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b <br /> ,,,\\‘5 ‘it Y <br /> ut ( <br /> ,. <br /> \� �°� � <br /> February 14, 1996 ��' �4 <br /> T\ 414' <br /> Mylie Carter I J \�� i <br /> 2112 Agate Street ,� C" 0 ' I <br /> Eugene, Oregon 97403 e �. , Q <br /> Dear Mylie Carter: \6) �s, xW <br /> Your interest in the status of irrigation needs and trees within Washburn Park has b en passed � t <br /> onto me for response. Let me take a moment to explain what events are happenin , and have U \ c' <br /> 'c- , /lj <br /> happened, with respect to this park. <br /> First,the decision has been made to replace the old deteriorated irrigation system. Our goal is to \ k <br /> have the new system functional in early summer prior to the ground drying out after the rainy - i <br /> period ends. We are currently in the design phase for the system and hope to go to bid and Ut /�VV <br /> subsequently select a contractor prior to May 1, 1996. Since the chance of survival for young o--) k <br /> trees is the greatest if planted in the winter months when they are dormant, our plan is to r <br /> schedule the plantings between November of 1996 and February of 1997. This will allow us a , t <br /> little time to work on the tree species and planting site selection to insure we get the proper trees § b�� `, <br /> planted in the proper places. I will be working with Scott Plamondon, the City's Urban Forester, QS iitI"to develop a draft planting plan over the next few months. This schedule will include ��� <br /> opportunities for people such as yourself with an interest in this park to comment on the plan. (1, <br /> i \t)li IQ' 4c,:t. <br /> There are some design issues with respect to the park that should receive some public comment, '� <br /> since they may affect where trees are planted. At two different occasions in years past, 1'+ V t) <br /> consideration was given to the overall plan for the park,particularly with respect to the fountain vr <br /> Given the investment of the irrigation system, some deterioration ofthe pool ` <br /> pool. majorg '` �(, �� <br /> surface, and maturity of some of the plantings, a review of past plans and ideas for modification 0 k <br /> is in order. Should the pool be removed? Should play equipment be installed? Should it k ,,t cil <br /> become a stage? Should it be a setting for a major piece of sculpture? <br /> Typically, answers to the type of questions asked above are gained through a public park plan <br /> development process. Unfortunately,the current commitments driving the work load in our <br /> Parks Planning Office are such that we could not conduct a series of meetings that would result <br /> in a new development plan within the next 18 months. <br /> However, given that past consideration of park changes has always focussed on the lower area <br /> around the lower north end of the park, staff would be comfortable in considering a plan for <br /> replacement trees in the upper and south end of the park without undergoing the full <br /> development plan process. We would want to obtain agreement from the immediate interested <br /> neighborhood groups (S.U.N.A. and Fairmount Neighbors)that confirms a plan to plant only in <br /> areas not likely to undergo some change, pending the updating of the overall development plan. <br /> Within such a process, our planning staff would work with interested individuals on proposed <br /> varieties and their placement. <br />