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ORANGE COUNTY <br />BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br />ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br />Meeting Date: December 9, 2014 <br />Action Agenda <br />Item No. 7 -b <br />SUBJECT: Limited Opening Plan - Blackwood Farm Park <br />DEPARTMENT: Department of Environment, PUBLIC HEARING: (Y /N) No <br />Agriculture, Parks and <br />Recreation <br />ATTACHMENT(S): <br />Proposed Limited Opening Plan <br />Map /List of Activities <br />Map of Trails <br />Park Master Plan <br />INFORMATION CONTACT: <br />David Stancil, 919 - 245 -2510 <br />Marabeth Carr, 919 - 245 -2510 <br />1 <br />PURPOSE: To consider a plan to open Blackwood Farm Park on a limited basis to the public, <br />and to review the planned amenities and activities to be available. <br />BACKGROUND: Blackwood Farm Park is a 152 -acre site acquired through the County's Lands <br />Legacy Program as a future park site featuring low- impact recreation within an agricultural and <br />historic theme. <br />In June, the Board appropriated funds as part of the budget and Capital Investment Plan (CIP) <br />for personnel, operating and capital to open the park on a limited basis. Staff has been working <br />since that time to prepare the park for opening and construct facilities, including several miles of <br />trails that have been completed in -house by Parks staff. <br />As shown in the attached Limited Opening Plan overview, staff anticipates (pending necessary <br />approvals and bid processes) that the areas of the park will be able to be opened for public <br />enjoyment in or around early March, with a preliminary target opening date of Friday, March 6, <br />2015. <br />Based on the available funds and resources on site, staff proposes that the following amenities <br />be available upon opening: <br />• A picnic shelter (ADA- accessible); <br />• Picnic tables and benches around the farmstead area; <br />• Over four miles of natural - surface walking and hiking trails (with signage); <br />• A walking tour of the farmstead and 18th- century "Historic Old Chapel Hill- Hillsborough <br />Road" with Interpretive signage throughout; <br />• An open field for informal use (picnic blankets, Frisbee -toss, etc.); <br />