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Metropolitan Regional Parks and Open Space Study <br />Common Themes for Park and Open Space <br />Planning for the Eugene- Springfield Region <br />Draft, September 4, 2001 <br />A number of local Plans give direction on the subject of parks, open space, and natural resource <br />protection for the metropolitan region. These include the Eugene /Springfield Metro Plan (1987), <br />Eugene Parks and Recreation Plan (1989), West Eugene Wetland Plan (2000), Willamalane Park, <br />Recreation, and Open Space Plan (1995), Lane County Parks Master Plan (1980), Central Lane <br />Regional Parks Plan (1970), and the Draft Region 2050 Goals and Objectives (June 2001). In <br />addition, the Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan and statewide planning goals <br />3,4,5,8, and 15 all pertain to our region's parks and open space. <br />Although each Plan gives unique and often specific direction on the region's park and open space <br />system, several recurring themes can be found throughout most of these Plans. These are: <br />Variety <br />Provide a variety of open space types (agriculture, forest, natural areas, and developed parks) to <br />serve the diverse needs of the community. <br />Scenic Quality <br />Protect, conserve, and enhance elements of the natural and historic landscape which give the <br />region its uniqueness and sense of place including forested hillslopes and ridges, river and <br />waterway corridors, agricultural lands, vistas, and unique natural features. <br />Connectivity <br />Provide uninterrupted open space and recreational corridors or greenways that link park and <br />recreational facilities, schools, wildlife habitat, and natural resource areas including connections <br />between urban areas and open space on the urban fringe. <br />Recreation and Education <br />Provide a variety of regional recreation opportunities to meet the diverse needs of residents and <br />visitors in the region and utilize open space lands in and around the metro area for the <br />interpretation of natural resources historically important cultural resources. <br />Habitat <br />Protect and enhance a variety of habitat types including unique or at -risk plant and wildlife <br />communities. <br />Rivers, Waterways, and Wetlands <br />Protect, conserve, and enhance rivers, waterways, and wetlands and associated flood plains for <br />their habitat, flood protection, water quality, recreation, and scenic values. <br />Community Buffers <br />Maintain open space between the metro area and nearby small cities in order to preserve <br />community identity and protect farm and forest values and operations. <br />