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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-11-01 Agenda NEW HANOVER COUNTY PARKS & GARDENS 896 Airlie Road · Wilmington, NC 28403 (910) 798-7620 · (910) 798-7621 FAX · www.nhcgov.com PARKS ADVISORY BOARD AGENDA NOVEMBER 1, 2023 8:15 A.M. Airlie Cottage 896 Airlie Road 1. Call to Order John Hinnant, Chair 2. Approval of October Minutes John Hinnant 3. Top of Mind Topics All 4. Director/Staff Q&A Tara/Andy 5. Adjournment NEW HANOVER COUNTY PARKS ADVISORY BOARD PAGE 2 REGULAR MEETING OCTOBER 4, 2023 ASSEMBLY The Parks Advisory Board held its regular meeting on Wednesday, October 4, 2023, at the Airlie Cottage. Present: John Hinnant 鉌ltjtrê, Ryan Bisplinghoff, Caleb Rash, Gayle Tabor, and Stephanie Walker. Excused: Lindy Ford and Carol Hunter Staff: Tara Duckworth, Tanya Gurganious and Andy Johnson, Latashia Smith. WELCOME AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES The meeting was called to order by John Hinnant who asked for a motion to approve the minutes of the September 6,2023 meeting. The following motion was presented: th MOTION: Ryan Bisplinghoff MOVED; SECONDED by Caleb Rash, that the minutes of the September 6, 2023, meeting be approved. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. 1. Top of Mind Topics. Stephanie asked for an update on the multiuse path. Tara explained that process, but was able to secure the right of way certification for the Market Street and Middle Sound Loop Road trail last week from DOT. They must go back to Cape Fear Public Utility Authority for final drawings because they had issues with where the force main goes down Middle Sound Loop Road and drainage. Cape Fear Public is in discussions with the county engineers. Once the drawings are approved, the final plans will be submitted to DOT and construction will begin shortly thereafter. The North College and South College Road trails are still at 65% completion. Right of way acquisition will begin once Tara and Andy are confident that tany more utility changes. Planning is changing the language for South College Road development where the trails are planned and asking for a 20 feet easement in advance. Applied for a Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) grant two months ago for the building of the trails. It will be at least December before it is known whether the grant has been approved. This MPO grant is a federal grant with an 80/20 split. Eighty-percent of the funds are federal and 20% are local. Stephanie had concerns about the students walking from Trask and Laney High School asked for a time frame of the North College Road trail construction. Tara was unable to give a specific time frame of when construction of the North College Road trails will begin. Discussed the pickleball court status around New Hanover County. Cape Fear Pickleball club has petitioned the city to make pickleball courts at Empie Park. There are a few shared courts in the city as well as shared courts at Veterans Park. It was mentioned that a private pickleball facility is going to be built in Castle Hayne. 2. Director/Staff Q&A. Tara provided an update on Smith Creek Park Phase 2 is under design. She passed around the design showing the perimeter, the walking trail, and the new entry which is NEW HANOVER COUNTY PARKS ADVISORY BOARD PAGE 3 REGULAR MEETING OCTOBER 4, 2023 accessed from Lake Emerald Drive. The inspiration for this park is the Bridge to Terabithia book. A restroom will also be in this section of the park. It will be a restroom/shelter combination with maintenance closets. The final design will be completed in January, 2024. It will be a sunrise to sunset park so no lighting will be installed. This phase will double the size of the park. Phase 2 is almost the same size as the original section of the park. The new trail will be 1 mile long. There are worn sand paths already at the park that will remain. The phase 1 trail will be able to connect to the new phase 2 trail. There will be an ADA accessible connector. Request for Qualifications (RFQ) was submitted for Trails End pier and possibly a separate kayak launch. Request for Qualifications was submitted for Long Leaf Park pedestrian bridge over the pond. In talks with Engineering to get the price down. Request for Qualifications for 4 to 5 additional clay tennis courts at Echo Farms. Three firms were interviewed. Ogden Park playground replacement should start in November. The playground is 20 years old and replacement parts are no longer being made. th Airlie Gardens Garden Service Center grand opening will take place tomorrow on October 4. st 3.Next Meeting. The next meeting will take place on Wednesday, November 1 at the Airlie Cottage. 4.Adjournment. The meeting adjourned at 9:04 am. Respectfully submitted, Latashia N. Smith -Please note that the above minutes are not a verbatim record of the New Hanover County Airlie Gardens Foundation Board meeting.