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111 <br /> Orange County Comprehensive Parks and Recreation Master Plan <br /> CHAPTER 11- Issues for Further Study/Conclusion 11 <br /> 6. Five Year CNA's/ 10 Year Update 7.Artificial Turf Playing Fields <br /> Orange County's 1988 Recreation and Parks Master Considerable time and investigation has been put <br /> Plan has served the county well. The themes and into the potential for conversion or existing or crea- <br /> philosophy of that plan are now ingrained in the tion of new playing fields with artificial turf surfaces. <br /> county's method and means of providing parks and As of the writing of this plan, Orange County has <br /> recreation, and have charted the course for future partnered financially with the Town of Chapel Hill to <br /> needs identification and development. open a new artificial turf field at the Town of Chapel <br /> While there was never an intention to go 25 years Hill's Cedar Falls Park. There are many issues within <br /> between system master plans, that occurrence and this topic and a plethora of pros and cons to the <br /> the happy circumstance of the way the 1988 plan question of artificial surface versus natural surface, <br /> served the county is not one that should be too many to address in this more comprehensive <br /> expected to occur again. We live in a dynamic document. <br /> society, where technology and community and per- In general, it is recommended that Orange County <br /> sonal recreation interests are subject to change and look at usage, demand/activity, opportunity, <br /> need flexibility for future options and alternatives. locational needs and possible existing conversions, <br /> Especially with a community needs based system of and implement one to two artificial surfaces on <br /> standards and facilities, an evaluation of the fields that warrant such an undertaking-and investi- <br /> preference of residents is needed on a more- gate over the next several years the costs and bene- <br /> frequent basis. fits of artificial surfaces with natural surfaces, before <br /> making any type of commitment to long-term <br /> It is recommended that this master plan have an changes in field management, operation, and <br /> amendment process that allows for goals, planned maintenance. <br /> facilities and programs, and other strategies and <br /> recommendations to be altered from time to time. <br /> Additionally, resident input on community needs <br /> should be solicited on a regular basis. A community <br /> needs assessment survey is recommended for every <br /> 10 years, with a statistical random-sample survey at <br /> least once in the 10-year period. <br /> Accordingly, the system master plan should be up- <br /> dated to reflect changed conditions, facilities issues <br /> and new community needs identification every 10 - <br /> years, in addition to any special amendments that } ` <br /> may be needed to address immediate issues, trends <br /> or changed conditions in the interim. <br /> Finally, additional topics that will need internal <br /> examination and planning include: <br /> • ADA Accessibility and New Federal Standards <br /> • Sustainable Landscaping at Parks <br /> 11-5 <br />