Agenda - 05-28-1991 - Laserfiche WebLink

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New Hope Corridor Open Space Master Plan The Value of the Corridor's Topography and Natural Habitat The New Hope corridor, especially the portions adjacent to or near the streams, is an unusual combination of wet areas, drier floodplains, steep slopes, gradual slopes, typical common vegetation, regionally rare plant communities, and fine remnant stands of bottomland hardwoods, all of which provide habitat for a diversity of wildlife. Each natural component of the corridor enhances the value of the corridor as a whole. All slopes adjacent to the floodplains contribute to both the environmental quality and the beauty of the corridor. Even the steepest of the slopes should remain open and undeveloped. This is not because it is not possible to build upon them; with care, delicacy, very good design, and appropriate uses, it is possible to build there. Rather, they should be left in their natural state because they are dramatic, botanically significant, they offer inspiring scenic views, and provide a very different natural environment for people to have as part of their heritage. While it is important to protect floodplains for water quality, wildlife, and to prevent property damage, it is these slopes which provide habitat diversity, unique scenic qualities, and wildflower displays. All portions of the corridor are different and intriguing to the naturalist or any curious mind. The western side, south of the Boulevard, has dramatic ravines. The wide floodplain between the Boulevard and Erwin Road is a natural wildlife protection area, with remnants of pastures. The Dry Creek floodplain is anything but dry. The Mud Creek tributary is narrow and, although it has an existing sewer line, it is an oasis between residential areas. The portion of the corridor directly north of the Chapel Hill- Durham Boulevard exemplifies the unusual qualities, the diversity, and the value of the entire corridor. The northern portion of the Boulevard ridge extends from the Boulevard some 1000 to 1500 feet north to the floodplain. The area slopes gently from the Boulevard, but in some portions near the floodplain it eventually slopes quite precipitously. Several ravines cut through to the floodplain. In its own right, the topography of the area is varied and challenging. Although portions can be built on, some portions are quite unsuitable for building. The botanical communities present in this portion of the corridor are diverse, with spectacular displays of spring wildflowers. The area nearest New Hope Creek, known as the Patterson Wildflower Slopes, is essentially a hardwood forest, with sizable northern red oaks, smaller sugar maples, and tulip poplars. More than 50 species of flowering trees, shrubs, and herbs also can be found. Four tenths of a mile 4