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and vandals from the park is anoth- er issue, however. Some committee Scobert Park members said they doubt the recom- 2- 3- 9 "7 mendations will make much differ- recommendations ence, despite the creativity of their • Increase enforcement of proposals. park rules and city laws, "All of these 21 (recommends- possibly using civilian guides Park ideas lions) have been tried before, so I and private security have no great hope that this will ac- • Establish a neighborhood tually change matters in the park," ban on the sale of malt liquor, said Doug Ebbitt, a committee mem- fortified wine and other to i n e l ode ber who lives Just east of the park. beverages with a high alcohol "Last summer, the park was truly content taken over by a group of drug deal- • Conduct foot or bike ers and drug users, and us neighbors patrols by officers stationed at beer ban tried to dislodge them but we the Whiteaker Public Safety couldn't," he said. "So, unless the po- Station lice are willing to enforce the law, • Provide longer jail terms or tai chi classes aren't going to do harsher fines for people who • Scobert: Panel makes much good." violate pack rules or city laws recommendations for The city will mail copies of the • Encourage citizen recommendations this week to about involvement with the park at Blair Boulevard 60 people who have expressed inter- Whiteaker Neighborhood and West Fourth. est in Scobert Park since the facility Advisory Board and the was partially closed in September. Whiteaker Community Council The advisory committee will ac- • Fully fence the park with By JOE KIDD cept written comments until Feb. 21, lockable gates then vote on the recommendations • Mow social service The Register - Guard March 4. Later, the proposals will go agencies to set up information Eugene officials should ban some to the managers of the public works booths several times a year beer sales near Scobert Park, beef and public safety departments. • Provide information about up police patrols and sponsor more Eugene officials said it's unclear drug and alcohol rehabilitation neighborhood activities in the trou if they'll have money for stepped -up programs offered by social bled park, the city backed Scobert police patrols and other recommen- service groups Park Advisory Committee has decid dations such as installing public rest- • Maintain the park's unique rooms near the park. character as a "passive -use" ed. Property tax- limiting state Ballot area in the neighborhood After months of brainstorming, Measure 47 could bite $10 million • Install plaques with plant the 14 - member citizens panel re - out of next fiscal year's $78 million and tree information cently chose from dozens of ideas general fund, so supervisors already • Encourage community for cleaning up the oneacre park are bracing for citywide cuts in serv- near Blair Boulevard and West ices, spending and staff positions. groups and a proposed of Scobert Park" Park" Fourth Avenue. One recommendation would get association to volunteer help The committee now has a tenta around that by recruiting businesses and funding tive list of 21 proposals to spruce up to help pay the salary of a new foot- • Change the park name to the facility and crack down on peo patrol officer based at the Whiteak "Scobert Garden" pie who violate park rules. er Public Safety Station, just two • Improve park lighting The recommendations, which go blocks from the park • Provide public restrooms The committee also called for near the ark out for public review this week, in- P volunteer citizen patrols or park clude offbeat ideas such as hosting "guides" who would ward off illegal • Erect signs directing tai chi classes in the park, and major activity, although police may not people to the nearest public changes such as banning the sale of support the idea • Install malt liquor, fortified wine and other "That type of activity does need nstall new playground potent drinks near the park. to be properly supervised; said equipment for young children Committee members said they're Richard Bremer, a community serv- • Recruit youth volunteers to optimistic city officials will adopt ice specialist at the Whiteaker std- build or raise funds for new tion. "I know that the (police) d e - playground equipment some if not many of the suggestions. partment is a little uncomfortable • Encourage concerts in the "I think the recommendations of - putting people in harms way." park fer a variety of things to choose The committee hopes volunteers • Host low- impact activities from," said Carol Fernlund, a com also will tackle tasks such as hosting such as classes for tai chi, mittee member and University of summertime workshops and buying martial arts, meditation and Oregon business manager. or building playground equipment. Yoga Clearing drug dealers, loiterers The group listed some expensive ide- • Organize art shows or Turn to PARK, Page 2C as — such as fencing the entire park auctions to raise funds for with lockable gates — regardless of park improvements the looming budget cuts. • Encourage summer "We all agreed that we have to workshops on gardening, art, not think about funding because hobbies or history maybe some of these things can be SOURCE: Scobert Park Advisory done three to five years down the " . road when funding is available," Fernlund said. that everyone involved was really Some suggestions, such as the committed to that park and its fu- beer and wine ban, would require tore in the neighborhood, and my approval of the City Council. Scott hopes have been borne out." Messner said he and other council members are willing to consider the recommendations. For more information, call the pub - "I'm really pleased with how the lic works maintenance division at advisory committee process has 687 -5220. Written comments can be gone," said Messner, who represents sent to the Whiteaker Public Safety the Whiteaker area. "It was my Station, 520 Blair Boulevard, Eu- sense before they were appointed gene, OR 97402. -1 _ ., a -