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~ / / 'I I/~ ~ / r/7 / r/7 /~/t / <br /> March 13, 1 97 <br /> Public Works <br /> Administration <br /> CONTACT Bob Hammitt, Maintenance Director, 682-4800 City of Eugene <br /> 858 Pearl Street <br /> Eugene, OR 97401 <br /> From Public nformation Section, 682-5523 (503) 687-5262 <br /> FOR IMME IATE RELEASE <br /> S NNER'S BUTTE ACCESS ROAD TO BE CLOSED MARCH 21 <br /> The r ad to the top of Skinner's Butte is being closed as a result of Measure 47 budget <br /> reductions th t leave the City unable to keep up with vandalism and damage at the popular <br /> overlook. Th gate across the access road at the bottom of Skinner Butte Park will be closed <br /> March 21 and will remain closed until further notice, Public Works Maintenance Director Bob <br /> Hammitt said <br /> H itt cited a combination of budget cuts, damage issues, and crime factors that led to <br /> his recommen ation to close the Skinner's Butte access road. Reduced staffing in Public Safety <br /> and Parks M ntenance has made it increasingly difficult to close the gate at night and reopen it <br /> each morning. At the same time, the condition of the access road has deteriorated significantly, <br /> and repairs w ld have to be paid for from the general fund the same fund affected by Measure <br /> 47 rollbacks. <br /> Comp ding those problems are vandalism caused by off-road vehicles, trash and <br /> II, broken glass s ewn around the area, and criminal activity in the parking lot at the to of butte. <br /> P <br /> Hammitt said ur-wheel-drive vehicles have been driving off the paved surface, scarring the <br /> I~~, hillside in seve al locations. While the most effective way to prevent vandalism is to block <br /> access to the entire area, it's not a perfect solution, Hammitt said. Increased transient camping <br /> <br /> ~I <br /> and reduced fir response times to the wooded areas on the butte may also result from the <br /> closure, he sai . <br /> <br />