city of hamlet systemwide parks & recreation plan
DESCRIPTION
In spring 2012, the City began a year-long public planning process to inventory and assess current park facilities and to determine the priority needs and desires of the citizens. Through this document, the City is committed to providign opportunities for healthy living through recreation facilities and programs that meet citizen needs.TRANSCRIPT
City of HamletSystemwide parks and recreation PLan
January 8, 2013
City of Hamlet Systemwide Parks & Recreation Plan
City of Hamlet Systemwide Parks & Recreation Plan
City of Hamlet Systemwide Parks and Recreation
Plan
City Council
Jeff Smart, Mayor
Tony Clewis, Mayor Pro-Tem
Dewey Brower
Jonathan Buie
Abbie Covington
Pat Preslar
City Staff
Marchell Adams-David, City Manager
Mitchell Bowman, Director of Parks and Recreation
Jerry Lamont, Parks and Recreation
City of Hamlet Systemwide Parks & Recreation Plan
Insert City Council Resolution of Adoption
City of Hamlet Systemwide Parks & Recreation Plan
City of Hamlet Systemwide Parks & Recreation Plan
Table of Contents Section Page # City Council/City Staff
Resolution of Adoption
Introduction
Purpose
1
2
Overview of the Population 3
Registration for Parks and Recreation Programs 4
Description of Park Types 5
Inventory of Existing Parks by Facility Type 11
1. W. D. James Park 12
2. Main Street Park 14
3. Jack Breeden Neighborhood Park 16
4. Hamlet Memorial Neighborhood Park 18
5. Park Street Neighborhood Park 20
6. Boyd Lake Road Park 22
7. Fairground Community Park 24
8. Hamlet Senior Center 26
9. City Lake 28
New Potential Park Sites 30
A. Bridges Street at East Main Street 30
B. East Hamlet Avenue 32
Mission, Goals, and Strategies 34
Park Land Needs Assessment 38
Public Involvement 42
• Parks and Recreation Survey Results 42
• Booster Club/City Staff Meeting 49
• Public Meeting – November 15, 2012 50
• City Council Meeting – December 11, 2012 50
• City Council Public Hearing – January 8, 2013 52
Implementation Plan 55
Appendices 61
Appendix A Demographics 61
Appendix B Parks and Recreation Survey 69
Appendix C Funding Sources, Regulations, and Partnerships 73
City of Hamlet Systemwide Parks & Recreation Plan
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Introduction The City of Hamlet has a dream and a commitment. City leaders and citizens have dreamed of and are
committed to providing expanded recreation facilities and programs to meet the needs of all the citizens
but especially the needs of the young and the elderly. In 2011, City leaders purchased Boyd Lake Road
Park to expand the city park system and made a financial commitment to study and plan for new park
facilities. In spring 2012, the City began a year-long public planning process to inventory and assess
current park facilities and to determine the priority needs and desires of the citizens. Through this
document, the City is committed to providing opportunities for healthy living through recreation
facilities and programs that meet citizen needs.
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Purpose Why do we need a Systemwide Parks and Recreation Plan?
• To promote community wellness by creating opportunities for residents to pursue active
lifestyles and improve athletic skills
• To provide opportunities for personal growth and
socialization
• To create a sense of community and belonging
• To enhance the city’s built and natural environment
What is Parks and Recreation Planning?
Parks and recreation planning is a process by which a
community considers growth alternatives and sets goals for
the future by establishing policies and priorities to satisfy
community demand for recreation and in general improve the
quality of life of our community. The plan endeavors to
answer three basic questions:
• What are we like today?
• What do we want to be like in the future?
• What steps can we take to move in that direction?
What can our community accomplish through a Systemwide Parks and Recreation Plan?
A parks and recreation plan is a goal-setting guide. Through the planning process, our community
creates a vision for the future, sets standards for the types of parks to be provided, considers where
future parks should be located, examines how the public can best access park facilities, and decides the
types of facilities that are to be made available to the public. This Plan also includes an action plan to
help our City leaders consider and make decisions on how best to fund and budget for park facilities and
programs that meet established goals and standards.
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Overview of Population (see Appendix A for detail) In the 2010 Census, the City of Hamlet had a population of about 6,500 people. The City saw a
population growth of about 8% in the decade from 2000 to 2010, which, if continued in the future,
would result in a population of about 7,000 persons by the year 2020.
In 2010, about half (1,598) of the 3,108 households in Hamlet had both a husband and wife in the
household. Of the households with only one head of household, 469 households were headed by a
female, compared to 203 male head of the household units. The total number of women in Hamlet
outnumbered men approximately 3,500 to 3,000.
In 2010, Hamlet had approximately 1,230 children between the ages of three and eighteen with a total
of about 950 children in preschool, kindergarten and grades 1 through 8. At the other end of the age
spectrum, there were about 755 non-family households, and of these, most lived alone and about half
were composed of persons 65 years of age or older.
In 2010, household incomes in Hamlet were generally lower than those throughout North Carolina as a
whole. The Hamlet median household income (defined as the income where half the households make
less and half make more income) was $30,699. This mean household income figure is about 70% of the
$43,674 median household income for North Carolina as a whole.
Demographic Implications for Parks and Recreation Planning
These population figures indicate a community with:
• a large percentage of single heads of household,
mostly women
• a significant number of children in grade school
• a significant number of elderly people living alone
• household incomes below average for the State of
North Carolina.
All of these demographic indicators reveal the relative
importance of providing public parks and recreation facilities
and programs in the City of Hamlet.
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Registration for Parks and Recreation Programs
A good indicator of interest in parks and
recreation is the number of persons
participating in various sports programs
offered by the City. In Hamlet, registration
has held steady or increased in recent
years.
Table 1: Current Registration Parks and Recreation Programs
Sport Age Group Enrollment
Football 9 – 12 150
Cheerleading 5 – 13 140
Flag Football 6 – 8 130
Soccer 4 – 15 270
Basketball 5 – 15 220
Baseball 5 – 12 240
Source: Hamlet Parks and Recreation Department Fall 2012.
As an indication of need, the parks and recreation program currently has only one indoor basketball
facility located at Hamlet Memorial Park. This facility has one basketball court on which to schedule
practices and games for 22 teams. The present basketball facility is also undersized in seating for parents
and families and parking is limited. Attendees often must park on nearby properties which presents
some problems with parking on private property and also is a safety issue as a major, high traffic
corridor has to be crossed to access the basketball facility.
The City would like to add programs in volleyball, senior aerobics/exercise activities, indoor soccer, and
arts & crafts classes for a variety of ages but current facilities are either not suitable or are already
completed booked up with ongoing programs and activities.
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Description of Park Types The National Recreation and Park Association
(NRPA) is a national organization of recreation
professionals that exists to “advance parks,
recreation, and environmental conservation
efforts that enhance the quality of life for all
people”. The NRPA recognizes five basic types of
parks based on park size, use, and population
served.
Types of Parks:
1. Mini parks (including playlots)
2. Special Purpose Parks
3. Neighborhood Parks
4. Community Parks
5. Linear Parks/Greenways
Additional park categories, not typically provided by or funded by local governments, include regional,
state and national parks. Since there are no regional, state or national parks in the immediate vicinity of
Hamlet, these types of parks are not covered in this report. This Plan focuses on city parks that directly
address local community recreational needs.
1. Mini Parks/Playlots
Mini parks are designed for toddlers through elementary school children as a place to get exercise and
to socialize with other children. Mini parks also serve as places for parents to socialize with other
parents of young children. Playlots generally should have high visibility from surrounding streets for
public safety.
• Location and Access. Playlots should be provided in residential areas within a convenient and
safe walking/biking distance (defined as ¼ mile or a 5-minute walk) of residential areas. Where
possible, playlots should be linked to community greenways and sidewalks and should not be
interrupted by non-residential roads or other barriers.
• Facilities and Features. Play equipment should include swings, slides, sandboxes, and play
equipment. Seating areas, picnic tables and bicycle racks should be provided.
• Desirable Size. 2,500 square feet to one acre.
• Population Served. Playlots should be located in primarily residential areas within a ¼ mile
radius or a 5-minute walk.
• Acres per 1,000 Population. National Recreation and Park Association guideline for mini park is
0.25 to 0.5 acre per 1,000 population which indicates a need for 3.25 acres of mini
parks/playlots to serve Hamlet’s 2010 population of 6,500.
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2. Special Purpose Parks
Special purpose parks are generally small in size
and often are strategically located in high vehicle
traffic/ pedestrian traffic areas – often in
downtown business districts. Special purpose
parks are often closely identified with
community history/legacy. These parks do not
necessarily provide recreational opportunities
for children but rather often represent the
cultural history of a community. There are no
NRPA guidelines/standards for special purpose
parks.
3. Neighborhood Parks
Neighborhood parks are the basic unit of a community park system and often serve as the recreational
and social focus of residential neighborhoods. Neighborhood parks typically provide opportunities for
both formal and informal and both active and passive recreation activities for all ages. Neighborhood
parks should have high visibility from surrounding streets for public safety.
• Location and Access. Neighborhood
parks should be provided in residential
areas within a convenient and safe
walking/biking distance (defined as a ½
mile radius) of residential
neighborhoods. Neighborhood parks
should be linked to community
greenways and sidewalks and should not
be interrupted by non-residential roads
or other barriers.
• Facilities and Features. Neighborhood
parks provide space for more intense
recreational activities including court games, walking trails, picnicking and playgrounds. The
2012 Hamlet Parks and Recreation Citizens Survey identified children’s playgrounds and picnic
shelters as high priorities.
• Desirable Size. 5 to 15 acres
• Population Served. Residential neighborhoods within ½ mile radius.
• Acres per 1,000 Population. The NRPA guideline for Neighborhood Parks is 1 to 2 acres per 1,000
residents which indicates a need for thirteen (13) acres to accommodate Hamlet’s 2010
population of 6,500.
4. Community Parks
Community parks are the most identifiable parks in the system. Community parks meet community-
based recreation and gathering needs.
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• Location and access. Community parks
should be provided to serve two or more
neighborhoods within a ½ mile to 3-mile
radius. Arterial, collector streets and
local streets as well as community
greenways and sidewalks should serve
these park locations.
• Facilities and features. Community parks
may include areas for intense recreation,
such as a gymnasium, a multi-purpose
community center, swimming, or an area
of natural quality for outdoor recreation,
or a combination of various types of recreation. Community parks serve an entire community.
• Desirable size. 25-50 acres or more.
• Population served. Residential areas within a three-mile radius.
• Acres per 1,000 Population. The NRPA guideline is 5 to 8 acres per 1,000 residents which
translates into a need of 52 acres to serve Hamlet’s 2010 population of 6,500. Services provided
at nearby school sites should be considered when determining location and facilities for
community parks.
5. Linear Parks/Greenways
Linear parks/greenways are areas typically developed for non-motorized modes of travel such as
walking, hiking or biking, but linear parks can also
include play areas. Linear park characteristics
include walkways parallel to road infrastructure
(sidewalks/paths) and multi-purpose trails along
natural stream or drainage corridors where
pathways are usually constructed within sewer or
utility easements. Linear parks often link
community facilities or other components of
recreational system, providing safe, off-road
access to park facilities.
• Location and Access. By their nature,
linear parks/greenways are created
where stream corridors or utility easements exist. Connections to adjacent neighborhoods are
essential for linear parks to serve the function of connecting residents to park facilities.
• Facilities and Features. Linear parks often provide direct physical and visual access to natural
areas within a community. To function as intended, linear parks must connect to residential
neighborhoods and, ideally, to other parks within the system.
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City of Hamlet Systemwide Parks & Recreation Plan
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Insert Park Facilities Map
City of Hamlet Systemwide Parks & Recreation Plan
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Inventory of Existing Parks by Facility Type An inventory of existing parks by facility type was conducted in the fall of 2012. Current park locations
are shown on the Park Facilities Map (page 9). On the following pages, each existing park is located and
described in terms of facilities and use. Some park facilities are owned by the city; others are used and
maintained by the city under lease agreements with Richmond County Public Schools, and one park,
Hamlet Memorial Park, is privately-owned but designated for public park use.
