Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
6 <br /> 1 the ballots out loud, including the name of the commissioner who made the vote, since they are <br /> 2 not secret ballots. <br /> 3 <br /> 4 Vote to fill vacancy on Board of Commissioners: <br /> 5 6 votes cast for Phyllis Portie-Ascott (Amy Fowler, Sally Greene, Jean Hamilton, Earl <br /> 6 McKee, Anna Richards) <br /> 7 <br /> 8 By unanimous vote, Phyllis Portie-Ascott was appointed to the vacant position on the <br /> 9 Board of County Commissioners. <br /> 10 <br /> 11 Chair Bedford said there will be a swearing in ceremony for Commissioner Portie-Ascott <br /> 12 on February 16t". She said Laura Jensen will be in touch to arrange who she would like to swear <br /> 13 her in. She said there is quite an extensive orientation process, which the County Manager, <br /> 14 Deputy Manager, and Department Heads participate in. She said the Clerk's Office and County <br /> 15 Attorney are available, and said Greg Wilder in the Manager's Office is also a big help to <br /> 16 Commissioners. <br /> 17 <br /> 18 b. 2023 Year of the Trail Proclamation and Great Trails State Coalition <br /> 19 The Board considered adoption of a proclamation declaring 2023 as the "Year of the Trail" in <br /> 20 Orange County, and joining the Great Trails State Coalition as a government partner. <br /> 21 <br /> 22 BACKGROUND: The North Carolina General Assembly and North Carolina State Parks have <br /> 23 declared 2023 to be the "Year of the Trail" in the state. Communities and organizations across <br /> 24 the state have been asked to share a proclamation to this effect. An organization entitled the <br /> 25 Great Trails State Coalition has also been formed to support this effort and promote the use and <br /> 26 construction of trails across North Carolina. <br /> 27 <br /> 28 The attached proclamation and materials note that trail use has increased more than 300% in <br /> 29 many parks and open spaces in the last year. One of the peripheral outcomes of the pandemic <br /> 30 illustrated the importance of outdoor recreation opportunities such as hiking, walking and biking <br /> 31 trails. Outdoor recreation is a $28 billion industry, and trails support public and personal physical <br /> 32 and mental well-being, and promote economic vitality and connectivity—allowing residents of the <br /> 33 state to capitalize on the natural beauty, warm people and rich history. <br /> 34 <br /> 35 Trails in Orange County and across the state connect people, towns, natural areas, parks and <br /> 36 open space, and other cultural and natural resources. Orange County currently has over 13 miles <br /> 37 of trails within its nine parks and nature preserves, with plans for more— including a long segment <br /> 38 of the statewide Mountains to Sea Trail. <br /> 39 <br /> 40 A number of local governments have joined the Great Trails State Coalition and others are being <br /> 41 asked to adopt the Year of the Trail proclamation. The Orange County Capital Investment Plan <br /> 42 reflects trails as a priority with funding dedicated to new trail acquisition and construction. <br /> 43 <br /> 44 On December 7, 2022, the Orange County Parks and Recreation Council reviewed the Great <br /> 45 Trails State Coalition and Year of the Trail, and passed a unanimous statement of support for <br /> 46 joining the coalition and approving the proclamation. <br /> 47 <br /> 48 David Stancil, Department of Environment, Agriculture, Parks, and Recreation (DEAPR), <br /> 49 reviewed the background information for the item and gave the following PowerPoint presentation: <br /> 50 <br /> 51 <br />