FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                      April 9, 2001

SERIES OF OPEN SPACE INFORMATION SESSIONS KICKS OFF IN CARY THIS WEEK

CARY, NC – Citizens will get their first look and chance to comment on the Town of Cary’s draft Open Space and Historic Resources Plan (OSHRP) at a community information session on Tuesday, April 10^th from 6:30–8:30 PM at the Fairview Baptist Church, 5608 Ten-Ten Road in the Middle Creek area. While other plans are moving forward, this is the first such plan drafted and taken to the public by a Wake County municipality. Cary received a grant from Wake County government--which has adopted its own such plan--to begin its effort.

Cary’s OSHRP looks at the preservation of open space, the protection of natural resources, the preservation of historic landscapes, and enhancing the system of parks and greenways. The OSHRP will set forth a program to identify, acquire, preserve and manage natural resources, historic sites, and other areas that are environmentally and culturally important to the citizens of Cary. Through the plan, the Town will prioritize resources, establish long-term preservation goals, and develop a thorough implementation plan. When adopted, the plan will become an element of Cary’s Comprehensive Plan.

This fiscal year, Cary budgeted $12.5 million toward the acquisition and preservation of open space.

"We really hope that folks will take the time to attend one of our community meetings," said Senior Planner and project coordinator Don Belk. "The information received from citizens will be included in the recommendations of the final draft plan, which will be presented for public hearing at the May 24^th Town Council meeting."

During the information exchanges, several maps will be on display and copies of the draft plan and other materials will be available. The first part of the meeting will be an "open house" where citizens arrive and informally view the maps and materials and ask questions of staff. At 7:00 PM, staff will give a short presentation followed by a question and answer period. Then, citizens be able to continue viewing maps and other materials and making suggestions about places that should be preserved.

For those who cannot attend Tuesday’s information exchange, there are three other opportunities:

• April 24, 6:30– 8:30 PM, Good Hope Baptist Church, 6628 Good Hope Church Road
• May 3, 6:30–8:30 PM, Herb Young Community Center, 404 N. Academy Street (downtown Cary)
• May 15, 6:30–8:30 PM, Green Level Baptist Church, 8509 Green Level Church Road

In addition to the four meetings, citizens can get information and exchange ideas at a booth displaying maps and materials for the OSHRP at Cary’s Earth Day festivities at the Cary Senior Center in Bond Park on Sunday, April 22^nd.

Following the public hearing, the draft plan will go to a joint meeting of the Town’s Planning & Zoning Board and the Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources Advisory Board on June 18^th and then to the Town Council for adoption on July 12^th. Implementation of the plan will begin immediately following adoption of the OSHRP.

Finally, the draft Open Space and Historic Resources Plan is available on the Town’s website, www.townofcary.org.

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