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i _ ~ i <br /> ' ¦ % -I <br /> October 1, 199 <br /> CONTACT: B b Hammitt, Maintenance Director, 682-4800 <br /> From Public In rmation Section, 682-5523 <br /> FOR IMMED TE RELEASE <br /> CIT TO REMOVE ILLEGAL BIKE JUMPS IN ALTON BAKER PARK <br /> A make hilt series of bike jumps constructed without approval in a public park earlier this <br /> summer will be emoved this week by the City of Eugene Public Works Department. <br /> Public s fety and the need to protect trails designated for passive recreation were the main <br /> factors in the Ci y's decision to flatten out the ramps and fill in the holes dug by local youth into an <br /> I <br /> fold filbert orcha d in East Alton Baker Park. The demolition and restoration work will be done this <br /> eek, weather p rmitting, Public Works Maintenance Director Bob Hammitt said. <br /> City offs ials commended the young builders for requesting approval•of the dirt course, <br /> lthough most o the work had already been done. After reviewing their request, officials found the <br /> ourse presented too many problems, especially for walkers, birdwatchers, and other park users. <br /> "We've ad a number of people call and tell us that they don't feel safe walking in that area <br /> any more after al ost being hit by cyclists flying over the jumps," Hammitt said. <br /> The City lso was concerned about the safety of young cyclists because of the lack of regular <br /> ourse maintena ce and the remoteness of the site, which is in an area that could be difficult for an <br /> mbulance to rea h in case of an emergency. Because the course is on public property and riders are <br /> of supervised or insured, the City and its citizens would be exposed to tremendous liability should <br /> an accident occu . <br /> (more) <br /> <br /> PubliR Works • Administ ation • City of Eugene • 858 Pearl • Eugene, OR 97401-2727 • Phone: (541) 682-5262 • FAX (541) 682-6826 <br /> <br />