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a <br /> 26 February 1998 <br /> Jim Torrey <br /> Page Two <br /> In suburban areas of Eugene, the opportunities for pavement removal are much, much greater. <br /> Many new subdivisions and commercial areas have long stretches of arterial and colter :or roads <br /> with completely useless central turn pockets (since, unlike our downtown streets, rr turns are <br /> permitted on these streets except at intersections). Examples include the main loop oad at <br /> Valley River Village; Chad Drive east of Coburg Road; Crescent Boulevard east of Cc. _,urg Road; <br /> G' ' between Crescent and Ayres; parts of West 18th between Polk and Chamb =i s; etc. By <br /> giving pavement from the central turn pocket along these streets, then curbing and planting <br /> median, these otherwise horribly bleak streets (just look at the enclosed photo of Gilham!) <br /> could be easily and with relatively little expense turned into veritable oases. <br /> If sensitively designed and maintained, landscaped medians would improve Eugene's livability in <br /> a variety of ways: <br /> 1. They would greatly increase the environmental vitality of many areas that are <br /> now vast expanses of life- denying pavement. <br /> 2. By removing pavement, we also reduce stormwater runoff and its negative <br /> consequences; and by permitting more water to percolate through the soil profile <br /> to the water table, we help maintain underground aquifers (that tend to become <br /> lowered in urban areas) at a desirable level. <br /> 3. At night, on two -way streets, landscaped medians that include a variety of shrubs <br /> effectively eliminate the disabling glare caused by the headlights of on- coming <br /> vehicles. <br /> 4. On streets with long stretches between painted crosswalks (e.g., River Road), <br /> medians can serve as safe refuges for pedestrians who would otherwise have to <br /> cross these formidably wide streets with no protection at all from speeding <br /> vehicles. <br /> 5. Landscaped medians are just one of many "cues" that help discourage speeding by <br /> making the street appear narrower. <br /> Conventionally landscaped planting areas along public right -of -ways typically include non- <br /> native plants, lawns, irrigation systems, or extensive areas mulched with bark, all of which <br /> are costly to install and maintain. It's no surprise, then, that such planting areas have fallen <br /> into disfavor in recent years as budgets have become tighter. But by using approaches to plant <br /> 'lection and maintenance that work with Nature (rather than against it), these pitfalls can be <br /> avoided. If these approaches sound different from what you're accustomed to, keep in mind that, <br /> like most other industries, the horticulture industry exists mostly to make profits, rather than <br /> to care for plants and the rest of the natural world in a sensible manner: <br /> 1. Unlike petunias and English laurel, site - appropriate native plants that co- <br /> evolved here in the upper Willamette Valley contribute to the surrounding <br /> natural environment rather than detract from it And native plants get along just <br /> fine without the coddling and pampering (and expensive labor) required by most <br /> non- native plants. Plus, everybody loves native plants; after all, they're the <br /> only kinds of plants that grow on the beautiful national forests and other public <br /> lands where most of us prefer to recreate. <br /> • <br />