one pittsboro
TRANSCRIPT
ONE PITTSBOROa roadmap for a more vibrant, healthy, resilient and fiscally sustainable Pittsboro through parks
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BARTH ASSOCIATES
So often the success of a project depends on having just the right person, for the specific project, at just the right time. I’m confident that our primary consultant for this project, David Barth, was just that. I’ve appreciated the depth of understanding that he’s brought to this project – he’s one of the best in the field.
GENERIC PURPOSEA parks and open-space plan outlines a systematic approach to providing parks and recreation services to a community. Parks and open-space resources within a community include environmental, recreational, scenic, cultural, historic, and urban design elements.
Jan Gehl (1987), the Danish urbanist and architect, states, “The proper hierarchy of planning is life, space and buildings, not buildings, space, life.” Therefore communities need to plan for open spaces that provide a multitude of public functions before development occurs. These functions are numerous and may include:
• Protection of natural resources and biodiversity• Creation of places for recreation• Support for economic development opportunities• Development of neighborhood gathering spaces• Promotion of public health benefits• Creation of civic and cultural infrastructure• Shaping patterns of development through open spaces
Eysenbach/ American Planning Association, M. E. (2006). Parks and open space plans. In Planning and urban design standards (p. 38). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons
Parks Plans provide a systematic approach to providing parks & recreation services to a community.
• A plan to meet existing and future parks and recreation needs
• A vision for a broader interconnected public realm that generates multiple benefits
• A strategy to implement the vision over time
SPECIFIC PURPOSE
This plan does applies a systematic approach while providing a vision for a broader interconnected public realm that generates multiple benefits, as well as a strategy to implement the vision over time.
PHILOSOPHYCore beliefs. . . & Core concepts
The following slides introduce a few of the a priori beliefs that undergird this plan.
“A park exercises a very different and much greater influence upon the progress of a city in its general structure than any other ordinary public work.”
-Fredrick Law Olmstead (1822-1895)
First, we believe, that parks create great places and great cities, and are thus considered necessary infrastructure.
INTERCONNECTED PUBLIC REALM
Envisions a broader conception of parks as crucial components of economically vibrant, healthy, resilient, and more equitable communities.
Parks system planning is in support of the Town’s broader vision.
Second, we believe that parks are one part of a larger interconnected public realm composed also of streets and public buildings. Thus a park system is far more than the sum of its isolated parts.
SAVANNAH, GAbuilt around public squares = equal access to all
Parks were central to every major planning movement in American history, and traditionally public spaces created the core around which the urban form coalesced. One can see a very pure embodiment of this concept in Savanah, GA.
SAVANNAH, GAOglethorpe Plan 1818
Take Away: Parks aren’t ancillary, they’re a critical component of creating great cities.
The Oglethorpe Plan of 1818 created a public square within the center of each ward, consciously ensuring equal access for all residents of the city. Note also the commonly owned open space surrounding the gridded town core.
HISTORIC PRECEDENT FOR PITTSBORO
• Founded as a resort town• Early planning with parks & open space shaping development patterns • Common public open space around perimeter of town• Community House built as a New Deal project• Mill town baseball• Streets as places
Pittsboro’s core was composed of a gridded street network, the public town square, and a common area which was primarily used for livestock grazing but doubtless provided recreational opportunities as well.
TRANSPARENT ITERATIVE PROCESS
Kick-off steering
committee meeting
Stakeholders one-on-one interviews
Focus Group
meetings
2 Public Workshops
BOC & PARAB Work
Session
Statistically Valid Survey
BOC check-in: chapters 1-4
Visioning Work
Sessions
BOC check-in: chapters 5-6
PARAB Audio
Conference Presentation
Steering Committee/
PARAB Meeting
BOC/ PARAB Work Session
BOC Update
Ongoing Online Engagement
DRAFTChapters 1-4
DRAFTChapters 5-6
TargetAdoption
DateMarch 25,
2019
We are
here!1-4 5 &6
CompleteDocument
Comments Addressed
Revisions Made
PARABEndorsed
A process which has included many “check-in” milestones along the way to ensure that we’re continually heading in the right direction. The process has been inclusive and informed by robust public involvement.
