HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 08-29-2005-2bORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
WORKSESSION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: August 29, 2005
Action Agenda
Item No. ~ - b
SUBJECT:
Northern Park Master Plan
DEPARTMENT: Environment & Resource
ATTACHMENT
Conservation, Recreation and
Parks
PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No
INFORMATION CONTACT:
David Stancil, 245-2590
1. Proposed Master Plan map, with cost estimates Lori Taft, 245-2660
2. Memo re Operations & Maintenance Costs and Marabeth Carr, 960-3880
Skate Park
3. Possible Timetable of Activities
TELEPHONE NUMBERS:
Hillsborough 732-8181
Chapel Hill 965-4501
Durham 688-7331
Mebane 336-227-2031
PURPOSE: To discuss the proposed master plan for Northern Park at the Northern Human
Services Center developed by citizens and staff between October 2004 and March 2005.
BACKGROUND: In November 2001, Orange County voters approved a Parks and Open
Space bond including $1.2 million toward a park on 48 acres of land adjacent to and
including the Northern Human Services Center on NC 86 North. A park at this location was
identified in the adopted 1988 Master Recreation and Parks Plan. Over the past several
years, a BOCC Task Force has been working toward both the park and upgrades to the
Center. In 2004 the Board agreed to move forward with a park planning effort that was
separate from the Center upgrades, but cognizant of the need for coordination with
current/future plans far the Center.
A separate abstract addresses items related to the building's water and wastewater systems.
In late 2004 and early 2005, a total of 37 different citizens participated in community
meetings to help create a master plan design for the park. As a result, the group created a
master plan, presented to the Board of Commissioners on May 3, 2005, that included:
• Retention of the hardwood forest areas identified for low-impact recreation, with a loop
trail generally identified (the actual location of the trail would be located later as
construction drawings are prepared)
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• Retention of the existing ball field and a relocated play area adjacent to the Center
• A skate park area and basketball courts located in the back portions of the original 8-
acre Northern Center lot, along with nearby restrooms
• Two new softball/baseball fields, one located in the northeast corner of the 40-acre
tract, and another (possibly part of a future phase) to the southwest
• Amulti-purpose field that could be used for a variety of activities, including tee-ball
and other field sports, along the northern field configuration
• Two tennis courts and a second play area between the two northern fields, along with
a picnic shelter with restrooms and a horseshoes area
• Two other picnic shelters in the wooded trails area
Knowing that the full Master Plan included facilities beyond the scope of the original budget,
staff worked with citizens to identify what they viewed as priorities that were in the projected
general range of available funds, These priority facilities, listed in order, included (among
obvious "given" facilities such as roads and parking):
1, New baseball/softball field in the northern part of the park
2, Skate facility
3, Multi-purpose field (Tee-ball and other field sports)
4. Basketball courts
5, Nature trails/measured walking track
6. Picnic shelter with restrooms, and picnic tables and benches
7, Play area located near the Center
8, Horseshoes and volleyball courts
On May 3~d, the Board received the master plan and agreed to discuss the project further at
an upcoming worksession. Staff and the County Attorney were asked to provide information
on three areas:
• Cast estimates for the proposed facilities
• Information about the nature of the proposed skate park and operation and
maintenance (O&M) cost information, and
• County Attorney review of access issues regarding the sedimentation lake
A proposed Master Plan map with cost estimates is attached, along with memos regarding
O&M issues such as gating, the skate park, playing field surface and the potential for
contracting maintenance, A possible timetable of activities is also provided.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: Funding for construction of the Northern Park was included in the
November 2001 Parks and Open Space bond in the amount of $1,200,000, all of which has
been appropriated to date. Approximately $33,000 of this amount has been expended to
date for a topographic survey, natural and cultural resource survey (approved by the BOCG
in 2004) work and cost estimates. As a possible supplemental funding source, approximately
$141,000 exists in Northern District Park payment-in-lieu funds, Operating and maintenance
costs far this park are addressed in the attached memo.
