Orange County NC Website
20 <br /> [DRAFT]I September <br /> 18. The County's Lands Legacy Program has wiped out the parkland deficit identified in 1999, and <br /> secured a number of future parks, open spaces and nature preserve sites at strategic locations <br /> for future needs. <br /> 19. The 1988 Master Recreation and Parks Plan served the County well as a blueprint for future <br /> needs, and most of the facilities and programs anticipated in that plan have been built, secured <br /> or implemented. Many of the basic philosophical and physical tenets of that plan are still valid. <br /> However, a solution to a park site for Bingham Township remains to be addressed. <br /> 20. Opportunities for coordinated school/park planning with the school systems appear to exist. <br /> Informal Discussion of"Straw" Recommendation Ideas <br /> Important Note: No recommendations have been developed at this time. The following list of <br /> possible recommendations is a discussion draft to help the Parks and Recreation Council and <br /> staff"test"some possible recommendations for the Master Plan. <br /> 1. Enhance and protect our investment in existing park and recreation facilities. <br /> 2. Build the planned future parks at Blackwood Farm, Millhouse Road and Twin <br /> Creeks. <br /> 3. Build hiking and biking trails at planned future parks and build nature trails at the <br /> planned Seven-Mile Creek Nature Preserve and the New Hope Preserve (Hollow <br /> Rock). <br /> 4. Build an outdoor swimming pool in north-central or west-central Orange County. <br /> 5. In some manner, whether on rural rustic trails or along rural roadways, complete <br /> the Orange County section of the NC Mountains-to-Sea Trail. <br /> 6. Link town trails and parks to County parks via trails? <br /> 7. Ensure some type of park facilities in Bingham Township, either through the <br /> acquisition and construction of a new park or through existing recreation <br /> opportunities. <br /> 8. Look into creating expanding programs in areas such as trail-hiking and walking <br /> for health, and swimming lessons with Sportsplex or in conjunction with the <br /> towns. <br /> Discussion Topics <br /> • What do you think of the possible "straw" recommendations? <br /> • Do you agree with the 20 Findings drawn from the surveys and research? <br /> • What, in your mind, are the most important things for the County to focus on in <br /> the areas of parks and recreation programs? <br /> • Final thoughts? <br /> Want to share thoughts and comments online or by email? Go to <br /> http://orangecountync.pov/deapr/parks master plan.as and click on the comments <br /> link, or you can email us at deapr(a)orangecountync.gov. Or call 919-245-2510. <br />