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4 <br />The report also recommends. that the local governments (through the Parks and <br />Resource Lands Council) work to identify properties for potential partnership and <br />meet to explore these possibilities. <br />1Vlanager's Comment: We agree that. the pursuit of partnerships is important in the <br />expansion of parks and recreation opportunities in the area. Coordination with <br />groups such as OWASA and LTNC in locating future parks and facilities appears <br />feasible. <br />We believe that identifying properties for potential partnership would be an <br />appropriate charge for a newly created Parks and Resource Lands Council. <br />5. Coordinated Capital Funding and Land Acquisition <br />The. report findings indicate that if local governments in Orange County are to be <br />successful in providing for the long-term needs of County/Town residents, joint <br />capital funding and land-banking efforts need to be addressed. . <br />The report recommends that the County take the lead role in coordinating future <br />land acquisitions, most of which will likely be located outside of the various Towns <br />corporate limits. <br />Manager's Comment:, We agree that potential parks areas are disappearing rapidly <br />and that whatever efforts local governments take to preserve open space or <br />purchase space for park development should be activated immediately. <br />While pooling funding resources appears to offer the best opportunity for funding <br />future .land acquisition, vye are mindful that historically Chapel Hill has devoted <br />significantly more resourc.;es than the County or other towns within the County to <br />meeting the community'' leisure needs. We believe that before the coordinated <br />efforts are actualized, wer must ensure that the program's benefits are distributed <br />equitably, and with regard~~to contributions. <br />6. Open Facilities Policy <br />The Joint Master Recreation and Parks Work Crroup's ,report contains a resolution <br />that would provide for all recreation facilities owned and operated by Orange <br />County, Carrboro, Hillsborough, Chapel Hill, .and OWASA to be open and <br />accessible to all County residents. <br />Manager's Comment: This idea is consistent with the current policy. We <br />recommend adoption of the Open Facilities resolution. <br />The Town of Chapel Hill currently receives approximately $70,000 annually. from <br />the County in recognition of County, non-Town resident use of Town facilities and <br />programs. The County's financial contribution is about 4% of the operating costs <br />for the Town's parks and recreation programs. <br />34 <br />