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Game Day Observations <br /> This.:report..also includes observations gathered before-and immediately following twa <br /> games, October 25th & November 22" a. During these games we focused on monitoring <br /> the following areas: <br /> - The creation of new trails and the widening of trails in West Alton Baker <br /> Park, along the main trail to Autzen stadium due to pedestrian and bicycle <br /> traffic, over the grassed slopes separating Lots 8 and 9 from Leo Harris <br /> Parkway. Attention was given to the volume of traffic in key areas and its <br /> correlation to creation of new trails ,or use of shoulders in sensitive spots. <br /> Observations from prior years still ,apply with regard to off-trail activity along the <br /> Autzen trail. Off-trail activity happens in areas with more• significant shoulders. In <br /> tighter spots, off-trail activity was less, especially at times of peak traffic flow. <br /> Off-trail traffic in the choke point did not seem reduced from prior years, in spite <br /> of recently introduced signage. <br /> We also did observe considerable foot-traffic over steep slopes of Lots 8 and 9 <br /> which are subject to erosion. Traffic in West Alton Baker Park, though not as <br /> heavy as along the central Autzen trail, has still resulted in trail widening, and the <br /> .creation of new trails. <br /> - The effectiveness of signs directing bicyclists to stay on the main Autzen trail <br /> before and after games, especially at choke point. We did not observe a <br /> .reduction in off-trail traffic at the sensitive choke point areas, in spite of signage. <br /> - Open liquor and drug use along the Autzen trail and. adjacent paths. We <br /> observed liquor and marijuana use in various areas just offthe Autzen trail, along <br /> the Oak Terrace to the west of the trail, in the woods west of the Science Factory, <br /> and other outlying areas. We witnessed more illicit use than in prior years. <br /> - Informal use of park land as toilet, in some instances into ecologically sensitive <br /> areas like waterways, with attention to the effectiveness of signs or portable <br /> toilets. An area identified last year as being heavily impacted, the area just to the <br /> west of the BMX parking lot, continues to be very heavily trafficked. It appears <br /> ..that tailgaters from the Autzen lot north of Leo Harris are the source of this use. <br /> We did witness quite a few people urinating on the trails just off the main Autzen <br /> footpath, by the. canal footbridge, and several other places just west of the Autzen <br /> .river bridge. <br /> We also saw people using the southwestern edges of Lot 8 as a toilet. There was <br /> no signage in Lot $ reminding people to use the toilets in the stadium complex. <br /> - Crowd behavior and vehicle parking impacts to ecologically sensitive areas <br /> on the Science Factory grassed lot. In one instance, we witnessed parking very <br /> close to some bird houses. Our post game monitoring recorded typical impacts to <br /> the grounds due to vehicle traffic on wet grounds, including tire tracks, torn <br /> vegetation, and compacted soil. We witnessed several Science Factory volunteers <br /> visibly monitoring the crowds on the lot, which may have had the impact that <br /> illicit drug use and urination happened on the outskirts of the lot, in the wooded <br /> areas. <br /> <br /> _ _ <br /> <br />