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board discuss and provide
direction to staff on the proposed master plan and possible facilities to be constructed, as
well as the information requested in May. After revision, staff will bring back the plan for
adoption at a subsequent meeting.
Picnic Shelter w! Rest Rms & Storage 5132,000.00
"Future" Play Area (535,000.00)
"Future" Tennis Courts (5135,651.00)
Multi Purpose Fieid 5356,843.00 -!
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34_00 ._ ..- ._---- -' ._ -----'1 1
Area 546,808.00
------" _
-Ball Field 5356,531.00
._
Areapand AdjacentaRo~d '
~ 5113,393.00 1 '
27 Space Gravel Parl:ing
Area and Entr~ Road
550 176 00
S{cate Area
5150,000.00
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' 50 Space Parking Lot
Service Road From Pa
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$1,416,605.00 -Phase 1 Probable Cost Estimate
Drat AAnst~r Plan
Northern Pnrk
6/29/2005
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EmAmnment 8 Rnwurce
Coroarvvlion Dapv4nonf
MLert
-"Future 50 Space Volleyball Court
Parking Lot (593,08900) tl 52,000.00 -J
Z Basketball Courts ~
5156,854.00 /
Cost Estimate -Phase 1
~ "Future" i ` Given Costs:
j Ball Field I $ 50,176 00 • Gravel Entry Road /Parking Area
i (5355,531 o0)r- -~~ $ 1 13,393 00 -Gravel Parking Area /Adjacent Road
/ i ~-.~~ $ 132,000.00 -Large Picnic Shelter /Pest P.ms /Storage
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i $ 50,000 00 -Play Area
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J $ 46,808.00 -Gravel Service Road
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J $ 200000-Horseshoe Pit
$ 2,000.00 -Volleyball Court
$ 396,377 00
_..-
i Citizen Prioritized Facility Costs
~ $ 356,531 00 -Bail Fieid
$ 150,000 00 -Skate Area
$ 156,654 00 - 2 Basketball Courts
$ 356,843.00 -Multi Purpose Field
$1 ,020,226 00
Existing Ball Fieid
(TO Reneln)
Play Areas ,~ j'
550,000.00 ~
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Existing Gravel \
Parking Area -
"Future" Work Reconfigured N.LC.
$ 356,531 00 - "Southern" BaII Field
$ 93.089 00 - "Southern" Bail Field Gravel Park'g /Road
$ 135,651 00 - 2 Tennis Courts
$ 75,934 00 -Gravel Parking Area at Tennis Courts
$ 35,000 OD -Play Area Adjacent to Tennis Courts
$ 50.000 00 - 2 Small Picnic Shelters
$ 87 500.00 -Rest P.oom Building
$ 833,706 00 - "Future" Work Probable Cost Estimate
$2.250.31 1 00 -Total Master Plan Probable Cost Estimate
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'~~~ ORANGE COUNTY RECREATION & T'ARKS ~..
.-..w.
'"`'~, ~ P.O. Box 8181
300 West Tryon Street
Hillsborough, NC 27278
Orange County Phone: 919-245-2660 Fax 919-644-.3042
Recreation & Parks
NORTHERN PARK
OPERATIONSandMAINTENANCE
PRELIMINARY COST ESTIMATES
The addition of 48 acres of developed pazltland will bring related operational functions and the designation
of additional resources. At this time, staff estimates annual operating costs to range between $$214,793 and
$255,634, with stazt-up capital expenses also vaz•ying between $66,850 and $124,150, depending on further
research, future discussions, and final decisions as made by the BOCC as part of the annual budget process.
