What city plans for improvement of OND Park existed prior to efforts by CPSC to implement a different plan?

What city plans for improvement of OND Park existed prior to efforts by CPSC to implement a different plan?

City officials and staff have stated repeatedly, in the 2003-2013 Durham Parks and Recreation Master Plan, in City Council meetings, in correspondence, and elsewhere, that the city desperately needs more soccer and athletic fields suitable for league, youth, and adult play.  As stated in the DPR Master Plan, based on national “Level of Service” standards, Durham lacks nearly forty soccer fields given its population.  The Master Plan states, “It is in those areas where the City’s targets are lower than the national recommendations that citizens have most strongly noted a lack of facilities (e.g. soccer/football fields)“ (p83).  Further, “Several parks have plans in place for playing field upgrades and rehabilitation: Campus Hills, Valley Springs, and Old North Durham” (p32). After concluding that the upgrade and maintenance of the Park as an athletic field would best serve the public interest, public funds for its renovation were earmarked in a 1996 bond and again in a 2005 bond.  $887,954 had been allocated for the renovation and installation of irrigation and sod for six fields, including OND Park.  As of October 2006, according to the General Services Projects Management division, $222, 879 was still budgeted for such OND Park renovations.  Then Director of Parks and Recreation Darrell Crittendon reiterated in 2006 that upgrade of the full-size soccer field at OND Park had been approved, Capital Improvement Program funding had already been authorized,  and  the Storm Water Services had committed to help pay for a damaged storm water line under the field as part of the upgrade. As late as November 15, 2006, engineers had already submitted a design proposal for the repairs under review by Storm Water Services.  Drainage repairs by Storm Water Services were waiting on coordination with other aspects of field construction under the General Services Department.  The drainage repairs extended the scheduled completion date for the renovations, but the overall plans for the Park remained unchanged.

City Council adopted Resolution #9281 on September 6, 2005 reaffirming the city’s original plans to upgrade OND Park, including:  “The Athletic field in the park (330ft by 180 ft) will be renovated with grading, sod, and irrigation. The field will serve tournament level and adult soccer as well as junior-level games, several of which can be played simultaneously across the width of the field…With the current shortage of athletic fields in Durham, DPR staff feels that we cannot afford to reduce or lose one of the existing fields.”  Other commitments had included ensuring full public access to and public parking for the park, especially an entrance from Geer St.  In November of 2007, the city reconfirmed its commitment to upgrade the park according to its 2005 plan.

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