Orange County NC Website
Attachment 2 -b <br />MEMORANDUM <br />TO: Bonnie M. Hammersley, Orange County Manager <br />Roger Stancil, Chapel Hill Town Manager <br />FROM: Jim Orr, Town of Chapel Hill Parks and Recreation Director <br />David Stancil, Orange County Environment, Agriculture, Parks and <br />Recreation Director <br />DATE: March 26, 2015 <br />RE: Joint Parks and Recreation Opportunities <br />As the Board of Commissioners and Town Council discuss past and potential future <br />collaboration efforts in the area of parks, recreation and open space, this memorandum <br />is provided to serve as a discussion starter: <br />1. Hollow Rock Public Access Area (Part of the New Hope Preserve) <br />First designated as a future public access area along New Hope Creek in the early <br />1990's, the Hollow Rock Public Access Area consists of 72 acres owned by Orange <br />County, Durham County and the Town of Chapel Hill on the east side of New Hope <br />Creek south of Erwin Road straddling the Durham - Orange county line. The site is part <br />of a larger New Hope Preserve that continues downstream of New Hope Creek into <br />Durham. A Master Plan committee developed a plan for the site in 2009 (approved by <br />all jurisdictions in 2010). Using funds from both counties and a $200,000 grant, work is <br />underway for trails and bridge construction in both jurisdictions consistent with the <br />master plan (attached). <br />A draft interlocal agreement for the operation of the 72 -acre access area has been <br />created and has been shared with each of the owning parties, along with the City of <br />Durham (an original participant in the property acquisition). The interlocal agreement <br />has been reviewed by the Durham - Chapel Hill- Orange County Work Group. Once the <br />interlocal agreement is completed and signed, plans for construction of the parking <br />area and other initial facilities will follow. <br />2. Other Past and Potential Future Collaboration Projects <br />The Town of Chapel Hill and Orange County have a long history of working together on <br />parks and open space projects, including the above mentioned Hollow Rock Access <br />Area as well as such diverse efforts as: <br />• Homestead Park <br />• Southern Community Park <br />• Homestead Aquatics Center <br />• Bolin Creek Greenway, and <br />