EXISTING CONDITIONS
• Planning context
• Review of existing documents
• Demographics & Lifestyle Tapestry
• System Evaluation
• Comparable Communities
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Kiwanis ParkThe existing conditions section served to get a deeper understanding of Pittsboro through an evaluation of adopted visionary plans, demographics, the existing park system and a case study of comparable communities facing the integration of master planned communities.
PLANNING CONTEXT
By IrvingPlNYC - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=7761887
“In China alone, they’re going to be building cities for another
300 million people in the next 20 years, that’s basically building
the urban environment of the United States. And they’re going
to do that in 20 years instead of 200 years. So getting cities right is really at the crux of the well-being of mankind.”
We have an opportunity in Pittsboro to proactively “plan it right.”
EXISTING PLAN REVIEW
We reviewed all of the planning documents of the Town remotely related to Parks and Recreation,
PLAN CHATHAMFUTURE LAND USE & CONSERVATION PLAN MAP
CHATHAM COUNTY
As well as several from Chatham County,
PLAN CHATHAMPARK, RECREATION AND OPEN SPACE CONCEPT MAP
Including Chatham County’s Land Use Plan. The take home message was that these core planning documents have embraced a major role for parks, recreation, bikability, walkability, and conservation as essential elements defining Pittsboro’s quality of life, economic well-being, environmental, and fiscal sustainability.
DEMOGRAPHICS
We looked at the Town’s demographic trends including a Lifestyle Segmentation analysis by ESRI Business Analytics.
PARKSYSTEM EVALUATION
• Performance based metrics
We evaluated our existing park system, noting deficiencies and areas in which we’re doing well.
CODE REVIEW
• Draft UDO
• Existing LDRs
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Mary Hayes Barber Holmes Park
We reviewed the Draft Unified Development Ordinance as well as existing land development regulations related to parks and made high level recommendations to ensure long term fiscal sustainability.
NEEDS & PRIORITY ASSESSMENT INPUTS
We used a triangulated methodology using qualitative, quantitative and anecdotal information. The most scientifically robust being, of course, the statistically valid survey. The trends from all methods pointed in the same direction so that was expected and reassuring.
We held a Parks Forum in conjunction with the Economic Development Corporation which covered a myriad of ways in which parks are great for a community’s bottom line.
TOP PRIORITIES USING MIXED METHODS
1) Walking & biking trails
2) Sidewalks with street trees and benches
3) Restrooms at existing parks
4) Indoor aquatics facility
5) Outdoor swimming pools/ water parks
6) Indoor lap lanes for exercise swimming
7) Indoor running/ walking track
• Statistically valid survey• Level of service analysis• Steering committee kick off meeting• Public workshops• Focus group meetings• Stakeholder interviews• Online engagement
So, drumroll, the top 7 priorities for facilities. It’s no accident that our logo features a bike and bench. These top priorities weren’t particularly surprising as they’re also in alignment with national trends.
SURVEYAMENITIES• Statistically representative
survey: Amenities
• 300 Responses
• 95% confidence
• +/- 5.6% margin of error
SURVEYPROGRAMS• Statistically representative
survey: Amenities
• 300 Responses
• 95% confidence
• +/- 5.6% margin of error
BUILDING HEALTHY COMMUNITIES
In “Designing Healthy Communities”, author Dr. Richard Jackson offers a checklist of potential issues related to community health. “Health is defined as a state of complete physical and mental well-being”, says Dr. Jackson. “Of all the interventions that could counter [health] epidemics, none works as well as increased physical activity, particularly when carried out with nature. Yet if we continue to design and build America in ways that are hostile to walkers and bicyclists – creating an America without parks and without safe routes for walking or biking to destinations such as schools and workplaces – we are unlikely to see better physical and mental health.”
BENCHMARKING, BEST PRACTICES, &GUIDING PRINCIPLES
The plan drew from a vast array or research of benchmarking, best practices, and guiding principles to inform the long term vision and implementation sections.
VISIONING WORKSHOPS
The needs assessment top priorities determined several “vision sub-sections” around which stakeholders, with particular focused expertise, were assembled to inform the Town’s Long Range Vision. Stakeholders from each of the sub-groups reached consensus on how best to approach the issues they covered.
