Agenda - 08-29-2005-2b - Laserfiche WebLink

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e F a u,~~' '~~~ ORANGE COUNTY RECREATION & T'ARKS ~.. .-..w. '"`'~, ~ P.O. Box 8181 300 West Tryon Street Hillsborough, NC 27278 Orange County Phone: 919-245-2660 Fax 919-644-.3042 Recreation & Parks NORTHERN PARK OPERATIONSandMAINTENANCE PRELIMINARY COST ESTIMATES The addition of 48 acres of developed pazltland will bring related operational functions and the designation of additional resources. At this time, staff estimates annual operating costs to range between $$214,793 and $255,634, with stazt-up capital expenses also vaz•ying between $66,850 and $124,150, depending on further research, future discussions, and final decisions as made by the BOCC as part of the annual budget process. Costs associated with the start up and initial operation and maintenance of the Northern Park are azrticipated to be a part of the BOCC budget malting process no sooner than Fiscal 2006-2007, The cost ranges presented here are inclusive of persormel, operations (such as telephone, equipment rental and repair, supplies), and capital equipment (such as mowers, blowers, miscellaneous tools.) and represent staff's best estimate on projected needs based upon the park development plan being discussed by the BOCC at this work session. The most significant decision points impacting future costs ar•e identified below: Whether or not to install a gate at the back section of the park -The baclt section of the park, containing one ball field, multi-purpose field, picnic shelter, walking track and trails in the proposed phase I is heavily wooded. Most of this section of the park will not be visible from Highway 86 or even from the "front" portion of the park. The back of the park backs up to a water body and is adjacent to several private properties. Agate, preventing vehicular access to this portion of the park would assist in limiting undesirable activity after dark or after scheduled activity at the lighted fields. Installing a gate is estimated to increase operational costs by $7,800 annually. Whether or not to build a sltate park within the park -Staff has attended training sessions and had conversations with other parks agencies and experts in the field of risk management including the Risk Management Croup of the North Carolina County Commissioners Association. Based on the information gained from these sources, staff recommends that a skate park, if constructed, be unsupervised, and fenced, but not locked. (Operating costs associated with staffing a skate park are estimated at $32,800 annually.) Lights would be on a timer, and appropriate signage, which addresses issues of hours, safety, risk, etc. would be included. Daily maintenance would still be required. Should the BOCC wish to include a sltate pant in the final Master Plan, it would be necessary for staff to focus more closely on the design of the internal components of the skate pant as working drawings progress. This process would benefit from the advice of skate park design firms as well as potential users of the facility. Staff in this case would like to convene a focus group consisting of bike riders, in-line skaters and skateboarders to work with staff on this design. No cost outside of staff time would be associated with implementing this idea.