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15 <br /> <br />Adoption of a revised master plan will enable staff to issue a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) <br />for an engineering and design firm to prepare detailed construction documents for the park <br />infrastructure using existing funding. It is recommended that the scope of work for this <br />consultant also include the planned future park construction (Phase 2-B), if current timetables <br />remain in place. Staff anticipates bringing a design/engineering consultant recommendation to <br />the Board for approval by the summer break. <br /> <br />Marabeth Carr, Landscape Architect, said staff has had the opportunity to see the park <br />in action, and have seen some deficits. She said a major deficit is bringing large groups to the <br />site, and it is a challenge for school buses to drop off kids safely. She said the new design will <br />solve this issue. She said it is very similar to the initial design, with the exception of the disc golf <br />course. She said staff has chosen the area for an amphitheater in an area that has been used <br />in the past. <br />Chair Dorosin asked where people would sit. <br />Marabeth Carr said the stage would be in the hollow, which is just off the map, and the <br />County had a Jazz Festival there in the past. <br />Commissioner Rich asked if there is a definition for a regional park. <br />David Stancil said this is fairly standard terminology, and that it is a larger park that has <br />agricultural and natural components, but no sports fields. He said Little River is a regional park. <br />Commissioner Price asked if Emergency Services vehicles would enter through the <br />lower end only. <br />David Stancil said yes. <br />Commissioner Price asked if the proposed layout gives enough access, if there was an <br />emergency at the back end of the property, and the main entrance was unavailable. <br />Marabeth Carr said there will be mowed paths that could provide access. <br />Dinah Jeffries, Emergency Services (EMS) Director, said it can be accessed, but it is <br />important to consider the larger vehicles that accompany EMS, like fire trucks. She said she <br />cannot give an absolute yes, but EMS has accessed smaller areas before. <br />Marabeth Carr said this has already gone to the Planning Department for courtesy <br />review, and will be reviewed formally by a new engineer. She said the plan will then go out to <br />EMS, the Sheriff, etc. for comment. <br />Sheriff Blackwood said he has already begun conversations with Commissioner Jacobs <br />about the need to be able to access all of County parks. He said the Sheriff’s Office works <br />closely with Emergency Services, and there will need to be a way to get his people in as well. <br />He said it is important to keep these conversations at the front of the agenda. <br />Commissioner Price said she is concerned about being able to get the necessary <br />equipment to where it is needed. <br />Marabeth Carr said the Sheriff’s department is always so helpful, especially with <br />controlling traffic for field trips. <br />David Stancil said this entire process will involve a great deal of discussion of all of these <br />concerns. <br />Commissioner Marcoplos referred to the vault toilets mentioned on the map, and asked <br />if these could also be useful at Millhouse Road Soccer Park. <br />David Stancil said there is an active vault toilet at Occoneechee Mountain, and they <br />have pros and cons. He said they are self-contained, but expensive to build and require <br />maintenance. <br />Commissioner Marcoplos said the need may exceed such an option at Blackwood, with <br />events like Localfest. <br />David Stancil said portable restrooms would be needed for festivals, and other large <br />events.