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su Public Works <br /> Parks&Open Space Division <br /> City of Eugene <br /> 1820 Roosevelt Blvd. <br /> Eugene, Oregon 97402 <br /> (541)682-4800 <br /> (541)682-4882 FAX <br /> www.ci.eugene.or.us <br /> Diane Dietz <br /> The Register-Guard <br /> P.O. Box 10188 <br /> Eugene, OR 97440 <br /> Dear Ms. Dietz, <br /> Parks staff are concerned about the picture of a young man climbing the wall of one of the <br /> bathrooms at Hendricks Park on the first page of the paper this morning and the caption, <br /> "The restrooms at Hendricks Park are indeed closed which might lead <br /> passers-by to infer a certain desperation in Solomon Rothman's behavior <br /> Tuesday. Of course, it was only the loo's rock construction that attracted <br /> Rothman, 20, and a couple of his rock-climbing friends. Real rock and <br /> absolutely no danger make for a perfect climbing experience." <br /> A "...perfect climbing experience" is troubling because it seems to invite this behavior. And, <br /> "absolutely no danger," is quite subjective; we are concerned about people's safety. In addition <br /> to the potential of falling onto concrete from a height of 12 feet, the roof is metal and walking on <br /> it is not only dangerous but will likely cause damage. The information is also misleading. There <br /> are two restrooms in Hendricks Park. Only one is closed seasonally. The restroom in the main <br /> garden area is open year-round. <br /> We hope to discourage this kind of activity on park restroom walls. The City provides an area in <br /> Skinner Butte Park, an historic quarry site, where citizens can practice rock climbing (at their <br /> own risk, of course). I am informed by City recreation staff with experience and expertise in the <br /> sport that the Skinner Butte site offers a full range of climbing challenges, from beginning to <br /> advanced. Few communities provide such facilities, but Eugene does. This is where people <br /> should practice rock climbing, if they are so inclined. Naturally, we encourage appropriate <br /> safety measures be taken. <br /> Park restrooms or the walls of other public buildings were not designed for this activity. It is <br /> dangerous and could cause damage to the sti`ucture as well. We hope you will promote <br /> responsible rock climbing and suggest you talk to the City of Eugene Outdoor Program staff at <br /> 682-5329 to learn about the City's unique recreational rock climbing program. <br /> Page 1 of 2 <br />