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• re 8 10 •" till k _ _ BOOKS ��►��`��\ �■ _ i - i _ _ :f Y. O I_ = rd� -� � vc • r oafo : — ip University gNei hbors West 1458 Ferry Street - Eugene - Oregon - 97401 October 11, 1995 City of Eugene Parks Maintenance ATI': Dick Morgan • Mr. Morgan, The West University Neighbors met October 5 to discuss the current situation • in the West University Park on E.14th Street. At this meeting we learned that the park is called Acid Park by the locals. This accurately describes how the park is most frequently used these days. Both Becky Hanson and Ken Saxon from the Eugene Department of Public Safety attended the meeting and talked about the serious illegal activities (drug dealing and assaults) taking place in the park. This past summer, the situation was far worse than in past years. Most neighbors don't use the park anymore because of the unsafe conditions. We avoid it for both personal safety and public health concerns. Several options were discussed including installation of basketball courts, closing, or selling the park. The neighbors don't want to lose the park land but agreed that as a park, the area is already lost to us. After lengthy discussion, the group agreed that an immediate temporary closure "for renovation" is appropriate. This would give the police an opportunity to deal with the street crimes issues, public works could address the physical condition of the park, and all concerned parties will have some time to evaluate the future use of this land. West University Neighbors considers the situation in the park to be a crisis and will support a temporary closure for as long as it takes for a change to occur. Sincerely, Shannon McCarthy Chair, West University Neighbors cc: Dave Whitlow Christine Donahue Rich Weinman