1 BICYCLE PEDESTRIAN CONNECTIVITY• Develop a Trails & Bikeways Master Plan
• Sets standards for • Sidewalks
• Trails through natural areas
• Grade separation
• Crosswalks
• Lighting
• Connections between neighborhoods
• Variations in design
• Safety
• Nodes along corridors – rest areas & exercise stations
• Public art, bike racks, drinking water, restrooms
• Bridge crossing
• Special events & programs
The fist visioning work session covered bicycle and pedestrian connectivity. The primary outcome was the need to develop a Trails and Bikeways Master Plan.
FOUR TYPES OF CYCLISTS
<1% ~6% ~60% ~33%
Strong &Fearless
Enthused &Confident
Interested butConcerned
No WayNo How
MAJORITY WILL RIDE WITH PROTECTED BIKE LANES
THE HIGHER THE ROAD SPEED THE MORE NEED FOR LANE SEPARATION
Such a plan would establish a methodology for determining what types of bicycle and pedestrian facilities to build based on planning best practices, which typically aim to provide the most good for the most people.
DETERMINING THE APPROPRIATE FACILITY
CROW (used extensively in the Netherlands) and National Association of City Transportation Officials (NATCO) standards provide great starting points.
This group discussed the desirability of the Haw River Trail, as well as its connection to other regional trail systems.
2A IMPROVEMENTS TO EXISTING PARKSAdd Basic Amenities to Existing Parks:
• Restrooms
• Power, water, infrastructure for special events
• Multipurpose open lawns
• Shade trees & canopies
• Paved, multi-purpose trail
• Multiple types of seating
• Picnic shelters
• Playgrounds for all ages
• Wi-Fi
• Drinking water fountains
• Outdoor fitness equipment
• Multi-purpose courts
• Lawn games
• Splash pads in some
• ADA, universal access
• Sidewalk/ greenway access
The improvements to existing parks and creation of new parks section came up with a core set of amenities which would serve as minimum standards for all of our parks. An emphasis on quality over quantity. Even facilities as prosaic as a restroom can provide architectural value and differentiation for a community – such as this example for the Wake County park system. Buildings such as our County Library, instill such pride in Pittsboro.
SIDEWALK/ GREENWAY ACCESS
Safe access to an within all parks was considered a basic requirement and also noted as a deficiency for many of our existing parks.
DEVELOP/ UPDATE MASTER PLANS FOR ALL EXISTING PARKS
The following slides show quick sketches which may inform future site master plans.
KIWANIS PARK EXPANSION
The Kiwanis Club is interested in expanding their park to accommodate a playground for older kids of all abilities. The existing park is in need of renovation as well.
MCCLENAHAN PARK - APEX SKATEPARK
On Valentine’s Day, a contingent of about 20 Pittsboro Skatepark advocates took a field trip to meet with the Apex Parks Director, their Community Police Officer, and the designer of their skatepark, who happened also to be one of their elected official. The Parks Director really helped us out with such a stellar program. The skatepark as well as the turf field and walking trail surrounding it were packed on a dark Wednesday night in February – this facility was huge success and an integral part of downtown Apex.
MCCLENAHAN PARK
The area designated for a skatepark at McClenahan Park is very small, but opportunities for expansion of the park can be explored.
STREET FEATURES?
As a shorter term proposition, premanufactured street skating features could be added at a relatively low cost. This could serve to generate excitement for a more ambitious facility.
TOWN LAKE PARK
Dr. Barth was particularly enamored with Town Lake Park and felt that with expansion and development it has perhaps the most potential of any of our parks.
2B DEVELOPING NEW PARKS• Two “classes” of functions and facilities:
• “1. Those that serve mainly local needs and can be reduplicated in small and easily accessible units in every part of the Region”
• 2. Those that serve mainly regional needs, which people can reasonably be expected to travel rather long distances to reach, and which cannot be reduplicated locally”
EQUITY MODELEvery resident should have walkable access to a local park within:
• ½ mile in medium/ high density areas
• 1 mile in low density areas
https://www.10minutewalk.org/
LOCAL PARK STANDARDS
All local parks would incorporate a base amenity package, and such parks would be considered necessary required infrastructure. A prototypical local park standard would ensure that there’s a diverse mix of type of facilities would exist within each local park. Great flexibility would exist, however, in determining what types of say, courts, best meet neighborhood demands. Public art is considered a basic amenity.