Each existing park is categorized by type and a service area is shown by a shaded green circle. Mini parks
(W. D. James) serve a ¼ mile service area; neighborhood parks (Jack Breeden, Hamlet Memorial, Park
Street) serve a ½ service area, and community parks (Boyd Lake Road Park) serve a 3-mile area. Service
areas are not shown for Main Street Park, a special purpose park which serves the entire community,
the Senior Center which also serves the entire community, or for Fairgrounds Park which is currently
being used as a practice facility.
Service areas shown on the Park Facilities Map indicate that there are some residential areas of the city
that are not currently served by mini parks and neighborhood parks. These areas are identified and
addressed in the Action Plan.
Private Facilities
There are no private, for-profit recreation facilities in the City of Hamlet. The City does have two private
church supported schools – 2nd Baptist Church Day School and Hamlet Presbyterian Weekday School. 2nd
Baptist serves children age 3 through 5th grades. The school has a new gymnasium and runs its own
recreation programs but the facilities are not available to the public. Hamlet Presbyterian, which
recently celebrated its 50th anniversary, serves children age preschool through 3rd grade. The school has
a children’s playground area, but it is not open to the public.
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1. W.D. James Mini Park The W.D, James Mini Park (Map 1), located at the intersection of Oak Avenue and NC 177, is
0.75 acre in size. The park is accessible by foot to the Pinecroft neighborhood but there are no
sidewalks within the neighborhood. Most of the nearby streets are low traffic volume,
residential traffic streets which provide for some non-motorized accessibility; however, public
sidewalk connections are preferable.
Facilities:
• Playground equipment (toddler to 12 year old)
• Shelter on concrete pad
• Gravel/sand parking
Observations:
• Popular and well used park
• No water fountain or restrooms (convenience store next door)
• Some space available for enlargement/addition
• Addition of sidewalks, at least along the more heavily traveled streets, would make the
park more accessible.
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2. Main Street Park Main Street Park (Map 2) is comprised of 0.52 acres on Main Street immediately across the
street from the historic train depot (Hamlet Amtrak Station) and just on the north side of the
main railway tracks. Main Street Park is a valued asset to the city as a whole and to the
downtown business district in particular. Main Street Park hosts the city’s community Christmas
tree lighting ceremony each year
Facilities include:
• A train engine and caboose that are not currently open/accessible but that are being
refurbished and modified for accessibility in May 2013
• Large shelter
• Benches
• Off street parking for 14 vehicles
• Trail connection to South Hamlet neighborhood
Observations:
o The park is well landscaped and well maintained – a visual asset to downtown
o There is an opportunity to build on community history by adding train-themed
playground equipment
o The park could serve as a location for a community farmers’ market.
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3. Jack Breeden Neighborhood Park Jack Breeden Neighborhood Park (Map 3), located at the intersection of Lackey and Bridges
Streets, contains 4.16 acres. The park is accessible by foot to most of the South Hamlet
neighborhood including a public housing authority complex adjacent to the east side of the park.
There are limited sidewalks within the South Hamlet neighborhood to provide safe pedestrian
access to the park.
Facilities:
• Soccer/football field (lighted)
• Baseball field (lighted)
• Softball field (lighted)
• 2 Basketball courts (asphalt)
• Playground (toddler to 12 years old)
• Concessions/restrooms
• Off street parking
Observations:
• A picnic shelter would be good additions
• New gravel parking lot across Bridges Street has reduced need to park on-street.
• The new parking lot has some storm water/drainage issues that need to be addressed.
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4. Hamlet Memorial Neighborhood Park Hamlet Memorial Neighborhood Park (Map
4), located at the intersection of King
Street/NC 177 and Spring Street and
Washington Street, contains 7.93 acres. The
park is located across the street from and in
the Monroe Avenue Elementary School
neighborhood.
Facilities:
• Gymnasium with basketball court;
limited seating
• Soccer/football field
• Baseball field
• 2 concrete tennis courts
• Asphalt basketball court
• Parking:
� Lower paved parking lot off Spring
Street
� Upper gravel parking lot off Washington Street
� Overflow parking at Monroe Avenue Elementary (upper level)
� Overflow parking temporarily using old Fiesta Bravo restaurant site (lower level)
Observations:
• The City has just completed a new restroom/concessions building on the lower lever of
the park to replace an older facility that was inconveniently located. The City had been
losing concession sales to a nearby Burger King and Dollar General. Having the new
concessions on site also reduces the likelihood of pedestrians crossing high traffic
volume King Street which is difficult and dangerous to cross.
• The NCDOT has planned for several years to install sidewalks on King and Spring Streets
which will improve pedestrian safety in the area.
• There is a need to improve safety, lighting and site attractiveness, both visual and
convenience, to capture concession sales.
• Fields are not usable for two or more days after heavy rains. The fields need to be
refurbished and upgraded.
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5. Park Street Neighborhood Park The Park Street Neighborhood Park (Map 5), located at the corner of Park Street and Fairview
Avenue, contains 4.58 acres. Park Street Park is across the street from the rear of Fairview
Heights Elementary School. The City leases the park space from Richmond County Schools. Park
Street is no longer used for formal games/league play but serves as a practice facility for the
park system.
Facilities include:
o Two practice baseball fields (upper and lower level fields)
o Concessions/restrooms/press box
o Walking track on school property (accessible to the public after school hours)
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6 Boyd Lake Road Park Boyd Lake Road Park (Map 6),
located on the west side of Boyd
Lake Road (also known as
Veterans Drive) has great
potential as a community park.
The park consists of 7.49 acres
and already hosts two baseball
fields and a
restroom/concession building.
The City also owns another 10.4
acres on the east side of Boyd
Lake Road where the American
Legion Post 49 building, two
baseball fields, a volleyball court
and a portion of the City Lake
greenway trail are located. The Legion has use of the building and shares use of the parking lot.
Boyd Lake Road Park has room for new recreation facilities on land the city already owns and
there is great potential for future expansion. The City would like to acquire the National Guard
Armory site to the south and the property to the north where a mostly abandoned mobile home
park is currently located. The City has also made contact with CSX Railroad which owns
significant land west of the current park – initial discussions are going well.
A review of the National Wetlands Inventory initially indicated the presence of wetlands along
the northern property boundary of the 7.49 acres. However, on November 20, 2012, the
Wilmington office of the US Army Corps of Engineers inspected the site and determined there
were no jurisdictional wetlands on the site.
Facilities include:
• West side
o 2 lighted baseball fields
o Concession
stand/restrooms
o Sand/grass parking lot
•
• East side (American Legion)
o 2 lighted baseball fields
o Sand volleyball court
o Restrooms
o Grass parking
Observations:
o The park has great potential for growth/expansion of facilities on the west side of Boyd
Lake Road.
o Park is accessible primarily by vehicle only; however there is a greenway trail along City
Lake to the south that has potential for pedestrian access/connection across Boyd Lake
Road.
o There is more limited opportunity for expansion on the east side of Boyd Lake Road near
City Lake as much of the City-owned property shows as potential wetlands on the
National Inventory of Wetlands maps.
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7 Fairground Community Park The Fairground Community Park (Map 7), located along the north side of Hendersonville Street
between E. Main Street and E. Hamlet Avenue, contains 12.23 acres. The City owns the land and
the Hamlet Lions Club hosts the Richmond County Agricultural Fair on the site each fall. The site
is bordered on the north by Marks Creek that flows below the dam for City Lake. Almost the
entire park is located within the 100-year floodplain of Marks Creek which limits the park’s
utility. The potential for flooding reduces the amount of time the land can be utilized and
increases the cost of maintenance.
Observations:
• Potential Uses include Baseball, football, soccer, and cheerleading practice fields.
• Teams played baseball here until the 2012 season
• Most of the land is in the floodplain
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8. Hamlet Senior Center The Hamlet Senior Center (Map 8) is located at the intersection of Lakeside Drive/Boyd Lake
Road and Spring Street, immediately adjacent to City Lake. Although not budgeted within the
Hamlet Parks and Recreation Department; the Senior Center serves an important recreation
function for the community.
Programs provided include:
o Dance
o Aerobics
o Cheerleading (youth)
o Boxed games
o Wheelchair volleyball
o Bocce courts
o Benches
o Walking trail
Observation:
• Asphalt parking lot off Lakeside Drive is not sufficient
• Lower asphalt parking lot at City Lake is close but not accessible for older citizens
• An accessible connection to the greenway trail along City Lake is needed (current access
is by stairs)
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9. City Lake Greenway City Lake (Map 9), a graceful, scenic symbol of the City of Hamlet, is highly visible from US
Business 74/E. Hamlet Avenue and Spring Street – heavily traveled streets into and through the
city. The lake is approximately 40 acres in size (not including wetland areas) and serves as a back
up reservoir drinking water supply for the city.
The lake dam is located at the southern end of the lake parallel to E. Hamlet Avenue. Visitors to
the lake are served by a large asphalt parking lot accessible from E. Hamlet Avenue. The lake
hosts an historic red train caboose, park benches, a pier, and an asphalt greenway trail along the
southern and western edges of the lake. Much of the lake edges are wooded wetlands that are
undisturbed both for scenic beauty and to protect water quality.
Hamlet Senior Center is located at the southwest corner of the lake at the intersection of Spring
Street and Lakeside Drive/Boyd Lake Road.
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New Potential Park Sites The City has identified two new potential park sites of interest for future development. (Note: The City is
also interested in expanding the Boyd Lake Road Park which is not included here as a new potential site.)
A. Bridges Street at East Main Street – South Hamlet Neighborhood As part of the South Hamlet Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program in the early
2000s, the City of Hamlet acquired and demolished several vacant dilapidated buildings facing E.
Main Street at the Bridges Street intersection. Removal of these blighted buildings greatly
improved the appearance of this major gateway into downtown Hamlet.
Acquiring additional properties within the area (Map 10) would present an opportunity to create
a new mini park/special purpose park to serve the South Hamlet neighborhood. A park at this
site would also enhance the historic train depot/downtown business district. The site is wooded
and the terrain is hilly so the site is not appropriate for larger active space recreation, but could
be ideal for a mini park including a children’s playground and a picnic shelter.
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B. East Hamlet Avenue Park Site In searching for a potential site (Map 11) for a new multi-purpose gymnasium, the city identified
several parcels located on East Hamlet Avenue near City Lake. This site had the potential to
encompass up to 10 parcels of property totaling 3.38 acres in size. One parcel hosts an older
block building (an old ice plant) that would most likely need to be demolished and removed
from the site.
The properties are located on the west side of East Hamlet Avenue just north of Marks Creek as
it flows below the City Lake dam. The southern portion of the area lies within FEMA identified
100-year and 500-year floodplains of Marks Creek. Early analysis of the National Wetlands
Inventory also indicated the potential presence of wetlands along Marks Creek. In the fall of
2012, the current property owners agreed to have the properties inspected by the US Army
Corps of Engineers to determine the extent and presence of protected wetlands. The results of
the jurisdictional determination are shown on Map 11.
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Mission, Goals and Strategies A mission statement along with goals and strategies are needed to guide future parks and recreation
decision-making. Together, these statements express a unified vision for future investment and other
community efforts geared towards building a more comprehensive and responsive park system for the
citizens of Hamlet.
Mission Statement To provide a variety of recreation programs and facilities to encourage citizens to participate in and
enjoy physical activities that lead to more fulfilling, healthy lifestyles.
Goals and Strategies The following goals and strategies are intended to provide an operational framework for future
decisions related to providing recreation programs and facilities. These goals and strategies should be
reviewed on a regular basis and modified as necessary to meet changing needs and priorities.
