HomeMy Public PortalAbout02-16-2016 Minutes PRB Regular MeetingPage 1 of 3
Minutes
Parks & Recreation Board
Tuesday, February 16, 2016
7:00 PM, Town Barn
101 E. Orange St.
Present: Chairman Todd Stabley, Vice Chairman Ashley DeSena, Kate Albrecht, Robb English,
Annie Jarabek, Noah Mace, Rebecca Swartz, Kim Woodell, Ex Officio – Brian Lowen
Absent: Nancy Taylor, Chris Wehrman,
Staff: Stephanie Trueblood
Item 1: Call meeting to order, roll call, and confirm presence of a quorum
Vice Chairman DeSena called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m. Ms. Trueblood called the roll and
confirmed the presence of a quorum.
Item 2: Consideration of changes or adjustments to the agenda
There were no changes.
Item 3: Approval of minutes from January 19, 2016
Motion: Mr. English made a motion to approve the minutes as amended.
Second: Ms. Albrecht seconded.
Vote: Unanimous
Changes: Change “stick’ to ‘stuck’ on Page 2
Item 4: Review ranking exercise for skatepark site selection
Staff used the weighted ranking system developed by the Parks and Recreation Board to evaluate 10
possible sites for a skatepark. The list of sites was developed by staff based on knowledge of what
general requirements would need to be met.
Each item in the ranking spreadsheet was given a weight of importance 0-3. No partial points were
given.
Here is the result:
Ranking (total possible score was 86)
Exchange Club Park 76
Cates Creek Linear Park 72
Riggsbee 54
Train Station 50
Bellevue Lot 47
Intratour 45
TOH Occ Mtn 39
Champayne 35
Eno Mill 31
Churton near new PD 29
Staff reviewed the sites and scores at the PRB meeting.
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Ms. Trueblood asked the board for impressions of the ranking system and the potential sites. The board
asked how Exchange Club would rank if the board didn’t take over the park. Ms. Trueblood explained
that it would rank lower if that was the case and she explained that the town is considering a long-term
lease of the park (not including the building or the ball field).
Ms. Trueblood noted that the two highest ranking sites are also close to a bus stop and not adjacent to
residential properties.
Commissioner Lowen asked how strong the support is for this. Ms. Trueblood said that there was a
petition in support of a skatepark in the fall of 2015 with more than 100 signatures. When the board
discusses recreation, there is a recognized need for more recreation for pre-teens and teens.
Board members then unanimously, one by one, expressed their support for the skatepark because it’s a
safe place for teens and others to recreate outdoors and draws spectators outdoors, there is
demonstrated interest, and it could be a destination that would draw people to Hillsborough.
The board really liked the Exchange Club location because of its physical location and because of the
shade at the site.
The board consented that Exchange Club is highest ranking site for the future skatepark with Cates
Creek coming in as a second option.
No official action was taken.
Item 5: Reports and Updates
Town Board: Brian Lowen – GO Triangle is working on an agreement with New Hope
Church to use the church’s parking lot on U.S. 70 as a park and ride lot. There
was recently a presentation on the stormwater utility fees and the town is
working on solutions regarding the Colonial Inn. The budget retreat was coming
up and the town commissioners would be meeting with the Orange County
commissioners soon. Mountains-to-Sea Trail is one of the topics on that agenda.
Planning Board: Chris Wehrman – absent.
Orange County: Annie Jarabek – she was asked whether Hillsborough could do
anything to make Kings Highway Park less creepy and whether the town could
put shade over play structures in Gold Park. She answered both. Also, there’s a
new park with trails opening in April called Hollow Rock, 74 acres off Erwin
Road. There is funding for a disc golf course at Blackwood Farm. For the
Mountains-to-Sea Trail, the board authorized the commissioners to proceed
with the route of segment 11. It will be discussed at the joint parks and rec
advisory board meeting. The Hillsborough Parks and Rec board needs to submit
priorities and send representatives to the March meeting. Ms. Trueblood shared
the priority list she had submitted. There was some discussion about items on
that list and general regional parks and recreation interests.
Friends of Mountains-to-Sea Annual Conference: Todd Stabley
Mr. Stabley said local groups are behind these segments. He expressed interest
in knowing more about the local groups that are behind the trail. He met some
representatives at the meeting. Ms. Trueblood identified the defined and not-
yet defined portions of the Trail in our area.
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Intergovernmental Parks Work Group- IPWG: staff – that meeting got cancelled. She
is working on an interactive map with others that will help people locate trails
and greenways in the county.
Park Steward reports:
1. Gold Park: Annie Jarabek, Dog Park: Nancy Taylor – absent.
2. Turnip Patch Park: Annie Jarabek – Was fine at last visit.
3. Murray Street Park: Ashley DeSena – Noticed some paint coming off the
equipment. Ms. Trueblood said there was some limb removal.
4. Kings Highway Park: Todd Stabley – Lots of trash. Someone has left a trash can
there and it has trash in it. Ms. Trueblood reported that the gate is broken but
the man who hit it contacted the town and will pay for its repair.
5. Hillsborough Heights Park: Kim Woodell – The rails of the fence are warped. The
spikes that hold the border around the playground need to be hammered down.
6. Riverwalk: Robb English – Always busy. Ms. Trueblood reported that the
Chamber has organized a short run on March 19.
7. Downtown Sidewalks/Mayo Park: staff
Staff Updates: Cates Creek Park, CMAQ, CSAIP, West King Street improvements,
pedestrian studies, upcoming Parks Advisory Council meeting
Engineers are still working on a storm drain design for CMAQ and the project will
probably be ready to go out for bid by early summer. Downtown Access can go to
bid really soon. There are five pedestrian studies taking place right now. She is
giving a connectivity update to the Town Board at that board’s next meeting.
Item 6: Adjourn
Motion: Mr. Mace moved to adjourn at 8:44 p.m.
Second: Ms. Jarabek seconded.
Vote: Unanimous