Costs associated with the start up and initial operation and maintenance of the Northern Park are azrticipated
to be a part of the BOCC budget malting process no sooner than Fiscal 2006-2007, The cost ranges presented
here are inclusive of persormel, operations (such as telephone, equipment rental and repair, supplies), and
capital equipment (such as mowers, blowers, miscellaneous tools.) and represent staff's best estimate on
projected needs based upon the park development plan being discussed by the BOCC at this work session.
The most significant decision points impacting future costs ar•e identified below:
Whether or not to install a gate at the back section of the park -The baclt section of the park,
containing one ball field, multi-purpose field, picnic shelter, walking track and trails in the proposed
phase I is heavily wooded. Most of this section of the park will not be visible from Highway 86 or
even from the "front" portion of the park. The back of the park backs up to a water body and is
adjacent to several private properties. Agate, preventing vehicular access to this portion of the park
would assist in limiting undesirable activity after dark or after scheduled activity at the lighted fields.
Installing a gate is estimated to increase operational costs by $7,800 annually.
Whether or not to build a sltate park within the park -Staff has attended training sessions and
had conversations with other parks agencies and experts in the field of risk management including the
Risk Management Croup of the North Carolina County Commissioners Association. Based on the
information gained from these sources, staff recommends that a skate park, if constructed, be
unsupervised, and fenced, but not locked. (Operating costs associated with staffing a skate park are
estimated at $32,800 annually.) Lights would be on a timer, and appropriate signage, which
addresses issues of hours, safety, risk, etc. would be included. Daily maintenance would still be
required.
Should the BOCC wish to include a sltate pant in the final Master Plan, it would be necessary for
staff to focus more closely on the design of the internal components of the skate pant as working
drawings progress. This process would benefit from the advice of skate park design firms as well as
potential users of the facility. Staff in this case would like to convene a focus group consisting of
bike riders, in-line skaters and skateboarders to work with staff on this design. No cost outside of
staff time would be associated with implementing this idea.
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• Whether or not to plant Bermuda or Fescue grass on the playing fields -Staff does not anticipate
as high a level of play pressure on these fields, as would be the case in other areas of the County or at
a complex. The development and operational costs of Bermuda fields are generally higher than those
for fescue/ryegrass fields, but they are difficult to pin down to specific numbers due to fluctuating
variables.
Bermuda Grass is dormant in the winter, generally between the months of November and March,
when it appears brown, Excessive play and wear and tear during this time permanently damages the
turf. During the summer season, the turf can recover from wear and tear as it is actively growing.
Most soccer clubs and organizations are not active during the summer months..
Fescue and Rye Grass are cool season grasses. They are active in the winter, dormant in the summer
months, and thus more adapted to recovery from wear and tear, which occurs during the winter or
early spring, when many soccer organizations continue to play or start their season. It is likely that
these Fields could be opened earlier each spring than most f elds in the area, The fields would appear
brown in the summer the way Bermuda grass appears November through March.
For these reasons, staff would recommend building the fields with afescue/rye grass blend as
opposed to Bermuda grass, thereby saving up to $2000 in annual operating costs and $1C-18,000 in
start-up capital,. A reel irigation system instead of more costly underground irrigation would be
proposed as well.
Whether or not to contract for selected O & M functions at the Park -Staff has attempted to
obtain estimated pricing for defined elements of pazk operations from several independent contractors
for comparison purposes with costs associated with internal park operations. Three companies
responded to inquiries for price estimates. Their responses were highly varied, as was their apparent
capability to take on this work.. Averaging the estimates provided by the three companies provides a
price, which does not differ substantially from in-house operating costs, although a savings of
$12,300 in start up capital equipment could be realized. Staff recommends retaining O & M
functions as an in-house operation as testament to customer service and staff pride in public service
and ownership.
Several functions are assumed to be "givens" for contract management in that it may not he realistic
for Orange County to take on the staff, training, and specialized equipment necessary for certain
work. Included in this category would be: specialized tree care (crown cleaning, removal as needed),
plumbing, electric service to the sports lighting, asphalt, fencing, etc.
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