Agenda - 03-03-2011 - 7b - Laserfiche WebLink

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ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: March 3, 2011 Action Agenda Item No. -7 - .b SUBJECT: Pro osed Master Plan for Future Blackwood Farm Park DEPARTMENT: Department of Environment, Agriculture, Parks and Recreation (DEAPR) PUBLIC HEARING: (YIN) No ATTACHMENTS: 1) Vicinity Map 2) Master Plan Map (Revised) 3) Recommended Master Plan 4) Interim Use Plan INFORMATION CONTACT: David Stancil, 245-2510 Lori Taft, 245-2673 Marabeth Carr, 245-2516 Rich Shaw, 245-2514 UNDER SEPARATE COVER Tina Moon, 245-2517 5) Site Photos PURPOSE: To adopt the proposed master plan for the future Blackwood Farm Park. BACKGROUND: In 2006, the Board of Commissioners appointed a 14-member committee to develop a proposed master plan for the 152-acre New Hope Park at Blackwood Farm (former working title). The future park is located near the intersection of New Hope Church Road and NC 86 between Hillsborough and Chapel Hill (vicinity map at Attachment 1). As noted at the time of purchase, the property was acquired to be land-banked for future park use. The proposed master plan for the site was completed in 2008 by a Master Plan Committee. The committee included Commissioners Jacobs and Gordon, representatives from County advisory boards, and other interested parties. The committee met seven times in 2006-07, including site visits to other similar-themed parks. The recommended master plan was first provided to the Board as an informational item in May 2008. The proposed master plan takes aloes-impact approach to address recreation, and to protect the agricultural heritage, historic preservation, scenic vistas and opportunities for environmental education at the site. This was in keeping with the Board's charge to the committee, and the County's intentions announced at the time of land acquisition. The facilities proposed for this site include an amphitheatre, community gardens, picnic shelters, nature trails with interpretive signage, learning center, natural wooded areas (including a County natural heritage site), informal multi-purpose field, scenic overlook from New Hope Church Road, agricultural demonstration area, fishing, playground, and future Parks Operation base and office. The historic farmstead will remain a focal point of the site, although specific uses are as yet undetermined.