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5 <br /> animal housing and animal waste disposal on the farm. To introduce beef cattle <br /> at Blackwood Farm would require a farmer to move and rotate the cattle off and <br /> on the fields. The animals would need to have housing, and an animal waste <br /> system would need to be constructed and installed. If there is no local farmer to <br /> take on these duties, someone would need to be hired to manage the animals. <br /> There is also the potential for cattle and human interaction, which brings public <br /> health concerns. In summary, the introduction of beef cattle was found to create <br /> significant increases in cost and create the potential for public health issues at <br /> the park. Having animals from other locations demonstrated at the park for short <br /> periods of time was noted by the staffs as a possible alternative. <br /> Within a few growing seasons, the former hay fields could be put back into grass <br /> production with the needed soil amendments (typically, the addition of lime and <br /> fertilizer). Agricultural staff feels that this is the most practical use of these fields <br /> and one that will reinvigorate the scenic vista on the property. One local farmer <br /> has expressed interest in managing the fields for hay if this option is selected, <br /> although other farmers would be solicited as well. <br /> Staff remains interested in creating a wildflower meadow and perhaps a <br /> "Piedmont Prairie" in a portion of the former fields, both as a pilot project and <br /> another park amenity. Information on Piedmont Prairies is provided as <br /> Attachment 3. Organizations with strong conservation backgrounds and ethics, <br /> such as Duke Forest, Triangle Land Conservancy and the NC Botanical Garden, <br /> all use prescribed burns that are carefully managed and well-planned as a forest <br /> and field management technique. Staff in the County's Parks Division have been <br /> trained in the proper techniques and the County Forest Ranger has also <br /> indicated a willingness to help with a prescribed burn. Staff would propose to <br /> begin with a small area on the interior of the park as a pilot project in 2018. <br /> 4. Farmhouse Renovations <br /> The historic farmhouse, now known as the Strayhorn-Blackwood House, is a <br /> vernacular frame dwelling built in 1827, enlarged in 1840 and again ca. 1910. It <br /> has a present floor area of approximately 1,800 square feet of heated space on <br /> two floors. The house is currently in stable condition but has undergone <br /> numerous exterior and interior alterations between the 1950s and 1980s that <br /> have marred its historic character. Significant work is now required to prevent <br /> deterioration that will be costly to repair in the future. Existing mechanical and <br /> electrical systems are outdated and inadequate. <br /> Staff has assessed the structure and developed an RFQ to restore the house to <br /> return the exterior and interior appearance to the period of about 1920-1930. <br /> Current plans call for it to be used as a historic house museum and history <br /> exhibit facility, to complement the numerous historic farm buildings restored <br /> between 2007 and 2010. Proposals will be obtained from qualified architectural <br /> Orange County Department of Environment, Agriculture, Parks &Recreation <br /> PO Box 8181, Hillsborough, NC 27278 <br /> Phone: (919) 245-2510 <br /> Fax: (919) 644-3351 <br />