8/23/2017
NCC Parks Task Force PresentationParks Planning in MOT/SNCC: A Preliminary Inventory & Regional ContextDave Carter, MOT Resident & Task Force Member 1
NCC Parks Planning in MOT/SNCC:A Preliminary Inventory
By Dave Carter, MOT Resident & Task Force Member
Overview
1. Regional Perspective for Parks Planning in MOT/SNCC
2. Parks and Opens Space in MOT/SNCC• NC County Parks & Land Resources• Municipal Parks and Open Space• State Protected Lands• Conservation Regions
3. Examples of Visioning Some Possibilities
4. Suggestions Based on MOT/SNCC Context
8/23/2017
NCC Parks Task Force PresentationParks Planning in MOT/SNCC: A Preliminary Inventory & Regional ContextDave Carter, MOT Resident & Task Force Member 2
MOT/SNCC Changing Demographics
• Popula on ↑ 5x since 1980• 64.2% NCC’s population growth in future
• 45% of NCC Land Area
Inventory of Publically Accessible Recreation Lands
Google Map Link: http://www.udel.edu/003991
8/23/2017
NCC Parks Task Force PresentationParks Planning in MOT/SNCC: A Preliminary Inventory & Regional ContextDave Carter, MOT Resident & Task Force Member 3
Inventory of Publically Accessible Recreation Lands
Google Map Link: http://www.udel.edu/003991
Inventory of Publically Accessible Recreation Lands
Google Map Link: http://www.udel.edu/003991
8/23/2017
NCC Parks Task Force PresentationParks Planning in MOT/SNCC: A Preliminary Inventory & Regional ContextDave Carter, MOT Resident & Task Force Member 4
NCC Townsend Park
NCC Wiggins Mill “Park”
8/23/2017
NCC Parks Task Force PresentationParks Planning in MOT/SNCC: A Preliminary Inventory & Regional ContextDave Carter, MOT Resident & Task Force Member 5
Is this plan still relevant for Wiggins Mill since facilities have been developed at Price Park & Townsend Parks?
Townsend Municipal Park
8/23/2017
NCC Parks Task Force PresentationParks Planning in MOT/SNCC: A Preliminary Inventory & Regional ContextDave Carter, MOT Resident & Task Force Member 6
Charles E. Price Park(Middletown‐Westside)
Other NC County “Parks”
South Odessa/Healthways• Trail & Parking Lot• 4.6 Acres• Remediated Brownfield
Parkside• Unimproved/Ag Field• 25.52 Acres
Back Creek• Open Field w/Park Sign• Mowed (12” Grass Height)• No Parking Lot• 9.6 Acres
8/23/2017
NCC Parks Task Force PresentationParks Planning in MOT/SNCC: A Preliminary Inventory & Regional ContextDave Carter, MOT Resident & Task Force Member 7
Silver Lake Municipal Park (Middletown)
Doc Levinson Park (Middletown)
8/23/2017
NCC Parks Task Force PresentationParks Planning in MOT/SNCC: A Preliminary Inventory & Regional ContextDave Carter, MOT Resident & Task Force Member 8
Odessa Municipal Park (Odessa)
Odessa Memorial Park (Odessa)
8/23/2017
NCC Parks Task Force PresentationParks Planning in MOT/SNCC: A Preliminary Inventory & Regional ContextDave Carter, MOT Resident & Task Force Member 9
Smyrna Municipal Park (Smyrna)
Del.Bayshore
8/23/2017
NCC Parks Task Force PresentationParks Planning in MOT/SNCC: A Preliminary Inventory & Regional ContextDave Carter, MOT Resident & Task Force Member 10
Extensive State Conservation Land
• DNERR‐Blackbird Component• Blackbird State Forest
• Augustine Wildlife Area*• Canal Wildlife Area*• Cedar Swamp Wildlife Area*• Blackbird Creek Wildlife Area*• Lums Pond State Park*
*Access Fee Required
DNERR – Blackbird Creek Reserve (DNREC)
http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/coastal/DNERR/Pages/BlackbirdCreekReserve.aspx
8/23/2017
NCC Parks Task Force PresentationParks Planning in MOT/SNCC: A Preliminary Inventory & Regional ContextDave Carter, MOT Resident & Task Force Member 11
Blackbird State Forest (DDA)
http://dda.delaware.gov/forestry/maps.shtml
• 40 Miles of Trails • 2,200 foot wheel chair accessible
nature trail.• Five Primitive Campsites• Four Picnic Sites• Open to Hunting and Catch and
Release Fishing• Forest Education Center
State Wildlife Management Areas
in NCC (DNREC/DFW)
http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/fw/hunting/pages/wildlifeareamaps.aspx
• Active Hunting Areas During Season (Sept‐March).
