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CRAVEN COUNTY CRAVEN COUNTY WATERFRONT ACCESS PLANS A.N0 DESIGNS F OR AND db JOHN J. HOOTON & ASSOCIATES, WILMINGTON, N.C. CRAVEN COUNTY WATERFRONT ACCESS PLANS AND DESIGNS FOR COWPEN LANDING AND S THE BRINSON SCHOOL SITE Prepared for The Craven County Recreation & Parks Department George B. Sawyer, Director with assistance from The Cowpen Landing Recreation Committee The Brinson School Recreation Committee The Weyerhaeuser Corporation Consultants John J. Hooton & Associates Edward D. Stone and' Associates, Inc. Synth@esis This report was financed in part by a grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the North Carolina Department of Natural Resources and Community Development, Office of Coastal Management. INTR,ODUCTION The past decade has seen a continued migration of population to coastal areas and North Carolina has been no exception. Preliminary census results indicate that all of North Carolina's coastal counties gained population, and most of them experienced influxes of 8 percent or more. Even though Craven County has no oceanfront shoreline, it grew by 13.6 percent. This surge in growth has required coastal towns and counties to rethink land use and service policies, so that limited coastal resources can be allocated effectively and fairly among competing interests. One area of growing concern to local and state officials and citizens has been the availability and quality of access to public trust areas, or more specifically, ocean and riverine shore- lines and waters. The State of North Carolina, through its coastal management program, provides financial assistance to local governments to develop plans and policies for future growth. Craven County, through its Recreation and Parks Department, applied for and received a planning grant to develop master plans for two waterfront access areas in the County--Cowpen Landing and the Brinson School site. These areas are significantly different in physical characteristics and political and legal constraints, but both represent excellent opportunities for the County to expand and improve access to waterfront areas for its residents. The following text and plans describe the results of the planning process. 2.0 THE PLANNING PROCESS AND ITS PARTICIPANTS A successful planning process will have as its cornerstone the involvement from the beginning of as many of the individuals and organizations--public or private--affected by the final plans. The Craven County Recreation and Parks Department recognized this necessity and established ad hoc committees for each of the two sites to review preliminary and final designs. In the case of Cowpen Landing, the Weyerhaeuser Corporation provided direction and advice to the ad hoc committee and design consultants. The following persons provided their time and advice by serving on the committees: COWPEN LANDING BRINSON SCHOOL George Sawyer, Craven County George Sawyer, Craven County James White Tommy Best James Bryant Edgar Barwick Woodrow Brown Ruby Conner Keith Hundley, Weyerhaeuser Jane Atkinson Ben Godottee 3.0 THE BRINSON SCHOOL SITE History For 10 years, the Craven County Board of Education and Board of Commissioners have formally agreed to cooperate in an effort to improve school sites for recreational purposes. These sites would not only serve school children, but provide additional recreational facilities for all members of the community. The Brinson Memorial School was one of the first products of this agreement. Since 1972, facilities and improvements that have been added include two lighted tennis courts, an Outdoor lighted combination volleyball and basketball court, a multipurpose lighted ball field complex with fencing and bleachers, addi tion of a new school annex, a gymtorium equipped with permanent basketball backboards and goa"Is, and the initial clearing of woods adjacent to Neuse River frontage. Recent improvements include lighting of one of the ballfields. While these improvernents, with the existing school build- ings, provide a definite character and direction for future land use, there is considerable additional space for new uses that would complement the existing ones. Existing Land Use The dominant land use at the site is the school building and auxiliary uses, such as play areas and parking. 