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THE REGISTER GUARD 6/30/92 , Dog owners, others should share ranch .y JOHN REPLINGER According to the "Wayne Morse Historical plan make the entire planning process suspect. to assist with maintenance of the park and N HER MAY 7, 1992, Op-Ed piece in The Corporation History and Purpose," prepared She states: "Unfortunately, before it (the mas- compliance with park rules related to the off- " Register - Guard, Ann Penny, chairwoman by the corporation between October 1991 and ter plan) could be developed, the alternative leash program. of the Wayne Morse Historical Park Corpo- January 1992: "One of the restriction of the use we were attempting to forestall did occur In response to public testimony before the ation, seeks to mobilize public opinion against Open Space Grant was that it could not be used — the off -leash program began in the pasture." parlor and Recreation Commieeion, the off - he off -leash dog program by emphasizing the for the purchase of Historical Sites. Therefore Since her stated objective of undertaking the leash program was continued at Morse Ranch dstoric nature of the Morse Ranch Park. She only the first floor of the residence was desig- master plan was to 'forestall" the off -leash Park and two additional off -leash areas were ages the public to "demand that the Morse nated as a Historical Site and its value was program, it is little wonder Penny wanted no established. 2anch be exempted from the dog oft -leash pro- excluded from the purchase price covered by input from anyone who disagrees with her CO n- The off leash program exists at only five of gam" the Open Space Grant " cept of Morse Ranch Park Eugene's approximately 50 parks. Even at Penny said one of her objectives was to Given her apparent belief that the historic Penny's dedication to historic aspects of the these five parks, the oft -leash area is restricted nclude some of the background which she function s the only one that should be served Morse Ranch Park s commendable but we to a portion of the park. At a few parks, dogs .aimed had been ignored or inaccurately re- at Morse Ranch Park, one wonders how Penny cannot afford the luxury of single- purpose are not permitted for any reason. At most ated in previous articles. In relating this back- can rationalize all the other functions that oc- parks. Eugene's 50-odd parks vary in size and parks, dogs must be on -leash at all times. pound, it appears she advances a few inaccu- cur at the park. Does Penny also propose to accommodate a range of uses. Morse Ranch With approximately 10,000 licensed dogs in sties herself. Rather then accepting our of- remove the children' day camp that operates Park is one of Eugene's larger parks and tae city of Eugene, it seems entirely reason ers to work cooperatively, Penny cabs for during the summers? How about the picnic should be expected to accommodate several able to set aside portion of a few Eugene wider public debate Since she insists on this, shelter and the parking lot that serves it near � parks where responsible dog owners can enjoy me feel obligated to respond to her statements the Morse home? Does she also seek to remove Penny insists that only historic use of the their companions by playing ball or just letting Users of the off -leash area do not under - the Willamette Wildlife Rescue operation? park is appropriate. She states: "No matter them run. Many forms of recreation like ten - dand why Penny is so strongly opposed to the how many measures are taken to lessen the �If nis, baseball and swimming require much The Historical Park Corporation's master congestive impact around the ranch or the en- greater program and why she is expending so s 8 Pa eater much energy fighting our shared use of the plan for the Morse Ranch Park cited as a vironmental impact upon the land, no comet- more expensive facilities and have traffic and noise impacts than does the off- ?ark Beneficiaries of the off -leash program, reason for excluding the off -leash program. It live measure can eliminate the inappropriate leash pro gram at Morse Ranch Park. including worth pointing out that this master plan is at a historic site." Historical some who are also members of the is wor ness of such activity cal Park Corporation, have offered to merely a student project and that other "mas- The Morse Ranch Off -I paUr Association undertake projects to enhance historical as- ter plans" have also been undertaken by stu- the the of the of lo pro- stands ready to work with neighbors, the Morse pea Penny has ridiculed these s of the park. Penn dents in past years. gram in August, a east pasture Morse Ranch Historical Park Corporation, and the Ranch Park was an underutilized resource. city of Eugene to make Morse Ranch Park a offers and continues to oppose our efforts Penny further states: "Now the plan on That, plus is large size and the presence of a better place for all of us. Please do not let In her Op-Ed piece, Penny emphasizes the • which we've spent so much thought and energy fence around the perimeter, made it particu• Penny's distorted notion of Morse Ranch Park references to the word "historic" and minimiz- has been presented to both parties in is final tarty attractive for the off -leash program. The influence your view of how it should be devel- form." Unfortunately, only members of the popularity of the off -leash program at Morse es references to "recreational functions" also PoD Y P 8Te oped. cited in the legislation by which the park was board of directors of the Historical Park Corpo- Ranch Park probably exceeded everyone's ex- created. Penny conveniently ignores funding ration appear to have seen the plan. Neither pectations. The program has evert led to the John Replinger of Eugene is a board mem- restrictions related to the Open Space Grant the public nor general members of the Histori- formation of the Morse Ranch Off -Leash Asso- ber of the Morse Ranch Off -Leash Association obtained from the Bureau of Outdoor Recre- cal Park Corporation have been able to see it. clation, an organization of dog enthusiasts seek- and submitted this statement on behalf of the ation Penny's reasons for develo ing the master ing tM promote responsible dog ownership and board. y