Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
Recommendation 1: Foster community interaction and activity. <br />Action Strategies: <br />A. Increase opportunities for residents from different parts of the county and different <br />backgrounds to work together. <br />The SOCF process has raised our expectations for what is possible through the collective efforts of a <br />diverse set of citizens. To continue building a sense of community, we must continue to invent and <br />embark upon joint projects that embody such shared values as our desire to provide basic human <br />services to all of our citizens, to preserve open space and the environment, and to develop our young <br />people to their fullest potential. <br />B. Create multi -use community facilities <br />that would enable a variety of functions such as a school, community center, senior center, senior <br />care facility, adult learning center, teen center, day care facility, medical clinic, branch library, arts <br />space, and outdoor recreation. Locate these centers in town neighborhoods and villages located in <br />town transition areas. <br />C. Promote neighborhood design, for new neighborhoods which encourages social <br />interaction. <br />D. Create more all- county shared events, such as an Orange County Fair, art, drama, <br />and music festivals. <br />Strive to make events multi - cultural and of interest to all residents of the county. <br />E. Improve relationships between the University and Orange County residents. <br />The University is both a means by which some community- building takes place and an <br />impediment to it. We note with enthusiasm the community building aspects of the UNC athletics <br />program, and our citizens' access to the University's libraries, cultural events, and amenities. We <br />acknowledge with appreciation the University's role in attracting our base of highly educated and <br />active citizens, and the valuable links beyond Orange County generated by the University's <br />cultural and academic programs. While there are many positive links between the University <br />and the larger community, there are also some things that could be done to improve those <br />connections. The University could: <br />■ Increase staff assigned to local and community relations. <br />■ Elicit citizen and county representation on appropriate UNC committees and boards; <br />■ Increase the University's contributions to local problem solving by encouraging faculty and <br />staff involvement. <br />■ Hold "open houses" on various topics, information sessions, and celebrations. <br />■ Make a more public statement of the campus resources and activities available to local <br />citizens. <br />■ Share recreational facilities and services on a planned schedule. <br />F. Publish an Orange County community handbook/calendar <br />for organizations and their activities, community events, cultural and artistic opportunities, etc. <br />A copy to be available to every family and in the library. Encourage UNC to do the same <br />covering events and campus organizations which provide community activities (i.e. Think Again, <br />the continuing education publication which has information on all the not - for - credit learning <br />opportunities the University makes available). Publish this information on the internet as well. <br />G. Establish partnerships between urban and rural residents through community <br />support for local farming by: <br />■ having farm tours for school children as well as adults; <br />■ creating links with organizations that support farming; <br />■ supporting marketing and consumption of local farm products; and <br />■ surveying local citizens' needs /desires for farm products. <br />23 <br />