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