New Search
3.2 Opportunities and Constraints <br /> An environmental scan was undertaken to record the potential capabilities and limitations of the <br /> park, as well as specific opportunities and threats of the park edge and surrounding <br /> neighborhood. This site analysis has also been mapped. Positive and negative findings are <br /> listed here by category. <br /> Resource Values <br /> +Rasor Park is distinctive in the Eugene park and open space system because of the presence of <br /> both scattered native trees and non-manicured, biodiverse grassland next to the Willamette River. <br /> +Rasor Park has a special landscape character, because much of the site has the vegetation <br /> structure of historic savanna-prairie. <br /> +The historic savanna-prairie provides high potential as a demonstration project, experimental <br /> station for testing, research and monitoring, and for natural history education and interpretation. <br /> ~ +Madrones, conifer groves, and a remnant oak woodland are major attributes of the site. <br /> +Vegetation structure along the river is moderately good with mature maples, ash, and <br /> cottonwood and some native understory. <br /> +The neighborhood has made a major investment in the park with native plantings, care and <br /> maintenance. <br /> +Plantings by the neighborhood represent civic pride and attachment to the park. <br /> +The park is valued for its open character, but also its existing vegetation and natural values. <br /> +The river fringe is an important link providing habitat connectivity for wildlife within and <br /> through the urban area. <br /> +Location on the Willamette River/Greenway contributes to the high significance of this site. <br /> +Due to armoring of the riverbank, bank erosion is minimal. <br /> +The park is undeveloped and therefore nothing must be "undone." <br /> -The park grasses are largely non-native and must be mowed to control woody plants such as <br /> blackberries, poison oak, and seedling trees. <br /> -Blackberries and other non-native vegetation are found along the riverbank. <br /> -Worn "desire lines" extend from the bikepath to the rivers edge, which creates some erosion and <br /> potential hazard because of the steepness of the bank. <br /> -A townhouse building terminates the greenway and bikepath on the north edge of the park, <br /> which fragments the riparian habitat and creates a gap in the greenway corridor. <br /> Views <br /> +Excellent views and viewsheds include the park's open space and riverbank from River Road, <br /> the opposite riverbank and night lights, the river itself including an island, Coburg Hills, Skinner <br /> Butte, and Spencer Butte. <br /> +Vegetation along the eastbank screens intensive development in the Valley River Center area. <br /> +Mature Douglas-fir trees on the west side of River Road provide an important enclosure and <br /> buffer to the west side of the park. <br /> +Proximity of the park to the river provides excellent opportunity for public education with <br /> respect to ESA and salmon recovery. <br /> -Views of the river itself are obstructed by riverbank vegetation from the park, especially during <br /> the growing season. <br /> Rasor Park Master Plan 11 City of Eugene, Parks Planning <br /> <br /> i <br /> <br />