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r <br /> \TENE <br /> May 19, 2003 <br /> CONTACT: <br /> ➢ Robert Woodson, REI trail project coordinator, 465-1800 <br /> ➢ Michael Robert, head gardener, Hendricks Park, 682-5324 <br /> Therese M. Picado, Parks and Open Space Public Information Specialist, 682-4814 or <br /> 682-4800, therese.m.picado(a,ci.eugene.or.us <br /> FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE <br /> VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO RESTORE HISTORIC TRAIL IN HENDRICKS PARK <br /> The City of Eugene's Parks and Open Space Division, in partnership with REI, the <br /> Friends of Hendricks Park and several generous sponsors, will hold a trail building work party in <br /> Hendricks Park on May 31, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Volunteers interested in participating in <br /> the REI community service project should meet at the F.M. Wilkins Shelter at 2200 Summit <br /> Avenue for a training session prior to embarking on resurrecting a 0.25 mile trail to the oak knoll <br /> in the southwestern corner of the park. Parking is limited at the park; volunteers are asked to <br /> use alternative forms of transportation—bike, walk or park at Agate Hall and use the shuttle <br /> provided by LTD. The first 100 volunteers will receive free pizza for lunch, donated by Track <br /> Town Pizza. <br /> The trail, which has been in existence since 1915, used to lead to a look-out tower, but <br /> the tower collapsed and the trail became overgrown by 1975. The oak knoll trail will add to the <br /> growing network of trails that are being created in and around the park with the implementation <br /> of the Hendricks Park Forest Management Plan in 2000. <br /> The oak knoll is a highly sensitive remnant of the Willamette Valley oak woodlands <br /> habitat that was once a prominent part of the valley landscape. Considered globally <br /> endangered, today, only about one percent of this forest type remains in the valley. <br /> Environmentally sensitive techniques will be used to forge the trail into this relatively <br /> inaccessible and delicate area. Volunteers have already removed most of the weeds and <br /> salvaged native plants from the area. Volunteers, who participate in the May 31 event, will learn <br /> how to identify native plants in the area, including native poison oak, and how to protect this rare <br /> habitat, as well as what tools to use as they cut the soil to the specified grade, reinforce steep <br />