October 2003 News Coverage - Laserfiche WebLink

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® Work continues on the new trail construction portion of the Oregon State Parks Recreational Trails Program Grant.The trail consultant hired to put together the construction contract for the new Amazon Headwaters Trail completed his work this summer.As a result of this work,it was determined that wetland delineations were required,and those have been completed. Staff is now working to obtain the necessary mitigation and building permits.The trail alignment near Canyon Drive was slightly altered based on input from the neighborhood.An additional bridge,required by the new alignment,will be designed and constructed using donated and volunteer labor organized by the Southeast Neighbors association. Forest Legacy Program Update. The Forest Legacy Program works in partnership with states to help private landowners and local communities work together to conserve and actively manage forest lands. Eugene's South Hills proposal, which ranked 15th out of 45 nationally,received$1 million in President Bush's FY2003 federal budget. However,opponents in the state legislature blocked Oregon's participation in the program. In July,the USFS,after twice extending the deadline for participation,reallocated the funds to other states. ACQUIRE LAND FOR FUTURE PARKS Parkland Acquisition The POS bond measure funded the acquisition of 12 neighborhood parks and one community park. I■Goal Already,eight neighborhood park sites have been O Completed acquired. Since the last quarterly report,two ❑In progress additional parcels have been purchased,one for a 0 3 6 9 12 0 Planning neighborhood park to serve the northeast area of Number of Sites Santa Clara and one to serve the southwest area within the Braewood subdivision. Both of these acquisitions were done in conjunction with stream corridor acquisitions for combined recreation and natural resource benefits.Planning and negotiations are 4111 continuing on additional sites in Santa Clara and west Eugene. Santa Clara Community Park Significant community involvement and planning has occurred relating to the acquisition of land for a community park to serve Santa Clara. Over the summer a diverse stakeholder group met three times to review and comment on a number of issues relating to the selection of a site outside the urban growth boundary. Issues discussed include parks and recreation services,growth management,natural resource protection,preservation of agricultural lands,housing,and transportation. The results of the committee's work and the work of economic and planning consultants will be produced as a final report and presented to the Mayor's PROS Committee,the Planning Commission,and City Council in the next several months. POS PUBLIC INFORMATION,EDUCATION,AND INVOLVEMENT Parks, Recreation &Open Space Comprehensive Plan --Current work efforts related to the PROS Comprehensive Plan include the completion of a recreation services study,a draft financial analysis of parks,recreation and open space services,and completion of the parks and open space inventory. In the next several months,the Mayor's Committee will use this information to begin a visioning process and to develop draft plan recommendations. Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Map--A new map of the City's parks system,including neighborhood and community parks,natural areas,trails,open spaces,recreation facilities,and cultural sites,has been completed. The map made its debut at the Eugene Celebration and has received very positive responses,including an editorial in the Register-Guard. • Park Signage--Staff has been working with graphics consultant,VIEW Design,on a new standard park entry sign. A sign prototype will be installed in Irwin Park this fall to evaluate the sign's durability, POS Quarterly Update: 10/02/03 7