Agenda - 02-19-2013 - 5f - Laserfiche WebLink

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ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: February 19, 2013 Action Agenda Item No. 5-f SUBJECT: Letter of Support for Durham County’s Recreational Trails Grant Application DEPARTMENT:PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) Environment, Agriculture, No Parks and Recreation ATTACHMENT(S):INFORMATION CONTACT: Draft Letter of SupportDavid Stancil, 245-2510 Rich Shaw, 245-2514 Marabeth Carr, 245-2516 PURPOSE: To consider sending a letter of support for Durham County’s application for agrant from the NorthCarolina Recreational Trails Program for construction of facilities at the planned Hollow Rock Access Area. BACKGROUND: The planned Hollow Rock Access Area is a 75-acre site located south of Erwin Road near the intersection with Pickett Road. The property straddles the Orange-Durham county line, and is comprised of multiple land parcels owned separately by Orange County, Durham County, the Town of Chapel Hill and the Triangle Land Conservancy. New Hope Creek forms the western boundary of the property. In April 2010 the Board adopted a master plan for a planned multi-jurisdictional public park located along New Hope Creek. The master plan was developed by a 13-member Hollow Rock Master Plan Committee co-chaired by Commissioner Barry Jacobs and also including Commissioner Alice Gordon and representatives from Orange County advisory boards. The master plan was also adopted in 2009/10 by Durham County, the City of Durham, and the Town of Chapel Hill. Durham County has submitted an application tothe North Carolina Recreational Trails Program for funding of the Hollow Rock trailhead parking and amenities.Durham requested $200,000 in State funds, which would require $50,000 in matching funds. If awarded, the grant funds will help fund essential elements of the master plan – specifically a parking lot and the construction of four pedestrian bridges for trails located on portions of the Hollow Rock property owned by Orange and Durham counties. The grant award will be announced by the State in August 2013. FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with Orange County’s support of the grant application.If the requested $200,000 in State grant funds were awarded, the required $50,000 local matching funds would be provided by Durham County. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board authorize the Chair to sign the letter of support for Durham County’s grant application to the NC Recreational Trails Program for construction of facilities at the planned Hollow Rock Access Area, and direct the Clerk to the Board to submit the letter and also provide copies to Durham County and the Town of Chapel Hill.