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Hammitt, Bob <br /> From: Medlin, Johnny <br /> To: Long, Jack <br /> Cc: Etter, John; Morgan, Dick; McVey, Fred; Hammitt, Bob <br /> Subject: FW: South Hills/Spencer Butte trail improvements <br /> Date: Tuesday, July 19, 1994 1:29PM <br /> Jack, while she is very new and I don't see her taking an active roll on this issue, this is the type of thing in areas <br /> other than stormwater that I believe Ruth should be made aware of and at least be passively involved. When <br /> we get into the educational component, I suspect we could be duplicating efforts of outreach or in the very least <br /> missing on opportunities for coordination if we don't. Thanks Johnny <br /> From: Etter, John <br /> To: Morgan, Dick; Rhay, Tim <br /> Cc: Weber, John; Medlin, Johnny; Wirth, Dan (RIS1) <br /> Subject: South Hills/Spencer Butte trail improvements <br /> Date: Tuesday, July 19, 1994 10 ,20AM <br /> An opportunity exists which I believe is worth reprioritizing some tasks to take advantage of. This comes out of <br /> discussions the Parks Planning staff have had recently with Dan Wirth, a fire captain at DPS. <br /> Firefighters Local 851 is interested in a work project that could tie in with our concems about the condition of the <br /> `South hills and Spencer Butte trails. There are numerous improvements and repairs that could be made in the <br /> interest of natural area restoration and preservation, public safety, and accessibility by rescue units. Dan Wirth <br /> has suggested that in as short a period as two weeks that the union organization could go in an do some of the <br /> obvious things that don't need a maintenance plan, including: <br /> Removing various tripping items -- rebars sticking up that once pinned log <br /> headers to define trails, fencing that has been forced down to tripping levels, <br /> roots and rocks <br /> Reinforcing definition of the legitimate trails with various markers, and creating <br /> physical barriers to cut off short cuts <br /> Removing some elements that deflect people from the main trail - -down logs, <br /> rocks <br /> Creating new steps in areas of awkward footing to make the preferred route safe <br /> and obvious. <br /> Removing evidence of fires, to suggest that there is no place they can be built. <br /> This work might best be done during a closure of the area, when concrete might be best placed. Work by the <br /> Local during the closure would also afford opportunities to educate the public about what was going on, and raise <br /> consciousness about fire hazards and care of the park in general. The Local would also get some recognition, <br /> and hopefully be encouraged to undertake such work more frequently. <br /> This is a interdepartment relationship that is mutually beneficial. As the fire crews spend time in the area they <br /> will become more familiar with the land features in the context of fire or rescue operations, and be able to <br /> perform thoselittter. (They have taken three injured people off the butte this year so far.) <br /> I am having Hal Gausman draw up some improve maps of the area with corrected trail alignments for use in both <br /> short term and long term planning. This winter I believe we should develop a greater plan and an inventory of <br /> projects that volunteer groups can do, and be ready to invite various groups to undertake them at appropriate <br /> Page 1 <br />