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open space such as Duke Forest, and , future County parks and open space . Linking future rural parks and open space to Town parks via a few unpaved trails could greatly expand low- impact recreational opportunities . The identification of strategic corridors that might tie together these recreation facilities is suggested as a practical long -term goal . Using criteria and a classification scheme , the potential for a select few woodland trails as part of a Countywide ( and eventually) regional corridor scheme is noted . Three examples of such trail links are offered (two within the Towns or Rural Buffer, one in the rural areas linking Cane Creek and Eno River State Park) are offered . 4 . Coordinated Land Acquisition for Parks The 1996 and 1997 reports point to the need for coordinated capital funding , and this is one of the goals of this project . In discussing parks needs and goals , the Work Group placed a strong emphasis on the need to begin land acquisition for long -term park needs now . Orange County has taken steps in 1999 to create a mechanism that could be used in this fashion . The new Department of Environment and Resource Conservation began operation on January 4 , with a primary focus on acquisition/easements of critical land resources . A Land Acquisition Program for Orange County is currently being developed for discussion in the fall of 1999 . This program will develop and/ or use inventories , criteria and a management structure for the acquisition and stewardship of land resources deemed critical to the public interest, working with other existing land trusts and entities . The program will involve the preservation of natural areas and wildlife habitat, farmland , riparian buffers, and the acquisition of lands for long -term parks use . The County is hiring a Land Resources Conservation Manager, with expertise in site evaluation and land acquisition this summer . This position will coordinate land acquisition efforts , and would use the criteria developed in the Master Recreation and Parks effort to evaluate land purchases for parks ( please see the Recommendations section for additional details ) . The outline of the Land Resource Acquisition Program may be found in the report on page 26 . Funding for long -term parkland acquisition would likely involve local bonds and allocations , and grants from programs such as the state Parks and Recreation Trust Fund . Information on this program is provided on pages 27 - 28 . s . Payment- in - Lieu Procir_ ams All of the jurisdictions in the County have provisions in their development ordinances addressing dedication or provision of recreation facilities . Carrboro and Orange County also have payment- in - lieu of dedication programs , which allows for the payment of a fee based on the number of lots in lieu of providing recreation facilities . Orange County has special legislation that would allow for 4