Goal #1 The City of Hamlet will strive to provide parks and recreation facilities conveniently
located to provide opportunities for active and passive recreation, socialization and wellness.
Strategies
• Establish a comprehensive system of parks that include:
o Mini parks, including playlots
o Neighborhood Parks
o Community Parks
o Greenways/Trails
• Provide both active and passive recreation facilities and programs for all ages
• Within the park system, strive to provide those facilities identified by citizens as most desired:
o Multi-purpose gymnasium/
community recreation center
o Water park, including a
splash park with facilities for
water play, and a swimming
pool when the population
and tax base can support
such a facility
o Network of walking-jogging
paths/trails to connect parks,
children’s playgrounds and
picnic shelters to schools and
residential neighborhoods
o Children’s playgrounds and
picnic shelters that are
City of Hamlet Systemwide Parks & Recreation Plan
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conveniently located and accessible by walking/biking for the majority of residential
neighborhoods
o Senior citizen facilities and programs
o Active recreation facilities for tennis, baseball and softball, soccer, football and
basketball
Goal #2: Provide high quality parks and recreation facilities that preserve open space and
provide access to and seek to preserve cultural and historic resources.
Strategies:
• Use local history elements in new
facility design and improvements
• Maintain and update park
equipment and facilities as needed,
including playground equipment,
hard pavement surfaces, and
landscaping.
• Develop and implement
standardized park design elements
for all public parks, including
signage, lighting, benches, and waste
receptacles.
• Take greater advantage of City
Lake’s natural beauty in providing
recreational opportunities.
Goal #3: Create a community of healthy residents by providing opportunities that promote
and encourage active lifestyles
Strategies
• Increase non-motorized
transportation connections between
parks, historic sites, community
facilities and shopping districts that
allow residents to bike, walk and run
as alternatives to vehicular travel.
• Promote programming that
contributed to active lifestyles for all
ages
• Provide facilities that are
conveniently located and easily
accessible to encourage active
lifestyles
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Goal #4: Provide recreation programming and facility opportunities that meet the needs and
interests of citizens.
Residents have indicated through the 2012 Parks and
Recreation Citizens’ Survey that recreation facilities and
activities are important to their quality of life. Providing well-
balanced activity choices and conveniently located facilities
while being responsive to changing needs are essential.
Strategies
• As a priority, build a multi-purpose center that
supports a variety of organized activities including
basketball, volley ball, indoor soccer, dance classes,
aerobics, and arts and crafts classes
• Pursue opportunities and locations to create mini and
neighborhood parks within residential neighborhoods
that are currently under served
• Provide picnic shelters and bathrooms in parks, as
appropriate
• Continue to monitor the use of athletic fields and facilities to determine additional needs
• Increase the variety and amount of programs offered for senior adults and for children
Goal #5: Create a Sense of Community and Belonging.
Strategies
• Continue to encourage volunteer
efforts, such as the Hamlet Boosters
Club and other groups and individuals
who have an interest in working with
youth sports leagues
• Offer programming that is targeted to
families and households with limited
resources and support services
• Continue to celebrate the community
by participating in and sponsoring
festivals and community functions and
events, such as the annual Seaboard
Festival and the Annual “Meet Me at
The Lake” community clean-up day
• Consider requiring new residential
development to make payments in lieu of park land dedication to assist in funding the
acquisition of additional recreational space
• Within residential areas that are under served, identify potential sites and set aside funds to
purchase future park properties
City of Hamlet Systemwide Parks & Recreation Plan
Page 37
Goal #6: Use existing community resources efficiently and demonstrate fiscal responsibility.
Struggling state, national and global
economies have resulted in loss of
employment and a decrease in local tax base
and in state and federal shared revenues. It is
more essential than ever that limited local
government resources be managed and used
efficiently to provide quality parks and
recreation programs and services for
residents.
Strategies
• Explore opportunities with other local
government agencies including
Richmond County and Richmond
County Schools to jointly provide
desired services and facilities
• Maintain open dialogue with the City of Rockingham regarding opportunities to improve,
expand and share quality public recreation facilities and programs
• Recruit civic and business organization financial support and resource assistance for park
improvement and maintenance projects
Goal #7: Ensure that the parks and recreation department is staffed and equipped to provide
excellent customer service.
Strategies
• Expand web based marketing efforts to
inform residents of available programs
and events
• Monitor the need for additional
support staff
• Review the systemwide parks and
recreation plan annually as part of the
capital improvement planning process
to establish priorities, responsibilities,
and funding
City of Hamlet Systemwide Parks & Recreation Plan
Page 38
Park Land Needs Assessment These guidelines are based results of the Hamlet Parks and Recreation Citizen Survey; input from the
Hamlet Booster Club, citizens at public meetings, city staff and city council; on National Recreation and
Parks Association and North Carolina Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan standards; and
a survey of selected parks and recreation plans from other North Carolina communities.
The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) guidelines are a national standard used to
estimate minimum community needs in terms of location and access, facilities and features, desirable
size of parks, radius of population served and acres per 1,000 population. The guidelines are generally
reliable except for the guideline of acres per 1,000 population, which may not reflect a specific local
community’s needs and priorities.
The NC Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan standards were also considered in
establishing guidelines for community needs and priorities. Throughout North Carolina and within the
Hamlet community there is a growing awareness of the need to conserve and protect important natural
resources and open spaces. The City of Hamlet is also keenly aware of the need to improve recreation
resources and services as a way to improve public health and fitness. The citizens of Hamlet also
identified and agreed that parks and recreation facilities improve a community’s quality of life and
support economic growth.
As a smaller community in an area of the State not experiencing rapid growth and development, the City
of Hamlet is financially challenged to meet the recreation needs of community citizens. In recent years,
the City has faced the challenges of a slowing economy, a tighter local budget, and fewer resources to
meet citizens’ needs. However, City leaders are well aware of not only the need but also the
attractiveness of good parks and recreation programs and facilities on attracting both business and
residential growth.
In setting priorities for future recreation facilities, the results of the 2012 Hamlet community survey on
parks and recreation, analysis of City parks and recreation programming registration records/growth,
and discussions with citizens, City staff and City Council were the primary drivers in setting parkland
guidelines and in determining community needs and priorities.
Proposed Parkland Guidelines
This section compares existing Hamlet parks to proposed parkland guidelines.
Types of parks:
1. Mini Parks/Playlots
2. Special Purpose Parks
3. Neighborhood Parks
4. Community Parks
5. Linear Parks/Greenways
Facilities and programs available in regional, state or national parks are typically included in parks and
recreation plans; however, there are no regional, state or national parks in the immediate vicinity of
Hamlet. Thus, the plan focuses on parks that directly address local community needs while encouraging
opportunities to cooperate with other local governments.
City of Hamlet Systemwide Parks & Recreation Plan
Page 39
Mini Parks
The W.D. James Park, at 0.75 acre, is Hamlet’s only stand alone mini-park/playlot. However,
playgrounds/playlots are provided at larger neighborhood parks (Hamlet Memorial and Jack
Breeden) and at two elementary schools – Fairview Heights Elementary (near Park Street Park), and
Monroe Avenue Elementary (near Hamlet Memorial Park). School facilities are generally not
available to the public during school hours so there remains a need to provide either more
standalone mini parks/playlots or to add play equipment at larger neighborhood or community
parks, particularly those that are in close proximity to residential neighborhoods.
Special Purpose Parks
Special purpose parks are generally small in size and strategically located in high traffic/pedestrian
areas – often in downtown business districts. Special purpose parks are often closely identified with
community history/legacy. The City of Hamlet has one Special Purpose Park – Main Street Park,
located on S. Main just opposite the large railroad terminal/Amtrak Station which is a great source
of community pride.
Special purpose parks often provide a gathering space, focal point for community wide activities and
festivals. These parks do not necessarily provide recreational opportunities for children, but Main
Street Park would be a possible site for a railroad themed play equipment to complement the two
train cars and to attract more regular attendance by families with small children who could then
access downtown businesses located close by.
Neighborhood Parks
Neighborhood parks are the basic unit of the park system and serve as the recreational and social
focus of neighborhoods. The focus for neighborhood parks is on providing informal active and
passive recreational opportunities for all ages. Neighborhood parks should have high visibility from
surrounding streets for public safety.
Hamlet has four neighborhood parks - Jack Breeden Park (4.16 acres), Memorial Park (7.93 acres),
Park Street Park (4.58 acres), and the Fairgrounds (12.23 acres) for a total of 28.70 acres. Compared
to national standards, Hamlet actually has a surplus of 3.67 acres in neighborhood parks. These
parks are located in central and northern Hamlet indicating that future neighborhood park locations
should be considered for northwest and southwest residential areas of the city.
Community Parks
Community parks are the most identifiable
parks in the system. Community parks meet
community-based recreation and gathering
needs in larger park settings where a variety
of activities can be provided.
Hamlet has one community park - Boyd Lake
Road Park consisting of 7.49 acres on the
west side of Boyd Lake Road. The City also
owns the 10.4 acre Field of Dreams on the
east side of Boyd Lake Road. The east side is
commonly referred to as the American Legion
City of Hamlet Systemwide Parks & Recreation Plan
Page 40
site. The City also owns the Fair Grounds (12.23) but is not currently using this facility since the Boyd
Lake Road Park opened in 2011. The parks and recreation survey identified as a strong priority a
community center to include a multi-purpose gymnasium and a water park.
Linear Parks
Linear parks are areas developed for non-motorized modes of travel such as walking, hiking or biking
but linear parks can also include play areas.
Typical characteristics include walkways
parallel to road infrastructure and trails along
natural stream or drainageway corridors
where pathways are typically built along
sewer or utility easements. Linear parks link
community facilities or other components of
a recreational system.
Hamlet has one greenway located along the
dam and the western shore of City Lake. The
trail is approximately 3, 230 feet in length.
The 2012 Hamlet Parks and Recreation
Citizens Survey identified the creation of a
system of walking/jogging trails as a high priority.
City of Hamlet Systemwide Parks & Recreation Plan
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Table 2: Summary of Existing Hamlet Park Acreage Compared to NRPA guidelines
Type of Park Desirable
Size / Actual
Size
Acres per
1000
population
per NRPA
guideline
Acres
Needed to
Meet
Guideline
Current
Acres
Comparison
Mini Parks 2,500 sq ft
to 1 acre
2.5 to 5
acres
W.D. James 0.75 acre
Main Street
Special Purpose
Park
0.52 acre
Total 1.27 acres 3.5 acres 1.27 acres 2.23 acre
deficit
Neighborhood
Park
15+ acres 1-2 acres
Jack Breeden 4.16 acres
Memorial Park 7.93 acres
Park Street 4.58 acres
Fairgrounds 12.23 acres
Total 28.90 acres 13 acres 16.67 acres
(without
Fairgrounds)
3.67 acre
surplus
Community
Parks
25 - 50 acres 5-8 acres
Boyd Lake Road
Park/American
Legion
17.9 acres
Total 17.9 acres 25 - 50 acres 17.9 acres 7.1 to 32.1 acre
deficit
With only one stand-alone mini park, there is a deficit of playlots in Hamlet. There are no playlots
serving the southwest, west or northwest portions of Hamlet which host residential neighborhoods.
These appear to be the most appropriate areas to establish new mini parks/playlots. There is a
surplus of total acreage devoted to neighborhood parks, although no single neighborhood park is of
the size recommended by NRPA guidelines. There is a deficit of acreage devoted to community
parks with Boyd Lake Road Park/American Legion the only park with sufficient acreage to be
considered a community park.