Local Parks Community Park
PIT
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BO
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PAR
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These diagrams show general locations for local or regional parks based on anticipated growth
PIT
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BO
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Parks by Alternative Providers
These diagrams show general locations of proposed parks provided by alternative providers based on anticipated growth
4 ATHLETIC FIELDS
Served within large, multiple use Community Parks.
The athletic fields group established that Pittsboro should focus on competition and recreational level fields and that they should primarily be provided within multiple use larger Community Parks such as the one illustrated.
3 RECREATION & AQUATICS CENTERS
Hub and Spoke Model:
• 20 – 30,000 sf Multi-purpose Centers
• (1 -2 sf/ capita) with Indoor/ Outdoor Pools
(hubs)
• Splash pads (satellites)
The plan anticipates the need for one aquatics center in the mid term with perhaps the need for another recreation center as we continue to grow. The draft Chatham County Parks and Recreation Plan envisions the Senior Center, Town, and County partnering for a recreation center with an aquatics element. That center would be located somewhere near the Senior Center. Chatham Park has identified a location in the East – they intend to partner with the YMCA, and perhaps others, for that center.
5 NATURAL AREAS - CONSERVATION
3 KEYS: Effective Resource-Protection
Programs Typically Require:
1. A dedicated source of funding
2. An appointed committee to establish
protection criteria, and review and
prioritize lands for protection
3. A ranked list of lands for protection,
based on the evaluation criteria
GREENPRINTING EFFORTS TO DATE• In 2013 a Greenprinting Study was developed by:
• The NC Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC)• The Nicolas Institute of Environmental Policy Solutions
at Duke University
• This study identified and encouraged the conservation of the most sensitive wildlife habitats within Pittsboro.
https://chathamconservation.wikispaces.com/Project+Summary
Biodiversity & Wildlife Assessment
Prioritizing lands for a conservation is critical for a successful preservation program. The Greenprinting effort of 2013 offers a credible head start in that process.
OPERATIONS, MAINTENANCE & PROGRAMMING
Framework for a Future, Expanded P&R Department:• Service Delivery Models and Classifications
• Organizational Structure, Staffing Plan
• Interlocal Agreements and Partnerships
• Maintenance Standards, Repair and Replacement Schedule
• Fee Schedules and Cost Recovery Goals
• Design Standards
• Programming Plan
• Marking Plan
• Business Plans
• Land Development Regulations
• CAPRA Accreditation StandardsD
EV
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P A
ST
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PL
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A Strategic Plan for the Parks and Recreation Department should be created to address the items listed above.
6 DOWNTOWN SIGNATURE PARK CULTURAL ARTS• Performing arts - indoor and outdoor
• Farmers market – covered with utilities
• Indoor and outdoor rental space
• Visual arts
• Visitor center
• Special events, festivals, and movies – indoor and outdoor
• Museums and civic buildings
• Perimeter walk
• Public art
• Fountains
• Spray park
• Food trucks
• BuskersThis visioning group established the types of amenities desired in such a park and confirmed that there is a desire for such a facility to help the historic downtown remain competitive as a destination.
ONE PITTSBORO
a framework for growth
• Partnerships• Equitable Access• Recreational Programs• Walkable Vibrant Centers• Central Gathering Spaces• Interconnected Streets & Trails• High Performance Public Spaces• Integrated Storm Water Treatment Facilities• Maintenance of Existing Acreage Level-of-Service• Shaping Patterns of Development through Open Space
“great parks make great communities”
Key Principles
The ONE PITTSBORO concept is to have Historic Pittsboro and Chatham Park integrate seamlessly without an us/ them dynamic. The solution is to forge these metaphorical connections by tangibly creating an high quality interconnected public realm. An interconnected system of destinations, trails, parks, and complete streets, could link the old with the new.
