HomeMy WebLinkAboutMeeting Summary 06072023 Meeting Summary— Parks and Recreation Council
June 7, 2023
Bonnie B. Davis Environment and Agricultural Center, Hillsborough NC
Members Present: Gina Reyman (Chair), Mikki Fleming (Vice-Chair), Natalie Ziemba, Andrea
Zimmerman, Greg Hughes, Becca Truluck, Xilong Zhao, Chris Colvin, Trevor Robinson, Louise
Flinn, Grayson Shinn
Members Absent: Rod Jones, Jessie Birckhead
Staff: David Stancil, Kalani Allen
Chair Gina Reyman called the meeting to order at 6:30pm.
Report of the Chair:
a. Introduction of New Members- Reyman asked members to introduce themselves, their
township and their interest in the Orange County Parks and Recreation Council (PRC).
New Business:
a. Public Request— Potential Dog Park at Cedar Grove Park (Lara Markovits): Lara
Markovits presented the idea of a new dog park proposed to be located at Cedar Grove
Park. Markovits said the subject of a dog park came up in conversations with neighbors
who are pet owners. She explained that the nearest dog park, located in Durham, is 15
minutes away from the Cedar Grove area. Neighbors noticed what seemed to be an
empty field at Cedar Grove Park and thought it would be a good location for a dog park.
She explained that she gathered information on what is needed for a dog park through
online research and discussions with others who have created private dog parks. She
emphasized that the dog park would create a great community and prevent neighbors
in the area from having to travel far outside of the County to utilize dog parks. David
Stancil spoke to questions raised about the identification of each field at the park and
which organizations have access to the fields. He clarified that the empty field is actually
a multi-purpose field licensed for use by HYAA, and that the park has a master plan that
defines the current uses and future phases of the park. This would need to be amended
if any new facility like this was approved, and the amendment would have to be
assessed by staff, the PRC, and eventually be approved by the Board of County
Commissioners. Becca Truluck asked what the cost of the dog park would be. Markovits
had estimates found online. Andrea Zimmerman asked what action items could be
taken to start the development of the park. Chris Colvin said the presentation done in
favor of the park was in the early stages and more needed to be done before he felt like
the PRC could offer any kind of support. Reyman asked if this topic should be discussed
at a later meeting after the Markovits and the community have a more detailed plan.
Members agreed.
b. Appointment to the New Hope Creek Advisory Committee- Members voted on the new
PRC representative to the New Hope Creek Advisory Committee. Reyman asked for any
volunteers, and new member Lousie Flinn said she was interested. A vote was taken
after Zimmerman motioned in favor of Flinn being the new representative, and Vice
Chair Mikki Fleming seconded the motion. Members approved all in favor, and youth
delegate Grayson Shinn showed his support as well.
c. Possible Storybook Trail at County Park-There is interest in a storybook trail in a county
park. Stancil illustrated the components of a storybook trail. The Orange County Library,
Erin Sapienza, and Friends of the Orange County Library have expressed interest in this
project, along with some park managers. Trevor Robinson voiced support for a
changeable storybook rather than a permanent display. Flinn expressed that this would
be an opportunity to promote equity and inclusion within the county. Truluck stated
that she would like to join the interest group comprised of the Friends of Orange County
Library and other community members. The Council acknowledged Truluck's interest
and approved.
Old Business:
a. P&R Master Plan 2030 Mid-Plan Report/Findings (Continued Discussion and Timeline):
Stancil facilitated more discussion on the Parks and Recreation Master Plan 2030 Mid-
Plan review. He spoke on the creation of parks within underserved communities that
the County has pursued. Other topics included accessibility and how facilities are
received, collaboration within towns to ensure parks are created with limited land
space, and survey results and questions related to those answers. Reyman asked about
the condition of the only indoor gym at Central Recreation Center and whether a second
gym will be built. Stancil said plans for another gym are in the Capital Investment Plan
toward the end of the decade. The subject of pools and more questions regarding what
those entails, and gardens were considered. Stancil ended the discussion with a timeline
of when the Mid-Plan draft report will be shared with the Council.
Report of the Director:
a. Project/Program Updates (Perry Hills, Blackwood, Headwaters Preserve, etc.): Stancil
gave the date for the final Perry Hills Park master plan meeting, and the Blackwood
Farm disc golf update, as he said the County is looking for a designer. For the
Headwaters Nature Preserve, Stancil added that the County would create a stewardship
and management plan to configure and design this preserve. He also mentioned that
the department is a part of the Southeast Bumble Bee Atlas, with Chris Hirni as the
Orange County coordinator for this project.
b. August Meeting Plans (Davis EAC, Hillsborough)- Parks and Recreation Master Plan Mid-
Plan.
Council and Committee Reports:
a. Intergovernmental Parks Work Group (next mtg 10/11/2023)—
b. Items from the Council /Sharing of Volunteer Opportunities- none.
Adjournment: Reyman adjourned the meeting at 8:OOpm.
Next Meeting: September 6, 6:30pm, Animal Services, Chapel Hill