City of Hamlet Systemwide Parks & Recreation Plan
Page 42
Public Involvement
Early in the planning process, the City set a goal of providing multiple opportunities for public
involvement in planning for future parks and recreation programs and facilities. The plan was to
conduct a written citizen survey to gage public interest and involvement in current programs
and the need/desire for additional programs and facilities. The second step was to share the
results of the survey and to garner input from the Hamlet Booster Club consisting of citizens,
parents, and volunteer coaches who had a particular and involved interest in parks and
recreation programs and facilities. Once this initial input was received, the planning process
became more focused on setting priorities for new recreation programs and facilities to meet
identified citizen needs and desires and on providing opportunities for the public to review and
comment on the draft plan and priorities for new programs and facilities.
Parks and Recreation Survey Distribution and Results – June/July 2012 (Note: Total respondents reported for each category are based on actual responses; not all
survey respondents answered all questions.)
In June 2012, the Hamlet Parks and Recreation Department distributed a parks and recreation
survey (see Appendix B) to citizens. Surveys were distributed through the parks and recreation
department, the senior citizens center, the city utilities department and the city administration
office. Approximately three hundred surveys were distributed. Fifty-nine (59) surveys
representing 165 persons (2.5% of the total city population) were returned.
The first section of the survey asked what current facilities families of respondents used and
how likely the respondents would be to use other facilities if they were provided. Respondents
were asked to check one answer for each listed facility.
There were seventeen (17) facilities listed on the survey with space provided for respondents to
write in other facilities they would like to have provided. Please note that not all respondents
indicated their current or potential use for each facility, so for most facilities, the total responses
are less than the total number of surveys submitted.
It is believed that a good indication of demand is from
families that indicated they currently use or would use
facilities if available (see Potential Strong Demand column
in Table B-1 below). Facilities that ranked the highest
included:
1) Jogging paths,
2) A multi-purpose community center,
3) A gymnasium,
4) Picnic shelters,
5) A water park,
6) Children’s playground and
7) Open areas for informal play.
These facilities continue to have the greatest potential demand when the respondents who
responded that they “might use the facilities if they were provided” are included.
City of Hamlet Systemwide Parks & Recreation Plan
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Table 3: Results of Citizen Survey on Current and Potential use of Facilities
Facility Type
I or a family
member
currently
use
I or a family
member
would use if
available
Potential
strong
demand (first
two columns)
I or a family
member
might use if
available
I or a family
member would
not use even if
available
1. Tennis Court 14 9 23 7 9
2. Volleyball Court 6 17 23 13 9
3. Softball Field 3 10 13 16 11
4. Baseball Field 15 14 29 11 10
5. Batting Cage 8 15 23 17 8
6. Soccer Field 13 7 20 11 6
7. Football Field 10 8 18 10 11
8. Outdoor
Basketball Ct.
6 17 23 11 9
9. Children’s
Playground
17 15 32 7 5
10. Multi-Purpose
Community
Center
7 29 36 11 3
11. Water Park
(swimming pool,
water play)
3 32 35 10 6
12. Gymnasium 12 24 36 8 3
13.
Walking-Jogging
Path/Trail
20 20 40 9 5
14. Bike Trails 7 16 23 13 5
15. Picnic Shelters 14 22 36 9 5
16. Open Area for
Informal Play
11 21 40 17 2
17. Restroom
Facilities
17 25 23 7 2
Write in Facilities
18. Bocce Courts 1 4 5
19. Shuffleboard
Courts
1 3 4
20. Horseshoe Courts 3 3
21. Racquet Ball
Courts
22. Badminton
23. Croquet 1 1
24. Handicapped
Facilities
25. Senior Games 2 2
26. Amphitheater
Source: 2012 Citizen Survey.
City of Hamlet Systemwide Parks & Recreation Plan
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The facilities that more respondents indicated they would “not use even if they were made
available” included football, baseball and softball fields, outdoor basketball, and tennis and
volleyball courts. One note - restroom facilities also had a high potential for use, but they are
not a facility in themselves, but rather an amenity at a facility. Therefore, restroom facilities are
not included in the list above.
Ranking Survey respondents were also asked to rank (Table 4) the five facilities that they want or would
use the most. Three sets of figures are provided in the columns in the table. The first, number of
times ranked, is an indication of how many of the respondents felt that that facility was one of
their top five choices or how popular they were in general.
The second set indicates the average ranking, adding the rankings then dividing them by the
number of times they were ranked. This is an
indication of the priority that the respondents who
chose those facilities placed upon them.
There are cases where the facilities were highly ranked,
but only by a few respondents. For example, volleyball
courts received the highest average ranking of 2.0;
however, only four respondents ranked volleyball
among the top five. Conversely, picnic shelters
received an average ranking of 3.7, but were ranked in
the top five by 22 respondents. This could be because
picnic shelters are typically an amenity in a park, not
necessarily a main component of a park, and the
respondents may have felt the need for the other
facilities outweighed the need for picnic shelters.
The facilities that were ranked by more than 15 respondents include children’s playground,
multi-purpose community center, water park, gymnasium, walking-jogging path/trails and picnic
shelters. All of these facilities had an average ranking of 2.5 or higher, except for picnic shelters,
which were ranked at 3.7.
The third column provides a score for each facility, awarding five points for each first priority,
four points for each second priority, three points for each third priority, two points for each
fourth priority and one point for each fifth priority. This is a good indication of the popularity
and the priority of each facility among the respondents. The highest score were as follows:
101 for a multi-purpose community center
86 for a water park
84 for walking-jogging path/trails
60 for a gymnasium
59 for children’s playgrounds
56 for picnic shelters
These facilities are shown in bold letters in Table 4.
City of Hamlet Systemwide Parks & Recreation Plan
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Table 4: Rankings and Score for Each Type of Facility.
Item
No. Rankings and scoring of Facility Type
Number of
times
ranked
Average
ranking
(rankings/
number of
times
ranked)
Score (5
points for
every #1
ranking, etc.
1. Tennis Court 7 2.3 26
2. Volleyball Court 4 2.0 16
3. Softball Field 7 2.1 20
4. Baseball Field 11 2.7 45
5. Batting Cage 9 2.4 32
6. Soccer Field 10 3.0 30
7. Football Field 7 3.3 19
8. Outdoor Basketball Court 5 3.4 13
9. Children’s Playground 16 2.3 59
10. Multi-Purpose Community Center 28 2.2 101
11. Water Park (swimming pool, water play) 24 2.4 86
12. Gymnasium 16 2.5 60
13. Walking-Jogging Path/Trail 24 2.5 84
14. Bike Trails 12 3.2 32
15. Picnic Shelters 22 3.7 56
16. Open Area for Informal Play 12 3.5 29
17. Restroom Facilities 14 3.8 31
18. Bocce Courts 3 2.3 11
19. Shuffleboard Courts 2 3.5 5
20. Horseshoe Courts 3 4.0 6
21. Racquet Ball Courts 1 4.0 2
22. Badminton 1 5.0 1
23. Croquet 0
24. Handicapped Facilities 0
25. Senior Games 0
26. Amphitheater 0
Source: 2012 Citizen Survey.
Park Use and the Environment
Respondents were asked to indicate to what extent they agree or disagree with statements
regarding user fees, priorities, location and access to facilities, the importance of parks to our
community, the role new residential development should play in providing land or funds for
parks, and publicity for parks. For simplicity, those that agree and strongly agreed are totaled
together, as are those who disagreed and strongly disagreed.
1. 95% of respondents agreed that park user fees should be kept to a minimum to serve all
members of the community (56 agreed, three disagreed).
City of Hamlet Systemwide Parks & Recreation Plan
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2. 81% of respondents agreed that a priority should be placed on senior facilities and
programs, although eight respondents disagreed. (48 agreed, 8 disagreed and three
responded don’t care).
3. 76% of respondents agreed that priority
should be placed on youth facilities and
programs, although seven respondents
did not care. (45 agreed, two disagreed
and seven responded don’t care).
4. 58% of respondents agreed that open
space preservation should be a top
priority in park planning, but almost one-
quarter of the respondents did not care
about open space preservation. (34
agreed, five disagreed and 14 responded
don’t care).
5. 75% of respondents agreed that easy
access by pedestrians and those without
cars should be a high priority, although
seven respondents did not care. (44
agreed, six disagreed and seven responded don’t care).
6. 98% of respondents agreed that quality parks and recreation programs and facilities are
important to the quality of life in our community. (58 agreed, 2o disagreed).
7. 86% of respondents agreed that quality parks and recreation programs and facilities are
helpful in attracting new business and industry investment to our community. (51
agreed, two disagreed and one responded don’t care).
8. 68% of respondents agreed that recreational facilities should be located as conveniently
as possible to residential neighborhoods. (40 agreed, three disagreed and four
responded don’t care).
9. 88% of respondents agreed that quality parks and recreation programs reduce crime
and can help bring a community together. (52 agreed, two disagreed and five responded
don’t care).
10. 68% of respondents agreed that new residential development should provide land or
funds to help meet community recreational needs. It should be noted that the number
that strongly agreed, 16, was less than those who merely agreed, 24. (40 agreed, six
disagreed and seven responded don’t care).
11. 88% of respondents agreed that there needs to be better publicity about what programs
and activities are available. (52 agreed, three disagreed and three responded don’t
care).
City of Hamlet Systemwide Parks & Recreation Plan
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Table 5: Park Use and the Environment Responses
No. Statement
Strongly
Agree Agree
Don’t
Care Disagree
Strongly
Disagree
1. Park user fees should be kept to a
minimum to serve all members of the
community.
46 10 0 2 1
2. Priority should be placed on senior
facilities and programs. 28 20 3 7 1
3. Priority should be placed on youth
facilities and programs. 29 16 7 0 2
4. Open space preservation should be a
top priority in park planning. 15 19 14 3 2
5. Easy access by pedestrians and those
without cars should be a high priority. 24 20 7 3 3
6. Quality parks and recreation programs
and facilities are important to the
quality of life in our community.
43 14 0 1 1
7. Quality parks and recreation programs
and facilities are helpful in attracting
new business and industry investment
to our community.
33 18 1 0 2
8. Recreational facilities should be
located as conveniently as possible to
residential neighborhoods.
28 12 4 2 1
9. Quality parks and recreation programs
reduce crime and can help bring a
community together.
26 26 5 1 1
10. New residential development should
provide land or funds to help meet
community recreational needs.
16 24 7 3 3
11. There needs to be better publicity
about what programs and activities are
available.
31 21 3 2 1
Source: 2012 Citizen Survey.
Several citizens wrote in comments in the space provided on the survey. Comments included:
1. Youth sports should be the focus
2. Adult tennis not a priority
3. Pool for my kids to swim
4. The City does a good job of public notification
5. Need more facilities for people with handicaps
6. P&R should be responsible for local Senior Games program (4 respondents)
City of Hamlet Systemwide Parks & Recreation Plan
Page 48
Survey Respondents There was almost an even split between the number of people who lived within and outside city
limits. (City recreation programs are open to non-residents.) There was also an even split in the
number of male (30) and female (29) respondents – very close to the 2010 Census report of
46.9% male and 53.1% female population.
The racial diversity of respondents also closely reflected the 2010 Census which reported 55.2%
white and 36.6% black persons. However, a larger percentage of survey respondents were of
Hispanic origin – 13.7% - compared to Census data of 6.2%. The percent of responding
households reporting a member of the household disabled – 23.5% - very closely tracked the
American Community Survey 2009-2011 data on disabled population for Richmond County –
22.3% (disability data is available only at the county level).
