Date: Wed, 13 Aug 2008 12:12:26 -0400
From: Debra Henzey
Subject: Chatham Residents Invited to Provide Input on NW Park
Chatham Residents Invited to Provide Input on Northwest Park
PITTSBORO-Chatham County’s Parks and Recreation Department invites county residents to visit its newest park property near Silk Hope, while also sharing their ideas on what the future Northwest District Park should include.
“We have scheduled a session for the public on Thursday, August 21 for residents to visit the park site, which used to be Camp Maranatha Springs,” said Tracy Burnett, director of Parks and Recreation. “The public can stop by anytime between 8 am and 7 pm to get information and to offer their perspective on how the park should be developed and what facilities are most needed.”
Burnett said that consultants from McGill Associates, who are helping with the design of the park, will have a special presentation at 7 pm. “We encourage people to stay or come back for this part of the program.”
She noted that acquiring the Camp Maranatha Springs site, which has 118 acres, was a “great investment for county residents. Because it had been developed and used for many years as a campground for young people, it has several existing facilities that we can renovate and use, including a large pond, dining hall and ballfield.”
Burnett added that “the land itself is about as well-suited for a park as you can find in our county and has already been graded in several areas,” Burnett said. “It can truly become a crown jewel of parks that will add so much to the quality of life and health of our residents.”
The day-long event is designed for people to come by whenever they can. “We will use a very interactive process to learn as much as we can from residents, especially those who live in that part of the county. While we don’t have the funds yet to start construction on the park, it is never too soon to begin the planning process,” Burnett said.
Input will be used by the design consultants in developing a draft design of the park, including what might be included in an initial phase. The input also will be used update the county’s Strategic Master Plan for Parks and Recreation. “All of this will help us understand potential costs, so that we know how much money we need to begin work on the park.”
The park is located 2413 Woody Store Road near Silk Hope about halfway between where the road begins at Silk Hope Lindley Mill Road and where it ends at White Smith Road to the east. Look for the entrance sign for Camp Maranatha Springs on the north side of Woody Store Road. Follow the long driveway past a lake on the left and follow the signs to the meeting location.
For more information on the park or the meeting, contact Parks and Recreation at 919-545-8555. To find out how to donate funds to help build county park facilities, contact Don Lien, president of the Chatham Parks Foundation, at 919-542-4790.
Debra J Henzey
Director of Community Relations
Chatham County Manager’s Office
919-542-8258
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