TITLE: Title
Martin Luther King Jr. Park Master Plan Update
PURPOSE: The purpose of this agenda item is for the Board of Aldermen to review the May 30th community input session feedback and recommendation from the Recreation and Parks Commission.
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DEPARTMENT: Recreation and Parks Department
CONTACT INFORMATION: Anita Jones-McNair 918-7381 and Wendell Rodgers 918-7371
INFORMATION:
Another Community Input Session was held at Martin Luther King Jr. Park on May 30, 2015. This meeting provided residents an opportunity to share thoughts about the development of the park either verbally and/or by completing a brief survey. A summary of the feedback is attached. (Attachment A) The majority of the 74 in attendance are Carrboro residents.
The Recreation and Parks Commission discussed the feedback from that meeting during their June 1st and August 3rd meetings. (Attachment B - approved minutes from June meeting) Also during the August 3rd meeting a recommendation along with an unofficial modified design option was agreed upon for Board consideration.
The recommendation is as follows:
Park Front -
Maintain space for existing garden, shelter and storage and allow space to expand if gardeners are interested
Behind the garden space include a fenced children and seniors natural playground
Condense size of parking area if possible (lower number from current projection of 30 spaces)
Include a fenced youth (5-16) cycling area on right side of park near entrance
Maintain restroom location and shelter with multiple functions such as amphitheater
Park Back -
Leave as open space with grading only
Condense size of parking area if possible (5 parking spaces instead of 9)
Maintain trail around the park and pollination gardens along the buffers
Conditional uses and other items (warrants further discussion, research and/or approval)
Bicycle storage area for donated bicycles
Beehive in the community garden
Include educational signage provided by Earth and Sky Discovery Trail that markets their company
Number of parking spaces in the park
Use of existing well for irrigation, etc.
The unofficial modified draft option is Attachment C. Attachment D is the concept plan option presented to the Board earlier this year. It should be noted the area where a wetland is shown in the earlier (not modified/revised version) plan is a natural drainage area with existing saturated soils. The Town has proposed the creation of a constructed wetland in the Capital Improvement Program for this area to satisfy regulatory requirements under the Jordan Lake Rules.
FISCAL & STAFF IMPACT: Additional funds will be needed if further services are requested of the master plan consultant. Funds for the park design were approved in this fiscal year’s budget.
RECOMMENDATION: Accept the additional park information; provide feedback and direct staff on next steps.