Agenda - 05-03-2005-7b - Laserfiche WebLink

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Northern (HSC) Park Challenges and Opportun/ties 25 VII. Preliminary Concept Plan The property is well suited for the creation of the "Northern Park" around the Northern Human Services Center (NHSC) and existing public recreational uses. The co-location of the park with the NHSC offers the opportunities for providing For both indoor and outdoor leisure and recreational uses, as well as educational opportunities linking the building and the park. The Orange County Board of Commissioners adopted a Preli.minaa;y Concept Plan for the park in 2003. A copy of the Plan is provided as Figure 5. The area shown in Orange on the Plan (16 acres) is reserved for the NHSC and associated facilities, including proposed new entranceway and parking.. The area east of NC 86 ("Vincent Tract") is reserved for a new wastewater treatment system for the NI3SC, The potential use of that site for other purposes will be explored in the future, and is outside of the scope of this park planning effort, The County is, however, interested in learning more about the history and use of the Vincent farmstead. The area shown in Yellow (12-15 acres) includes the existing recreational facilities (ballfield and playground) and the portion of the Kennedy Tract that is more suitable for additional active recreation facilities. The pine woodlands are in an area more disturbed from previous uses, and was probably in agricultural use 20-25 ,years ago. The area shown in Green (27-30 acres) is reserved for low-impact recreational uses,. The upland portions offer a mature hardwood forest setting suitable for wallting trails and a sheltered picnic area close to the existing and proposed active recreation areas. Trails could lead visitors from that area of the forest down to Compton Pond.. The western portion of the property is wooded with large pine trees and young hardwoods, A few small creeks flow through the forest before entering the pond. Walking trails might need to include small bridges or a boardwalk in some places,. (Approximate trail locations are shown on Figure 5 as examples..) The area near Compton Pond offers scenic views of the large pond itself, as well as the open pasture and woodlands along the opposite shorelines.. The best views are from high ground located above the eastern shore, south of the cove. Large trees provide shade for a potential picnic area or benches.. An existing trail follows the shoreline of the pond within five feet of the water's edge. Relocating the trail to higher ground would reduce shoreline erosion and trail maintenance needs. The peninsula located just north of the cove offers another nice setting for benches and overlooks. VIII. Summary The following are the existing facilities and proposed new facilities envisioned thus far for each section of the property shown in the Preliminary Concept Plan: NHSC & Associated Facilities (Orange): - Center building (existing) - Front entranceway to Center building (new) - Panting areas (improved) - Wastewater treatment system (expanded, relocated)