• Passive Uses Permitted with Access Pass (fee)
• North of C&D Canal it includes the Mike Castle Trail/Active Recreation.
• Minimal/limited trails and facilities• Potential for user conflicts during
hunting seasons (Sept. thru March)• Primarily funded through hunter
excise taxes (Pittman‐Robinson Act) and Hunting License Fees.
8/23/2017
NCC Parks Task Force PresentationParks Planning in MOT/SNCC: A Preliminary Inventory & Regional ContextDave Carter, MOT Resident & Task Force Member 12
Regional Conservation: Blackbird Millington Corridor
The Blackbird Millington Corridor is a band of open space that stretches across the Delmarva Peninsula, from the Cypress Branch and Millington area in Maryland to the Delaware Bay at the mouth of the Blackbird Creek. This area—the Blackbird‐Millington Corridor—is recognized as a regional conservation priority based on three factors:
1. There is a concentration of important ecological features and natural communities.
2. Private landowners have a history of balanced stewardship in the Corridor.
3. There is a solid foundation for conservation.
Regional Conservation: Delaware Bayshore
The Port Penn Areas conservation value is well documented. It is part of the Pea Patch Island Heronry Region with wetlands providing critical feeding grounds. It includes areas such as the Thousand Acre Marsh, Augustine Creek Marsh, and Augustine Creek Wildlife Area, and Delaware River Shoreline.
It is currently part of the gateway to the Delaware Bayshore Initiative seeking to improve conservation in the area, enhance passive recreational opportunities.
The area was zoned for Suburban development prior to the growth in SNCC municipalities. It is now outside the southern sewer district (core), and growth projections clearly indicated that SNCC has an excess of land zoned for development. The area should be targeted for conservation when cost effective opportunities arise.
8/23/2017
NCC Parks Task Force PresentationParks Planning in MOT/SNCC: A Preliminary Inventory & Regional ContextDave Carter, MOT Resident & Task Force Member 13
Opportunities for Building on the Existing Parks Foundation in SNCC
Possible Park Land Options
• Existing County “Park” Land
• Innovative repurposing of other County owned Land
• Fee simple acquisition
• Voluntary Assumption of Subdivision Open Space
• Partnerships (Municipalities, State Agencies)
• Others?
8/23/2017
NCC Parks Task Force PresentationParks Planning in MOT/SNCC: A Preliminary Inventory & Regional ContextDave Carter, MOT Resident & Task Force Member 14
Pedestrian & Bike Routes Interconnections
Example: Wiggins Mill Road is Delaware Bike Route 1 despite having no bike lanes or sidewalks. Middle town has some pedestrian ways started, but not into unincorporated areas along Wiggins Mill Road.
Possible Consideration of a NCC/Middletown Cooperative Facility Development (DSC Land)?
Extensive Land that could provide needed sports fields.
Property Owned/Controlled by Municipality.
Could consolidate Parks Resources for Regional Use.
Recreation Needs may be met with significant cost savings.
Must at least be coordinated.
8/23/2017
NCC Parks Task Force PresentationParks Planning in MOT/SNCC: A Preliminary Inventory & Regional ContextDave Carter, MOT Resident & Task Force Member 15
MOT Little League
• Significant Growth with no new fields.
• Total Sign‐ups stable for now.
• Rapid growth in 8 to 12 year old age group.
SNCC Youth Leagues extremely underserved & need facilities immediately
Possible Consideration for Future Regional Park:Marl Pit Road NC County Land
(Part of Water Farm II)
8/23/2017
NCC Parks Task Force PresentationParks Planning in MOT/SNCC: A Preliminary Inventory & Regional ContextDave Carter, MOT Resident & Task Force Member 16
Marl Pit Road NC County Land(Water Farm 2)
Parkside
Marl Pit Road NC County Land:Eastern 3 Parcels (200 Acres)
8/23/2017
NCC Parks Task Force PresentationParks Planning in MOT/SNCC: A Preliminary Inventory & Regional ContextDave Carter, MOT Resident & Task Force Member 17
Speculative/Possible Future Acquisition:Drawyers Creek Waterfront Park Area?
(Approximately 1.25 mi. Waterfront)
Suggestions Based on MOT Context• Build now on best sites currently available, and plan additional park facilities for projected growth.
• Add value to the MOT parks foundation established by the municipalities through earnest collaboration, cooperation, idea and resource sharing.
• Fine tune a parks level of service analysis to identify gaps in the network of park facilities across MOT regional landscape.
• Create a “ONE Parks Network”, that considers facilities collectively and is attentive to multimodal transportation interconnection.
• Strengthen role of NCC in regional conservation plans by considering guidance for NCC Comp Plan update & new conservation programs (Long Range Planning).
• Boldly consider the possible future park network in MOT.