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4 <br />Orange County Environment and Resource Conservation Department <br />Draft 10/17/Z000 <br />Use and Access Plan for McGowan Creek Preserve <br />The McGowan Creek Preserve was acquired by Orange County to further protect <br />the critical area'for the Upper Eno watershed and to preserve an area of open <br />space between Hillsborough and Efland. Located at the confluence of McGowan <br />Creek and the Eno River, the 53-acre park provides a natural area for people and <br />wildlife to enjoy. The site will feature a rustic picnic area and two miles of trails <br />through the mature. woodlands that were formerly part of Duke Forest. <br />Several issues that must be considered before developing the park for public use. <br />Staff recommendations for parkland use and access are presented below for <br />BOCC consideration and approval.. A proposed site plan for the park is attached. <br />Visitor Use <br />Staff proposes developing a few basic amenities to enable the public to use and <br />enjoy the park for picnics, hiking, and nature study. A small gravel parking area <br />(5-7 cars) is planned near the entrance from US 70. From there visitors will be <br />able to use picnic tables and enjoy a walk on trails leading through various <br />sections of the property. (Please see. the attached site plan) <br />Hours of 0 eration <br />Staff proposes advertising the park being open to the public only during daylight <br />hours-from dawn to dusk. There would be no gate at the entrance, nor would <br />there be a chain to lock up or remove at the beginning and end of the day. <br />Park Entrance <br />Access to the park will be from a driveway entrance from US 70 West. Because <br />of the high-speed travel and unusual lane shifts along this stretch of roadway, <br />the NC Department of Transportation has advised Orange County that it will <br />need to construct a new turn lane beginning at least 200 feet from the entrance. <br />The County Engineer is calculating the turn lane specifications so that staff can <br />submit a driveway permit application to NCDOT. The estimate cost of the turn <br />lane is about $30,000. <br />Trash Removal <br />Staff proposes making McGowan Creek Preserve is a "trash-free park," meaning <br />visitors will be asked to pack up and remove any trash or debris that they bring <br />to the park. We could try this for a while and see whether we need to have a <br />trash receptacle at the picnic area. If so, trash would likely need to be picked up <br />no more than once each week: <br />McGowan Creek Preserve Orange County ERCD <br />