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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-02-03 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 February 3, 2026 – 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 Jodi/Andy 5. Adjournment NEXT MEETING: March 3, 2026 NEW HANOVER COUNTY PARKS ADVISORY BOARD PAGE 2 REGULAR MEETING – DECEMBER 2, 2025 ASSEMBLY The Parks Advisory Board held its regular meeting on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, at the Airlie Cottage. Present: Mary Ellen Lavoie, Carol Hunter, Jordan Nason, Ryan Bisplinghoff, Gayle Tabor, Lisa Wurtzbacher Provided notice: Judy Justice and Caleb Rash Staff: Andy Johnson, Latashia Smith, Tanya Gurganious, and Jodi Rich WELCOME AND APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The meeting was called to order by Ryan Bisplinghoff. Ryan asked if everyone had a chance to review the minutes and if there were any changes. Hearing none, the following motion was presented: MOTION: Ryan Bisplinghoff MOVED; SECONDED by Carol Hunter, that the minutes of the November meeting be approved. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. Top of Mind Topics. The Board discussed potential organizations and groups that could participate in future Voice of the Customer presentations. It was suggested that a representative from the City of Wilmington Parks and Recreation be invited to provide an overview of their park system. Additional organizations and groups discussed included the Greater Wilmington Tennis Association (GWTA), kayaking groups, homeschool organizations, F3, the New Hanover County Budget Department, disc golf groups, and Sheriff’s Department Resource Officers. The Board also discussed the possibility of changing meeting frequency from monthly to bi - monthly. No decision was made. Lisa Wurtzbacher suggested coordinating with Kym Crowell regarding potential bylaw amendments related to meeting schedule changes. Staff Updates • South College Road Trail – The project has been awarded $2.6 million in funding. The trail will extend from 17th Street to Piner Road. • Smith Creek Park Phase II – The project remains on schedule for completion in March. A change order was completed to construct a footbridge over pond runoff rather than elevating the trail. • Northern Regional Park – The project remains on schedule, with significant earthwork completed. Full completion of the athletic fields is anticipated in summer 2026. The NEW HANOVER COUNTY PARKS ADVISORY BOARD PAGE 3 REGULAR MEETING – DECEMBER 2, 2025 pump track and landscaping are complete. A restroom trailer is scheduled for installation in January, with a soft opening planned for spring 2026. • Middle Sound/Market Street Trail – Construction will begin soon, with completion expected by June 2026. • North College Road Trail – The 2.5-mile asphalt trail project is currently out to bid. The trail will extend from Gordon Road to North College Road and continue to the North Chase Library. Bids are expected to close on December 18. • Echo Farms Project – The project remains under technical review. Design plan adjustments were made to pursue additional funding. Voice of the Customer. Tanner Nance, Environmental Educator at Airlie Gardens, served as this month’s Voice of the Customer. He provided an overview of his responsibilities and discussed the educational pop-up programs he conducts throughout the parks. As an example of his daily work, he presented a Madagascar hissing cockroach and explained its origins, along with the various species of cockroaches found worldwide. He also described the rigorous care and handling procedures required for the butterfly program. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, the following motion was presented: Jordan Nason MOVED; Carol Hunter SECONDED; that the meeting be adjourned. Upon vote, the MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. The meeting adjourned at 9:59 a.m. Next Meeting will take place at the Airlie Cottage on Tuesday, February 3, 2026 at 8:30 a.m. Respectfully submitted, Latashia N. Smith - Please note that the above minutes are not a verbatim record of the New Hanover County Parks Advisory Board meeting.