Agenda - 03-20-2018 6-a - Blackwood Farm Park – Proposed Revised Master Plan

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Orange County Department of Environment, Agriculture, Parks & Recreation PO Box 8181, Hillsborough, NC 27278 Phone: (919) 245-2510 Fax: (919) 644-3351 teams with special background and experience in historic preservation and restoration of comparable structures. This is a significant historic property that is eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places. Planning and design work will take place in early-mid 2018, with actual restoration work planned for late 2018/early 2019. All work on the house will be carefully coordinated with the proposed site work and facility improvements elsewhere in the park. 5. Nature/Learning Center The master plan for Blackwood Farm Park has, from the beginning, envisioned a “Learning Center” or “Nature Center” where nature programs could be held and exhibits displayed. However, the scope and size of the structure was left for future determination by the Master Plan Committee. There is a wide variety of styles that fall into this category of facility, ranging from small rustic wooden structures with a few fixed exhibits and an indoor/outdoor classroom, to much more elaborate buildings with classrooms, large exhibits and hands- on demonstration areas (such as at Reedy Creek Nature Preserve in Mecklenburg County and Blue Jay Point in Wake County). It is expected that the park construction and design team will develop alternatives for this facility for future decision as a part of their work. It is important to note that a larger indoor facility will almost certainly exceed the park construction budget in the CIP, which was based on a smaller, rustic facility that might include a classroom and perhaps restrooms. If there is interest in pursuing a more-comprehensive type of nature center, the potential may exist for partnerships with other non-profit or private entities. Staff has already been approached by two organizations about the potential for participating in the center’s construction and programming, and there may be other organizations which have needs that could be met in partnership with the County for a larger nature center at the park. Staff proposes to explore these possibilities in the next several months and have possible options for partnership ready when the design alternatives are completed and ready for Board consideration. It should also be noted that, if a more-comprehensive center is found desirable, that this component of the park could be pulled out and made a stand-alone future project. Please let me know if you have any questions, or I may provide more information prior to the next planned review in January/February. 12