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Assembly has designated 2023 as the Year of the Trail. The Great Trails State Coalition is <br /> a statewide initiative to showcase the networks of trail greenways and blueways <br /> throughout the state. Allen walked the council through the initiative, as well as several <br /> events that have taken place. She informed the group on upcoming events for the Great <br /> Trails State Day on October 21St. There will be an event hosted at Brumley Forest hosted <br /> by Triangle Land Conservancy that DEAPR staff are participating in, and Orange County <br /> DEAPR will be hosting a hike at Hollow Rock Nature Park. Allen requested that two <br /> members be present for the November 18t" Historic Hike at Blackwood Farm Park led by <br /> Peter Sandbeck. Ziemba volunteered to be there. Reyman inquired about what Allen <br /> referred to as "blueways" and if there was any resource about water trails. Fleming <br /> informed the Council that the Year of the Trail website has information on floating and <br /> paddling trails. <br /> b. Report on New Hope Advisory Committee: Louise Flinn presented the New Hope <br /> Advisory Committee update. The committee is a multi-jurisdictional planning group <br /> formed by four surrounding jurisdictions to preserve New Hope Creek. The group is <br /> concerned with the New Hope Creek corridor and monitors large developments planned <br /> in the area. While they had fallen into inactivity in recent years, the Committee has <br /> regained its momentum following recent planned developments within the corridor. <br /> They recently discussed Hollow Rock Nature Park, and Stancil continued the <br /> conversation by elaborating on discussions with Durham County on next steps at this <br /> location. Hollow Rock Nature Park is a joint project with Durham County and is <br /> beginning Phase 2 of its development but is confined by limited funding and the <br /> ultimate status of Pickett Road. The second phase is focused on getting electricity to the <br /> old store, creating a basic environmental education space, and a overlook. While the <br /> two counties manage separate sides of the park, it is planned and developed in <br /> conjunction. Flinn informed the group that there is a planned 7-acre acquisition to the <br /> park. <br /> c. County Strategic Plan—Community Survey Results: Stancil presented the Strategic Plan <br /> Survey results to the council. He gave background into the plan, commissioned by the <br /> Board of County Commissioners as a part of a larger plan to address some of the <br /> County's most important goals moving forward. A survey was developed for the County <br /> and some of the most compelling results were discussed. The results revealed that <br /> residents find parks and open spaces highly important, and these results, Stancil <br /> believes, are incredibly validating to not only the conservation and parks/open space <br /> work of the department, but that of the PRC as well. These results indicate that parks <br /> are not a secondary concern for the people of Orange County. <br /> Old Business <br /> a. a. Recreation Division Update: The quarterly recreation update was presented. The <br /> Recreation Division staff sent the Council a multi-page document highlighting some of <br /> their new staff and programs. There are eight full-time staff members in Recreation <br /> now. Reyman requested that the next report offer some insight into the capacity of the <br /> programs, and how many families are unable to participate in programs as a result of <br /> capacity constraints. <br />