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. off <br /> Gity restraint paid o <br /> ast January the city of Eugene solidate public ownership of Alton <br /> refused to be stampeded into Baker Park. But doubts about the <br /> J making a tempting parkland comparability of the properties' val- <br /> trade. The city decision to wait has ue, as well as Meltebeke's need to <br /> now been rewarded. Local developer trade the parcels before his option ex- <br /> Bob Meltebeke will give the city land pired, left city officials wary of being <br /> it needs for a neighborhood park in rushed. <br /> the fast - growing Gilham neighbor- The new agreement is superior in <br /> hood in exchange for less suitable every respect. Meltebeke will get the <br /> park property nearby. It's a straight- 6.7 -acre Gilham Park property. He'll <br /> forward deal without the complica- give the city a three -acre parcel well <br /> tions that made the earlier land swap suited for development as a neighbor - <br /> a questionable proposition.. hood park. He'll also pay the $68,000 <br /> The Gilham neighborhood has difference between the two proper - <br /> long needed a park, and the prolifera- ties' appraised values. The city would <br /> tion of new housing subdivisions in like to use that money to buy yet an- <br /> the area makes the need even more other neighborhood park site in north <br /> imperative. The city owns the 6.7 -acre Eugene. The trade is an even -money <br /> Gilham Park on Gilham Road, but the deal, and property in one part of town <br /> land is not considered particularly de- won't be traded away to benefit park <br /> sirable park property — it's too big to users in another. <br /> be developed as a neighborhood park, The city should continue seeking <br /> and Gilham Road is busy and getting ways to acquire the Alton Baker Park <br /> busier. inholding. But officials were wise to <br /> Earlier this year Meltebeke op- avoid allowing an artificial deadline <br /> tioned a five -acre island of private to pressure them into using Gilham <br /> property in Alton Baker Park and of- Park as a bargaining chip. Residents <br /> fered to trade that parcel plus two of north Eugene were well served by <br /> acres in north Eugene for Gilham the city's decision to await a better <br /> Park. City officials would like to con- opportunity. <br /> - 7— z —9y <br />