Orange County NC Website
sometimes push park projects out in time. 3) Complete the protection of preserves. <br /> Stancil added that Hollow Rock. Nature Park has opened and activity continues on <br /> this front. 4) Formalize and build multi-partner facilities. Comments included a <br /> commitment with the Town of Chapel Hill to work on Millhouse Road Park, although <br /> the planning and work for this will be done at a later time. Riverwalk as part of the <br /> MST is another part of the coordination. The department has done less well with the <br /> schools. Soccer.com Center is adjacent to the middle school with some success, but <br /> there have been parking issues. Using school gyms has been problematic. 5) <br /> Development a Master Park Plan for the MST and work toward making the <br /> connection with adjacent counties. Stancil stated that this has been done and <br /> passed by the BOCC and work is going on with this plan. 6) Build more trails and <br /> connect more open spaces (like with the Multi-Modal trail.) 7)Work to improve trails <br /> and improve healthy lifestyles design. 8)Add programs where residents have <br /> identified needs. 9) Examine the role of community centers and how we are meeting <br /> community needs. The County now has three community centers running. Reyman <br /> stated the Council should speak more about our recreational offerings, especially as <br /> they address the needs of low income folks. Rhodes wants the group to look at <br /> building an inclusive playground. Is equity being considered with all our programs? <br /> Reyman and Robinson asked to hear about recreation programs more often than just <br /> when the Recreation Superintendent speaks about the programs. <br /> c. The Orange County Comprehensive Plan's upcoming Ten Year review was <br /> discussed. This plan was adopted in 2008. The Planning Department will be starting <br /> a 10 year review process, and one of the sections is the Parks and Recreation <br /> Element, so this will be coming back to the PRC. <br /> V. Old Business <br /> a. The Soccer.com Center parking and updated master plan for facility expansion is <br /> coming, and the first draft planned schedule was introduced. If the Capital <br /> Investment Plan is passed by the BOCC, construction might begin in 2021 and <br /> finished in 2022. Greeson advised that extra entrance and exits need to be <br /> considered with the expansion. The schedule of the plan will probably be ready for <br /> discussion by the fall. <br /> VI. Report of the Director <br /> a. Updates on Other Projects, Facilities & Programs. The Fishing Rodeo was held a <br /> few weeks ago at Blackwood Farm Park. Rhodes attended and only saw small fish <br /> being caught. Stancil is proposing to name the Fishing Rodeo after Bob Strayhorn <br /> who hosted the event for many decades going back to the mid-1970s. Stancil noted <br /> there are some new staff members in Parks and Recreation, Kevin Bradsher and <br /> Robyn Glass with Recreation; and Jesse Lewis with Parks. Randy Church with <br /> Parks and Tom Davis, our Water Conservation Coordinator are retiring. River Park <br /> will be getting an art piece at the new entrance across the street from Weaver Street. <br /> Some of the folks around OWASA lands are not happy with the MST going through <br /> their lands. <br /> VI I. Council and Committee Reports <br /> a. Intergovernmental Parks Work Group. No recent meeting. <br /> b. Items from the Council—none. <br /> c. Friends of Orange County Parks and Recreation (FOPR). <br />