Orange County residents are invited to participate in a random sample survey for the Parks and Recreation Master Plan update.

The County is in the process of creating a new Comprehensive Parks and Recreation Master Plan, with the assistance of consulting professors at UNC-Greensboro.

As part of this effort, a Community Needs Assessment Survey has been mailed by UNC-G to more than 4,000 County households, scheduled to arrive in mailboxes this week.

Residents are asked to take a moment to respond and return surveys to UNC-G (the back page of the survey includes a postage-paid return address). If you do not receive the random-sample survey, this will not be the only opportunity to provide input on the new Master Plan. Several other options will be offered in the coming months, including public input sessions and a non-scientific electronic survey.

The Community Needs Assessment Survey and a cover letter have been developed by the consultants, the Orange County Parks and Recreation Council and county staff. Based on County population and other sampling factors, a sample size of 4,200 households was determined for the survey.

Once the survey results are received by the consultants at UNC-G, they will begin the process of collecting and analyzing the results. Participation in the survey is voluntary, and individual results will be strictly confidential. A follow-up postcard will go the each household two weeks after the mailing as a reminder to return the completed survey (if they have not already done so).

Implementing a community needs assessment survey is a primary component in updating the Master Plan. Soliciting statistically-valid feedback on facilities and programs is an important part of the planning process. As such, all residents who receive a survey are encouraged to complete and return the survey. The process is estimated to take approximately 15 minutes to complete.

A final report and survey findings from the consultant is expected by mid-January 2013. A parallel effort to survey the County’s youth on parks and recreation needs – to be incorporated into the Plan - is also underway. Initial public input sessions are tentatively planned for November, and a draft master plan is expected for Spring 2013.

For more information about the Comprehensive Parks and Recreation Master Plan, please visit www.orangecountync.gov/deapr and click on the Parks and Recreation Master Plan Update link in the breaking news section.

Carrboro Co-Rec tournament begins this week

Closing its regular season with a 5-3 win against Bread & Butter, 300 East Main Street clinched the No. 1 seed in Carrboro’s upcoming Co-Rec Softball League Tournament. East Main’s win over B&B on Sept. 27 left the regular-season champs with an 11-1 overall record.

Bread & Butter finished 9-3 and in second place of the league, one game ahead of Ghost Riders, which was the only team to beat East Main in the regular season.

As Carrboro Co-Rec’s top seed, 300 East Main gets a bye in the post-season, double-elimination tournament that begins this week.

No. 4 Fightin’ Squids (6-6) and No. 5 Southern Rail (5-7) open the tournament with a 6:45 p.m. game Tuesday. The winner advances to face 300 East Main on Thursday.

No. 3 Ghost Riders (8-4) play No. 6 seed 2nd Wind (2-10) at 7:55 p.m. Tuesday; the winner of that game plays Thursday against the winner of Tuesday’s 9:05 p.m. game between No. 2 Bread & Butter and No. 7 Fighting Pinecones (1-11).

The tournament is scheduled to conclude with the championship round on Oct. 23. All games will be at Anderson Park.

Carrboro coaches needed

The Carrboro Recreation and Parks Department is currently accepting volunteer coach’s applications for the 2012 - 2013 Youth Basketball Program.

Coaches must exhibit the ability to organize practices and communicate effectively with players, parents, and Recreation Department staff. Openings exist in the 6-8, 9-10, 11-12, and 13-15 age groups. A coach must also exhibit the ability to teach proper playing skills and fundamentals, proper sportsmanship, and provide an enjoyable atmosphere at practices and games.

To receive a volunteer coach’s application or additional information, please contact the Recreation Department at 919-918-7376.

Garner Road tryouts

The Garner Road Basketball Club will host tryouts for grades 2-8 on Nov. 7-8 at the J.D. Lewis Multi-Purpose Center, located at 2245 Garner Road in Raleigh. The cost is $20. Tryouts for grades 2-6 will begin at 6:30 p.m., and grades 7-8 will start at 7:30 p.m.

See www.grbconline.com for a registration form to fill out and bring to the tryouts. For more information call Byron Solomon at 919-395-6243 or Dwayne West at 919-270-0821.