Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
20 <br />PUBLIC HEARING DRAFT May 1, 2014 <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 />Proposed Recommendations <br />Important Note: These are draft recommendations and are subject to change. <br />1. Enhance and protect our investment in existing park and recreation facilities. <br />2. Build the planned future parks (all planned parks open within 10 years). <br />3. Complete Nature Preserves in a way that provides for public access and <br />recreation. <br />4. County should work with towns, school systems and others to build new facilities. <br />5. In some manner (whether on rural rustic trails or along rural roadways), develop <br />a plan and complete Orange County section of the NC Mountains -to -Sea Trail. <br />6. Build more trails, and connect County /town open spaces and parks with trails? <br />7. Improve access to parks and trails, and design parks for healthy lifestyles. <br />8. Look at new program needs and consider new partnerships. <br />9. Examine the role of community centers in providing recreation, other services. <br />Issues for Further Study <br />• Ultimate Level of Service for the County Parks system. <br />• Review methods of park funding and acquisition. <br />• Coordination between Sportsplex and County programs. <br />• Further examine need for a public pool? <br />• Artificial turf versus natural playing surfaces. <br />• Frequency of surveys and plan updates. <br />Want to view the master plan — or share thoughts and comments online or by email? Go <br />to http : / /0rangecountync..govldeanr /parks master plan.asp and click on the master plan <br />link, or comments link. Email us at deaprc�i.orangecountync.gov or call 919- 245 -2510. <br />