'The second most developed areas are two ball fields with lighting, two tennis courts, and a volleyball/basketball court. A third developed area, but currently not being utilized, is the amphitheater located in the northeast corner of the property. The amphitheater has a stage area and a seating capacity of about 1,000 persons, but apparently has been little used since its construction. The remainder of the site, along the western boundary, is undeveloped and is dominated by scrub vegetation and the Neuse River shoreline. Problems and Opportunities The most pressing problem associated with the site is posed by the open sewer pit located behind the school building. This pit and its outfall 3 represent a possible health hazard, as well as a serious limitation on future uses and should receive first priority for future improvement. A second problem, but one that also presents opportunities, is the erosion occurring along the shoreline. Steep embankments have been created in some areas, creating unsafe conditions for public use. However, these areas, if properly controlled with protective structures, represent an opportunity for overlooks, nature observa- tion areas, and other controlled, passive type uses. The lack of use of the amphitheater is also a problem that could be converted into an opportunity for expanded use. Some redesign and promotion will be required to renew interest in this facility. Design Objectives The major'objectives in planning for the future use of the Brinson site are as follows: (1) Develop a comprehensive plan for the utilization of all areas, so that expanded and diversified recreational opportunities are pro- vided for all members of the community; (2) Develop presently unused areas, primarily as passive type uses such as nature, fitness and jogging trails and picnicing; (3) Maximize access to the water. Access shall include not only direct @physical access, but also Visual access; (4) To the extent feasible, provide access for handicapped persons; (5) Develop plans for improvement of existing facilities, to include location of new supporting facilities and expansion of existing ones. The following plans graphically describe the existing land uses, design opportunities and objectives. TTJJ 7: v Ir 00 *U1 Lit cl F3 El rdl C:30 0 50 2 0 Ido 400 SCALE t":iOO' a r JJL-U--j I I LU i it It u U 7 rn.L 69-WLSZ PIT V@ -Jn-'s rzp as -ne 40 Cmrv@ V 4771 p lu 1w -Fre,--i4 re; E@l A71 66k;-@L!4,-la4 Oz- fz@,@ T12A 0 so 40!0 2D bju U@J@ TO it i I awl []E3 000 --P, ,CAI xL 7-7 ar h ,z, f @7' 0 so 21 0 61@ Igo SCALE 11-:1100, -ro o J1. 4.0 COWPEN LANDING The Cowpen Landing site is owned by the Weyerhaeuser Corporation but has been used as an access point for nearly 100 years. Most recently, it has been used as a boat launching area for fishermen. On most weekends, a mix of related recreational activities also takes place. A concrete boat ramp was constructed by the Weyerhaeuser Corporation several years ago along the southern shore. A short distance downstream is the fresh water intake canal for the Weyerhaeuser pulping plant. Problems and Opportunities Two major problems exist at the Cowpen site. The first is the problem presented to the Weyerhaeuser Corporation by uncontrolled activities occur- ring in the area. The lack of any physical definition to the area results in uncontrolled activity that could possibly result in damage to Weyerhaeuser property (e.g., by fire). Another problem to the owner is protection of the fresh water intake canal. The second major problem is of concern to users. This problem centers on the lack of ordered ingress and egress and the inadequacy and poor design of existing -facilities. The opportunity presented by these problems is to provide adequate facilities and ordered, defined recreational activities that will enhance access while protecting the property of the owner. Design Objectives The major design objective for the Cowpen site may be summarized as follows: To develop a plan that will provide order and definition to recrea- tional activities in the area so that the property owner's interests are protected and waterfront access opportunities for the public are improved. The following plans describe one method of attaining this objective. dl WE Soo, bokT' RAMP INMRMAL KN& VAKi ACMITY AlteA. c L:5- 00,KT KWP MAL view =r 00 00 (1)0 V) U) Cn 0 3 2E (D C/) z V M P M 0 CC U) CD Forest ux < Futu _re Nitrificatl 41- 7: 11 h tint all 0 VX < CD .4f ;:X :-"@utur /Well 19 z Z Swamp ,@o OA. Trailer Parking Picnic Area /77 Sand Beach One IV, Trash 4% --Fish Cie am t 'Z=- V14" .