HomeMy Public PortalAbout08-16-2022 Minutes PRB Regular Meeting
101 E. Orange St., PO Box 429, Hillsborough, NC 27278
919-732-1270 | www.hillsboroughnc.gov | @HillsboroughGov
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MINUTES | 1 of 3
Minutes
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD
Regular meeting
7 p.m. Aug. 16, 2022
Board Meeting Room of Town Hall Annex, 105 E. Corbin St.
Present: Chair Jesse Mowles-Aring, Vice Chair Cole Kenworthy,
Commissioner Robb English (ex officio), Wendy Kuhn, James
Pattison, Alyse Polly and Richard von Furstenberg
Absent: Carl Cuthbertson
Staff: Public Space and Sustainability Manager Stephanie Trueblood
1. Call to order and confirmation of quorum
Chair Jesse Mowles-Aring called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. Public Space and Sustainability Manager
Stephanie Trueblood called the roll and noted there was a quorum present.
2. Agenda changes and approval
No changes were made.
3. Minutes review and approval
Minutes from regular meeting on May 17, 2022
Motion: Member Cole Kenworthy moved to approve the minutes without changes. Member Wendy Kuhn
seconded.
Vote: 5-0
4. Discussion items
A. Gold Park Master Plan
In preparation of creating a Gold Park Master Plan, the board held a discussion with Stormwater and
Environmental Services Manager Terry Hackett to better understand how the floodplain and riparian buffers
factor into any longterm park planning.
Hackett gave a brief overview of his role with the town. He then explained the floodplain in Gold Park.
Hackett gave a brief history of the altered path of the river through Gold Park. It was altered for mining
operations, but the adjacent mine no longer needs to pull water from the river for its mining processes.
Trueblood noted that Hackett provides regulatory knowledge regarding riparian buffers and impervious
surfaces and would inform the Parks and Recreation Board whether something could be built in the riparian
buffer.
Hackett noted that stormwater measures located in Gold Park are the wetlands near the dog park and the
pollinator garden closer to the train trestle. Grass swales were also designed for the park to capture and hold
water.
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Trueblood noted that there are plans to install a cistern at Cates Creek Park to capture roof runoff. A green
roof is another retrofit that works as a stormwater measure. She also noted that the redesigned Orange
County parking lot across from the Whitted Human Services Center has planted islands without curbs so the
water can be more easily absorbed by the plants in the islands.
When asked, Hackett said disc golf and natural play areas would be compatible uses in the park. He added
that some basketball courts could work.
B. Future skate spot planning update
Trueblood said the design work would cost less than she had expected. She expected the design company to
schedule sessions for community input this fall.
5. Parks and recreation-related reports
A. Board of Commissioners: Robb English
There was no report.
B. Planning Board: Alyse Polly
There was no report.
C. Intergovernmental Parks Work Group: Stephanie Trueblood
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 provided updates:
• The Town of Chapel Hill wants to hold a parks and recreation summit. More information to come.
• The water fountain at the dog park in Gold Park is scheduled to be replaced soon.
• People liked the name Ridgeway for the future greenway connecting the train station to downtown,
but a few people had suggested Ridgewalk would pair better with the word greenway.
Motion: Kuhn move to recommend the name Ridgewalk for the future greenway connecting downtown
Hillsborough to Cates Creek Park. Kenworthy seconded.
Vote: 5-0
8. Adjournment
Motion: Kenworthy adjourned the meeting at 8:55 p.m. Von Furstenberg seconded.
Vote: 5-0
Respectfully submitted,
Stephanie Trueblood
Public Space and Sustainability Manager
PARKS AND RECREATION BOARD MINUTES | 3 of 3
Staff support to the Parks and Recreation Board
Approved: Oct. 17, 2022