Chapel Hill Parks and Recreation

“Networks of natural spaces which provide corridors connecting areas such as neighborhoods, parks, and schools. These passageways typically include trails for pedestrians and non-motorized vehicles. They are a link to nature for the enjoyment of the community.”

Implementation of the plan will result in three major benefits to the community: * Non-motorized vehicle transportation. The importance of trails will increase as trails connect and as we add miles and destination nodes to the system. * Recreation and fitness. Opportunities for walking, running, and enjoying nature are enhanced. * Preservation of open space. Open space associated with the greenways program contains the majority of the Town’s open space inventory.

The Town’s current open space holdings total over 726 acres, most of which are within the greenways system. Portions of eleven greenway projects have been built to date and account for approximately 13.4 miles of recreational trails. This leaves about 14.6 miles of trail to build in the future in order to complete the trails portion of the master plan. In addition, four park trails that total approximately 4.2 miles have been built.

Addition of recently annexed areas, new schools, planned Town parks, greenway land acquisitions, and recent and planned private land developments. Addition of newly identified trail segments to the greenways program. Expansion of available funding sources including federal, state, local, and private options. Addition of long-term trail prioritization method. New maps that are based on the adopted 2004 Bicycle and Pedestrian Action Plan.

The Plan identifies $8,500,000 in projects that should be completed in the next 10 years Five of those projects may be completed with existing funds and within the next 5 years.

* Battle Branch Trail - Replace all bridges and boardwalks on Town property installed prior to * Bolin Creek Trail, Phase III - Extend the trail from Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. to Umstead Park. * Bolin Creek Trail - Build a flight of stairs from the trail to the north side of Franklin Street. * Bolin Creek Trail - Renovate the existing trail from Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. to Dickerson Court. * Bolin Creek Trail, Phase IV - Secure funding and begin planning and permitting this phase for a trail extension from Umstead Park to Carolina North. * Campus to Campus Bicycle Route - Select and build a first phase. * Fan Branch Trail, Phase III (or Morgan Creek Trail Phase II) - Complete the section from Culbreth Road to the Morgan Creek Trail. * Dry Creek Trail - Secure funding and begin the planning and permitting to pave a portion of the existing natural surface trail from Perry Creek Road to Erwin Road. * Horace Williams Trail (Carolina North) - Build a natural surface trail from Homestead Road to the Town’s Operation Center using mostly volunteer labor. Build paved trail from Homestead Road to Municipal Drive.

* Dry Creek Trail - Build a paved trail from Perry Creek Road to Erwin Road. * Morgan Creek Trail, Phase II - Secure funding and begin the planning and permitting phase for a trail extension from the western end of the Morgan Creek Trail to Smith Level Road.

* Bolin Creek Trail, Phase IV - Extend the trail to Carolina North. * Campus to Campus Bicycle Route - Complete the project. * Horace Williams Trail - Build a paved trail from Homestead Road to the Town’s Operation Center. * Morgan Creek Trail, Phase II - Extend the trail from the western end of the Morgan Creek Trail to Smith Level Road.

Potential Use of Current Funds

Greenways work best when they link neighbors and neighboring communities. The draft 2012 Plan updates information needed to work with neighboring jurisdictions including Carrboro, Orange County, Durham, and UNC.

The draft master plan identifies distinct potential and existing trail systems throughout town. The goal will be to eventually link these systems in a safe and meaningful manner. These systems are separated by significant physically barriers, usually major roads.

The draft Greenways Master Plan is a 10 year plan for improvement of the Town’s trails and open space system. The plan proposes that the Town: * Link the Town’s trails with neighboring jurisdictions. * Complete five projects in the next 5 years using funds already on hand. * Complete additional projects over the next 10 years. * Spend $8,500,000 to accomplish the entire 10 year program. * Makes adjustments to the 2006 Plan, but to maintain most of the goals outlined in that report. We recommend that you support the draft 2012 Greenways Master Plan and that you also make recommendations to the Council for any improvements or additions that you believe would improve the document.

To view the draft Greenways Master Plan and draft Parks Comprehensive Master Plan visit: → Departments and Services → Parks and Recreation → Planning & Development → Locate the desired link The full report and a copy of this PowerPoint presentation can be found at the above location.