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56 Orange County Comprehensive Parks and Recreation Master Plan CHAPTER 6-Community Needs Assessment and Public Input 6 Focus Groups and Additional Outreach Efforts Trails and Connectivity(February 7,2013) Subject Area Focus Groups Thirteen persons attended this session to talk about An additional method of public outreach was the the role of trails and the connectivity among differ- convening of eight focus groups. These groups were ent parks,open spaces and trails. developed to examine, in more detail, several • The group reviewed and discussed a map showing known topics or issues that the master plan would existing and planned trails and greenways in need to address. For these focus groups, staff con- Orange County. Participants identified some public tacted 8-12 representatives and/or subject matter trails at Lake Michael and some of the public experts for a focused 120-minute discussion. The schools that could be added to the map and data base. following is a list of the focus groups and the sum- mary of their findings. The full tabulation of com- • Participants supported the development of the NC ments recorded in the focus groups may be found in Mountains-to-Sea Trail through Orange County, Appendix 6-7. and recommended running sections of the trail adjacent to roadways(outside NCDOT right of way) Soccer Facilities(January 22, 2013) on an interim basis, until trail easements are se Fourteen persons attended this focus group to talk cured through interior properties. about soccer facilities. A substantial amount of time . Participants discussed the importance of providing was spent on the sufficiency of soccer fields in the certain facilities/amenities to support trail users, county and the types of facilities needed. The pros such as parking, signage and restrooms; also trash and cons of artificial turf fields was another key area receptacles in certain heavy-use areas only. of discussion. Generally, the group saw need for the 0 Participants recommended trails be constructed creation of artificial turf fields, but felt that these using sustainable trail construction practices, and would be better co-located at certain locations that the master plan prescribe some kind of pre rather than "mixed and matched" with natural sur- ferred design standard. face fields at different sites.The timing and availabil- • Participants expressed in interest in the County ity of fields was another major topic of discussion. opening up some of its future park properties Opportunities for use of school playing fields when (currently `land banked") for some limited interim not in use by schools was highlighted. use,such as natural trails with adequate signage. In general, the group identified a need for playing fields in the late-winter and late-fall, after most fields have closed for the season. The Eurosport Soccer Center was lauded as a success, but interest Y. in creating a like facility at the Millhouse Road site was also expressed. It was noted that Orange Coun- ty, because of its location, is an ideal location for tournaments. At the same time, soccer group repre- sentatives noted the importance of having sufficient playing time for local youth programs and games, and that the interest in tournaments is balanced t with this need. Corporate sponsorships were dis- cussed and seen as ideal, but unlikely to be a major funding source. Some soccer organizations may be willing to help fund fields and improvements. 6-10