IMPLEMENTATIONOne Pittsboro
Mary Hayes Barber Holmes Park
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Only through implementation can this vision become a reality. The Plan’s Phased & Multi-Faceted Strategy has 5 main components:
PHASED & MULTI-FACETED STRATEGY
1) Additional Parks Planning Staff, and a Parks and Recreation Department Strategic Plan for operations, programming, and maintenance
2) A 25-Year Funding Plan that includes multiple sources of capital funding for parkland acquisition and development
3) Updated Subdivision Regulations to require new development to help meet the parks and recreation needs of new development
4) Partnerships with Other Agencies to meet needs for parks, recreation facilities, trails, and conservation lands
5) Land Acquisition and Capital Improvements in accordance with the funding plan
LEVEL OF SERVICE METRICS FOR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS
PARKS/FACILITIES LOS METRIC
Park Acreage Developable Parkland
(does not include any lands that cannot be developed for active recreation
use such as wetlands, water bodies, storm water facilities, or conservation
lands)
18 acres per 1,000 residents
*Existing Pittsboro LOS is 18 acres of developable
parkland / 1,000
Recreation Centers 1.5 square feet of Indoor Recreation Space per resident
Access A 10-acre Local Park within a 10-minute walk (1/2 mile) of
every resident
A large Community Park, Recreation Center, and Aquatics
Facility within a 3-5-mile drive of every resident
Facilities: (based on NRPA Benchmarks,
Pittsboro Needs Assessment Survey)
Swimming Pools 1 Pool/ 15,000 residents
*NRPA Benchmark is 1 outdoor pool/33,000 residents;
however indoor/outdoor pools and lap lanes are a high
priority need for Pittsboro residents
Playgrounds 1 Playground/ 2300 residents
Diamond Athletic Fields 1 Field/ 3200 residents
Multi-purpose Rectangle Fields 1 Field/ 3200 residents
Tennis Courts 1 Court/ 4300 residents
Basketball Courts 1 Court/ 3900 residents
Dog parks 1 Dog Park/ 9700 residents
LOS
The plan recommends appropriate Levels of Service in terms of acreage and access.
BRIAR CHAPEL LOS
Briar Chapel consciously designed its community around its park system and a five minute level of service walk to its parks, in addition to its many miles of biking trails.
ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES
VISION ELEMENT TOWN’S ROLE’S & RESPONSIBILITIES DEVELOPERS’ ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Local Parks Update UDO with new LOS requirements, prototypes
Update subdivision regulations with new LOS requirements,
prototypes, including the minimum acceptable size of a
Local Park, Access Standards (number of developed
frontages, utility stub out requirements, etc.).
Develop and maintain publicly accessible Local Parks to meet the needs of
new residents
If development is too small to accommodate minimum requirements:
contribute funding to offset proportionate costs of new residents
Community Parks Plan locations of new Community Parks
Acquire land
Develop and maintain new Community Parks
Provide recreational programs or facilitate recreation same
through leagues, associations, or other providers
Large developments: partner with County to plan and build new Regional
Parks
Small developments: contribute land and/or funding to offset
proportionate costs of new residents
Indoor Recreation
Centers, Pools
Plan locations of new Centers and Pools
Acquire land and develop new centers and pools; or partner
with other providers
Provide or facilitate recreation programs through leagues,
associations, or other providers
Contribute land and/or funding to offset proportionate costs of new
residents
The plan proposes roles & responsibilities for the provision and maintenance of parks.
ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES
VISION ELEMENT TOWN’S ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES DEVELOPERS’ ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Sidewalks and Trails Plan sidewalks and trails system as part of the Town’s long
range Comprehensive Transportation Plan
Build sidewalks as part of a Town-wide Complete Streets
network
Plan and build a trails system
Update subdivision regulations as needed to require that new
developments provide a sidewalks and trails network that
connects to the Town and County system, including
prototypical street and trail cross-sections
Construct and maintain sidewalks and trails network that connects to
the Town and County system, in accordance with land development
regulations and prototypical street and trail cross-sections
Conservation Lands Initiate a Conservation Land Acquisition Program for the
Town of Pittsboro that includes development of acquisition
criteria; mapping of priority lands; and a dedicated funding
source for acquisition and management
Protect natural areas as required by the Town’s subdivision
regulations
Downtown Park/
Cultural Arts
Develop a Downtown Park to serve as historic Pittsboro’s
cultural center.
