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Initial design discussions determined that the native plant garden should be: inviting, accessible, <br /> and informative. This arrangement of planting areas with a wide variety of plants will make the <br /> heart of the Park a more inviting place where people can explore and learn. A network of new <br /> walking paths will make the area more accessible, and pedestrian safety will be improved. <br /> (Panels 5 -6) <br /> A Place for Learning <br /> Hendricks Park provides unique ecological, historical, recreational, aesthetic and educational <br /> resources to the community. The educational component will be especially important in the Native <br /> Plant Garden. In addition to the opportunity to identify plants and see them arranged by community <br /> and ecotype, there will be a variety of learning resources available. Printed materials and <br /> workshops will focus on native plants and their use, understanding native landscapes, and <br /> ecosystem management strategies. There will be wildflower tours and eventually a self - guided tour <br /> of native plants in the forest and Native Plant Garden to illustrate forest succession and other <br /> natural processes. <br /> In addition, the Forest Management Plan encourages liaisons with educational institutions at many <br /> levels and promotes the Native Plant Garden as an outdoor classroom. Research opportunities <br /> using forest ecology, biology and landscape architecture college students, as well as local <br /> elementary, middle school and high school students will be an important endeavor; and local plant <br /> and garden- oriented groups will have opportunities to learn as well as volunteer time and <br /> knowledge. <br /> (Panel 1) <br /> From Concept to Reality... <br /> Development of the Native Plant Garden is being accelerated through a "Hendricks Park Native <br /> Plant Garden Fund" established with the Oregon Community Foundation. Initial contributions <br /> were provided by family and friends of Mary Rear Blakely, who died in May 2000 of breast <br /> cancer. <br /> The Native Plant Garden is dedicated: "In Donor ofMary Rear Blakely, a native of Eugene, <br /> student of the world, and lifelong educator, to celebrate her life, spirit, and love of native plant <br /> gardening." <br /> This memorial recognizes Mary's lifelong love of gardening as well as her commitment to learning, <br /> sharing, and teaching. Mary was an avid gardener and lover of native Oregon plants. She spent <br /> the past ten years researching and growing native plants, while sharing what she learned with many <br /> other people. <br /> Mary has been an educator for three decades, beginning as an elementary teacher then joining <br /> university faculties after gaining her Ph.D. Mary's strong interest in exploring other cultures led <br /> her to live and teach at universities in China, then at the U of O's American English Institute. <br /> This project is becoming a reality through an exemplary 'public/private partnership'. Development <br /> funding is being provided jointly by the City of Eugene and the Hendricks Park Native Plant <br /> Garden Fund. Jerry Blakely, Mary's husband, is working closely with Parks & Open Space staff <br /> on design and implementation of the garden. He is also bringing together a variety of talented <br /> people to assist with the project and is actively seeking additional funding as well as in -kind <br /> contributions for various aspects of the project. <br /> • <br />