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Parks and Open Space New Division <br />Report <br />September 22, 2000, <br />Team Members: Michelle Cahill, John Clark, Joe Ferguson, Carrie Jennings, Johnny <br />Medlin, Kristie Morris, Tim Rhay, Andrea Riner, Gene Shutt, Mark Snyder, Therese Walch. <br />Facilitators: Margaret Boutell and Roland Hoskins <br />Methodology: The group met for four 3 hr facilitated sessions. The process included <br />describing the end product, defining open space, clarifying the purpose for the new division, <br />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: The city manager Jim Johnson envisions this division to <br />take the lead on involvement with other agencies that deal with open space issues (i.e., <br />Willamalane). One of his long range ideas for the region is to create a continuum of open space <br />that spans more than one jurisdictional area. Eugene citizens use Lane County Parks, and others <br />in the area, not just Eugene Parks. Jim expects this division to create a vision for the future in the <br />next few years, 10 years, 20 years, 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, sees them very much like Skinner Butte and other natural areas <br />with multiple uses. <br />Definition of Open Space: Open Space provides a community need for enhanced livability by <br />providing an attractive, visually pleasing natural environment. Open space lands need to be <br />preserved, and in some cases rehabilitated or enhanced, by prohibiting or limiting development, <br />reserving land in its natural state. Open space includes the urban forest and landscaping <br />associated with some smaller parcels of land, and may serve multiple purposes, such as habitat <br />protection, recreational access, or visual attractiveness. <br />Examnles Include: <br />floodplains <br />wetlands <br />river corridors <br />wildlife habitat <br />trails <br />ridges <br />parks <br />vacant lots <br />bike paths <br />urban plazas <br />tot lots <br />scenic vistas <br />farmland <br />forests <br />buffer strips <br />golf courses <br />backyards <br />preserves <br />urban forests <br />riparian zones <br />1 <br />