Table 6: Summary of Personal Information for Survey Respondents
Category Number Percent
Live inside city limits 29 55%
Live outside city limits 24 45%
Male 30 51%
Female 29 49%
Disabled Person in Household 12 23.5%
No Disabled Person in Household 39 76.5%
African-American 18 35.3%
Hispanic 7 13.7%
White 22 43.1%
Other 4 7.8%
Average Number of Persons in Household 2.8
Table 7: Age of Respondents in All Households
Age of all members in households Number Percent
4 yrs old or younger 9 5.9%
5 - 8 yrs old 12 7.8%
9 - 12 yrs old 12 7.8%
13 - 15 yrs old 13 8.5%
16 - 18 yrs old 7 4.6%
19 - 30 yrs old 14 9.2%
31 - 40 yrs old 17 11.1%
41 - 50 yrs old 19 12.4%
51 - 60 yrs old 14 9.2%
61 - 70 yrs old 24 15.7%
71 yrs old or older 12 7.8%
Total 153 100%
City of Hamlet Systemwide Parks & Recreation Plan
Page 49
Booster Club/City Staff Meeting – July 26, 2012
The Booster Club and City staff met on Thursday, July 26th to receive and review the findings of
the citizen survey and to review the inventory and analysis of current park facilities. Based on
feedback from that meeting, the current inventory was expanded and corrected and two areas
in the west and southwest portion of the city were identified as potential search sites for future
mini/neighborhood parks.
The group also identified three
potential park sites to be considered
for future park development – a site
at the corner of East Main Street and
Bridges Street, a site on East Hamlet
Avenue near the Senior Citizens
Center, and the existing Boyd Lake
Road Park. It was determined that
the East Main/Bridges Street site was
more suitable for a mini park with
passive, less intense activities due to
topography and the wooded nature
of the site. The City currently owns a
portion of the area but additional land would need to be acquired to accommodate a future
park.
The second potential site on East Hamlet Avenue consists of ten separate privately owned
properties totally approximately 3.38 acres. The site is limited in size but well located and very
visible from East Hamlet Avenue/Business US 74 and Spring Street. It was suspected; however,
that the site hosted substantial wetland areas based on a review of the National Wetlands
Inventory and the site’s proximity to Marks Creek which forms the southern boundary of the
site. It was decided to request the US Army Corps of Engineers conduct a wetland jurisdictional
determination on the site to confirm the presence and extent of wetlands.
The third site, Boyd Lake Road Park, consisting of approximately 7.49 acres on the west side of
Boyd Lake Road, is owned by the City and currently hosts two ball fields and a restroom/
concession facility. The complex includes another 10.4 acres on the east side of Boyd Lake Road
but that side of the road has less potential for future expansion due to wetlands and proximity
to City Lake. The initial analysis of the Boyd Lake Road property indicated possible presence of
wetlands based on a review of the National Wetlands Inventory maps so it was decided to
request the US Army Corps of Engineers also conduct a wetland jurisdictional determination on
this site to confirm the presence and extent of wetlands.
City of Hamlet Systemwide Parks & Recreation Plan
Page 50
Public Meeting – November 15, 2012
On November 8, 2012 the City
published a meeting notice
informing citizens of a public
meeting at City Hall at 6:00 pm
on November 15, 2012 to discuss
parks and recreation master
planning. The meeting was
attended by nine persons. The
meeting agenda included a power
point presentation on and
discussion of the inventory and
analysis of existing parks and the
results of the citizen survey.
There was a general discussion of
the identified needs/desires of the citizens and general consensus to move forward with plans
for a new multi-purpose recreation center.
The group reviewed a map showing the location of current park facilities and potential park
sites. The attendees also reviewed a preliminary floor plan for a multi-purpose recreation center
including a gymnasium, catering kitchen, several meeting rooms, office space, lobby, and
restroom facilities. The general consensus was to move forward with placing the preliminary
building footprint on the Boyd Lake Road Park site to ensure adequate space for the building
and required parking.
City Council Meeting – December 11, 2012
At the regularly scheduled monthly city council meeting held on December 11, 2012, the City
Council reviewed the systemwide parks and recreation
master plan and the Boyd Lake Road Park Master Plan.
At the meeting the Council reviewed population
demographics, recreation program registrations, and
the inventory and analysis of existing parks.
The Council was informed that the US Army Corps of
Engineers had determined there were no wetlands on
the Boyd Lake Road Park property. The Council
reviewed the building floor plan for an approximate
10,560 square foot building and the site plan showing
the location of the building, the required parking for
125 cars, and a preliminary alignment for an
approximate 2,200 LF walking/jogging trail.
The building floor plan included a high school regulation size basketball court with bleacher
seating for 300 persons, vestibule, restrooms, storage, catering kitchen and 3 activity rooms.
The estimated construction was $1.9 million.
City of Hamlet Systemwide Parks & Recreation Plan
Page 51
There was discussion of connecting the new trail with an existing walking trail on the east side of
Boyd Lake Road along City Lake. A potential marked crosswalk across Boyd Lake Road would
need to be explored with NCDOT.
There was also a general discussion about acquiring additional property over time including the
National Guard Armory, some of the CSX Railroad land to the west of the park, and possibly the
older mobile home park situated to the north.
Other potential future recreation improvements discussed included the possibility of a public
swimming pool. Since a city of 8,000 persons is small to sustain operations and maintenance of a
public pool, the Council discussed the possibility of a future water splash park as an amenity that
could generate operating revenue.
There was a question about
plans for the existing Memorial
Park. Mitch Bowman, Parks &
Recreation Director, indicated
that the existing gym at that
park would remain and be
used for practices. The Council
also discussed the need for
future mini or neighborhood
parks in the northwest and
southwest residential areas of
the city.
The Council agreed to hold a
public hearing at the January 8,
2013 meeting to discuss the
systemwide parks and
recreation plan and the master plan for Boyd Lake Road Park.
City of Hamlet Systemwide Parks & Recreation Plan
Page 52
City Council Public Hearing – January 8, 2013
The City Council advertised and held a public hearing on the Systemwide Parks and Recreation
Plan and the Boyd Lake Road Park Master Plan at the regularly scheduled council meeting on
January 8, 2013.
The City Council discussed the updated Systemwide Parks and Recreation Plan. The plan was
expanded to more fully describe the public’s involvement in the planning process by adding
descriptions of all previous meetings. A description of the January 8th meeting will also be
added. The Council also reviewed a fold-out map that shows the need for future neighborhood
parks in two residential areas of the city.
The Council had two actions to consider: 1) a resolution adopting the Systemwide Parks and
Recreation Plan and 2) a resolution adopting the Boyd Lake Master Plan and authorizing the city
manager to apply for a Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF) grant for improvements to the
park.
For the Boyd Lake Road Park, the council considered the costs for constructing a 10,560 square
foot multi-purpose recreation center/gymnasium, 2,200 linear foot paved walking trail, and
asphalt/gravel parking for 125 vehicles. The Council also considered the cost of an expanded +/-
13,000 square foot center which could host two half courts in addition to the full regulation size
court.
Mayor Smart advised Council they had two actions to consider, the Systemwide Parks and
Recreation Plan and the Boyd Lake Master Plan. The mayor opened the floor for the public
hearing. No one approached to comment and the public hearing was closed.
Councilman Preslar noted that the City does not have to purchase land for the project.
Councilwoman Covington made the motion to adopt the Systemwide Plan as presented. Mayor
Pro Tem Clewis gave the second and the motion was approved unanimously.
City of Hamlet Systemwide Parks & Recreation Plan
Page 53
Mayor Smart continued with the Boyd Lake Master Plan saying it identifies a new recreation
center/gymnasium and parking that will go hand in hand with existing ball fields that will share
parking. He also advised another entity may donate additional land to expand Boyd Lake Park in
the future.
There was a motion to approve the Boyd Lake Road Park Master Plan including the larger
building, the paved trail, paved drive and gravel parking. The motion was approved
unanimously.
City of Hamlet Systemwide Parks & Recreation Plan
Page 54
City of Hamlet Systemwide Parks & Recreation Plan
Page 55
Implementation Plan
The Hamlet City Council annually reviews town goals and initiatives as part of the capital
improvement planning process. This process provides an opportunity to examine progress and
to re-focus on strategic decision-making and direction for future capital expenditures.
In 2011, the Council made the decision to examine current parks and recreation programs and
facilities to determine what services were needed and what facilities were required to provide a
more comprehensive parks and recreation program. The goal of the systemwide parks and
recreation program was to inventory and analyze existing facilities, poll citizens on use of
programs and facilities, and to determine what facilities and programs were needed to meet
citizen needs.
In order to effectively support the
goals and policies of the Systemwide
Parks and Recreation Plan, it is
necessary to identify facility needs,
priorities for funding, and potential
sources of funding in addition to
general funds.
Funding Sources Potential funding sources include NC
Parks and Recreation Trust Fund
(PARTF) grants and the Land and
Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) – a
program that was established by
Congress almost 50 years ago but which has been under funded or unfunded in recent years.
Appendix C includes more detailed information about various funding sources.
A potential partner source is the NC Ecosystem Enhancement Program which seeks to protect
sensitive ecological lands through restoration or mitigation which retains these natural areas for
passive enjoyment. Partnerships among local government agencies – municipalities, counties,
and public school systems – provide avenues for co-use and co-funding of recreational programs
and facilities. Local governments can also use land use regulations to require future residential
development to set aside land for recreation or to pay a fee in lieu that can be used to purchase
and develop recreational facilities.
Future Recreational Needs For planning purposes, future recreational needs are divided by priority into three date ranges –
Short Term Actions (1 to 5 years); Mid Term Actions (6 to 10 years); and Long Term Actions (11
to 15 years). Ongoing needs that do not require specific capital outlay are also considered and
listed in Ongoing Needs.
City of Hamlet Systemwide Parks & Recreation Plan
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Short-Term Actions (1 to 5 Years)
• Boyd Lake Road Park
o Seek immediate PARTF funding assistance to construct a multi-purpose
recreation center/gymnasium with associated parking, and walking/jogging
track minimum ¼ mile in length
o Consider future addition of picnic shelters/grills and practice fields for other
sports
• Main Street Special Purpose Park
o Add a train themed children’s playground
o Consider creating a Farmer’s Market at this location
• Hamlet Memorial Neighborhood Park
o Replace
concession/restrooms with
new facility on the lower level
to help capture concession
sales
• Connect with community partners
o Begin dialog with Richmond
County about opportunities
to improve the quality and
expand the supply of public
recreation programs
o Start a dialog with Richmond
County Schools to share in
the construction and use of
Richmond County school
recreational facilities
o Reach out to community organizations and businesses that can support and
help staff parks and recreation facilities and programs
• Consider city staffing needs as recreation programs grow and facilities to operate and
maintain expand
Mid-Term Actions (6 to 10 Years)
• Identify sites for future mini/neighborhood parks to serve northwest and southwest
residential areas (see Park Facilities Map page 59)
o Begin process of identifying/acquiring sites for future development
o Seek land donations and financial support from citizens and businesses to support
development of sites
• Identify site for future water park
o Identify/acquire land sufficient for future expansion into full water park
City of Hamlet Systemwide Parks & Recreation Plan
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o As first phase, build splash park that will generate operating revenue
o Seek funding assistance through PARTF or other grant programs
• Jack Breeden Neighborhood Park
o Pave parking lot/correct drainage issues
• Hamlet Memorial Neighborhood Park:
o Improve safety, lighting and attractiveness, both visual and convenience, to capture
concession sales.
o Refurbish the fields, including adequate drainage to ensure that fields are usable
more quickly after rain storms
• Hamlet Senior Center
o Expand parking lot to accommodate
demand
• Acquire additional land for park on Bridges
Street at East Main Street and/or on East
Hamlet Avenue
• Park Design
o Develop and implement a standardized
park design including signage, lighting,
benches, picnic tables and waste
receptacles
• Develop a master plan for greenways/trails
o Consider use of public street sidewalks as part of the system
o Prioritize locations to improve connectivity between residential neighborhoods and
parks, both existing and planned
Long-Term Actions (11 to 15 Years)
• W.D. James Park
o Consider possible upgrade/expansion of park through purchase of adjoining land
• Develop mini/neighborhood parks to serve northwest and southwest residential areas
o Seek land donations and financial support from citizens and businesses to support
construction
• Fairgrounds Park
o Consider use of fairgrounds for less structured play - pick up baseball, volleyball, etc.
where older youth can play in a large open area
o Consider establishing practice fields - baseball (2), football, soccer, cheerleading
o Consider hosting other activities in addition to Richmond County Agricultural Fair
City of Hamlet Systemwide Parks & Recreation Plan
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• Consider reinstating the Coltrane Jazz Festival
o Designate/recognize John Coltrane birthplace
o Build on potential within the area to co-share or co-locate park facilities with
McLaurin Industries which provides training/services/employment for
developmentally disabled adults
• Seek funding assistance for development of a water park to include swimming pool
o Consider the cost of construction and long term operation and maintenance as
critical factors in providing such a major recreation facility
• Development regulations
o Amend development regulations to require that new residential development
provide recreation open space or make a payment in lieu to help support city parks
and recreation facilities
Ongoing Needs
• Improve pedestrian
connections
o Inventory and
repair sidewalks
and construct
missing links to
provide safe
pedestrian access
to priority locations
o Prioritize
sites/locations for
sidewalk
improvements
concentrating on
improving access
from downtown
business district and residential neighborhoods to public parks
City of Hamlet Systemwide Parks & Recreation Plan
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Insert 2nd Park Facilities Map with brown search rings
City of Hamlet Systemwide Parks & Recreation Plan
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City of Hamlet Systemwide Parks & Recreation Plan
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Appendix A: Demographics Population As of the 2010 Census, the US Census now only collects information pertaining to the number of
people and houses and the American Community Survey collects information pertaining to how
people live. The American Community Survey does not use exact counts as the Census does; but
rather uses survey samples over a period of time. There are three data sets available through
the American Community Survey – 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year data sets. The availability of data
sets is based on a community’s total population. The most current data set for Hamlet is the
2006-2010 5-Year Estimates.
