4J Stadium, October 1999 Forward

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Walnut Grove Park -- The preliminary design and public improvement phases for t ifr)194 neighborhood park site in the River Road area are complete. Staff worked with the local c the American Society of Landscape Architects and University of Oregon Department P y g p rtment of Landscape Architecture practicum students to complete this process. The site is unique in that it is adjacent to western pond turtle habitat and an affordable housing development. A group of dedicated citizens helped design the park and continues to work with the Eugene Stream Team to improve habitat values within the park. The plan for the park is to create Eugene's first "habitat park" by making natural resource values a priority for the site while creating passive recreation opportunities. Although full construction of the park will not get under way until the adjacent property is developed (providing street access to the site), staff and volunteers are working to eradicate the invasive plant species that currently inhabit the park. Shadow Wood Park -- The first neighborhood workshop for the design of this neighborhood park in southeast Eugene is scheduled for November 4. It is anticipated that the preliminary design phase will be completed in early January. A conditional use permit is required for this development and will be applied for this winter. Construction documents are scheduled to be prepared in the spring with park construction commencing early in the summer of 2000. Athletic Facilities 1999 Field Renovations — Drainage improvements and renovation is complete at four soccer fields: two at Spencer Butte Middle School and two at Roosevelt Middle School. These fields now have "Sand Channel Greens" drainage systems which will significantly improve the drainage and allow for more play time. Public Works Maintenance staff completed the turf renovation of two athletic fields, one at Washington School and one at Willard/Eastside. Irrigation and turf renovation for one new soccer field and one renovated ballfield at Malabon School will be completed by the end of October. Irrigation and turf renovation for one existing soccer field at Monroe School /Ascot Park will begin immediately following the completion of work at Malabon. This work will be completed by the end of November. 2000 Field Renovations — Scoping work has begun for athletic fields at Danebo, Willakenzie, Jefferson, and Gilham schools: • Research regarding Danebo School field renovation is ongoing to determine if an irrigation well is feasible at this site. If so, short- and long -term costs to the Bethel School District from using a City water meter can be avoided. Preliminary field layout plans are also being studied, and final construction plans should be complete by spring in time for bidding and construction next summer. • Field layout studies are being conducted to determine the best layout for the fields at Willakenzie School. This project may be completed in 2001 depending upon schedules and priorities which will be determined in the next few months. • The existing field at Jefferson School currently has poor drainage conditions and has been overplayed. The addition of a field to the south would facilitate rotation of play and reduce the amount of wear on the existing field. The "Sand Channel Greens" drainage system is being considered for both fields to mitigate the drainage problems existing on site. Irrigation will also be a component of this project. The survey crew is scheduled to survey the existing conditions in the next couple of months, and plans should be ready for bidding and installation by early spring. • City staff met with school district officials and parent volunteers in early October to review progress to date and plan for installation of an irrigation system at Gilham School.