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Forest Legacy:This federal program works in partnership with states to help private landowners and local <br /> communities work together to conserve and actively manage threatened forest lands. Because the 2002 <br /> Oregon State Legislature Emergency Board did not act to give consent for the state to participate in the <br /> Forest Legacy Program,Eugene lost the$325,000 in FY 2002 funds that had been awarded. However,the <br /> FY 2003 funds that were designated for Eugene,up to$1.062 million,are still being held subject to <br /> approval by the 2003 State Legislature. A consortium of interested conservation,environmental and land <br /> trust organizations has agreed to work with key legislators to get a bill introduced early in the upcoming <br /> legislative session. <br /> ACQUIRE LAND FOR FUTURE PARKS <br /> Progress is continuing on the City's effort to <br /> Parkland Acquisition purchase park land. Four purchases have been <br /> completed,providing land for future <br /> is Goal neighborhood parks in the Willakenzie,River <br /> EtCompleted Road,and Santa Clara areas,where two park sites <br /> I I ❑in progress are located. Significant progress has been made <br /> 0 3 6 9 12 ❑Planning on four property negotiations,including one site <br /> Number of Sites adjacent to Tugman Park in southeast Eugene, <br /> two additional sites in Santa Clara that are <br /> pending final land use permitting,and a site in the Bethel area south of Royal. <br /> Santa Clara Community Park <br /> Mayor Torrey presented the acquisition and development plan for the Santa Clara Community Park at the <br /> City Parks Forum hosted by the American Planning Association in Reno earlier this year. The plan was <br /> reviewed and discussed by a panel of nationally renowned experts in the field of parks and recreation. The <br /> panel made a series of recommendations and awarded the City a$35,000 catalyst grant for further planning <br /> studies,including economic analysis and public involvement. Staff is initiating this work and plans to <br /> present a progress report to Council early in 2003. <br /> OTHER PARK& OPEN SPACE PROJECTS(NOT FUNDED BY POS BOND MEASURE) <br /> A number of non-POS park projects are under way.These projects meet objectives similar to those of POS <br /> projects but are funded from other sources of revenue,primarily park SDCs. <br /> Gilham Park <br /> Phase: Construction <br /> The Gilham Park project is substantially completed,with tree and shrub planting to occur by mid- <br /> November. The tile art"four square"by Betsy Wolfston will also be installed in mid-November with <br /> additional art tile for the bridge in the park to arrive by the end of the year. Site furniture was placed in <br /> mid-October,along with the last playground items.Highlights of the project include the play area,which <br /> has seen intensive use by all ages of children since it opened and the bark-mulch walking trail. The future <br /> fitness equipment area,which is a joint installation project by the City,the School District 4J,PeaceHealth <br /> and Project Fit America,will be completed by the school district by the end of November. <br /> Hendricks Park Rhododendron Garden <br /> Phase: Various <br /> A new fountain feature is complete and operating in the main garden area. Built as a memorial donation, <br /> the fountain includes artistic stone work and a new,custom bench. Staff is moving forward with next steps <br /> of the Native Plant Garden by preparing planting beds,planning for new trail connections,and <br /> coordinating volunteer efforts with the project donor and Friends of Hendricks Park. Planning staff will <br /> also assist with the design and construction of a new outdoor terrace near the recently rebuilt picnic shelter. <br /> wr• POS Quarterly Update: 10/31/02 7 <br />