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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 03-06-2001-9de r ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT .Meeting Date: March 6, 2001 Action Agenda Item No. 9-~ SUBJECT: Use and Access Plan -McGowan Creek Preserve DEPARTMENT: ERCD PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: Property Orthophoto (1993) David Stancil, ext 2590 Use and Access Plan for the McGowan Rich Shaw, ext 2591 Creek Preserve TELEPHONE NUMBERS: Use and Access Guidelines Hillsborough 732-8181 Chapel Hill 968-4501 Durham 688-7331 (Previously Discussed October 17, 2000) Mebane 336-227-2Q31 PURPOSE: To consider a staff proposal for the future public use and access for the McGowan Creek Preserve, a new 63-acre County park located west of Hillsborough on US 70, and general guidelines for a Use and Access Policy for County natural area parklands. BACKGROUND: On March 31, 2000, 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 watershed protection and the provision of open space in an urbanizing area along the US 70 corridor. One requirement of the grant is that 300-foot riparian buffers be preserved with a conservation easement held by the State of North Carolina. The property, now termed the McGowan Creek Preserve, is adjacent to Corporation Lake in the critical area of the Upper Eno watershed. Attached is a proposed plan for the development and use of the property for limited public recreation. It was revised from an earlier draft that the BOCC received on October 17, 2000 and requested changes. The plan includes staffs thoughts on an entrance driveway, parking area, restroom, walking trails and signage. The plan calls for construction of a tum lane to facilitate access to the property from US 70 West. (Staff is also discussing with NC DOT the need for a tum lane or median cut for cars traveling east on US 70). While no funds are currently allocated for park development, planning for future public use can be accomplished at this time. (Trail construction, however, can proceed with existing staff and volunteers.) Because of the site's location in a watershed critical area and the County's interest in protecting the natural state of the property, only limited development for public use is proposed outside of the conservation easement area. FINANCIAL IMPACT: Developing the site for these public uses will require future expenditures of County funds, which are as yet unbudgeted. The estimated cost for site development is about $65,000-- including tum lane(s) ($33,000); entrance gate, driveway and parking area ($14,000), toilet facility and trash receptacles ($15,000) and signage ($3,000). Possible sources far 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 authorize staff to solicit bids for park development (turn-lane(s), driveway, parking) to determine the actual costs of implementing the plan for the McGowan Creek Preserve. The Manager also recommends authorizing staff to initiate communications with the Orange-Alamance Water System about the potential expansion of hiking trails that could link the County preserve to riparian areas located on the adjacent Water System property. Legend ~ weber McGowan Creek Preserve Parcel Boundary 63 Acres 1993 Aerial Photography Orange County Orange County, ERCD Octobers, 2400 1:7000 4 Orange County Environment and Resource Conservation Deparlment Draft 2/Z6/Z~OI 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 (former Duke Forest property) between Hillsborough and Efland. located at the confluence of McGowan Creek and the Eno River, the 63-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. Several issues 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 Operation StafF proposes advertising the park being open to the public only during daylight hours---from dawn to dusk. A security gate should be installed at the entrance, which would require someone to open and close at the beginning and end of the day. Staff is also looking into having a security telephone available on site. 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 Z00 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. Staff is also speaking with NCDOT about the possibility of adding a short left-turnaround lane to facilitate access to the Preserve by cars traveling east on US 70. (Please see the attached site plan.) Trash Removal Trash receptacles will be located in the parking and picnic area, and will include bins for recyclable materials. Trash removal will be necessary following weekend use and perhaps once or twice more during the week. McGowan Creek Preserve Orange County ERCD Toilet Facilities The Environment Health Division has issued a permit for installation of a small toilet facility near the parking area. Staff proposes observing the frequency of visitor use for six months to a year before deciding what kind of toilet facility is needed. That way staff could gauge whether a rustic, unisex composting toilet might serve adequately or whether some other kind of system is more appropriate. [Eno River State Park provides rustic toilets at some of the heavily used locations; Duke University does not provide toilet facilities in Duke Forest.] 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. McGowan Creek itself is located just outside the park boundary on properly owned by Orange-Alamance Water System. Staff is interested in pursuing an agreement with Orange-Alamance for use of the trail extension. 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 long-term 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 owns 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, intertere with an interesting park feature (e.g., chimney site), or pose a safety hazard. Si na e Boundary markers and signs have been posted around the perimeter of the property. Signs are also needed for the park entrance, to mark trails and to inform visitors of the allowed uses within the park. Other signs will be developed over time, such as interpretive signs that explain the natural and cultural values of the property. Some signs will be in Spanish as well as English consistent with the County's new signage policy. International symbols will be used where appropriate. Pro sed 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. McGowan Creek Preserve Orange County ERCD 5 6 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 properly 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 properly. 3. Frearms 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. fi. Personal property not authorized by the Orange County ERCD will be removed from the site and stored for one week at the ERCD office before being disposed of proPedY• 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 properly 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 Orang® County ERCD z• ~~ ~ 1` .~ h ~' T- 0 J 3 v C Q' McGowan Creek Preserve ~ P =parking area (5-7 cars) N T =toilet facility X' =picnic tables 7 This area subject to a Conservation Easement held by the State of North Carolina (a 300 foot buffer Pram scream/waters edge; 23 acres total) ~ ~ L i ~'. i i _ -. ~ ~. r / / ,~ ., ~ S5, ., ` ~ c4EE'tC e,~ ~ ` ~ \ ~ ~. ~~ "~ ,; ~ ~' ,0 1 ._~.t ~ .~ ~- .__,t • Cf1iMNEy / of WI 7~ W Cor e~.~'ion ~~ La .~ Bra~n~~ - Alm..wnae Ww+er $ysae•n~S++c. uS 'o cws-r ~~ Orange County ERCD 1 inch = 375 feet October 2000 ~---~ 8 Public Use and Access Guidelines for Orange County Nature Preserves The following are general guidelines for making County-owned natural area preserves open and available far public use and enjoyment. More specific policies will be developed as part of individual site plans. 1) Posting of Boundaries -property boundaries are marked with appropriate signage that identifies Orange County as landowner and informs visitors of unauthorized uses (no hunting, firearms or motorized vehicles). 2) Entry and Parking -most sites will have one principal entrance for the public to access the property. The entrance will have a suitable signage that welcomes visitors, notes the hours of operation, directs them to a parking area, and informs them of the allowed uses. There may be a kiosk with a site map to orient visitors and direct them to trails, facilities (if available) and points of interest. In some cases, the site may be accessible by way of a former roadway or trail leading into the site from an adjacent property or subdivision. Entrance signs will identify the County property and of the allowed/ prohibited uses. It may be appropriate to install a gate or posts that impedes motor vehicles, but allows pedestrian access. 3) Designation of Trails -the provision and marking of trails is important to keep visitors in areas of the property that are suitable for public use. Areas that are inappropriate for unmonitored access due to unsafe conditions or the presence of highly sensitive natural/cultural resources may be restricted to times when staff can provide guided tours of the area. 4) Public Information -Information about the site, including public use and access to the property, will be available from Orange County ERCD both in written form and from its website. February 26, 2001 Orange County ERCD P.O, Box 8181 Hi//sborough, NC Z7Z78 919/745-2597