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•Consider adding to the site to address pedestrian access, natural area <br /> •Protection of the old roadbed offsite? <br /> •Develop report on limited public access? <br /> Recommendations <br /> •Thank Master Plan Committee for its work <br /> •Provide feedback on the master plan <br /> •Instruct staff on whether to develop report on possible interim/limited operations? (CIP = 2016 <br /> projected completion??) <br /> •Change working title to "Future Blackwood Farm Park" to minimize confusion <br /> Commissioner Gordon arrived at 7:17 PM. <br /> Commissioner Gordon said that it is a beautiful park with a house and with historic <br /> features. She said that this park is ready to go except that there is no funding. <br /> Commissioner Jacobs said that this is a very modest plan for this site. It was <br /> suggested to use this as a place to teach sustainable agriculture. Also, it was discussed to <br /> have a nature center at this park. <br /> Commissioner Pelissier said that she really liked the general outline of the plan with its <br /> natural and cultural resources. She asked if there was a plan to apply for national registries <br /> and where people would park if they have events here. <br /> Dave Stancil said that for past festivals, they used a shuttle service from nearby <br /> schools. For the jazz festival, there was parking on site. Regarding the national registry, he <br /> said that this is something that he could pursue. <br /> Frank Clifton asked if the Board wanted to accept the new proposed name for this <br /> project, "Future Blackwood Farm Park". <br /> Commissioner Hemminger asked about the pros and cons of opening this area up for <br /> access for low-key recreation. <br /> Frank Clifton said that, without a formalized process with controls, there are more <br /> chances for liabilities. It would need to be a regulated process. There is no organized <br /> oversight of this property now. <br /> Commissioner Hemminger said that Durham County put up signs at their facilities so <br /> the public would use a park but would know that the County is not responsible. <br /> John Roberts said that notices are useful but if there is not a regular County presence <br /> then they would have to put up sign notices. <br /> Dave Stancil said that they would want to discourage people from the buildings due to <br /> the conditions of the older facilities. <br /> Frank Clifton said that he can look at this and come back with suggested parameters. <br /> Commissioner Yuhasz said that the County has other undeveloped park properties and <br /> if the County Commissioners adopt a policy for this one, they would need to do so for all of the <br /> properties. He also asked about whether anyone has looked at the need for future improved <br /> athletic fields and if there are places to put them. He does not want to preclude that for this <br /> park, since there will be a need in the future. <br /> Dave Stancil said that there was some discussion about whether there could be fields <br /> at this site. There is no plan for these types of fields yet. He said that there are active <br /> stewardship plans for this park. <br />