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on the master plan, as per the Committee's charge. It is our <br /> understanding the exact location of these future activities will <br /> be addressed at a subsequent time. <br /> Master Plan Rationale <br /> As the master plan design unfolded, the Committee became aware that the <br /> majority of the proposed activity would need to be located in two "pods" of the <br /> park. This was made apparent by the uncertainty surrounding use of the former <br /> Iandfilled areas and the existing plans for the County and municipal future uses <br /> on the eastern part (eastern pod) of the site. Therefore, the facilities were <br /> designed to avoid these areas, work around the existing stream buffer, and try to <br /> protect as much of the mature hardwood forest in the southern part of the site as <br /> possible. <br /> However, the remaining best usable land was largely located in the "southern <br /> pod" near the hardwoods area. The master plan sites most of the facilities of the <br /> park in this area, while preserving a block of the hardwoods. The design attempts <br /> to keep as much of this area intact as possible, and sites only a picnic shelter <br /> and playground (which can be nestled among the trees). The larger facilities are <br /> located to the north and west of the best part of the hardwoods. Specimen trees <br /> of large caliper or age were also protected. The retention of this forested area will <br /> also serve as a buffer for residents along Torain Street. The Town of <br /> Hillsborough plans to construct a 10,000 to 12,000 square foot Public <br /> Works/Motor Pool facility on its designated site (generally the southwest corner <br /> of the County Public Works property, which would be transferred to the Town). <br /> Also to be included on the site is 7,000 to 8,000 square feet of covered storage <br /> facilities. The Town plans to locate its facilities on the western portion of the site <br /> with the intent to leave enough acreage for potential future expansion. <br /> The second pod of activity is smaller and would be located near the existing <br /> Hillsborough Community Policing Station. The group recognized that there is an <br /> arbor and history of using this area, termed the "western pod", as a gathering <br /> spot, and while the available or usable land is limited, some facilities would be <br /> retained here. These facilities are also easily accessed from Rainey Avenue. <br /> To facilitate greater accessibility between the two pods of park activity, a <br /> connector trail is proposed that offers a direct way of moving from the "western <br /> pod" (police station/picnic/playground area) to the "southern pod" (ballfield and <br /> other facilities). This 1000-foot trail also allows persons entering the park from <br /> either Torain Street or Rainey Avenue to access the other portion of the park. In <br /> addition to this trail, trails around the ballfiield and a connector trail to the <br /> intersection of Rainey and Homemont Avenue are also reflected. Thus, <br /> pedestrians could enter the park from Rainey Avenue, Torain Street or <br /> Homemont Avenue, as well as from other intersections with Rainey Avenue. <br /> 7 <br />