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compromise because it falls between extremes: it is a smaller area than desired by off -leash area <br /> users who want access to the entire pasture and opponents who want it shut down completely. <br /> I do not believe it is a "compromise" nor is it a good solution. The City staffs proposal fails to <br /> address the real issues and has several flaws. It forces most of the dog activity closer to <br /> Willamette Wildlife, the Morse home and the picnic shelter. In addition, it concentrates activity <br /> in a smaller area, thus increasing potential for vegetative damage. One of my personal concerns <br /> is the lack of safe access by pedestrians from the east. Under the "compromise" plan, I would be <br /> forced to walk for several hundred yards along Crest Drive which lacks of sidewalks. My safer <br /> alternative would be to drive to the park instead of my present five block walk. <br /> I think it is also entirely inappropriate for Paul Rabbis and a couple other neighbors to dictate <br /> what activities occur within an 800 -foot buffer around their houses. Do I deserve any less <br /> consideration? Will the City shut down the new Babe Ruth ballfield at Dunn School at my <br /> request? Would Eugene's internationally- recognized, award - winning bicycle system exist today <br /> if the City had caved in to wishes of the immediate property owners? <br /> If the problem is unsafe parking on Crest Drive, let's address that issue. If the City's traffic <br /> engineer determines by application of established engineering practices that parking should be <br /> prohibited, the City should post it for no parking and enforce the prohibition. But, let's have no <br /> nonsense about prohibiting dogs in the park as a solution to a parking or traffic problem. <br /> If noise is the problem, let's evaluate that on its own. We asked at the Parks & Recreation <br /> Commission's hearing in February that uniform criteria be developed on which to evaluate all <br /> park uses. We do not mind being held to an equivalent standard with that of other park users <br /> and uses because we are confident our use has no greater impact than many others. I am <br /> convinced there is less noise impact caused by our dogs than by baseball games conducted <br /> across Willamette Street from my house, for example. <br /> If stream bank erosion is a problem, let's deal with that. Fencing in the specific areas which <br /> have been eroded along with planting of vegetation which discourages access to the drainage <br /> channel is a possible solution. <br /> It is really distressing that a small number of very vocal opponents has been able to keep <br /> bringing into question the status of the off -leash area at Morse Ranch Park. In the spring, users <br /> of the off -leash area had lots of energy to devote to projects to make the Park better for all <br /> citizens of Eugene, but much of that energy has been dissipated fighting the accusations and <br /> exaggerated claims made by opponents. <br /> If Paul Rabbis and Ann Penny succeed in getting the dog off -leash area restricted or eliminated, <br /> it will be a dear message that if you complain loudly enough and long enough, you will <br /> eventually get your way. I believe it is way past time for the City to tell the opponents to back <br /> off. It is not their park and the entire program cannot be continuously questioned just because <br /> there are a couple aspects of the new use to which they object. <br /> Sincerely, <br /> deb 00„---4, <br /> ' . hn Replinger <br /> 41 West 35th Avenue <br /> Eugene, OR 97405 <br />