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thime The City of Eugene's recent efforts to acquire and protect the headwaters of Amazon Creek <br /> have been undertaken with the support of many planning studies and much public <br /> encouragement. <br /> 2003 -2007 Oregon Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan. The top four recreation <br /> activities of in -state residents identified by SCORP will be enhanced by acquisition of this <br /> parcel: running/walking for exercise; nature /wildlife observation; walking for pleasure; and bird <br /> watching. These activities are also within the top six for out -of -state visitors. This parcel will <br /> also provide good opportunities for outdoor photography, another prized activity. <br /> Three key statewide outdoor recreation issues identified in SCORP are addressed in the East <br /> Fork Amazon Headwaters project: Need for recreational trails and trail connectivity; Need for <br /> Land Acquisition; Resource Protection/Environmental Education. <br /> Finally for SCORP Planning Region 3, the project addresses the number 2 priority, recreational <br /> trail (non - motorized) connectivity. <br /> South Hills Study (1974) <br /> This study provided recommendations for ways the City could preserve the unique visual, <br /> biological, and recreational character of the south hills. The Amazon Headwaters area is <br /> specifically mentioned as a place to pursue acquisition of major (30 +acre) parks to serve <br /> recreational, visual boundary and biological needs. <br /> Eugene Parks and Recreation Plan (19871 <br /> This is the current guiding policy document for acquisition and development of park and open <br /> space in the City of Eugene. Developed by members of the Eugene Joint Parks Committee and <br /> City staff, the process induded significant community and neighborhood involvement efforts, <br /> and concluded with formal adoption by the City Council. The lan specifically pacifically identifies policies <br /> and actions for the South Hills, induding acquiring lands with significant habitat areas and <br /> access corridors linking recreational areas to adjacent residential areas. <br /> Parks and. Open Space Bond Measure (1998) <br /> In November, 1998 Eugene voters approved a $25.23 million bond measure to fund a variety of <br /> parks and open space projects throughout the community. The measure was the result of <br /> ongoing work of the Mayor's Parks and Open Space Committee. The work of this group, and <br /> an extensive public input process which included public forums and community surveys, <br /> determined the project types and locations that were included in the final bond measure. The <br /> Upper Amazon Creek watershed was specifically mapped in a brochure distributed city wide as <br /> one area for Ridgeline Park expansion. City of Eugene voters approved the bond measure by <br /> an almost 2:1 margin. <br /> Rivers to Ridges: Metropolitan Regional Parks and Open Space Study (2003) <br /> The Rivers to Ridges vision study was developed using a combination of citizen, staff and <br /> elected official input received between 2001 and 2003. The vision is conceptual and intended <br /> to serve as a framework for future park and open space protection. The Amazon Headwaters <br /> area is mapped as both a Highly Visible Scenic Resource, and as a potential Open Space <br /> Anchor. Policies in support of this project include preserving scenic quality; making natural <br /> area connections for wildlife and recreation; preserving habitat areas for unique or at -risk plant <br /> and animal species. The Rivers to Ridges Vision was unanimously endorsed by the Lane <br />