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1 <br /> Department of Environment, <br /> Agriculture, Parks &Recreation <br /> MEMORANDUM <br /> TO: Travis Myren, County Manager <br /> FROM: David Stancil, DEAPR Director <br /> DATE: December 9, 2025 <br /> RE: Update on Orange County Trails Plan <br /> This memorandum and the attached presentation and materials are intended to <br /> provide an update on the Orange County Trails Plan project. <br /> In February of this year, Orange County and its project consultant Gensler, Inc. <br /> began work on the creation of an Orange County Trails Plan. The Orange County <br /> Parks and Recreation Council (PRC) is serving as the steering committee for the <br /> project, and two working teams have been formed to assist with the project — an <br /> internal multidepartment staff group, and a partner group with representatives <br /> from trails and open space organizations and entities. <br /> As seen in the attached presentation, project kickoff and engagement strategy <br /> planning began early this year along with creation of a project website. Data <br /> gathering and initial feasibility assessment was conducted during the spring, <br /> including both reviews of existing plans and documents and on the ground field <br /> analysis. A first round of community engagement workshops was held in late- <br /> May, supplemented with an online survey that enabled participants to experience <br /> and participate in the workshop stations and exercises. This feedback and data <br /> were used with the prior data analysis to develop a visioning survey this summer. <br /> Two meetings were held with the County's Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan staff and <br /> consultant to ensure coordination between the plans, as well as check-ins with <br /> the inter-department and partner teams. A second round of public workshops <br /> were planned and held in late-September. These workshops were augmented by <br /> pop-up events at the County Roadshow and at Soccer.com Center during a <br /> soccer game night. At the workshops, participants were asked to view a draft <br /> trails plan and react to proposed trail segments, as well as vote on priorities. A <br /> Orange County Department of Environment, Agriculture, Parks & Recreation <br /> PO Box 8181, Hillsborough, NC 27278 <br /> Phone: (919) 245-2510 <br />