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Amazon .trail needs li htS lights if there are objections from the neigh <br /> g born or problems with traffic. This is an un- <br /> Hiawatha's March 19 letter opposing light- paved area, so visibility is necessary to prevent <br /> ing on the running trail in Amazon Park con- falls, discourage undesired use, and dissuade <br /> tains invalid assumptions and opinions that re- molesters from bothering runners and walkers. <br /> quire a response. A busy daytime street and nearby houses are <br /> The primary group behind the current ef- insufficient to ensure a safe running and walk - <br /> fort to get lighting on the running trail is the ing area in the early morning and evening. <br /> Oregon Track Club Masters, an organization ,of More than 700 people signed the petition <br /> older runners that definitely does not fit the asking for lights. "Yuppies " — young, affluent <br /> "yuppie" label Hiawatha tries to hang on us. professionals--are in the minority. High school <br /> Our request is for no more than 30 to 35 lights and college students, business people and re- <br /> (paid for by private donations) on the 1 -mile tirees are the most frequent visitors. The <br /> running loop, not "96(!) street lights." The sawdust trail is important because it protects <br /> lights will not be regular street lights but will knees, feet and ankles. Coaches and trainers <br /> be aimed only on the running trail and will be bring high school and university athletes to the <br /> turned off at 10 p.m. Additional parking and Adidas Trail to safeguard them from injuries <br /> restroom facilities are not a part of our propos- that can occur after constantly practicing on <br /> al, although an additional restroom near the tracks, roads and sidewalks. There are many <br /> LTD bus stop would be worth considering, giv- dedicated walkers, young and old, who use it <br /> en the volume of use in this area of the park. for the same reason and enjoy and appreciate <br /> The plan for lights is definitely not "ill the convenience of a Eugene area specifically <br /> planned for runners and walkers. <br /> conceived" or "unnecessary." They are being <br /> requested for the safety of the very large num- As for proposed restrooms, check out the <br /> ber of runners who use the trail, most of whom facility at 24th and Pearl by the softball field — <br /> during the winter months must run after it gets very dirty, and inadequate. (Portable toilets <br /> dark at 5 p.m. The suggestion that runners car - used in the past became very unsanitary.) The <br /> ry a flashlight or risk traffic in the streets be- Amazon Community Center restrooms are <br /> trays a complete lack of knowledge about the small (single toilets) and no one is allowed to <br /> physical and safety needs of many runners. use them except patrons of the center. They <br /> The running trail in Amazon Park is hardly are closed and locked when the center is not <br /> "rustic" or "undeveloped." On the contrary, it being used. <br /> is one of the best developed and well -main- CAMERON L HUTCHESON } <br /> tained running trails I have ever encountered. Springfield <br /> The addition of limited lighting for safety dur- <br /> ing the winter months will make it among the <br /> best facilities of its type anywhere. <br /> While I am heavily involved with the ef- >„ :..•? <br /> forts to maintain East Alton Baker Park as a • <br /> natural refuge, I feel Hiawatha is completely <br /> wrong to try to apply the same arguments to <br /> lighting the running trail in Amazon Park. <br /> ERIC ZEMPER • <br /> Eugene <br /> Improve Adidas Trail 1 ' ) <br /> We need lights and a restroom! The pro- <br /> posed lights for the Adidas Trail are designed <br /> to focus downward and to be used before day- <br /> light in winter and after dusk until 10 p.m. <br /> Baffles would be installed on the outside of the <br />