Agenda 11-16-2021; 8-c - Approval of Interlocal Agreement Renewal and Master Plan - Little River Regional Park and Natural Area

Browse Search

17 Background The Little River Regional Park and Natural Area is a The park is accessed from Guess Road (S.R. 1003) in 391-acre parkjointly owned by Durham and Orange northeastern Orange County,with the park entrance counties located along the county line.This master plan located approximately one mile north of the Durham— establishes a 20-year vision for the park and provides Orange county line.The park area is in both Durham guidelines for its land management and any future and Orange counties with roughly 256 of the 391 acres developments for continued public use. in Durham County and 135 acres in Orange County.The The process took into consideration Durham County's majority of developed facilities are in Orange County. 2001 Little River Corridor Open Space Plan,the Orange m � � Count 2030 Parks and Recreation Master Plan,and "°"N5 County u. ��" Little River Regional Park other related documents;as well as the park's setting, Vicinity Map natural resources and the region's recreational and 9°= $f i o educational needs.The plan will also serve as a tool for ° public presentations and applications for outside fund- ing.Although comprehensive,the master plan—like the park-remains dynamic and will evolve over time. This plan will guide future park improvements,yet be flexible enough to change based on increased knowl- edge,experience,and changing public needs. ° o PRS The Little River Regional Park and Natural Area (here- inafter,"Little River Park") opened to the public on December 5,2004. It is the firstjoint partnership park between Durham and Orange counties.The park is funded by both counties and managed by the Orange County Department of Environment,Agriculture, Parks and Recreation.The park offers recreational opportu- nities with over seven miles of natural surface hiking yR° E trails,seven miles of dedicated single-track mountain R� V RSf biking trails,a playground,a 1/3-mile paved,accessible path with individual picnic sites,two large group picnic o 3 shelters, public restroom facilities,a large play meadow, pollinator garden,and a park office that includes edu- pCwnty b-ndnry cational displays and materials.The developed area of opa, iverReg1 .lPa" P-1 boundary the park covers less than 15 acres of the total 391-acre property,and the remaining natural area includes some of the hiking trails,frontage along a 1.5-mile segment Figure 1 of the North Fork Little River,and is comprised of sev- Context Map eral distinct forest types. Biological Inventories of plant and bird species are extensive and include several re- gionally rare species. Inventories of the flora and fauna observed within the park are maintained by park staff. October 2021 5