek Preserve. A description and sketch of the various types of signs are attached. Boundary signs have already been ordered and will be posted in October. Other essential signs are needed for the park entrance and to inform visitors of the allowed uses within the park. Some other signs, such as interpretive signs, are not needed right away and can be developed over time. Pro osed Rules and Re ulations Staff proposes the following rules for use of the site. The full text of these rules would be included in a proposed one-page flyer that will be available upon entering the park. Some rules will also be posted on signs within the park. ERCD staff is working with the County Attorney to make sure the County has the proper authority to adopt and enforce these proposed rules. McGowan Creek Preserve Orange County ERCD Proposed Rules for the McGowan Creek Preserve 1. Recreational uses are encouraged and allowed as long as the activities do not - disrupt the natural character of the properly or any other land use activities authorized on the property. Incompatible recreational uses include; (a) fishing, hunting, or trapping (b) target shooting; (c) use of vehicles ofF designated corridors at sites where vehicles are allowed for upland transportation according to the management plan; (d) riding of horses, motorcycles, vehicles and bicycles; (e) production of noise disruptive to local wildlife and the aesthetic enjoyment of the property as a natural area; and (f) camping or any form of habitation. 2. Users should respect the rights of adjacent private landowners when parking vehicles and hiking on County property. 3. Firearms and fireworks are prohibited., 4. The possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited. 5. Open fires are not permitted. The gathering of firewood is prohibited. 6. Personal properly not authorized by the Orange County ERCD may not be placed within the boundaries of property for more than two consecutive days. 7. The removal or disturbance of any plant, animal, artifact or mineral is prohibited unless such action is part of a research or educational project approved by Orange County ERCD. 8. Persons wishing to engage in scientific research or collection of natural materials within the property shall first secure written permission from the Orange County ERCD. 9. No activity shall be allowed which might pollute any stream or body of water in the property. Acts of pollution shall include: (a) deposition of solid materials not indigenous to the local ecosystem; and (b) discharge of liquids other than uncontaminated water.. 10. No other acts or uses which are detrimental to the maintenance of the property in its natural condition shall be allowed including, but not limited to, disturbances of the soil, mining, commercial or industrial uses, timber harvesting, ditching and draining, deposition of waste materials. McGowan Creek Preserve Orange County ERCD M_ ¢ Ga w-~~~ ./~ \ i \~' ~. t • ~ • - ; ` J / ' ~~ ~, , •; ~ 1 •~ 5~~ .' This area subject to a Conservation Easement hedd by the State of North Carolina (a 300 foot buffer from stream/waters edge; 23 acres total) h ~, 0 3 u c Q' ~g~ McGowan Creek Preserve Orange County ERCD October 2000 ' • '? ` ~ ~ E`L'F ~'R ~ ~ ~~' \ a ~• ~~ . ~. 1 ~ 1 •• ,b ~ ~ ~~'~ /_.- ~,~` • cwiMn-Ey ~~ W~ ~~ o, W~ Cor rLa~~or1 La Orange • Alw~.ahce 1nfA-Fer Srs1eM~S~. --. ~ ~~ T/w~,. Lama ~` k~ u.S 7e G.+s-r ~~ P =parking area (5-7 cazs) N T =toilet facility X' =picnic tables 1 inch = 375 feet 8 Orange County Environment and Resource Conservation Department Lands Legacy Program Posting of Signs at Orange County Natural Areas When land is acquired for public use, one the County's important stewardship responsibilities is to post signs at various locations to identify .the property as public land held in trust by the County and to let members of the public know what uses are and are not allowed. ERCD will generate signs tailored to match the needs for each site acquired through the Lands Legacy program. Some sites will need more signs than others, depending the location, degree of public use, surrounding land uses, and other factors. Reasons for aostin~5igns • Identify property boundaries • Generate community interest and awareness of County lands • Ensure safe public access to the site • Guide users to suitable and appropriate locations on property • Minimize unwanted uses of the property (dumping, hunting, ATVs, etc. ) Tvoes of Si~(See examples attached). A. Property boundaries -small diamond-shaped signs to delineate boundaries; important for informing adjacent property owners and casual passers by of where County property begins. B. Formal Entrance -large, attractive wooden sign for the front (main road) entrance to the property. C. Orientation -large sign (or kiosk) located ,near parking area; greets users and provides an overall site map with locations of amenities and other key features of the site (e.g., toilet facilities, trails, pond, historic structure, etc.) D. Allowed/Prohibited uses -signs placed in strategic locations to inform users of what is and is not allowed on the property (e.g., dumping, hunting, vehicular/ATV use, etc.) E. Informal entrance -signs located where old roadways or footpaths enter the County property. Not necessary at all sites. F. Trail signs -signs located periodically along trails to assure people that they are going the right direction. G. Interpretive signs -signs located along trails to describe interesting features and to promote environmental awareness (e.g., unusual plant or tree species, historic structure, historic use of the property, etc.). 9 o ~/r.a..~cE cbv.-.y'T~ ~~++.~ /~/ ['ter.... ~rvCt awc~ /~n~q V~'~A~nl~Mr1 e ~. ~vr.hcvw '~~f- O~r+, Vq..rn ~ Qcar~ ~~ r~ ~ ~ ._.~.rr A. ~~. ~ ~v ~ ~ M w ~~//,,~~rr '• r s ' ~ o f :.s e . _ ,I ~ ,. . y ,` /w4Ak fur bias ~ /~4 ~~ai/~ i I ['. 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