Item:
Title
Program Update for the Durham County Open Space Program (30min)
Body
Date of BOCC Meeting: November 4, 2019
Request for Board Action:
Agenda Text
The Board is requested to receive an update report on the County Open Space program and to affirm current program priorities. Since the late 1990s the County Open Space program has worked to protect significant open spaces in Durham and provide sustainable, low impact recreational access to the lands. Staff work towards implementation of the County’s five adopted open space plans. The Open Space program has a strong emphasis on partnership projects and the pursuit of grants and other funding opportunities to leverage limited county open space resources.
Staff are continuing to work on projects that are a continuation of past efforts such as the phased development of Hollow Rock Nature Park. In other instances, staff are working on new open space protection and/or recreational projects that will then be brought to the Board for feedback when ready. The attached program report summarizes the overall program and provides priorities for the next two years within each planning area.
The Durham Open Space and Trails (DOST) Commission reviewed these county open space priorities at their October 16 meeting, and recommended support; a letter of support is attached. Board concurrence of these Open Space Program priorities confirms direction and supports staff efforts to work with partners on specific land protection projects that would be reviewed by the Board of County Commissioners.
Alignment with Strategic Plan: Continued protection of open space supports implementation of Strategic Plan Goal 4: “Environmental Stewardship and Community Prosperity,” by increasing the amount of open space and farmland that has been protected by Durham County. Additional recreational trails support Goal 2: “Health and Well-Being for All.” The funding goals which leverage local partners and outside grant funds to stretch Durham County open space funds support Goal 5: “Accountable, Efficient and Visionary Government”.
Resource Persons: Jane Korest, Division Head for Open Space & Real Estate; Celeste Burns, Open Space Coordinator, Peri Manns, Deputy Director of Engineering and Environmental Services
County Manager’s Recommendation: The County Manager requests that the Board receive the 2019 Open Space Program Update Report and affirm the Open Space Program project priorities.
Signature
County Manager: ____________________________