Development opportunities could be explored within or surrounding
the park to foster commercial synergies per Dix Park in Raleigh, NC,
Downtown Park in Cary, NC, or Bryant Park, NYC.
Total Value of the Town’s Existing & Committed (funded) Parks & Recreation System (Including
land, infrastructure, & improvements)
Existing Population
Total Value of the Developers Proposed Parks & Recreation Facilities (Including land, infrastructure, & improvements)
Projected New Population
=
RATIONAL NEXUS FOR IMPACT FEES
SHORT TERM, 1-2 YEAR ACTION PLAN
• Hire 1-2 Additional Parks and Recreation Staff
• to begin implementing this Master Plan.
• Develop a Parks and Recreation Department Strategic Plan
• to determine the most appropriate model for organization and service delivery now
and in the future
• Update the Unified Development Ordinance and Subdivision Regulations
• to incorporate the recommendations and standards from this plan
SHORT TERM, 1-2 YEAR ACTION PLAN
• Begin the Development of a 25-year, Phased Funding Plan
• based on anticipated housing starts, population projections, and new level-of-service
standards
• Hire a Consultant to Develop the Citywide Sidewalks, Bikeways, and Trails Master Plan,
• establish prioritization criteria, and design and implement top priority corridors based on
available funding
• Develop and Implement Master Plans for the Town’s Existing Parks
• including prioritization criteria, design, and construction of new restrooms and other top
priority improvements based on available funding
SHORT TERM, 1-2 YEAR ACTION PLAN
• Begin to Plan a future Recreation and Aquatics Center,
• working with partners such as the YMCA, Chatham Park, and/or other
recreation and aquatics providers
• Expand the “Area Recreation Providers” Page of the Town’s Parks and Recreation Website
• to list the recreation programs being offered by other providers
SHORT- TERM, 1-2 YEAR ACTION PLAN
• Meet with Other Recreation Program Providers • to determine their interest in meeting Pittsboro residents’ priority program
needs including adult fitness and wellness programs, water fitness
programs, kayak/ canoe/ paddleboard programs, and nature
programs/environmental educations; and hire or contract with a Town
Program Coordinator to facilitate, manage, and/or offer programs not
available through other providers
• Identify and Acquire Sites for Local Parks within the Town’s Corporate Limits, • ideally at least 5 acres in size, to provide equitable 10-minute access for all
residents
SHORT TERM, 1-2 YEAR ACTION PLANHire 1-2 Additional Parks and Recreation Staff to begin implementing this Master Plan.
Develop a Parks and Recreation Department Strategic Plan to determine the most appropriate model for organization and service delivery now and in the future
Update the Unified Development Ordinance and Subdivision Regulations to incorporate the recommendations and standards from this plan
Begin the Development of a 25-year, Phased Funding Plan based on anticipated housing starts, population projections, and new level-of-service standards
Hire a Consultant to Develop the Citywide Sidewalks, Bikeways, and Trails Master Plan, establish prioritization criteria, and design and implement top priority
corridors based on available funding
Develop and Implement Master Plans for the Town’s Existing Parks, including prioritization criteria, design, and construction of new restrooms and other top priority
improvements based on available funding
Begin to Plan a future Recreation and Aquatics Center, working with partners such as the YMCA, Chatham Park, and/or other recreation and aquatics providers
Expand the “Area Recreation Providers” Page of the Town’s Parks and Recreation Website to list the recreation programs being offered by other providers
Meet with Other Recreation Program Providers to determine their interest in meeting Pittsboro residents’ priority program needs including adult fitness and wellness
programs, water fitness programs, kayak/ canoe/ paddleboard programs, and nature programs/environmental educations; and hire or contract with a Town Program Coordinator to
facilitate, manage, and/or offer programs not available through other providers
Identify and Acquire Sites for Local Parks within the Town’s Corporate Limits, ideally at least 5 acres in size, to provide equitable 10-minute access for all residents