HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 05-18-2021;12-2 - Information Item - Memorandum - Blackwood Farm Park – Phase II Status Report 1
ORANGE COUNTY
a
Department of Environment,
Agriculture, Parks&Recreation
MEMORANDUM
To: Bonnie M. Hammersley, County Manager
From: David Stancil, Environment, Agriculture, Parks and Recreation Director
Marabeth Carr, Landscape Architect
Date: May 18, 2021
RE: Blackwood Farm Park— Phase I I Status Report
The purpose of this memorandum is to provide an update on progress toward
scheduled improvements for the next phase of Blackwood Farm Park, slated to
begin this summer.
During the last year, Susan Hatchell Landscape Architecture, PLLC and team (a
design team of all women-owned businesses) has worked to develop pre-
construction design and engineering services including securing permits,
conducting engineering work and creating construction drawings and bid
document specifications for Phase II of Blackwood Farm Park. As you know,
Blackwood Farm Park is a 152-acre park near the intersection of New Hope
Church Road and NC 86 between Hillsborough and Chapel Hill. The park was
opened with limited facilities and a limited operating schedule in June 2015.
During the past year or so the consultant has worked with staff and other
agencies (including NCDOT) to develop a refined pre-construction plan that is
consistent with the adopted master plan, which called for a low-impact approach
for recreation amenities, while respecting the agricultural heritage of the site and
protecting the historic structures, scenic vistas and opportunities for
environmental education at the park. The master plan map is attached.
As noted in a prior update to the Board in fall of 2019, the project scope that has
been developed for Phase II includes:
• Turn lanes on NC 86 for the new park entrance, to be located north of the
existing narrow driveway;
• The new entrance road for the park;
Orange County Department of Environment, Agriculture, Parks & Recreation
PO Box 8181, Hillsborough, NC 27278
Phone: (919) 245-2510
Fax: (919) 644-3351
2
• Parking area(s) for existing and proposed park amenities;
• An amphitheater;
• Large picnic shelter (designed as a dual use picnic/performance shelter);
• Restroom facilities;
• Park office and work/storage area for on-site park staff;
• Stormwater and utility measures needed for the improvements above;
• Schematic design drawings for the planned Learning/Nature Center
(future phase);
Construction of all of the above-listed facilities is subject to available funds once
bids are received. In addition to this work, prior appropriations and other sources
include funding to address improvements to the historic farmstead residence and
the creation of a disc golf course, both of which will be done under separate
contracts. Sketches of the design for selected facilities of Phase II are attached.
Staff is also pursuing grant and partner funds for certain items in the master plan
(such as the agricultural exhibits and garden areas and an environmental-themed
children's trail). These improvements will be pursued using existing or new
resources over the next few years.
The Phase II project scope above is currently out for construction bid solicitation,
with a potential bid award to come back before the Board for approval in June.
Staff has remained in contact with the park neighbors and a virtual open house
for is planned for May 26. As noted in the Manager's Recommended FY 2021-22
Budget, the park is scheduled to close for construction beginning in July.
Construction is expected to take approximately one year.
Funding for this project comes from previously-appropriated funds, as approved
in prior Capital Investment Plans. An upcoming budget amendment will also
transfer existing funds from the completed River Park project - funding for a
performance stage reassigned to the amphitheater at Blackwood Farm Park.
Remaining park amenities, including the proposed Learning/Nature Center,
would be a future Phase III of Blackwood Farm Park - with potential partnerships
and funding being pursued for the Learning/Nature Center. Funding for this
phase is identified in the CIP in year 4 and beyond.
Please let us know if we may provide any additional information.
Copies: Travis Myren, Deputy County Manager
Parks and Recreation Council
Dan Derby, Parks Superintendent
Orange County Department of Environment, Agriculture, Parks & Recreation
PO Box 8181, Hillsborough, NC 27278
Phone: (919) 245-2510
Fax: (919) 644-3351
-------------------
r r �Aj
Re-establish Historic Roadbed
7 -
Gravel Parking Lot
Vault Toilets
f `, �'��_ _,I 1'•,1 New Park Entrance and NC 86
Turning Lanes
Disc Golf �} ---
` t f r r Start/Finish ' _ �T Environmental Education
i y Approx. 32 Ac. Disc Golf Area + �r f ss d Interactive Discovery Loop Trail
Pond,Buffer Trail Outdoor Education
II Dead �: a` y� Bus Drop off
SSeep
Non Paved Trails i & Parking Area
Sm 11 Picrsic Seep Buffer
/ Re-establish Shejter "�. 1 rr
Farm Terraces �:.�_ t. Gravel Access Drive
Learning Center ' r 1 Re-established
Large Picnic r_ _---
,� 'Shelter Orchard Area
,,'
Trail Head
Pond f ,'f Farmstead ` s Vault Toilet "Y °
I +" 5�; Existing G�riv
r Agricultural Exhibits _., Trail Park Office Special Ev nts a
l L &Garden Area 6r
ad Ser-icy `ehicles r
Large Event , Oh
Overflow Parking
I
- Amphitheaters Area(Grassed) r\-
Honeybee
Hives
Stream -�fr
Protect + Buffer.-�r
Cemetery {
--
I I . Sti�eaf
i
f f s
r
Ir ��
i r Ir Old PQ
Roadbed
-1 J Trail ' ��
T ;r--_ Preserve
_ Vista!
Non-Paved Trails f ��
Natural Wooded Area l
Possible Uses -
Hiking Trails, Bike Trails,
jInterpretive Forestry Signage a
fl,
I
0' 150' 300' 60D'
Scale: 1'=15V-(r
ORANGE COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA
Susan Blackwood Farm Parkvs
Hatcheil Updated Master Plan Department o/'Environment.
DRAFT
Landscape Architecture, PLLC EEBRUARY 1, 2021 Agriculture,Parks&Recreation
4
i.
i
BLACKWOOD FARM AMPHITHEATRE
5
� I
'1
f
I
I
1 �L-
BLACKWOOD FARM RANGER STATION
6
i
BLACKWOOD FARM PICNIC SHELTER
ROOF EXAMPLE • • •
GREY
STANDING SEAM METAL • • •
CEDAR
_ f i
BOARD 1 BATTEN
VAULT T 0