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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda 07-08-2025; 12-2 - Infomation Item - Memorandum - Improvements to Fairview Community Park 1 Department of Environment, MEMORANDUM TO: Travis Myren, County Manager FROM: David Stancil, DEAPR Director DATE: June 18, 2025 RE: Improvements to Fairview Community Park In February, a report entitled ""Improving Recreational Opportunities in Fairview Park" generated by the Fairview Youth in Action / Fairview Community Watch organizations was received by the Parks and Recreation Council and the Board of Commissioners (BOCC). Since that time, staff met with representatives of the organizations and Town staff and investigated ways to address some of the short-term goals expressed by the report, knowing that the longer-term items will need to await the mitigation of the old Hillsborough Town Dump site on the northern part of the Fairview site. Based on this, and the recent discussions on the CIP by the Board, I can offer the following recommended solutions to the items outlined in the report. Report Priority I. Install a Soccer Field Short-Term: Install moveable soccer goals on the existing baseball field Response: The Hillsborough Youth Athletic Association (HYAA) has a license agreement with the County for use of the baseball/softball fields at Fairview Park, Cedar Grove Park, and Efland-Cheeks Park during certain days and hours in the spring and fall. HYAA operates youth baseball and softball in central Orange County and has a limited number of fields for current and short-term future use. Staff has adjusted the HYAA agreement, with the organization's concurrence, to allow for Friday, Saturday and Sunday open play on the baseball field at Fairview. Staff has also identified foldable soccer goals that Orange County Department of Environment, Agriculture, Parks & Recreation PO Box 8181, Hillsborough, NC 27278 Phone: (919) 245-2510 2 can be acquired and secured to the baseball field fence when not in use. The BOCC has included funding for soccer goals in the capital budget for FY 2025- 26. If Fairview Community Watch agrees, these goals can be used by members of the community by securing/returning the key to the goals from the Dorothy Johnson Community Center. This arrangement may need to be added to the existing Memorandum of Agreement between the County and Town of Hillsborough, which is due for renewal at the end of 2025. • Long-term: Build a permanent soccer field. Response: Once the landfill mitigation work is completed, a Phase 11 of Fairview Park is projected for some date in the future beyond 2035. The N.C. Department of Environmental Quality has hired a firm to prepare a Landfill Mitigation Remedial Action Plan, but it is currently unknown when that Plan will be ready for public review and comment. Following approval of the Landfill Mitigation Remedial Action Plan, the amount of time needed to complete the mitigation work and make it ready for public use is expected to take multiple years. Once the State's plan outlines the potential uses for the site, the Fairview Park Master Plan (adopted in 2005) will need to be amended with desired improvements for Phase ll, consistent with the uses that would be allowed on the former landfill areas. This master plan amendment would be developed in conjunction with the Fairview community, as the original master plan was. Report Priority II. Improve Park Facilities Near Dorothy Johnson Community Center Short-Term: Replace benches and water fountain, repair playground equipment, and improve landscaping at Orange County park facilities near the Town's Dorothy Johnson Community Center. Response: Some of these items may be able to be pursued using existing funds. Others may require future year appropriations and/or conversations with the Town. • Staff would remove and replace two to three benches, as funds permit. • The old inoperable water fountain would be removed, as water is available in the adjacent community center. There is also an existing water fountain in the park near the picnic shelter. • The existing playground, while older, meets codes and standards and is inspected regularly. There are currently no funds for replacement of this amenity. The playground could serve for several additional years with Orange County Department of Environment, Agriculture, Parks & Recreation PO Box 8181, Hillsborough, NC 27278 Phone: (919) 245-2510 3 some minor repairs, and a new playground could be considered as part of the Phase 2 of the park. • Staff can conduct some basic landscaping improvements in the area identified. A small pollinator garden could be installed adjacent to the area. Long-Term: Explore opportunities for the Town of Hillsborough to operate playground and facilities in coordination with the Dorothy N. Johnson Community Center. Response: The community center is on land that was conveyed to the Town by the County several years ago, but the old playground remains on the County's Fairview Park property. Any transfer of ownership or operation of the playground or other facilities would require discussions by County and Town management and elected boards, including amendment to the Memorandum of Agreement. Report Priority III: Improve & Expand Walking Trails Short-Term: Improve the shortcut connecting Fairview Park and neighborhood at Homemont Ave. and Rainey Ave. Response: The existing trail and bridge for this connection is in good condition. The concern is about crossing the drainage swale that exists for Rainey Avenue, a Town street. County and Town staff have discussed the Town installing a culvert that could have a grass surface to address this connection. Long-Term: Develop a trail network connecting key community sites, such as the Dorothy Johnson Community and community garden (located on Tulip Tree Road. Response: There are existing trails within the footprint of the 2010 park area. It is likely that such trails into and across the former landfill would be part of the amended master plan for Phase 2 of the park, to be done once the State has released its landfill mitigation plan (see Priority I above) and conducted needed mitigation, but any design or plan for that would need to await that master plan effort. The above actions should help address many of the concerns listed in the February report. Please let me know if any additional information is needed. Orange County Department of Environment, Agriculture, Parks & Recreation PO Box 8181, Hillsborough, NC 27278 Phone: (919) 245-2510