@ing (01.1 Picnic Area...."' Sand R-@hl- Boat Lar%ding 1j;J;,j Temporary . ..... . Boat Dockage Boat Lan Neuse River X 33> K, - 5 0 5.0 IMPLEMENTATION, Brinson School Site The cost estimate for full development of the Brinson site is between $114,350 and $124,350. A detailed breakdown for each item is included in the Addenda. Without state or federal financial assistance, this represents a significant sum for local government. Recognizing this, the Brinson Site Recreational Committee recommended the following immediate priorities for construction. PRIORITY ONE Correction of sewerline problems $3,000 to 5,000 PRIORITY TWO Picnic shelter with overlook and exterior picnic unit $18,500 PRIORITY THREE Fitness and nature trails, with necessary grading and earthwork $21,000 to 26,000 The Committee felt that these items, would provide the most immediate and widespread use for the greatest number of residents. While the remaining facilities and uses are essential to.full development, it was considered, appropriate to delay establishing priorities for remaining uses until comple- tion of the first three priorities. Cowpen Landing The full cost of improving the Cowpen site is $44,753. Itemized costs are included in the Addenda. Because of possible legal problems, the Weyerhaeuser Corporation has required that no public funds be expended on improving the property; and for similar reasons, as well as budget limitations, some improvements may be considered inappropriate in the near or intermediate future. Thus, the final establishment of priorities will rest primarily with the Weyerhaeuser Corporation. However, based on the design objective of order- ing and improving access so that the owner's property is protected, the follow- ing improvements would seem to be of priority. FIRST PRIORITY Bollards $5,850 Stone paving 2,418 Berm 890 TOTAL $ 9,158 SECOND PRIORITY Wood decking $9,840 Trash pad and enclosure 620 Rip-rap 11110 TOTAL $11,750 Immediate implementation of these imprQvements would provide ordered ingress and egress, parking, better boat: launching access, reduced erosion, and less litter. To implement these, and the remaining recommended improvements, the Cowpen Landing Committee must continue to work with the Weyerhaeuser Corpora- tion and County officials to insure continued cooperation of all groups. BRINSON SCHOOL PARK Preliminary Cost Estimate Based on Master Plan Picnic Shelter & Overlook $ 18,000.00 Exterior Picnic Unit 850.00 (2 Picnic Tables, Grill, 1 Trash Can) Restroom Building 5,000.00 Restroom /Concession Building 7,500.0,0 Nature Trails (including deck, signage) 12,000.00 Fitness Trail, Signage 3,000.00 - 5,000.00 Additional Play Equipment 10,000.00 Renovate Amphitheater and Stage 3,000.00 Add Lighting 1,500.00 Beach Area with Bulkhead 12,000.00 Additional Parking Areas As Shown 85 Spaces Asphalt 25,000.00 Compacted Stone with Curbstops 10,000.00 Earthwork, Berms, Grading for Trails 6,000.00 Sewage Line Modifications ? approx. 3,500.00 5,000.00 Additional Landscaping (wildflowers, grasses min. of 3,000.00 swamp plants) Total 114, 350 to 124, 350 Preliminary Cost Estimate Cowpen Landing 13 April 1982 Wood Decking - 656 s.f. @ $15,00/s.f. $9,840 Trash Pad and Enclosure - 100 s.f. pad @ $70.00/c.y. x 2 140 Fence 40 1.f. @ $12.00/1.f. 480 Fish Clean and Pump 250 Rip-rap - 1 c.y./1.f. fill x 185 1.f. - 185 c.y. @ $6.00/c.y. 1,110 Picnic Equipment - 7 tables @ $350.00/ea. = $2,450 3 barbeques @ $150.00/ea. = $450 2,900 Concrete Bollards - $150/ea. x 39 5,850 Lot Stone Paving - $2.25/s.y. x 1,075 2,418 Berm - 400 1.f. @ 30 c.f./1.f. - 12,000 27 - 445 c.y. x $2.00/c.y. 890 Grass - 20,500 s.f. @ $.25/s.f. 5,125 Bathroom - 350 s.f. @ $45.00/s.f. (with septic system) 15,750 Total $ 44,753 NOAA COASTAL SERVICES CTR LIBRARY j @ 3 6668 14111649 3 :0 -I I