HomeMy Public PortalAbout08-17-2021 Minutes PRB Regular Meeting
101 E. Orange St., PO Box 429, Hillsborough, NC 27278
www.hillsboroughnc.gov | @HillsboroughGov
Parks and Recreation Board Minutes | 1 of 3
Minutes
Parks and Recreation Board
Remote regular meeting
7 p.m. Aug. 17, 2021
Virtual meeting via YouTube Live
Town of Hillsborough YouTube channel
Present: Chair Jesse Mowles-Aring, Vice Chair Lisa Frazier, Chelsea Gailey, Commissioner Robb English
(ex-officio), Cole Kenworthy
Absent: Carl Cuthbertson, Andrew Landstrom, Brenna McCormley and Jason Pattison
Staff: Public Space Manager Stephanie Trueblood
Guests: Richard von Furstenberg
1. Call to order and confirmation of quorum
Chair Jesse Mowles-Aring called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. Public Space Manager Stephanie Trueblood
called the roll and noted a quorum was not present.
Trueblood noted Richard von Furstenberg was in attendance as a guest who is interested in serving on the
board.
Trueblood noted the board could move forward with unofficial actions.
2. Agenda changes and approval
The agenda stood as presented.
3. Minutes review and approval
Minutes from regular meeting on June 15, 2021
Minutes were not reviewed or approved.
4. Discussion items
Future projects and prioritization: Master plans and Community Connectivity Plan updates
Trueblood noted a spreadsheet in the agenda packet listed recent, upcoming and recommended projects for
each park and the town cemeteries. The master plans provide guidance for future projects. She reviewed the
spreadsheet with the board.
Member Cole Kenworthy said connectivity projects are important to him. He supports the master plan lists of
future projects, especially natural play elements and pollinator-friendly plantings.
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Trueblood said the Connectivity Plan would be reviewed and updated for the Comprehensive Sustainability
Plan.
Trueblood noted crossing railroad property is a problem with connecting West Hillsborough to Kings Highway
Park.
English advocated for adding recycling bins wherever we can put them. Trueblood agreed that wherever
there’s a trashcan there should be a recycling container.
English advocated for more public art in public spaces.
The board paused its review of the spreadsheet for a brief discussion about the possibility of adding a skate
park.
Trueblood said the town has been receiving requests for skate parks since the 1980s. When the Parks and
Recreation Board ranked sites to determine where a skate park could go, Exchange Club Park was the highest
scoring. Cates Creek Park was ranked second. She asked the board if they want to discuss Cates Creek Park as
a location for a skatepark.
English said one possibility would be to create small skate parks in multiple places rather than one large one.
Kenworthy noted the Orange County circulator bus goes to the Durham Tech campus in Waterstone, which is
connected by sidewalks to Cates Creek Park.
Trueblood suggested at the next meeting she can share how the sites were scored last time and have a more
in-depth conversation when there is a quorum.
The board expressed interest in exploring the possibilities for a skate park.
The board returned to reviewing the spreadsheet.
5. Parks and recreation-related reports
A. Board of Commissioners
English reported the town was creating a lease agreement with the Fairview Community Watch for the former
police substation in Fairview. The building would be converted to a community center.
B. Planning Board
There was no report.
C. Intergovernmental Parks Work Group
There was no report.
6. Park steward reports
Board members reported on the conditions of the parks for which they serve as stewards. Trueblood noted
any small repairs that needed attention and gave brief reports on small repairs that had been made since the
previous meeting.
7. Staff updates
Trueblood said:
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• Some handrails in Gold Park are being replaced.
• Construction starting on the bridge behind Bellevue Mill on the mill’s trail system.
Mowles-Aring welcomed Richard von Furstenberg, who lives in Cornwallis Hills and is interested in serving on
the board. He has worked in medical research but is now in school to earn a doctoral degree in Parks and
Recreation with an interest in conservation.
Trueblood noted there are no voting members on the board who live in Cornwallis Hills.
8. Adjournment
Mowles-Aring adjourned the meeting at 8:12 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Stephanie Trueblood
Public Space Manager
Staff support to the Parks and Recreation Board
Approved: Sept. 21, 2021