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May 18, 1992 <br /> Mr. Doug Post <br /> PARCS <br /> City of Eugene <br /> 22 W. 7th Avenue <br /> Eugene, OR 97401 <br /> Dear Mr. Post: <br /> We appreciate being consulted about the draft proposal for the off -leash area at Morse <br /> Ranch Park. The Morse Ranch Off -Leash Association Board of Directors has reviewed <br /> and discussed the draft plan. We have not yet been able to share this draft plan with <br /> our general membership. <br /> Our Board has several major concerns about the plan and if it were the City's formal <br /> proposal we would recommend to our general membership that the Association oppose <br /> it. Our concerns about the draft plan are detailed below. <br /> 1. Since the opening of other off -leash areas, use of the Morse Ranch Park off -leash <br /> area has dropped dramatically. We believe the availability of other locations has <br /> decreased impacts so much that closure of the major portion of the East Pasture is <br /> unnecessary. <br /> 2. Restricting the off -leash area to the west portion of the East Pasture makes <br /> pedestrian access from some areas difficult. Presumably the closure of the east portion <br /> will also result in the loss of the existing access from Lincoln Street. This access is <br /> regularly used by several dog owners who walk to the Park from Lincoln, Olive, Prall <br /> and West 35th. The lack of any pedestrian facilities along Crest Drive would make <br /> pedestrian access to the revised off -leash area extremely unattractive and potentially <br /> dangerous. <br /> 3. Limiting the off -leash area to the portion of the East Pasture west of the stream <br /> appears to increase actual or potential conflicts with other Park users. It forces the dog <br /> activity into an area nearer to the Willamette Wildlife Center, the picnic area, and the <br /> Morse home. Some skeptics have suggested that this proposal is specifically designed t6 <br /> ensure that such conflicts do occur; then, after a suitable trial period, the off -leash <br /> program can be permanently and completely banned from the Park. <br /> 4. Reducing the size of the off -leash area will necessarily concentrate the impact. <br /> Concern has been expressed about the damage to the vegetation, including the grass on <br /> the hillside and along the stream bank. The proposal prevents access to the stream and <br /> eliminates potential for vegetative damage in that area, but it increases the potential for <br /> damage in the remaining area. We feel there are other alternatives which would <br /> adequately protect the stream bank, especially in light of the fewer number of users. <br />