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The meeting time was posted at Spencer Butte Park and 250 notices were sent <br /> out to neighbors and interested parties (Spencer Butte Neighborhood Association, <br /> Nearby Nature, Native Plant Society, Audubon Society, Ropes Course users, social <br /> service agencies, etc.). Public Service Announcements were put on TV and in the <br /> Register Guard. <br /> Those attending included: two neighbors to Spencer Butte Park, representatives <br /> from Thurston High School, Looking Glass Shelter and Adolescent Recovery <br /> Program, Nearby Nature, Willard Elementary School, University of Oregon Outdoor <br /> Program, Mobility International, and City staff. <br /> PUBLIC RESPONSE <br /> The major concerns expressed by the two neighbors focussed on increased traffic, <br /> noise, impact on the "quality of the Spencer Butte experience" (being one of <br /> solitude and quiet), environmental impact of users not respecting trail boundaries, <br /> vandalism, creating an attractive nuisance, potential fire danger during fire season, <br /> and the City's willingness to be accountable and receptive in their evaluation of the <br /> impact on the area and the users of the park. <br /> - Each concern was discussed in depth and, to the extent possible, we have <br /> attempted to mitigate the impact. The underlined items below reflect concerns <br /> expressed by the two neighbors. Our staff response is summarized for your <br /> information. <br /> 1. Increased traffic. Signage will be requested from the county to address the <br /> traffic safety issues concerning the blind corner coming from the south of the park <br /> entrance. Most participants will come to the course as a group in a bus or van. <br /> Groups using the course will seldom exceed 15 people, with most groups below <br /> this number. There is basically one session per day. Thus, even if all participants <br /> drove individual vehicles to the Ropes Course site (which is most unlikely), the <br /> increase in traffic per day will be very minimal. In addition, vehicle trips will not <br /> occur during morning or evening high traffic times. <br /> 2. Noise. During facilitated Ropes Course activities, the group process focuses <br /> on communication in small directed discussions to solve assigned problems. These <br /> problems require a concentrated group effort, thereby keeping noise at a minimum. <br /> 3. Spencer Butte Experience /Environmental Impact /Attractive Nuisance. <br /> Ongoing supervision ensures that participants will be guided from one element to <br /> the next while staying within the designated boundaries. Access to the high <br /> elements will be limited to those times that the course is supervised. Ladders and <br /> bridges uvl#be removed after use. Potential impact on the "quality of the Spencer <br /> Butte experience" would be minimal because the course will be located adjacent to <br /> the parking lot. <br />