TITLE: Title
Martin Luther King Jr. Park Master Plan Next Steps
PURPOSE: The purpose of this agenda item is for the Board of Aldermen to review conceptual design A for the Martin Luther King Jr. Park and discuss other pertinent information gathered since the presentation on January 13, 2015.
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DEPARTMENT: Recreation and Parks Department
CONTACT INFORMATION: Anita Jones-McNair 918-7381, Wendell Rodgers 918-7371 and Patricia McGuire 918-7327
INFORMATION:
During the January 13, 2015 presentation, two designs were presented and reviewed by the Board of Aldermen. At the end of the discussion, staff was asked to gather additional information pertinent to the development of the park along with next steps and include on an upcoming Board of Aldermen work session agenda. Conceptual Design A was approved by the Recreation and Parks Commission (see Attachment A).
Since that meeting, Recreation and Parks staff had an opportunity to visit pump tracks in Durham and Cary. They found pump tracks 1. Should be constructed on relatively flat topography so that the bicyclist momentum going over the rollers (hills) propels them around the track with little or no pedaling needed; 2. Can be constructed at low cost depending upon the type of dirt, configuration and rollers; and 3. Maintenance is key in order for it to remain a viable amenity.
Several residents submitted letters to the Recreation and Parks Commission and other sent an email about the development of the park that was shared with the Town Clerk. (see Attachment B). Staff also received verbal feedback about removing the proposed camp site, restroom showers and removing or relocating the pump track. Staff prepared information about suggestive pump track locations including distance from Carolina North and pros and cons for consideration (see Attachment C). Chapel Hill is also considering a pump track for all ages in Southern Village Park. A fundraiser is currently underway. A timeline for construction is not available at this time.
Staff also prepared a brief document that outlines how feedback was gathered to update the Martin Luther King Jr. updated master plan and next steps to consider (see Attachment D).
During the January 2015 Board discussion, Aldermen expressed the desire to treat the park as a neighborhood park. The next 3 attachments should serve as background material. Staff prepared a payment in lieu spreadsheet some time ago and it is attached for consideration (see Attachment E). The information includes neighborhoods that made payment in lieu payments for open space and active recreational facilities as required and outlined in the Land Use Ordinance. These payments were made as part of the permit approval for various developments. The attached spreadsheet includes the names of the developments, payment amounts and expenditures. Note that the funds were assigned to a geographic area. Also note that funds were expended for a couple of projects, most notably MLK Jr. Park acquisition and the Smith Middle School Soccer Fields and that these projects were assigned to specific geographic areas as well.
FISCAL & STAFF IMPACT: None at this time. Fees will be assessed if additional services from the consultant are needed.
RECOMMENDATION: Accept the information and provide feedback and further direction to town staff.