Orange County NC Website
33 <br /> Orange County Comprehensive Parks and Recreation Master Plan <br /> CHAPTER 3-Park Inventory/Assessment/ Future Preserves without Master Plans 3 <br /> Upper Eno Preserve—Seven Mile Creek Access Area -2201 Moorefields Road, <br /> Size: Land Area: 306 Acres <br /> Overview: Orange County protects this large property for a future <br /> nature preserve. Some of the land was acquired by the County in <br /> the 1970s for water supply watershed protection purposes. <br /> Later additions were to establish the larger preserve for a wildlife <br /> Y. <br /> sanctuary and low-impact public recreational uses. The property is <br /> managed by DEAPR, which is working on opening the eastern por- <br /> tions of the property for use beginning in late 2013. Other portions �- <br /> will open pending further acquisitions and facilities development. <br /> Anticipated facilities include: Parking area, hiking trails, interpretive areas, group camping (by reservation), <br /> Mountains-to-Sea Trail segment. Visitors may also want to visit the adjacent Moorefields property, which is <br /> owned and operated by the Historic Moorefields Foundation. <br /> Location and proximity to the greatest number of users: Located about three miles southwest of Hillsborough <br /> between Mt. Willing Road and Moorefields Road (Cheeks Township). The main entrance to the site is from his- <br /> toric Moorefields located at 2201 Moorefields Road. The future Seven Mile Creek Preserve will attract day users <br /> primarily from central and northern Orange County,as well as through hikers on the Mountains-to-Sea Trail. <br /> Types of programs anticipated: The preserve will be open to the public from dawn to dusk. Occasional guided <br /> tours of the natural and cultural resources will be programmed by the DEAPR staff. Some programs may be <br /> offered in conjunction with the historic Moorefields site. <br /> Anticipated Cost: Not Known <br /> McGowan Creek Access Area - US 70 West, Hillsborough <br /> Size: Land Area: 63 acres l <br /> Overview: Orange County acquired this property from Duke University in k <br /> 2000 for a future nature preserve. The planned McGowan Creek Preserve <br /> helps to protect the Upper Eno watershed and preserves an area of open <br /> space between Hillsborough and Efland. Located at the confluence of <br /> McGowan Creek and the Eno River, the preserve will provide a natural area <br /> and low-impact recreational facilities for people to enjoy. <br /> Funding for acquisition: <br /> $ 148,000 from Orange County(School/Park Capital Reserve Fund) L" <br /> $ 143,000 from NC Clean Water Management Trust Fund <br /> Anticipated facilities include:The site will feature a rustic picnic area (and possible restroom facility),along with <br /> two miles of trails through a mature forest that overlooks nearby Corporation Lake. <br /> Location and proximity to the greatest number of users: Located one mile west of Hillsborough town limits on <br /> the north side of US 70; the future McGowan Creek Preserve will attract day users from central and northern <br /> Orange County and occasional visitors enjoying a rest stop along US 70. <br /> Types of programs anticipated:The preserve will be open to the public from dawn to dusk. Occasional guided <br /> tours of the natural and cultural resource will be programmed by the DEAPR staff. <br /> Anticipated Cost: Not Known <br /> 3-21 <br />