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<br />ORANGE COUNTY <br />BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br />ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: March 20, 2018 <br /> Action Agenda <br /> Item No. 6-a <br /> <br />SUBJECT: Blackwood Farm Park – Proposed Revised Master Plan <br /> <br />DEPARTMENT: Environment, Agriculture, Parks <br />& Recreation (DEAPR) <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />ATTACHMENT(S): <br />Adopted 2011 Park Master Plan/Map <br />Proposed Revised Master Plan 2018 <br />Detailed Phase 2-A Map <br />December 12, 2017 Memorandum <br /> <br /> <br />INFORMATION CONTACT: <br />David Stancil, 919-245-2522 <br />Marabeth Carr, 919-245-2516 <br />Dan Derby, 919-967-3766 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />PURPOSE: To consider approving amendments to the Blackwood Farm Park Master Plan map <br />to incorporate updated plans for infrastructure improvements and park facilities (The proposed <br />Board action is only to approve the amendments to the master plan - no additional action or <br />funding is requested.). These amendments are needed to move toward hiring engineering and <br />design consultants to prepare the construction documents for the planned roadway, entrance <br />drive and parking improvements (Phase 2-A) previously authorized and funded by the Board. <br /> <br />BACKGROUND: At the December 12, 2017 BOCC meeting, the Board received an update on <br />plans for improvements at Blackwood Farm Park located on NC 86 and New Hope Church <br />Road between Chapel Hill and Hillsborough. The park opened with limited facilities and hours of <br />operation in June 2015. <br /> <br />Blackwood Farm Park is a 152-acre regional park that currently features several miles of natural <br />surface trails, fishing, a historic farmstead with interpretive signage, a small picnic shelter, and a <br />10-space parking area located along the existing narrow driveway. Due to limited facilities, the <br />park is currently open only on weekends. The park master plan, adopted in 2011, reflects a <br />design that features the many natural and cultural resources present on the site, adding several <br />low-impact recreation or community gathering features. <br /> <br />As noted in the December 12 memo, the first step in bringing the park’s planned amenities to <br />fruition is the completion of several infrastructure needs (known as Phase 2-A) that will enable <br />more visitors to access and enjoy the park. Funding for this infrastructure was previously <br />approved. Specifically, the components that would be constructed with the existing funds are: <br /> <br />• A new entrance and turn lane on NC 86, to be located further north on NC 86 (please see <br />the attached “Proposed Revised Master Plan” map); <br />• A parking area with approximately 60 spaces and room for bus turnarounds; and <br />• Lighting, septic and stormwater measures needed to accommodate the infrastructure <br />improvements <br />1