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Parks and Open Space New Division <br />Report <br />September 26, 2000 <br />Team Members: Michelle Cahill, John Clark, Joe Ferguson, Carrie Jennings, Johnny <br />Medlin, Kristi Morris, Tim Rhay, Andrea Riner, Gene Shutt, Mark Snyder, Therese Walch. <br />Facilitators: Margaret Boutell and Roland Hoskins <br />Methodology: The group met for three three -hour and one four -hour facilitated sessions. The <br />process included describing the end product, defining open space, clarifying the purpose for <br />the new division, and describing the functions to be included in the new division. <br />The Purpose of this Team: Identify the boundaries and financial implications of the new <br />Division to be created in the Public Works Department that will group together the major parks <br />maintenance, parks planning, and open space acquisition program areas. The new Parks and <br />Open Space Division will likely include: Turf and Grounds; Parks Amenities and PWM <br />Volunteers; Landscape, Median, and Floral; Parks Planning; Urban Forestry; and appropriate <br />components of the current stormwater and park design and construction programs. <br />The importance of the new division: City Manager Jim Johnson envisions this division to take <br />the lead on involvement with other regional agencies that deal with open space issues (i.e., <br />Willamalane, LCOG, Lane County, BLM, The Nature Conservancy). One of his long range <br />ideas for the region is to create a continuum of open space that spans more than one jurisdictional <br />area. Eugene citizens use Lane County Parks, and others in the area, not just Eugene Parks. In <br />addition, Lane County residents enjoy parks and open space provided by the City of Eugene. <br />Jim expects this division to create a vision for the future in the next few years, 10 years, 20 years, <br />and beyond. <br />Jim foresees this division looking toward more public access in open space, not necessarily <br />MWMC or stormwater issues. These tasks require a central staff and function. When asked <br />about the vision for the wetlands, the City Manager sees them very much like Skinner Butte and <br />other natural areas with multiple uses. <br />Definition of Open Space: Open Space is land in public and private ownership that is developed <br />for purposes such as providing a natural or manicured environment, and passive or active <br />recreation. Open Space meets a community need for enhanced livability by providing an <br />attractive and functional natural environment. Open space lands need to be preserved, and in <br />some cases rehabilitated or enhanced, by prohibiting or limiting development. Open space <br />and <br />may serve multiple purposes, such as habitat protection, recreational access, or visual <br />attractiveness. <br />1 <br />