Agenda - 02-11-2014 - 2 - Laserfiche WebLink

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98 Orange County Comprehensive Parks and Recreation Master Plan CHAPTER 10-Goals,Objectives,and Recommendations 10 One area of future collaboration that seems particu- The County should schedule a meeting with the larly well-timed is that with the school systems. As other local governments within the county to discuss the Twin Creeks District Park and Educational future joint capital funding and possible memoranda Campus comes to fruition in the next 10-15 years of agreement for such purposes. A similar meeting with multiple schools co-located with a 96-acre park, with the two school systems could identify ways of opportunities for"cross-pollination"would appear to incorporating recreation needs into planning for be numerous between the schools and the park. future school projects and codifying joint facility Opportunities to work more closely with the Orange usage arrangements (some of which already exist). County Schools—both in the design of future schools Mutually-beneficial design standards for new school that may be able to serve community and education- facilities may enable greater use by the public of al needs, and in the construction and operational these important recreational assets. sharing of recreational facilities — would greatly Renewal of the Orange County Conservation enhance both community recreation and school Alliance, an annual meeting of conservation partners purposes. The Intergovernmental Parks Work including Triangle Land Conservancy, Eno River Group's Community Use of School Facilities issue Association, Duke, UNC, Eno River State Park and paper notes the opportunities that could be served OWASA, should enable coordinated future planning by such cooperation. Co-location of the Eurosport and the identification of joint opportunities among Soccer Center and Gravelly Hill Middle School is one these agencies and institutions. example of such a result, and collaboration on future auxiliary gymnasiums, playing fields at schools, and Finally, regarding collaboration with private firms, schools in proximity to parks (such as Blackwood the County should complete its "partnership Farm) are opportunities that should be seized to op- template" to help identify mutually-beneficial timize the investment of public dollars. Notably, both partnership arrangements and use this as a tool to school systems recently updated their facility use explore working with existing and future employers sponsor- policies to allow more o to find ways where private investment and sponsor- p opportunity for coordinated ships can help enhance recreational opportunities. usage for recreation purposes. Finally, there are opportunities to work more closely D.The Vision III—Trails,Connectivity and Access with large public and private institutions, such as One of the stronger messages resulting from the Orange Water and Sewer Authority (OWASA), N.C. Community Needs Assessment surveys was the State Parks, UNC and Duke to meet future recreation desire among residents for more hiking, walking and needs. Sponsorships and capital investment partner- biking trails. Nationally and locally, walking and ships should also be explored with the private sector, hiking are popular modes of outdoor exercise and which benefits from safe and healthy outdoor fitness, and biking is another popular recreational exercise and recreational areas and may be a willing outlet as well as for meeting exercise goals. Whether partner. they are located within a park, or for connecting parks and open spaces (also strongly supported in the surveys), residents are interested in seeing the County increase the availability and accessibility of trails. 10-8