HomeMy WebLinkAboutPRC Agenda 03052025 AGENDA
Orange County
Parks and Recreation Council
Natalie Ziemba, Chair; Andrea Zimmerman,Vice-Chair; Louise Flinn; Gregory Husketh; Ben King; Allen
Parker; GiGi Rashdi,Trevor Robinson; Xilong Zhao.
March 5, 2025
6:30 p.m.
Bonnie B. Davis Environment and Agricultural Center
Board Room
1020 US 70 West
Hillsborough, NC
Time Item Title
6:30 I. Call to Order
6:30 II. Report of the Chair
a. Chair Comments
6:40 III. New Business
a. Additions or Changes to the Agenda
b. County Trails Plan — Initial Discussion
(Attachment 1, Jessica Pearson and Mikayla Hernandez, Gensler)
c. Reevaluating Youth Delegate Code of Ordinance Amendment
7:55 IV. Old Business
a. Approval of Meeting Summary, February 5 (Attachment 2)
b. Board Vacancies and Potential Recommended Appointments
8:00 V. Report of the Director
a. Updates
8:10 VI. Council and Committee Reports
a. Intergovernmental Parks Work Group (April 9)
b. Items from the Council / Sharing of Volunteer Opportunities
8:15 VII. Adjournment
Next Meeting: April 2 (Chapel Hill)
Meeting Summary— Parks and Recreation Council
February 5th, 2025
Bonnie B Davis Center, Hillsborough
Members Present: Natalie Ziemba (Chair), Louise Flinn, Trevor Robinson, Gregory Husketh,
Allen Parker, GiGi Rashdi, Xilong Zhao
Members Absent: Andrea Zimmerman (Vice-Chair), , Ben King
Staff: David Stancil, Abby Mattingly
Natalie Ziemba called the meeting to order at 6:32pm.
Report of the Chair:
a. Chair Comments—Chair Natalie Ziemba had no comments.
New Business:
a. Changes to the agenda— No changes were made.
a. Fairview Community Watch-The Fairview Community Watch and Fairview Youth in
Action presented their plan to improve recreation facilities and opportunities at the
Fairview Park. The plan was conducted alongside UNC FFORC need to spell out at least
first time. The group developed priority action items for the park and organized them
based on short- and long-term goals. The first priority item is to allow for soccer in the
baseball field outfield. In the short term the group visualized installing movable soccer
goals in the baseball outfield, and a more permanent field in the park following the
landfill mitigation. Stancil informed the group that any goals in the baseball field would
need to be discussed with HYAA, as they hold a license agreement with the County for
the use of the fields, but that the more permanent fields could potentially be
constructed pending the final report and landfill mitigation from the State. The second
priority item is to "Improve Park Facilities Near Dorothy Johnson Community Center".
The plan for improving benches and water fountains near the Center could require
support from the Town of Hillsborough. The long-term goal of improving the nearby
playground would need to be included in a future Capital Investment Plan (CIP), but this
could be explored in the upcoming years. The group finally suggested a third priority
item; improve and expand walking trails. The group desires enhanced connectivity
throughout the park into the surrounding neighborhood. Stancil stated that parks staff
will examine the portions that can be maintained by the division, such as the current
connector link towards Homemont Avenue, but that additional trails would be included
in the revised park master plan and upcoming phase of park development, following the
landfill mitigation plan. The community would be invited to be part of that master plan
revisiting. Overall, some of the items can be addressed soon with internal coordination,
however, other elements will require multi-partner coordination and future budget
allocation.
Stancil provided the Council with the park master plan and information regarding its
creation for context. Louise Flinn asked Stancil if the next phase of park development
could include things such as the desired soccer field. Stancil noted that old landfill sites
often can be used for things like soccer fields, as they require little to no subsurface
disruption, but all plans will hinge on the recommendations from the State's report.
Allen Parker inquired as to if the County would allow groups such as the Scouts or third-
party soccer organizations to interact with the Fairview Watch. Stancil replied that once
any improvements were authorized, the group could work with other organizations to
help achieve funding and coordination.
b. Orange County Trails Plan Update-Abby Mattingly and Stancil presented an update on
the Trails Plan. The pair met with the consultants from Gensler to outline some initial
planning dates. The original "roadmap" had the consultants meeting with the Council in
February; however, this was moved to March to allow for the Fairview discussion. Until
the March meeting, the consultants requested that the PRC view and respond to a brief
survey. The survey aims to gauge areas of opportunities and challenges, as well as
perceived challenges. Mattingly encouraged the PRC to respond to the survey so that
the consultants can come prepared to the March meeting.
Old Business
a. Approval of Meeting Summary, December 4: Mattingly amended the summary to
remove Gina Reyman from members present, and clarify that while Gigi Rashdi was
present, her term began January 1, 2025. Flinn moved to approve the meeting
summary, Robinson seconded. All in favor, none opposed, motion carried.
b. Board Vacancies and Potential Recommended Appointments:The Council reexamined
the youth delegates, as following the December meeting, several youth delegate
applications were received. A discussion was held and Flinn moved to recommend
Navya and Gregory Husketh seconded. Parked moved to recommend Chloe, Husketh
seconded. Both applicants were approved for recommendation with no opposition.
Report of the Director
a. Project/Program Updates—Stancil attended the quarterly NCDOT meeting. The group
spoke about the Dimmock's Mill bridge crossing and installing signage for the MST
crossing and will be in touch regarding potential installation possibilities or other
methods. The disc golf designer has developed another design to present to the New
Hope Bird Alliance. The Twin Creeks meadow license agreement with the non-profit
organization TABLE is near finalization.
Council and Committee Reports
a. Intergovernmental Parks Work Group—next meeting scheduled for April 9, 2025
b. Items for the Council/Sharing of Volunteer Opportunities—none
Adjournment: Ziemba adjourned the meeting at 7:50pm
Next Meeting: March 5th (Bonnie B Davis EAC, Hillsborough)