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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMeeting Summary 04022025 Meeting Summary— Parks and Recreation Council April 2, 2025 Bonnie B Davis Center, Hillsborough Members Present: Natalie Ziemba (Chair), Louise Flinn, Trevor Robinson, Alissa Martucci, Allen Parker, GiGi Rashdi, Xilong Zhao, Chloe Reid (youth delegate), Navya Sharma (youth delegate) Members Absent: Gregory Husketh, Ben King, Logan Cason, Robert Zurek Staff: David Stancil, Abby Mattingly, Guest Jessica Pearson and Mikaela Hernandez Natalie Ziemba called the meeting to order at 6:32pm. Report of the Chair: a. Chair Comments—Chair Natalie Ziemba held brief introductions. New Business: a. Changes to the agenda— David Stancil added a report item for the Friends of Orange County Parks and Recreation. Ziemba moved the Chair and Vice Chair elections to after the Trails Plan Update. b. County Trails Plan-Jessica Pearson presented an update on the Orange County Trails Plan. The engagement roadmap was presented with an explanation of what steps have been completed by the consultants, and what accomplishments have been made. Pearson discussed the recent site visits that Gensler conducted with their landscape architecture consultants, Surface 678, and DEAPR Land Conservation Manager, Chris Hirni. Gensler has developed initial possible priority trail connections. These connections are general at this stage, and are: between Chapel Hill and Hillsborough, the West to East Mountains to Sea Trail (MST) route, Little River Regional Park to Cedar Grove Park, and Eno River State Park and the future Northeast District Park. Trevor Robinson asked if the consultants hope to complete all four prioritized connections, or how they were prioritized. Pearson informed that the goal is to document these connections as ideas for potential trail corridors, and then to outline criteria for evaluating which ones should be prioritized for completion. As an example, she pointed out the MST, as part of it has already been completed, and is a part of a larger plan of State connection, and as such should be prioritized. While the exact criteria objectives have not yet been determined, there will be feasibility recommendations indicated. Pearson handed the conversation to Mikaela Hernandez to discuss planning for the upcoming community vision workshops. The roadmap established May as the window for initial community feedback. An open house model for the workshops has been selected. During the workshop there will be arrival activities and visioning stations. Hernandez then presented several dates in May, with the goal of having one weekday and one weekend. Alissa Martucci asked about remote options. Hernandez informed that some locations may have restrictions but that the website will include additional information and an option for public comment. Hernandez continued into detail on the workshop station activities. Arrival Activities will be designed to help understand who is in attendance. Some questions will include; where do you live and work, how long have you lived in Orange County, where is somewhere that you are proud of? Pearson added that success in the event will be attendance, and new insights from community perspectives. These perspectives will help to inform the final recommendations. Members of the PRC shared their opinions on what questions should be posed during the workshops, and what information would be most relevant. Henandez then discussed some of the visioning stations. Station 1 will be Ranking Corridor Priorities. Station 2 will be Exploring Connections. Station 3 will be Vision Statement Mad Libs. Martucci noted that feasibility would be an important consideration for her when ranking potential connections. Specifically, if there were ways to denote public land and open space. The final request will be the exit feedback form. Following the May visioning workshops, Gensler will be back to the PRC meeting in June to share insights. c. Chair and Vice-Chair Elections- Ziemba explained the nature of Chair and Vice-Chair offices and terms, and opened the floor to nominations. Flinn nominated Ziemba for re- election, Robinson seconded. All in favor, none opposed, Ziemba elected Chair. Ziemba nominated Flinn as Vice-Chair, Zhao seconded. All in favor, none opposed, Flinn elected Vice-Chair. d. Manager Recommended Capital Investment Plan—Stancil presented the CIP that the Manager brought to the Board of County Commissioners just the evening before. In the upcoming CIP, County funds are being primarily allocated to the schools, with many park projects being deferred for later years. The CIP is a 10-year plan, with only the first year on the plan being approved as part of the upcoming budget, and all other years are reevaluated each budget cycle. While the funding is still several years away, planning for the new Central Recreation Center facility will need to begin in the next few years. Stancil also noted that the CIP does not included funds allocated in previous years. e. May 7 Meeting Location—Council discussed the options for the May park/picnic meeting. Staff will evaluate shelter availability between Blackwood Farm Park and Fairview Park. Old Business a. Approval of Meeting Summary, March 5: Flinn motioned to approve, Robinson seconded. All in favor, none opposed, motion carried. Report of the Director b. Project/Program Updates—Stancil encouraged the Council to review the Soccer.Com report. The disc golf course at Blackwood Farm Park is undergoing another review of the proposed course to reconcile bird habitat concerns with the course design. The skills course at Little River Regional Park will be open soon following the final MOU with Triangle off-road cyclists (TORC). The new tennis/pickleball courts at Fairview Park should be open beginning in June. Perry Hills Mini-Park is under construction and on a similar completion timeframe. 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 c. Friends of Orange County Parks and Recreation —Stancil reminded the Council that there is a Friends group, and that there is an effort to revitalize the group to take on a project in partnership with the restoration of the Hollow Rock general store. Adjournment: Ziemba adjourned the meeting at 8:15pm Next Meeting: May 7 (Park location TBA)