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5/ 26/ 99 has asked the local governments that requests regarding recreation use be made on specific parcels ( please see Appendix F ) . OWASA ' s primary objective of water quality protection will determine their policy decisions regarding appropriate intensity of use on specific holdings . The Carrboro Board has recently asked OWASA to consider environmentally - sensitive low - ; impact public recreation uses on all OWASA properties . Finally , OWASA has acquisition plans for nearly 1300 acres in Cane Creek watershed , which may ` offer another potential opportunity for partnership with local governments for the provision of low - impact recreation . f G . Coordination Opportunities with Duke University Duke Forest is private land owned and managed by Duke University as an ( outdoor educational and research facility . Comprised of seven tracts of land , the Forest covers nearly 8000 acres of woodlands and fields . Within the Forest there are a variety of forest ecosystems , stand ages , plant species , wildlife , soils , topography , and past land uses . Orange County contains five Duke Forest tracts ( or ' divisions ' ) and almost 5000 acres in the County . The Duke Forest is fully accessible through an established network of roads and footpaths . Although not expressly invited , the public is permitted to use the maintained road and trail system for recreational purposes . Permissible uses include hiking , biking , horseback riding , fishing , and picnicking , with horses and mountain bikes being restricted to the access roads . These uses are allowed where they do not conflict with teaching and research activities . The public in Orange County has received a substantial benefit from the availability of Duke Forest resources . A 1990 survey estimated Duke Forest visitation at 273 , 000 visits per year . Given a fifteen percent increase in the county ' s population since that survey , and the fact that three - quarters of the Forest ' s roads and trails are in Orange County , it is probable that current use by residents of Orange County exceeds 235 , 000 visits per year . Public use of the Duke Forest has the potential to cause conflicts with ongoing research and teaching , in addition to creating concerns related to maintenance and liability . In recent years , an increasing amount of Duke Forest staff time has been spent in response to problems caused by improper public use and over - use . Attempts have been made to reduce liability and conflicts between academic and public uses by directing the public to less sensitive areas , restricting permissible activities , and educating the public about the academic mission of the Duke Forest . However , in light of increasing public demand for natural area recreation , reduction in conflicts with the academic mission of the Forest will only occur with the addition of public facilities provided by the surrounding counties and municipalities . In light of this , the future appears to offer opportunities to work with Duke to address mutual interests . 18