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6—13 <br />Orange County Comprehensive Parks and Recreation Master Plan <br /> CHAPTER 6 - Community Needs Assessment and Public Input 6 <br /> <br />There were also a number of ideas about what a <br />desirable nature center might entail. Participants <br />noted the opportunities to reach out to local <br />entrepreneurs, universities, and other partners to <br />help build and program such a facility. Energy <br />efficiency and renewable energy was suggested as a <br />theme, along with water, local animals and things <br />that appeal to children. Little River Regional Park <br />was lauded as a good model. Finally, the group <br />agreed that a nature center wherever located <br />should have an environmentally-sensitive design <br />and systems. <br /> <br />Opportunities to pursuer more camping opportuni- <br />ties at County parks and preserves were noted, and <br />the potential to work with OWASA on their <br />recreational facilities at Cane Creek and University <br />Lake was cited as an opportunity. <br /> <br />Moving forward, the group agreed that joint capital <br />funding of new park facilities is an area for further <br />exploration, as each jurisdiction has needs and in <br />some cases, very little land for new parks remains in <br />the towns. The issue of County contribution to town <br />budgets was raised, as was promoting the ethic of <br />parks and recreation throughout municipal and <br />County governments. <br /> <br />Substantial opportunities exist to work with other <br />departments, especially the Health Department. <br />More effort to educate local government employees <br />and residents about offerings and opportunities was <br />identified as a need. The need for a tourism-based <br />“app” or booklet about local recreational opportuni- <br />ties was discussed, as was the existing Interactive <br />Parks Locator Map, an example of existing <br />collaboration. <br /> <br />Updates on projects and programs in each <br />jurisdiction were provided. <br />7. County-Town Parks and Recreation Coordination <br />(August 21, 2013) <br />The directors and staff from the Parks and Recrea- <br />tion Departments of the towns of Carrboro, Chapel <br />Hill, and Hillsborough met with County staff to <br />review coordination and discuss their perspective on <br />the County’s programs and parks, and areas for <br />possible collaboration. <br /> <br />As shown in Appendix 6-8, the group agreed that the <br />other jurisdictions were appreciative of the <br />programs that the county runs. The idea of working <br />together to market each other’s programs better <br />was identified, and it was noted that rental fees are <br />now the same among all of the jurisdictions for the <br />first time. <br /> <br />77