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on the upper end across from Marist High School. Much of the remainder of the West Bank <br /> Greenway is characterized by a thin strip of riparian vegetation, with some exceptions such as a <br /> slough (former gravel extraction area) north of Rasor Park. <br /> Maurie Jacobs Park is within walking distance of Rasor Park (1/4 mi), and functions as both a <br /> neighborhood and community park including a soccer field, two playgrounds, an exercise <br /> facility, picnic area, and community garden; a large parking lot provides a major staging area and <br /> access to the Willamette Greenway and West Bank Bikepath. <br /> Due to rapid growth and infilling, there are a number of areas unserved by parks in the River <br /> Road Park Planning District. The City plans to extend neighborhood park coverage to these areas <br /> as is practicable. <br /> Site Analysis <br /> A number of qualities make Rasor Park a distinctive open space area including its views, <br /> openness, existing vegetation and neighborhood planrings, bird habitat, and its location and <br /> relationship to the river, greenway, and bikepath. Rasar Park also has exceptional potential for <br /> environmental education and interpretation, as well as demonstration projects that foster clean <br /> water and salmon recovery. In this sense, the park has value not only to the neighborhood, but <br /> also to the large community as well. <br /> Perceived Community Needs <br /> Public involvement and outreach efforts of this planning process indicate that the River Road <br /> community places a high priority on protecting and enhancing the natural environment of Rasor <br /> Park. Little support exists for neighborhood park facilities such as a traditional playground or <br /> sports fields. City-wide, residents appear to have similar priorities based on a recent survey to <br /> determine reasons for residents visiting Eugene parks (leisure/relaxation - 46%; individual <br /> exercise/sports - 26%; natural areas/wildlife -17%; picnics or family/social events -16%; and <br /> playgrounds -15. It is also noted that there is a lack of accessible, natural greenspace in the River <br /> Road Park Planning District. <br /> Management Capability <br /> Funding continues to be an issue for park and open space development and maintenance, which <br /> favors a simple, low-budget vision for the park. Volunteer support, as historically provided by <br /> <br /> the Friends of Rasor Park, will continue to be a major resource to augment the City's ongoing <br /> <br /> maintenance management program. <br /> Conclusions <br /> <br /> Applying criteria of legislative intent, park system and site analysis, perception of community <br /> <br /> needs, and management capability, the preferred role and function of Rasor Park is a park node <br /> on the Willamette Greenway with metropolitan-wide significance, accommodating river-related <br /> and river-dependent recreation uses. Given the lack of neighborhood park facilities in the River <br /> Road neighborhood and increasing density of growth and development associated with infilling, <br /> <br /> the park should also support multiple use park uses that are suited to the park's.physical <br /> capability and suitability. <br /> Rasor Park Master Plan 15 City of Eugene, Parks Planning <br /> <br />