fence around the east pasture has been repaired and where needed replaced to <br /> control off -leash dogs from leaving the area and entering streets, the wooded <br /> areas, or adjoining properties. The creek which bi -sects the pasture has <br /> been fenced off to prohibit animals or people access to the creek within the <br /> pasture. A ten to fifteen foot buffering area on each side of the creek was <br /> included within the fenced area where the grass will be allowed to grow un- <br /> controlled. This buffering area is expected to provide some cleansing action <br /> of sediments in runoff water from the pasture which would enter the creek. <br /> The opening of the Amazon dog off -leash area has taken some of the use pres- <br /> sure off Morse Ranch from that seen during the spring of 1992. While some <br /> muddy areas have developed at Morse Ranch over this past winter from use <br /> during wet weather, staff involved feel these are less than seen the previous <br /> year. For comparison purposes, maintenance staff have described these muddy <br /> areas as similar to what is typically seen in developed soccer fields during <br /> the fall wet season. These areas are expected to "heal" on their own over <br /> the next few months with little staff work anticipated other than minor <br /> overseeding. <br /> Last Fall community meetings were held to review the proposed Wayne Morse <br /> Ranch Park Master Plan (see attached map). The current proposal includes the <br /> continuation of the dog off -leash area. <br /> Eugene Off -Leash Association of off -leash area users has continued to demon- <br /> strate a high level of involvement in this program. Through volunteer ef- <br /> forts, their association newsletter, and their posting of on -site signage <br /> this group has communicated to the area's users the need to refrain from over <br /> using specific areas. Association volunteers constructed a chipped all <br /> weather trail from the west paved parking lot to the entry into the off -leash <br /> area which encourages users to avoid parking on the abutting residential <br /> streets. Plans are being discussed with the Association for further develop- <br /> ment of all weather trials within the east pasture. It is expected the con- <br /> struction of these trails will further minimize areas within the pasture from <br /> becoming muddy during wet weather. <br /> Complaints from neighboring property owners and from representatives of the <br /> Wayne Morse Historical Park Corporation continue and stem from a fundamental <br /> disagreement with the appropriateness of the Ranch as a dog off -leash site. <br /> Staff will continue to monitor all program sites. At this time there are no <br /> plans to change the dog off -leash program as adopted. If you have any ques- <br /> tions or concerns please call me at 687 -5241 or send a message via OA to <br /> ChrisA. <br />