Agenda - 02-15-2005-10a - Laserfiche WebLink

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Historic Blackwood Farna -Interim Stewardship Plan (D1ZAF'T) D Preservation Commission for future use of the house and building complex aze provided as Attachment F. West of the farmstead there is a large pond (about 3 acres) held in place by an earthen dam, approximately 200 feet long, The south side of the pond is bordered by one of the larger farm fields; thick woodlands shelter the northern shorelines, Northeast of the fannhouse there is a small orchard of ftuit and nut trees, There are apple trees, figs, pear, persimmon, and three large pecan trees along the driveway. A huge magnolia tree stands tall in front of the fazmhouse along with several large maples. The remains of an old road can be seen running through the property and in front of the fannhouse, Formerly a main north-south road between Hillsborough and Chapel Hill (prior to Old NC 86), the roadbed now exists as a linear depression (about 15 feet wide) across a portion of the field and through the woods, The property also includes an overgrown graveyard thought to have been for slaves that worked on the farm prior to the 1860s, Only a handful of unmazked stones are now visible within a groundcover of periwinkle in a wooded area of the property. 2. Stewardship and Monitoring Activities at Blackwood Farm A. Since Acquisition Posti~:g boundaries All property boundaries have been posted by ERCD staff to inform adjacent landowners and passersby that this is County-awned land, The boundaries are marked with signs and with painted bands around trees. "Parkland Boundary" signs (5 %2" x 5 %Z") were posted at regulaz intervals, Those signs note that hunting, motorized vehicles, and camping are not allowed, "No Hunting" signs (11" x 11") were also posted at entrances, along roadways and at other strategic locations. There is also an informational sign about the property along New Hope Church Road (see below), Examples of those signs aze provided as Attachment O. Security There are two entrance driveways leading into the property from public roads. The main entrance from NC 86 is secured by a metal gate, which was installed by ERCD to replace an earlier chain and padlock system, A second gate was installed across a southern entrance to the property from New Hope Church Road. That entrance is only used to access the hayfields with tractors and other farm equipment. In 2003 ERCD installed a wood rail fence along a 600-foot section of the southern boundary that fronts on New Hope Church Road, An information sign informs people that that the future pazk is not yet open for public use pending site planning, design, and facilities, When it became evident that trespassers were occasionally entering the property from New Hope Church Rd through an adjacent private property, ERCD had 4