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• 11. LOCAL RECREATION NEEDS /BENEFITS AND PLANNING - Describe and explain the needs and benefits of the proposed project. Describe any social, economic or other benefits resulting , itig ) from the project. Is this project identified in local park master plans, local comprehensive plans, and/or watershed, basin -wide or statewide eco-regional restoration, or SCORP, and how it meets the needs identified in these planning documents. What local or regional need does it meet and who the primary users of the project site will be. Describe any planning and public involvement efforts that led to the selection of the project, including citizen involvement through public workshops and public hearings, park board and local citizen advisory committees in the development of local park plans. Needs: With increasing population and associated development occurring within Eugene's Urban Growth Boundary (UGB), the need to preserve and increase the flood capacity, water quality, and habitat values of the Amazon Creek system has intensified. A denser population has also increased the recreational impacts on natural systems. sprawl, thd o create ate attractive places to live within the UGB and to reduce the dem and been acquiring significant acreage within the headwaters of Amazon Creek: Over the past five years, these acquisition efforts have preserved the hydrological functions of the headwaters, created a larger, more robust habitat preserve, and have increased the bearing capacity and diversity of the recreational system. The primary users of this site will probably be residents of the adjacent neighborhood, but they would be closely followed by the rest of the hiking and biking population in Eugene. The trail system is very heavily used in Eugene, and support for new trail construction is high. Social benefits: The parcel is adjacent to over 100 acres of City - owned parkland, and its acquisition will provide an important Zink between one south Eugene neighborhood and the regional Ridgeline Park. As other neighborhood links are created, interconnectivity between these neighborhoods will be increased. The site also helps provide a visual contrast to developed urban areas to it's north, and helps define the southem edge of the city. Its s.)* preservation as a wooded natural area helps maintain the community's sense of place. Economic benefits: The Ridgeline Trail has been featured prominently in tourist brochures and in magazine articles about the livability of Eugene. Improvements to the system will continue to draw people to the region based on the quality of life it affords. Acquisition of the headwater streams also will lead to overall long-term contrast t . costs maintenance t would be incurred if the parcel is system and to flood control efforts developed. Recreational Benefits: The project will provide opportunities for walking, biking, running, wildlife viewing, bird watching, nature photography, environmental education and volunteer involvement. It is dose to developed neighborhoods, and will link them to the Ridgeline Park and to other neighborhoods adjacent to it. Environmental benefits: Acquisition of the specific parcel for which grant funding is being sought will protect one of the most pristine natural areas within the Eugene - Springfield metropolitan area. It will provide a diversity of high quality habitat types and will protect an area which has good potential habitat for several endangered species, and will serve as a wildlife refuge to an increasingly large natural reserve and as a corridor to rural lands outside the UGB. Development of the trail will direct access to appropriate areas and protect the more sensitive habitats. Protection of the headwater streams will help preserve water quality.