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Little River Park Advisory Committee Interim Report 811101 11 <br /> Each of the proposed facilities above received a high level of support from members <br /> of the public that attended the Committee's March 1, 2001 public input meeting. <br /> The Committee determined that horseback riding, mountain biking and camping <br /> would also require some initial cost outlay, but would then also require a relatively <br /> greater long term investment in continual oversight, maintenance and enforcement <br /> of rules. The committee received good input from representatives of horseback <br /> riding and mountain biking user groups. Staff also provided information from a <br /> variety of sources, on the possible impacts to the park from these uses. Those <br /> sources included local park and recreation departments, equestrian and mountain <br /> biking clubs, N C State Parks, N C State University, N C Horse Council and extensive <br /> research by an intern working for the Durham Planning Department. A summary of <br /> that information is provided as Attachment G. <br /> V. Recommended Uses <br /> The Committee recommendations for uses to be allowed within the Little River <br /> Regional Park and Natural Area are provided in three categories: a) allowed uses, b) <br /> conditional uses and c) prohibited uses. <br /> A. Allowed Uses <br /> The Committee recommends allowing the following uses in the park for the reasons <br /> provided below: <br /> • Hiking/Nature Trails <br /> • Picnic Area/Shelter <br /> • Hard Surface Trail/Picnic Loop <br /> • Playground <br /> • Open Play Meadows <br /> • Fishing <br /> 1. Hiking/Nature Trails <br /> Hiking trails have been identified as one of the primary uses of this park. The <br /> former logging roads provide a base for a future network of pedestrian trails that <br /> would allow people to experience different features of the property, including the <br /> upland forest, stream crossings, the North Fork Little River and floodplain, and some <br /> of the identified historic and cultural areas (e.g., mill site, house sites, old road beds, <br /> etc.). LWCF grant funds are earmarked for improvements to existing trails and the <br /> creation of new trails (Attachment F). Volunteers will be used for trail construction <br /> and maintenance through a proposed volunteer site steward program. <br /> 2. Picnic Area/Shelter <br /> The meadow area (former agricultural field) would accommodate a picnic shelter <br /> and associated amenities in close proximity to the parking area and proposed <br /> restroom facilities. LWCF grant funds are allocated for a small picnic shelter, picnic <br /> Page 7 of 12 <br />