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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-06-03 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 JUNE 3, 2025 8:30 A.M. Airlie Cottage 896 Airlie Road, Wilmington NC 28403 1. Call to Order Ryan Bisplinghoff, Chair 2. Approval of Minutes Ryan Bisplinghoff 3. Top of Mind Topics All 4. Director/Staff Q&A Andy 5. Adjournment NEXT MEETING: JULY 2, 2025 NEW HANOVER COUNTY PARKS ADVISORY BOARD PAGE 2 REGULAR MEETING MAY 6, 2025 ASSEMBLY The Parks Advisory Board held its regular meeting on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, at the Airlie Cottage. We did not have a quorum. Present: Carol Hunter, Caleb Rash, Mary Ellen Lavoie Provided notice: Gayle Tabor, Ryan Bisplinghoff, Judy Justice, Jordan Nason Staff: Andy Johnson, Latashia Smith, Tara Duckworth There were only 3 board members in attendance so there was no quorum. Meeting Summary Parks & Gardens Update Bid openings were recently held for the trail project at Middle Sound and Market Street. Additionally, the bid opening for Echo Farms Park is scheduled for the end of the month and includes the addition of five new clay tennis courts. The contract for Northern Regional Park expansion has been finalized and a Notice to Proceed has been issued. Land clearing is currently underway, officially marking the start of construction. The project includes two athletic fields, a pump track, and a new parking are a. While substantial completion is anticipated well before September 2026, that date allows adequate time for turf establishment, as June and July are optimal months for grass sprigging. Grass will be planted in summer 2026, following site preparation. The second phase of Smith Creek Park is progressing well and beginning to take shape. The park will be significantly enhanced upon completion. Recent brush clearing has stimulated regrowth of native vegetation, which is now returning naturally up to the fence line. There was discussion regarding landscaping in medians, specifically in Ogden and along Market Street. It was noted that NCDOT manages highway beautification and determines locations for flower planting under the Wildflower Program, which is funded by personalized license plate sales and donations. Areas featuring trees typically indicate city-maintained roads, as municipalities establish their own planting standards. For DOT-maintained medians, plantings must comply with state regulations and are often limited to approved shrubbery. NEW HANOVER COUNTY PARKS ADVISORY BOARD PAGE 3 REGULAR MEETING MAY 6, 2025 Work for an updated comprehensive plan (Planning Department) is underway, which will serve as a strategic framework to guide future development across the county. Parks & Gardens will undertake an update to the 10-Year Parks Master Plan in 2026. Resurfacing of the Ogden tennis courts and pickleball courts at Arrowhead Park are scheduled to begin around June 1st. Signage will be posted once construction dates are confirmed. clarified that New Hanover County does not directly operate recreation programs but rather provides public facilities that are utilized by various community organizations. Respectfully submitted, Latashia N. Smith Ώ Please note that the above minutes are not a verbatim record of the New Hanover County Parks Advisory Board meeting.