Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
1 <br /> ORANGE COUNTY <br /> BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br /> ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: November 18, 2025 <br /> Action Agenda <br /> Item No. 8-m <br /> SUBJECT: Approval of Master Plan Amendment— Blackwood Farm Park <br /> DEPARTMENT: Environment, Agriculture, Parks <br /> & Recreation (DEAPR) <br /> ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: <br /> Proposed Revised Master Plan David Stancil, 919-245-2510 <br /> Summary of Planned Amenities Marabeth Carr, 919-245-2516 <br /> Dan Derby, 919-245-2511 <br /> PURPOSE: To approve an amendment to the adopted Master Plan for Blackwood Farm Park to <br /> reflect planned updates as part of Phase 2-B of the park. <br /> BACKGROUND: The Blackwood Farm property was purchased by the County in 2001 for a <br /> regional park in central Orange County. A Master Plan for the Blackwood Farm Park was <br /> approved in 2005 and amended in 2010. The park was opened with limited facilities and schedule <br /> (Phase 1) in 2015, and plans were authorized in the County's Capital Investment Plan to build the <br /> park in phases. Planning for Phase 2-A of the park began in 2021. Significant infrastructure <br /> improvements, along with an amphitheatre, large picnic shelter and other park facilities were <br /> designed in 2021-22, with construction in 2022-23 and park reopening in May 2023. <br /> Funding for the next phase of the park (Phase 2-B) was approved and appropriated in FY 2022- <br /> 23. This phase expands on the 2022 park construction and is envisioned to include another picnic <br /> shelter, a storage facility for the historic farm implements collection, an outdoor learning area (to <br /> serve until the future Nature Center is built in a later phase), additional restrooms, water system <br /> improvements, a nature play area, agricultural demonstration area and other amenities and <br /> improvements. The planned disc golf course was designed in 2024, but has been delayed and <br /> would now be incorporated into Phase 2-B. A summary of the facilities proposed to be constructed <br /> is attached. <br /> The Board is asked to approve the revised Master Plan (attached — updated items shown in blue). <br /> The major change from the adopted plan is the relocation of the picnic shelter/implement storage <br /> away from the New Hope Church Road area, to be aligned with the other park facilities and the <br /> learning area / future Nature Center. In the last several years, staff and Board discussions have <br /> noted the desire to relocate facilities away from New Hope Church Road for safety, efficency and <br /> environmental reasons. <br /> Some of the infrastructure needs, such as the water service upgrades required to provide drinking <br /> water stations in the park, are pre-existing needs. The disc golf course likewise is nearly ready for <br />