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MEDLIN Johnny R From: JENNINGS Carrie A To: SWANSON GRIBSKOV Laurie Cc: ETTER John F; MORGAN Dick A; MEDLIN Johnny R; ANDERSEN Chris F Subject: Washburn Park Date: Wednesday, March 05, 1997 1:03PM FROM: Bob Hammitt I thought you might be interested in receiving an update on the recent improvements which have been made at Washburn Park. As you may recall, we undertook this project with the goal of returning the park to a condition similar to how it appeared before the loss of irrigation in 1994. I suspect you are aware that the irrigation system replacement was completed last summer. The new system has the capacity for both serving the needs of the developed turf and treed areas. The public planning process for the tree renovation plan has also now been completed. In order to achieve the goal of returning this area to historical conditions, the tree renovation plan process was designed to be accomplished in four components. 1. During the summer of 1996 staff gathered information on each tree's location, size, type and health. This information was used to generate a tree inventory map. 2. Staff reviewed a tree inventory from 1961 and 1984 and historical drawings depicting the size and variety of trees in the park. 3. Staff developed a tree renovation plan which depicts what trees have been lost in the park and designates suitable replacement trees. 4. Public review of the plan was provided at the Fairmont Neighbors Association on October 13, 1996 with approximately 20 people in attendance. The plan in place calls for the planting of approximately 30 new trees split fairly evenly between the park and the street right-of-way. I support moving ahead with the planting of the street trees but have concerns regarding the planting of trees within the park at this time. Considering the probable reductions in maintenance funding for parks, I feel we should postpone planting new trees within the park until at least this fall. The post Measure 47 level of park maintenance funding has the potential of again causing watering and other ongoing maintenance activities to be discontinued at many of our parks. By waiting a few months to plant we may forestall the possibility of us loosing newly planted trees due to lack of water or maintenance. I would be interested in your comments on postponing the park tree plantings. If we postpone the planting within the park, a letter will be sent to the Fairmont Neighbors and Mylie Carter explaining the need for this action. In addition to the above, I thought you might be interested in seeing a brief summary of comments received at the Fairmont Neighbors meeting. 1. Agreement on the need to start replacing sick and dead trees. Neighbors would like to see phased approach of evaluation and removal as needed. 2. Neighbors like the idea of high canopy trees along Agate Street. Some interest expressed in using big leaf maples instead of proposed Homestead Elms. 3. Interest in creating shaded seating areas by replacing some of the Birch with larger shade trees. 4. Like the idea of planting some weeping willow by the wading pool. 5. Neighbors would like to see the English Laurel trimmed lower or removed from corner of Columbia and Fairmont to increase visibility into the park from above. 6. Neighbors would like to see smaller plant material planted to replace laurel to screen cars from being viewed while in the park. They mentioned Oregon Grape. 7. Neighbors felt that the North edge of park was to thick with vegetation and promoted illegal activities. Page 1