As of the 2010 Census, the City of Hamlet had a population of 6,495. The population had
decreased between 1990 and 2000 from 6,196 to 6,018 but increased almost 8% between 2000
and 2010.
In the 2010 Census, females outnumbered males by 3,498 (54%) to 2,997 (46%). Compared to
the State of North Carolina, Hamlet had an overall younger population as a whole, with a
median age of 37 years compared to the statewide median of 42 years.
Households According to the 5-Year Estimate produced by the American Community Survey (ACS), there
were 3,108 households in Hamlet in 2010. Of these, 1,598 (51%) households were classified as
families, and of family households, over half, 926, consisted of married couples. Of the
remaining households, 203 were headed by a male head of household and 469 were female
head of household. Of the 3,108 households, 1,528 (49%) had children in the household.
Family Households
Town of Hamlet 2010 ACS 5-Year Estimate
1,598
926
203
469
672
Family households
Married couple
Male householder
Female householder
Source: American Community Survey 2010 5-Year Estimate.
City of Hamlet Systemwide Parks & Recreation Plan
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There were 755 households that were not classified as families. 98% of these households (741)
were single person households and almost half of the single person households (45.8%) were
age 65 or older.
Nonfamily Households
Town of Hamlet 2010 ACS 5-Year Estimate
98%
46%
Householder living alone
65 years and older
Source: American Community Survey 2010 5-Year Estimate.
Planning Implications
Demographic statistics indicate a need for recreational facilities to serve households with
children under the age of 18. A large number of single parent households indicate a need for
affordable after school care programs and for convenient locations that are within safe
walking distance of low and moderate income residential neighborhoods.
A high number of older single person households may indicate a special need to serve an
aging population that may be isolated by lack of transportation or inability to drive. Older
single adults also need opportunities for social interaction.
School Enrollment
The 2010 ACS provides information on the number of children three years old and older who are
enrolled in nursery, preschool, kindergarten, grades 1-8, high school and college or graduate
school. Approximately 13% of these children are in nursery, preschool or kindergarten. 43.6% of
children were in elementary or middle school, 16.4% were in high school and 26.8% were in
college or graduate school.
Planning Implications
These statistics indicate a need for tot lots and playgrounds for children under grade 8, plus
a need for athletic facilities for middle school, high school and college students.
City of Hamlet Systemwide Parks & Recreation Plan
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Source: American Community Survey 2010 5-Year Estimate.
Language Spoken at Home
97% of Hamlet households speak English only at home. Less than 3% of total households do not
speak English at home, and of these, about 59% speak English less than “very well”.
Language spoken at home Households
English spoken less
than "Very Well"
English only 5,765
Language other than English 162 95
Spanish 114 70
Other Indo-European 25 25
Asian and Pacific Islander 23 0
Total, over 5 years old 5,927 95
Source: American Community Survey 2010 5-Year Estimate.
Planning Implications
There is a limited need for bilingual services in the form of interpreters for parents and
English as a second language for school age children.
School Enrollment
Town of Hamlet 2010 ACS 5-Year Estimate
5.40% 7.70%
43.60%16.40%
26.80%Nursery and preschool
Kindergarten
Grades 1-8
High School
College or graduate school
City of Hamlet Systemwide Parks & Recreation Plan
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Housing Occupancy
In 2010, the housing vacancy rate for Hamlet was 15.7%. The vacancy rate for rental units (6.5%)
was almost three times the vacancy rate of owner-occupied units (2.5%).
Housing Occupancy
Town of Hamlet 2010 ACS 5-Year Estimate
84.30%
15.70%
Occupied housing units
Vacant housing units
Source: American Community Survey 2010 5-Year Estimate.
Housing Types
Of the total housing units in Hamlet in 2010, 73.6% were single family detached houses, 5.5%
were attached single family or duplex units, 12% were multi-family and about 8.5% were mobile
homes.
City of Hamlet Systemwide Parks & Recreation Plan
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Units in Structure
Town of Hamlet 2010 ACS 5-Year Estimate
73.60%
0.40%
5.50%
12.00%
8.50%
Detached single family
Attached single family
Duplexes
Multi-family
Mobile homes
Source: American Community Survey 2010 5-Year Estimate.
Planning Implications
A high percentage of single-family homes would indicate a high percentage of families may
have private yards of sufficient size for recreational activities for younger children. As
children get older; however, they would need opportunities for interaction with other
children and organized sports. There may be a greater need to locate public recreational
facilities in areas with high concentrations of multi-family housing, especially where no on-
site facilities are provided by the owner/landlord.
City of Hamlet Systemwide Parks & Recreation Plan
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Age of Housing
About 77% of the housing in Hamlet was built before 1980. The greatest decade of housing
construction occurred between 1970 and 1980 when 26.5% of housing units were built. The last
three decades (1980 – 2010) saw more moderate growth in housing, resulting in construction of
approximately 23% of the housing units in Hamlet.
Year Structure Built
-
100.00
200.00
300.00
400.00
500.00
600.00
700.00
800.00
Nu
mb
er
of
Un
its B
uil
t
Number
Number 194.00 229.00 214.00 738.00 380.00 573.00 213.00 249.00
2000-
2010
1990-
1999
1980-
1989
1970-
1979
1960-
1969
1950-
1959
1940-
1949
1939 or
earlier
Source: US Census.
Planning Implications
Over half the housing stock in Hamlet is 32 years old or older. Older homes and
neighborhoods are typically occupied by the elderly and low and moderate income families
who may not have the funds needed to maintain their homes and yards. These households
could depend more heavily on the city to provide for family needs. The relatively high
percentage of vacant housing may also indicate poor housing conditions.
City of Hamlet Systemwide Parks & Recreation Plan
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Housing Tenure
About 62.2% of the occupied housing units in Hamlet are owner-occupied with the remaining
37.8% renter-occupied. Average household size for owner-occupied units in 2010 was 2.49
persons per household. Renter-occupied units had a larger average household size of 2.92
persons per household.
Housing Tenure Number Percent
Owner-occupied 1,463 62.2%
Renter-occupied 890 37.8%
Total 2,353 100%
Source: American Community Survey 2010 5-Year Estimate.
Household Type Household Size
Average Household Size – Owner-Occupied 2.49
Average Household Size – Renter-Occupied 2.92
Source: American Community Survey 2010 5-Year Estimate.
Planning Implications
A high percentage of renter-occupied households may indicate a higher reliance on the city
to provide recreational opportunities than in communities with a lower percentage of
renter-occupied housing. Renter-occupied units also have larger average household sizes
possibly indicating higher number of children per household.
City of Hamlet Systemwide Parks & Recreation Plan
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Household Income
In the 2010 Census, over 19.3% of households in Hamlet earned less than $10,000 per year.
Another 22.1% made less than $25,000 a year. About 27.6% of households earned between
$25,000 and $50,000 a year and the remaining 31.0% earned more than $50,000 a year. The
median household income for Hamlet was $30,699 – about 70% of the $43,674 median
household income for North Carolina as a whole.
0.0%
2.0%
4.0%
6.0%
8.0%
10.0%
12.0%
14.0%
16.0%
18.0%
20.0%
Household Income
Percent
Percent 19.3% 6.9% 15.2% 16.3% 11.3% 16.1% 5.9% 7.1% 1.3% 0.6%
Less
than
$1000
10k to
14999
15k to
24999
25k to
34999
35k to
49999
50k to
74999
75k to
99999
100k
to
14999
150k
to
19999
200k
or
more
Source: 2010 Census.
Planning Implications
The combination of a high percentage of renter-occupied units plus modest incomes
indicates a demand for no-cost or low-cost accessible recreation opportunities.
City of Hamlet Systemwide Parks & Recreation Plan
Page 69
Appendix B: Parks and Recreation Survey
City of Hamlet Systemwide Parks & Recreation Plan
Page 70
Parks and Recreation Citizens Survey
June/July 2012
The City of Hamlet is undertaking the development of a systemwide parks and recreation plan to plan for recreation facilities for the next 15 years. The city would like to get citizen input and opinions on recreation needs for both facilities and programs. We hope you will take a few moments to complete the following survey. If you feel an important item or issue has been left out, please write in comments in the places provided. 1. Facility Use
Please check one answer for each facility listed.
Item No.
Facility Type I or a family
member currently
use
I or a family
member would use if available
I or a family
member might use if available
I or a family
member would not use even if available
1. Tennis Court 2. Volleyball Court 3. Softball Field 4. Baseball Field 5. Batting Cage 6. Soccer Field 7. Football Field 8. Outdoor Basketball Court 9. Children’s Playground 10. Multi-Purpose Community Center 11. Water Park (swimming pool, water play) 12. Gymnasium 13. Walking-Jogging Path/Trail 14. Bike Trails 15. Picnic Shelters 16. Open Area for Informal Play 17. Restroom Facilities 18. Other? 19. Other?
2. Facility Priorities From the list above, choose the five facilities that you want or would use most. Use the item number from the first column to indicate your priorities.
Your Priorities #1 #2 #3 #4 #5
Facility Number (from list above)
______
______
______
______
______
City of Hamlet Systemwide Parks & Recreation Plan
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3. Park Use and the Environment Please indicate to what extent you agree or disagree with the following statements. No.
Statement
Strongly
Agree Agree Don’t
Care Disagree Strongly
Disagree
1. Park user fees should be kept to a minimum to serve all members of the community.
2. Priority should be placed on senior facilities and programs.
3. Priority should be placed on youth facilities and programs.
4. Open space preservation should be a top priority in park planning.
6. Easy access by pedestrians and those without cars should be a high priority.
7. Quality parks and recreation programs and facilities are important to the quality of life in our community.
8. Quality parks and recreation programs and facilities are helpful in attracting new business and industry investment to our community.
