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EUGENE Public Works <br /> Maintenance <br /> 1820 Roosevelt Boulevard <br /> Eugene, Oregon 97402 <br /> September 8, 1992 (503) 687 -5220 <br /> Paul Rabis <br /> 3105 Lincoln <br /> Eugene, OR 97405 <br /> • <br /> Subject: Morse Ranch Park <br /> Dear Paul, <br /> This is in response to your letter dated August 23, 1992. While we discussed <br /> your concerns at our August 28 and September 3 meetings at Morse Ranch Park, I <br /> thought you also would appreciate a written reply. <br /> One topic we discussed at length was the recommendation of the Parks and Rec- <br /> reation Commission and PARCS Executive Director Bob Schutz's decision to <br /> continue the Dog Off -Leash program at Morse Ranch Park. You have stated that <br /> you strongly oppose this decision and feel Morse Ranch is a poor location for <br /> this program. <br /> I understand you feel the wishes of the immediate neighbors did not receive <br /> sufficient weight against those of the park users. I believe the testimony <br /> received to date shows the recommendations of the Parks and Recreation <br /> Commission and Mr. Schutz's decision reflect the majority public opinion on <br /> retaining the off -leash program at the park. Due to this controversy, <br /> decisions regarding Morse Ranch Park over the past several months have been <br /> difficult ones and not taken lightly. Staff from Public Works and PARCS <br /> continue to work together to move forward on what has become a sensitive issue <br /> within the neighborhood. <br /> The concerns you and others raised that the dogs are causing unacceptable <br /> degradation of the creek resulted in the decision to fence off the area <br /> abutting the creek throughout the east pasture. During our first meeting, I <br /> instructed the crew to expand the enclosed area based on your concern the <br /> fence was too close to the creek. The fence design -used will allow an <br /> inexpensive realignment if the area enclosed needs to be changed again. City <br /> wetlands coordinator Deborah Evans, and Ed Alverson toured the east pasture <br /> during the first week of September 1 to evaluate the scope of the area to be <br /> fenced. After requesting a slight addition to the northern area enclosed, <br /> Deborah stated she felt comfortable with the location of the fencing. The <br /> Public Works Department will closely monitor of this area over the winter. <br /> The addition of the two new gates will allow the possibility of temporary <br /> closures of either side of the pasture if an overuse occurs. <br /> There is a strong staff commitment to protect sensitive areas within the park <br /> system while still allowing its use by the public wherever possible. In Mr. <br /> Jonathan Beall's letter, he suggested constructing a series of small check <br /> dams within the creek. Deborah thought this would be an excellent volunteer <br />