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HomeMy WebLinkAboutIPWG Meeting Notes 04102024 Intergovernmental Parks Work Group Meeting Notes of April 10, 2024 1. Welcome / Call to Order/ Introductions Commissioner Amy Fowler-Called the meeting to order at 5:35pm. She asked during the introductions if members saw the solar eclipse that occurred on April 81h. Majority of attendees were able to see the eclipse. The main theme shared through introductions was the bridging of communities throughout the County. Bo Howes—Director of Land Protection &Stewardship Dave Stancil-Director of the Orange County Department of Environment,Agriculture and Parks& Recreation Aaron Davis-Recreation and Parks Director,City of Mebane J.G. Ferguson-Director Carrboro Recreation and Parks Charles Harrington—Carrboro Recreation Administrator Brandi Brinker—Carrboro Recreation and Parks Facilities Administrator Robb English- Hillsborough Board of Commissioners Atuya Cornwell- Director of the Town of Chapel Hill Parks and Recreation Department. Renuka Soll — Chapel Hill Parks Greenways and Recreation Commission Representative Carrie Doyle—Orange County Board of Education Stephanie Trueblood-Public Space and Sustainability Manager for the town of Hillsborough Kalani Allen-Communications Manager, Orange County Department of Environment,Agriculture and Parks & Recreation Gina Reyman—Orange County Parks and Recreation Council Marcia Purvis—Chapel Hill Parks and Recreation Nikiya Cherry—Recreation Assistance Director for Parks and Recreation Chapel Hill. Veronica Beattie Penn—Commissionforthe Environment Cydnee Sims—Senior Centers Administrator—Orange County Department on Aging 2. Review of Meeting Notes Commissioner Fowler asked if anyone had any revisions or comments. (None were submitted prior to the meeting). No objections to meeting notes. 3. Presentation - Eno-New Hope Landscape Conservation Plan Bo Howes—Triangle Land Conservancy—"Triangle Connectivity Collaborative: Habitat Networks in Orange County" Bo Howes presented on landscape habitats and the connectivity between them and its importance for conservation and its impact in areas such as public and transportation policies. Orange County, Durham County,Town of Chapel Hill, and other municipalities were involved in this project. Howes presentation highlighted subject areas of habitat loss and fragmentation, mapping system places of importance,focal habitats and species, and the Eno-New Hope Connectivity Conservation Strategic Action Plan. 4. Brainstorming Session - For facility and recreation collaboration opportunities amongst jurisdictions and partners David Stancil-Orange County—Gave introduction to agenda item. Parks: Hollow Rock Nature Park, Little River Park, Lake Michael, Baldwin Parks Park locations with plans in the future: Mill House Road Park, Twin Creeks, Wilson Creek Programming ideas: Joint Calendar for major events; Education and outreach campaigns (e.g., off leashed dogs within parks); Senior Games, Seymour Center and Aquatic Center programs, pollinator gardens. Recreational Facilities: Potential collaboration between City of Mebane and Orange County, gym spaces in Towns of Carrboro, Chapel Hill, and Orange County. Walking Trail System within the county. Camping locations along the Mountain to Sea Trail. Establish a central place to display an amenities list across jurisdictions and partners such as the Countywide Parks List. RecTrac training opportunities collaboration. Annual Events: Fishing Rodeo,Juneteenth celebrations, festivals, Creek Week, Parks and Recreation Month, Climate Challenge Month Age Groups Mentioned in Discussion:Teens,Aging Population Tourism Attractions: Brainstorming Session— For facility and recreation collaboration opportunities amongst jurisdictions and partners. 5. Interactive Parks and Trails Maps Updates Kalani Allen — DEAPR staff met with Chris Dwindle,Orange County GIS and talked about options to maintain and update trail information using Enterprise II. He will work on an interim solution while the County waits to obtain the software.and. Marabeth Carr will contact those on the initial committee and additional staff/members in the next few weeks to discuss a meeting. 6. What's on the Horizon? / Park Plans and Local Updates • City of Mebane Aaron Davis • Comprehensive Master Plan was adopted at the February City Council meeting. • Town of Chapel Hill Nikiya "Niki"Cherry • Magical Hill on April 27cn. • Track Meets for Special Olympics and looking for volunteers. • Plans to reopen Teen Center in the Spring; Have had some paint parties in the building. • Skate Park and inclusive playground • New Tennis Courts at Hargroves Community Center Grand Opening • Town of Carrboro J.G. Ferguson • Completion of Teen Center expected for August. • ARPA Projects: Playground replacement at Baldwin Park, repairs to pump track at Martin Luther King JR Park,and repairs to the basketball court at Anderson Park. • Town Council plans to consolidate advisory boards. Recreation and Parks Commission and the Arts Committee will be rebranded into Recreation, Parks, Cultural Resources Commission. • Town has kicked off a staffing study for all staff. • Memorial &donation policy approved by the town council; includes benches and design manual. • Department working on policies, standard operation procedures. • Carrboro Day • Freight Train Day Blues • Town of Hillsborough Stephanie Trueblood • Skateboard Park at Cates Creek Park construction is to start in May and last through the summer. • Studying the Ridgewalk Greenway to future train station; urban greenway alternative alignments and benefits analysis. • Survey results; 600 responses • Recycling in all Hillsborough Parks • Story walk trail possible in Gold Park. • Expanding hours of operations • Monthly events: Climate challenge all month of April 2024; Evening Event, Native Plant month activities included planting 1000 plants by Riverwalk. • Orange County David Stancil • Fishing Rodeo—Blackwood Farm Park May 2024. Event collaboration with the Town of Carrboro and Orange County Extension 4-H • Earth Evening April 26,204 at David Price Farmers' Market Pavilion, Hillsborough — hands on educational activities for families. Various Orange County departments will be present. • Nature of Orange Photography Contest deadline—May 31't • Tennis Court expansion at Fairview Park-to include the capability to play pickleball. Bid is expected to go before the Orange County BOCC in May 2024. • Perry Hills Mini Park in Efland, NC. Bid work is expected to be completed June 2024. • Story Walk trails in the Efland Cheeks area; project in collaboration with Orange County Library • Climate Action Plan- • Bike Ped Plan in the works for the County. • Trails Plan- RFP to go out in the next few weeks. • Mid Review of the Orange County Parks and Recreation Master Plan • Others Bo Howes • Triangle Land Conservancy surpassed their goal of conserving 17,000 acres of land by 2025. In March 2024, TLC closed on a project in northern Orange County with support from the County. This project helped the Conservancy exceed to over 25,000 acres of conserved land. 7. Adjournment - Next meeting October 9th, 2024 (cancelled) • Meeting was adjourned at 6:52pm