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TWO-WEEK EDITION <br /> EUGENE <br /> EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER <br /> December 18, 2003 <br /> City of Eugene <br /> 777 Pearl Street, Room 105 <br /> Eugene, Oregon 97401-2793 <br /> (541)682-5010 <br /> (541)682-5414(FAX) <br /> www.ci.euctene.or.us <br /> IN THIS WEEK'S EDITION <br /> NEW HELMET LAW TAKES EFFECT JANUARY 1 <br /> NEW PARKING STRUCTURE IMPROVES ACCESS TO MEADOWLARK PRAIRIE, FERN RIDGE PATH <br /> CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION HONORS STUDENTS FOR ESSAYS ON IMPORTANCE OF AVIATION <br /> CITY MOVES FORWARD WITH SALE OF OLIVE STREET PARKING LOT <br /> AROUND THE CITY <br /> New Helmet Law Takes Effect January 1 <br /> Recognizing that head trauma is the leading cause of injury and death in roller sports accidents, the Oregon Legislature <br /> this year enacted a new law requiring young people age 15 and under to wear safety helmets when using scooters, <br /> skateboards, and in-line skates in public places. The law takes effect January 1, 2004. It was passed with the backing of <br /> Oregon's fire service, which conducted a public awareness campaign, "Helmets Rule," last June. As part of that <br /> campaign, the Eugene Fire& EMS Department distributed 18,000 helmet safety fliers in local schools. <br /> As the effective date approaches, the department is again engaging the community by all means available to help <br /> promote awareness of the new law. In doing so, staff will be working with Springfield Fire & Life Safety, Lane Transit <br /> District, and other local public and private agencies. With the help of this very welcome legislation, a significant reduction <br /> in responses to roller sports emergencies involving Eugene's youth is anticipated. For more information, contact Deputy <br /> Fire Marshal Doug Perry at 682-5887. <br /> New Parking Structure Improves Access to Meadowlark Prairie, Fern Ridge Path <br /> Public access to the West Eugene wetlands was improved this fall with the completion of a new parking facility located <br /> along Amazon Creek off Royal Avenue. Checkermallow Access connects directly to the Fern Ridge Path and the recently <br /> restored 400-acre Meadowlark Prairie, providing parking spaces for 14 vehicles and a bus, as well as bicycle racks, for <br /> walkers, bicyclists, nature observers, and other visitors <br /> to this popular natural area. The facility augments the <br /> existing public access to this area, which includes <br /> restrooms, picnic tables and additional parking at <br /> Meadowlark Prairie Overlook at the end of the recently <br /> extended bike path. The name "checkermallow" refers _ <br /> to a pink native wildflower, common in wet prairiesair <br /> such as the West Eugene wetlands, and which is an - —• - J" `rot <br /> important source of food for butterflies. <br /> • ,r_: <br /> Checkermallow Access is the latest in a series of <br /> recreational, interpretive and wetland restoration <br /> projects that have been completed by the West <br /> Eugene Wetlands Partnership near Meadowlark L*f, <br /> Prairie. Eight signs that interpret the natural, cultural - <br /> and hydrological history of the site were installed this ~� ' `�4 ``� :- <br /> fall along the Fern Ridge Path. These signs give path ' >. <br /> users an understanding of the wetland ecosystem, the <br /> site's land use history, and management techniques <br /> EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 1 <br /> December 18,2003 <br />