9. Recreational facilities should be located as conveniently as possible to residential neighborhoods.
10. Quality parks and recreation programs reduce crime and can help bring a community together.
11. New residential development should provide land or funds to help meet community recreational needs.
12. There needs to be better publicity about what programs and activities are available.
Comments:
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
City of Hamlet Systemwide Parks & Recreation Plan
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1. Personal Information
Residence _____ Live inside city limits _____ Live outside city limits
Sex _____ Male _____ Female Anybody disabled in your household? _____ Yes _____ No Race _____ African-American_____ Hispanic_____ White_____ Other_______ Number of members in your household _____ Number and Age of all members in your household _____ 4 yrs old or younger _____ 5-8 yrs old
_____ 9-12 yrs old _____ 13-15 yrs old _____ 16-18 yrs old _____ 19-30 yrs old
_____ 31-40 yrs old _____ 41-50 yrs old
_____ 51-60 yrs old _____ 61-70 yrs old _____ 71 yrs old or older Optional Name _____________________________ Address _____________________________________________ Thank you for participating in this very important survey. If you include your name on the survey form you will be entered in a random drawing for a $25.00 gift certificate to the Seaboard Station.
Fold and mail (pre-addressed below), fax to 910-582-5815, or drop off at city hall by Friday, July 13, 2012. Thank you for your time!
Parks and Recreation City of Hamlet P.O. Box 1229 Hamlet, NC 28345-1229
Place
stamp
here
City of Hamlet Systemwide Parks & Recreation Plan
Page 73
Appendix C: Potential Funding Sources, Regulations and Partnerships There are several funding sources that can be considered to assist with park/open space
acquisition and facility construction.
STATE RESOURCES
North Carolina Parks and Recreation Fund (PARTF)
The North Carolina Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF) provides dollar-for-dollar matching
grants, up to a maximum of $500,000, to local governments for parks and recreational projects
to serve the general public. Counties, incorporated municipalities and public authorities, as
defined by G.S. 159-7, are eligible applicants. A brief description of the program is included here;
more information is available at http://www.ncparks.gov/About/grants/partf_main.php
How PARTF grant recipients are selected
The Parks and Recreation Authority, a 15-member board appointed by the Governor and the
General Assembly, selects which applicants will receive funding. The factors considered by
the Authority as it selects grant recipients include, but are not limited to:
� The criteria published in the scoring system
� The geographic distribution of projects across the state
� The presence or absence of other funding sources
� The population of the applicant
� The level of compliance with prior grant agreements
� The grant amount being requested by the applicant
� The total pool of PARTF funds available for all grant applications
Each project application is evaluated and scored by a team of PARTF staff and regional
consultants from the Recreation Resources Service. These ranked applications are then
forwarded to the Parks and Recreation Authority for consideration.
Maximum grant amount
Applicants can request a maximum grant of $500,000 with each application.
Matching requirement
An applicant must match the grant dollar-for-dollar for a match of at least, 50% of the total
cost of the project. A local government applicant may contribute more than the minimum
50%. The appraised value of land to be donated to the applicant can be used as part of the
local match. The value of in-kind services, such as volunteer work, cannot be used as part of
the local match.
Land donations
A local government can use the appraised value of donated land as part of the 50% local
match for the grant. The donor of the land must be a private organization or individual. The
applicant must provide a five-year history of conveyance for the property. Land that is
transferred to the applicant due to a statute or rule is not considered a donation.
The value of capital improvements that will be used for public recreation can be included in
City of Hamlet Systemwide Parks & Recreation Plan
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the value of the donation. If a landowner is proposing to sell land to the applicant for less
than the appraised value, the amount of the donation is the difference between the
appraised value and the amount paid by the applicant.
Costs to build or renovate facilities
Construction or renovation cost estimates are required as part of the PARTF grant
application. Local governments are advised to get accurate estimates from contractors,
architects, or planners who have experience developing parks and recreational facilities. It is
advisable that the local government consider the impact of inflation since the project will be
completed over a 3-year period after the grantee signs a contract with the state. More
information about the PARTF program can be seen at:
Costs to acquire land
In the cost estimates, a local government applicant will use the appraised value of the land
that it proposes to buy or that will be donated. Applicants must submit real estate
appraisals with the grant application.
Reimbursement Type Grant
PARTF grants are based on reimbursement of eligible expenses. Requests for
reimbursement are based on a pro-rata basis with expenditure of local match funds.
Requisitions for reimbursement may be submitted on a quarterly basis.
FEDERAL RESOURCES
Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF)
The LWCF was established in 1964 by Congress to help fund the creation of parks and open
space, to protect wilderness, wetlands, and refuges, to preserve habitat, and to enhance
outdoor recreational opportunities. The fund is principally supported through receipts from
oil and gas drilling on the Outer Continental Shelf. In most years, Congress makes an LWCF
appropriation to each state. States receive individual allocations of LWCF grant funds based
on a national formula, with state population being the most influential factor. Website:
http://www.ncwf.org/Docs/LWCF%20North%20Carolina%20Coalition%20Factsheet.pdf
The National Park Service within the U.S. Department of the Interior administers the
program. Authority for the program at the state level is vested in the N.C. Department of
Environment and Natural Resources and the State Liaison Officer (SLO) appointed by the
Governor. To be eligible for LWCF assistance, every state must prepare and regularly update
a Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP). The SCORP website can be
found at: http://www.ncparks.gov/About/plans/scorp/main.php
The SCORP includes inventories or assessments of current recreation resources (local, state
and federal) within a state, identifies needs and new opportunities for outdoor recreation
improvements and sets forth a 5-year action agenda to meet the goals identified by its
citizens and elected leaders. Historically, North Carolina's LWCF annual allocation has been
split 60/40 between local governments and state agencies.
Eligible LWCF Projects
Local government and state agencies can apply for land acquisition and/or development
City of Hamlet Systemwide Parks & Recreation Plan
Page 75
projects at a single site. Property can be acquired for public outdoor recreation or to protect
outstanding natural or scenic resources. Development projects can include new or
renovated outdoor recreational facilities and support facilities.
All applications must be in accord with the priorities listed in the state's SCORP action plan.
To make the connection between the SCORP and project proposals, the state has an Open
Project Selection Process (OPSP) that contains a set of project ranking selection criteria and
a timetable for funding availability and application deadlines.
NORTH CAROLINA ECOSYSTEM ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM
The North Carolina Ecosystem Enhancement Program (NCEEP) is responsible for providing
ecologically effective compensatory mitigation in advance of permitted impacts associated with
road projects and other development activities. The fundamental mission of the program is to
restore, enhance and protect key watershed functions in the 17 river basins across the state.
This is accomplished through the implementation of wetlands, streams and riparian buffer
projects within selected local watersheds. The vital watershed functions that NCEEP seeks to
restore and protect include water quality, floodwater conveyance and storage, fisheries and
wildlife habitat.
The NCEEP is not a grant program but can implement its restoration projects cooperatively with
other state or federal programs such as the Section 319 Program. Combining NCEEP-funded
restoration or preservation projects with 319 or other local watershed initiatives (e.g., those
funded through the Clean Water Management Trust Fund or local/regional Land Trusts)
increases the potential to improve the water quality, hydrologic and habitat functions within
selected watersheds.
The selection of optimal sites for NCEEP mitigation projects is founded on a basinwide and local
watershed planning approach that results, respectively, in the development of River Basin
Restoration Priorities and Local Watershed Plans.
REGULATIONS – LAND DEVELOPMENT
There are two major land development regulation options available to local governments in
North Carolina to help counties and municipalities enhance local supply of parkland and open
space.
Open Space Requirement for Subdivisions. NC General Statutes allow local governments to
require dedication of open space to serve the recreational needs of a local government. As a
part of this process, local governments can require that a payment in lieu of dedication be
made where the amount or location of land that could be dedicated is not appropriate to
create or add to a park. The money must be spent in a location that serves the subdivision
that made the payment. This provision can supplement a local government open space
acquisition program.
Cluster Subdivisions or Planned Developments. Local governments can provide an
alternative option to the conventional lot-by-lot development of subdivisions where the lot
sizes are reduced from the nominal minimum lot size, provided that the reduction is offset
by open space dedication. This is an excellent way to lessen land-disturbing activities,
City of Hamlet Systemwide Parks & Recreation Plan
Page 76
encourage the conservation of significant natural or cultural resources, to provide a pleasant
environment, and lessen the development and maintenance costs of roads and utilities.
PARTNERSHIPS
Local governments can expand and leverage local park programs by creating or enhancing
partnerships with other local government agencies or non-profits. The City of Hamlet could
explore more co-use/co-funding options with Richmond County, Richmond County Public
Schools, the City of Rockingham and/or non-profit organizations.
When public schools systems acquire land for new schools, there is often an option to purchase
a tract that is larger than required just for school use. It may be possible to joint venture with
the public school system to buy extra land for a local government park or open space use.
Non-governmental organizations such as the Trust for Public Land can be effective partners to
acquire open spaces. They can often purchase land from the property owners who want to sell
now, and then sell it to a local government when money is available.
