Agenda - 09-06-2007-4f - Laserfiche WebLink

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behind the location of the former convenient store, visible from Erwin Road and is privately owned. Most of the property is wooded with pine and mixed-aged hardwoods. The land slopes from both the northern and eastern boundaries (600 feet elevation) down toward the western portion of the future park toward New Hope Creek. There is an open area, approximately one acre, at a high point on the site along the northern portion of the property where it shares a boundary line with the Triangle Land Conservancy. According to aerial photo, that site has remained open since 1938. The property also slopes down toward the smaller tributary flowing north-south through the center of the tracts. Portions of the property along New Hope Creek and an unnamed feeder stream (on the former Penny tract) are within the 100 -year floodplain. Approximately twenty-seven (27) acres of the subject property are located within an area identified as having a high potential for archaeological remains based on its proximity to New Hope Creek, and all of the property is located within an area identified as having a medium potential for archaeological remains. (Please see attached maps) Local experts also suggest the likelihood that a historic trading path and/or roadbed (see area circled in red on the USGS map) and possibly a Native American village were once located within the vicinity of the future park site, and two Native American archaeological sites (31OR7 and 31OR13) have been recorded in the area. The project also offers the opportunity to re-locate site 31 OR7, recorded by an amateur many years ago. This Native American site, which contained Middle and Late Archaic and Late Woodland artifacts, appears to be located within the "high probability area." A Master Plan Work Group for the proposed "Hollow Rock Access Area" is scheduled to convene in September 2007 to develop a master plan for the site by early 2008. The findings from the cultural resources survey will be provided to this work group for its use in designing the facility. It is expected that the master plan will accommodate only facilities with a "passive" or low-impact design (i.e., no active playing fields) that will enable the site to retain most, if not all, of the natural, cultural and scenic components of the property. Orange County will also use the survey findings at a subsequent date for planning the New Hope Creek Preserve. 11. Description of Work The County is requesting a cultural resources survey for use in planning the proposed "Hollow Rock Access Area." For the purposes of this project, County staff has divided the park property into three main areas (See Hollow Rock Access Area and New Hope Preserve Areas for Evaluation Map). 1) Area 1 (approximately 7 acres) includes portions of the site that may be significantly disturbed for the construction of new facilities—parking areas and associated driveways and possibly a comfort station. Work in Area 1 should include a full Surface and Subsurface Investigation to locate and evaluate the probable significance and extent of any archaeological or historically significant V, I io W.