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PATRICK LN
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SELLERS DR
Str on
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BROOKS DR
LAUREL AV
SCOTT LN
CARR ST
SWINNE
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AXLE LN
DARIAN DR
PAM ST
HOWELL RD
SANB
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HENRY ST
HAYES
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SUNS
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MERCER PL
WES
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SCOT
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AV
RALEIGH ST
MARK ST
BOYD AV
LAKEVIEW DR
KELLEY LN
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WINONA STMAYFAIR DR
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SANDLOT CT
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SHEPPARD STDEER RUN
DANIELS ST EX
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PRUDENCE DR
MUSK
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MORRIS DR
FA IRES DR
MONROE AV
EVE LYN CT
LANDRY PT
FH HA
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SANFORD ST
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GORDON ST
ELLEN DRKING DR
HAMLET L
AKE CT
ENDO
LN
LEATHA LN
JAMES
HALL
RD
SAND
Y DR
DOE
LOOP
RD
SIXTH
ST
WILLOW LN
PINER
IDGE DR
WALNUT AV
ADELE ST
BIRDIE LN
DICK
ERSO
N ST
DALE PETE RKIN ST
APEX ST
L UMBEE LN
WILLIAMS ST
SWITCH R D
AIRPORT ST
FUSSY LANE
LN
SPEARS ST
QUAIL HO
LLOW DR
COCHRAN ST
TRE STLE ST
SINCLAIR DR
PARKER ST
LOBLO
LLY C
T
BAUCOM DR
ROSEDALE AV
HIDDENBROOK DR
DE ANNA LN
VIRGI
NIA A
NN AV
MCK INNON DR
GLENMORE
GORDON LN
PEEDEE AV
GINGER LN
KEVIN ROLLER LN
VALE
NCIA
LN
JAC K
SON L
AKE
RD
WEBB DR
LITTLE CHARLES RD
GREEN S T
SKYLAND DR
BROA
DLEAF D R
MCKINLEY AV
E BROAD AV
KENT ST
CLOU
D AV
CORNING ST
DANIELS LN
DURHAM ST
DEERING ST
RABBIT H ARE R
D
WILDLIFE HOLW
NORTH AV
DAKOTA DR
EDENS ST
BASS
DR
BOYD LAKE RD
WIGG
INS R
D
EV HOGAN DR
MCKIN
NON S
T
THOMAS ST
ANN AV
WOODLAWN AV
ROBERT BROADY LN
OLD BENNETSVILLE
RD
CLAYTON STEEN RD
BEECH ST
GENE BU
RRELL DR
SUSAN LN
FIELD
CRES
T LN
FOREST LN
SEABOARD ST
GOODWIN AV
BROOKSTONE D R
PERRY AV
LILLIANS LN
EDWARDS ST
ARLOS LN
KITTY KA
T DR
BETHEL CHURCH RD
PAGE
ST
BF DIGGS DR
MCRAE D R
KELLAM W I LLIAMS DR
HUNT DR
S NC 177 HWY
ATKINSON ST
JOHN
CH
AV IS RD
MOTLOW LN
OAKLAND AV
McARTHUR ST
THIRD ST
MADISON AV
CHARLES STGATHINGS ST
FALLING CREE K RD
MYRTLE AVCOLUMBIA AV
HIGH STCOUNTRY RD
YORK ST
HAMI
LTON ST
DUSTY TRLRIDGEVIEW DR
WILSON AV
MCLEAN ST
FAYETTEVILLE ST
DOGWOOD LN
RICHMOND AV
WALLACE ST
AMANDA LN
LOCUST ST
STACY AV
MARKS CREEK LN
LAUREL HILL ST
MAPLE AV
WILDWOO D RD
ANDERSON CT
WEST AV
E HAMLET AV
SECOND ST
CHAM
PLAIN
ST
CHALK RD
CAMPBELL AV
SPARKS DR
BRANDON RD
PINELAND DR
GIBBONS ST
BAUERFELD ST
BUTTE R CUP DR
CARROLL ST
ENTWISTLE ST
SERRIA AV
HALLMARK AV
PINEL
EIGH
AV
MAGGIE DR
PARK ST
HILL ST
WILDERNESS DR
M ORGA
N CIR
CLAY ST
FIREFLY WOO DS R D
DEVOS DR
POPLAR AV
MYER
S LN
CITY LAKE DR
WILMINGTON ST
FIFTH ST EX
MORR
OW ST
PALM ST
MARY
S ALOME LN
FORDTOWN RD
LACK
EY ST
BALLARD ST
CO
LLEGE
D
R
GREENFIELD RD
JUANITA AV
HAWTHORNE AV
MILL RDCIRCLEWOOD DR
NC 3 81 HWY
BROAD ST
ROSE
ST
RAINTREE RD
CHERRY ST
TERRY ST
BROKEN ARRO
W LN
OLD CHERAW RD
CLEM
MER
RD
CSX DR
KRIST
Y LN
HENDE
RSONV
ILLE ST
PINE ST
BOYETTE ST
BATTLEY DAIRY RDBRI DGES ST
JAMES AV
MINTURN AV
HORSESHOE DR
WASHINGTON ST
SPRING ST
HEND
ERSO
N ST
KING ST
VETERANS DR
JEFFERSON ST
W HAMLET AV
PINE LODGE RD
AUSTIN ST
MARLBORO ST
BALDWIN RD
FIFTH ST
CHARLOTTE ST
DIXIE TRL
ROLLINS AV
MCGIRT RD
NORT H ST
MAIN ST
EARL
FRAN
KLIN
DR
OAK AV
LOUI
S BRE
EDEN
BLVD
CAMPBELL RD
OLD GIBSON RD
FREEMAN MILL RD RICE ST
GIN MILL RD
N NC 177 HWYE US 74 HWY
CHERAW RD
HYLAN AV
McDONALD AV
WIRE GRASS RD
COUNTY HOME RD
W. D.JamesPark
JackBreeden Park
MemorialPark
Boyd LakeRoad Park
ParkStreet
MainStreetPark
PotentialPark Site -Bridges Street
PublicWorks
Potential ParkSite - East
HamletSeniorCitizenCenter
Fairgrounds
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LegendPark Type
!( Mini Park
!( Neighborhood Park
!( Community Park
!( Special Purpose Park
^̀ Points of Interest
k Schools
US RouteNC RouteRail Roads1/4 Mile Distance Ring1/2 Mile Distance Ring3 Mile Distance RingCity of Hamlet Property
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Path: \\TWC-MAIN\ArcGIS\Richmond_County\Hamlet\Citywide\Political\LU\ParkPlan\RevisedSeries\MXD\ParkSitesIndex11x17.mxd
Date Saved: 12/6/2012 2:02:29 PM
DobbinsHeights
Rockingham
RICHMOND COUNTY
City Lake
MonroeAvenue ES
FairviewHeights ES
Hamlet MS
Boyd La
ke Base
ball Complex Service Area Boundary - 3 Miles
0 1,000 2,000500Feet
IPark FacilitiesCity of Hamlet
January 2013North Carolina
k
k
k
!(
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!(^̀^̀^̀
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!(3
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MUNNS
FARM RD
GLORY RD
PAM
ST
CLA UDE DR
SHORT ST
SHAW
RD
ALLEY ST
ORTON LN
STUTTS LN
PATRICK LN
E US 74 HWY
SELLERS DR
Str on
g Dr
BROOKS DR
LAUREL AV
SCOTT LN
CARR ST
AXLE LN
BRUC
E ST
DARIAN DR
HOWELL RD
SANB
ORN
DR
HENRY ST
HAYES
DR
SUNS
ET AV
MERCER PL
WES
LEY A
V
SCOT
LAND
AV
RALEIGH STMARK ST
BOYD AV
LAKEVIEW DR
KELLEY LN
BROO
KS ST
WINONA STMAYFAIR DR
RICH
ARD D
R
MARVIN LN
PEACH ST
SANDLOT CT
PINEWOOD CIR
TARH
EEL A
V
VINE DR
REID AV
GRAHAM ST
DAR
E DR
LUMBERTON ST
AIRPORT RD
TODD AV
BALLI DR
ELLENTON AV
BRANTLEY AVROSEMONT AV
CURTIS AVLA RAY AV
KINDALE AV
HARRISON ST
SHEPPARD STDEER RUN
DANIELS ST EX
JUDIT
H AN
N DR
DUNCAN RD
PINECREST DR
CARL
MART
IN AV
PRUDENCE DR
MUSK
ET CT
MORRIS DR
FA IRES DR
MONROE AV
EVE LYN CT
LANDRY PT
FH HA
RE RD
CLAR
K ST
SANFORD ST
HERMAN ST
NASH
DR
TAYL
OR AV
JONES ST
SIGNAL ST
WARE ST
WILL
ARD
ST
LUEVORA LN
B R ADFORD ST
DORSEY SMITH RD
DUST
IN VIE
W RD
DUNGEON ST
GREE
NRID
GE
DR
BEL AIR ST
GRACE HAVEN DR
VANCE ST
ABRAMS DR
BOBO ST
DENNIS ST
GORDON ST
ELLEN DRKING DR
HAMLET L
AKE CT
ENDO
LN
LEATHA LN
JAMES
HALL
RD
SAND
Y DR
DOE
LOOP
RD
SIXTH
ST
WILLOW LN
WALNUT AV
ADELE ST
BIRDIE LN
DICK
ERSO
N ST
DALE PETE RKIN ST
APEX ST
L UMBEE LN
WILLIAMS ST
SWITCH R D
AIRPORT ST
FUSSY LANE
LN
SPEARS ST
QUAIL HOLL OW DR
TRE STLE ST
SINCLAIR DR
PARKER ST
LOBLO
LLY C
T
BAUCOM DR
ROSEDALE AV
HIDDENBROOK DR
DE ANNA LN
VIRGI
NIA A
NN AV
MCK INNON DR
GLENMORE
GORDON LN
PEEDEE AV
GINGER LN
KEVIN ROLLER LN
VALE
NCIA
LN
JAC K
SON L
AKE
RD
WEBB DR
LITTLE CHARLES RD
GREEN ST
SKYLAND DR
BROA
DLEAF D R
E BROAD AV
MCKINLEY AV
KENT ST
CLOU
D AV
CORNING ST
DANIELS LN
DURHAM ST
DEERING ST
RABBIT H ARE R
D
WILDLIFE HOLW
NORTH AV
DAKOTA DR
EDENS ST
BASS
DR
BOYD LAKE RD
WIGG
INS R
D
EV HOGAN DR
MCKIN
NON
ST
THOMAS ST
ANN AV
WOODLAWN AV
ROBERT BROADY LNCLAYTON STEEN
RD
BEECH ST
SUSAN LN
FIELD
CRES
T LN
FOREST LN
GOODWIN AV
BROOKSTONE D R
PERRY AV
LILLIANS LN
EDWARDS ST
ARLOS LN
KITTY KA
T DR
BETHEL CHURCH RD
PAGE
ST
BF DIGGS DR
MCRAE D R
KELLAM W I LLIAMS DR
HUNT DR
ATKINSON ST
JOHN
CH
AV IS RD
MOTLOW LN
OAKLAND AV
McARTHUR ST
MADISON AV
CHARLES STGATHINGS ST
FALLING CREE K RD
MYRTLE AVCOLUMBIA AV
HIGH STCOUNTRY RD
SPRING ST
YORK ST
HAMI
LTON ST
DUSTY TRLRIDGEVIEW DR
WILSON AV
MCLEAN ST
FAYETTEVILLE ST
DOGWOOD LN
RICHMOND AV
WALLACE ST
AMANDA LN
LOCUST ST
STACY AV
E HAMLET AV
MARKS CREEK LN
LAUREL HILL ST
MAPLE AV
WILDWOO D RD
ANDERSON CT
WEST AV
SECOND ST
CHAM
PLAIN
ST
CHALK RD
CAMPBELL AV
SPARKS DR
BRANDON RD
PINELAND DR
BAUERFELD ST
BUTTE R CUP DR
CARROLL ST
ENTWISTLE ST
SERRIA AV
HALLMARK AV
PINEL
EIGH
AV
MAGGIE DR
PARK ST
HILL ST
WILDERNESS DR
M ORGA
N CIR
CLAY ST
FIREFLY WOO DS R D
DEVOS DR
POPLAR AV
MYER
S LN
CITY LAKE DR
WILMINGTON ST
FIFTH ST EX
MORR
OW ST
PALM ST
MARY
S ALOME LN
FORDTOWN RD
LACK
EY ST
BALLARD ST
CO
LLEGE
D
R
GREENFIELD RD
JUANITA AV
HAWTHORNE AV
MILL RDCIRCLEWOOD DR
NC 3 81 HWY
BROAD ST
ROSE
ST
RAINTREE RD
CHERRY ST
TERRY ST
BROKEN ARRO
W LN
OLD CHERAW RD
CLEM
MER
RD
CSX DR
KRIST
Y LN
HENDE
RSONV
ILLE ST
PINE ST
BOYETTE ST
BATTLEY DAIRY RD
BRIDGES ST
JAMES AV
HORSESHOE DR
WASHINGTON ST
HEND
ERSO
N ST
KING ST
VETERANS DR
JEFFERSON ST
W HAMLET AV
PINE LODGE RD
AUSTIN ST
MARLBORO ST
BALDWIN RD
FIFTH ST
CHARLOTTE ST
DIXIE TRL
ROLLINS AV
MCGIRT RD
NORT H ST
MAIN ST
EARL
FRAN
KLIN
DR
OAK AV
LOUI
S BR
EED E
N B L
VD
CAMPBELL RD
OLD GIBSON RD
FREEMAN MILL RD RICE ST
GIN MILL RD
N NC 177 HWY
E US 74 HWY
CHERAW RD
HYLAN AV
McDONALD AV
WIRE GRASS RD
COUNTY HOME RD
ÉÉ177
ÉÉ38
ÉÉ381
ÉÉ177
£¤74
£¤74
£¤74
W. D. JamesPark
JackBreeden Park
MemorialPark
Boyd LakeRoad Park
ParkStreet
MainStreetPark
PublicWorks
PotentialPark Site
- East Hamlet
SeniorCitizenCenter
Fairgrounds
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20
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Path: \\TWC-MAIN\ArcGIS\Richmond_County\Hamlet\Citywide\Political\LU\ParkPlan\RevisedSeries\MXD\ParkSitesIndex11x17.mxd
Date Saved: 1/7/2013 1:22:57 PM
DobbinsHeights
Rockingham
RICHMOND COUNTY
City Lake
MonroeAvenue ES
FairviewHeights ES
Hamlet MS
Boyd La
ke Base
ball Complex Service Area Boundary - 3 Miles
0 1,000 2,000500Feet
IPark FacilitiesCity of Hamlet
January 2013North Carolina
LegendPark Type
!( Mini Park
!( Neighborhood Park
!( Community Park
!( Special Purpose Park
^̀ Points of Interest
k Schools
US RouteNC RouteRail Roads1/4 Mile Distance Ring1/2 MileNeighborhood Park Distance Ring1/2 MileSearch Area Distance Ring3 Mile Distance Ring
20' ContoursCreeks/StreamsPonds/LakesHamletParcelsCity of Hamlet Property