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the park is requested. <br /> The Owen Rose Garden Park originated with the donation of land and original plantings by <br /> Mr. and Mrs. George E. Owen in 1950. Mr. Owen also agreed to match any initial funds the <br /> City might provide for development of the park. In 1951, with the passage of a voter- <br /> approved tax levy, monies were earmarked for the park. The official ground-breaking <br /> ceremony was held on March 28, 1951. <br /> The Owen Rose Garden is one of 25 in the U.S. accredited by the All-American Rose <br /> Society, giving it official status as a national test garden for experimental roses. By 1976, the <br /> plantings, many which are All-American Rose Society award winners, had been increased to <br /> a total of 2,900 rose bushes, and continues to increase annually. The Eugene Rose Society, <br /> which donated the initial collection of roses, continues to assist in the development of the <br /> park. <br /> The Owen Rose Garden also contains a 130 year old cherry tree, the largest cherry tree in <br /> Oregon, as well as one of the largest in the United States. <br /> The subject request is for an Owen Rose Garden Development Plan which results in a <br /> modification to the development plan previously approved for the Willamette Greenway <br /> Conditional Use. The applicant indicates that this plan provides for changes to the rose <br /> garden's development. There will not be any removal of existing riparian vegetation and <br /> trees along the Willamette River. The major changes to the rose garden are listed below: _ <br /> a. Replacement of the existing structure with a new structure to be used for group rental <br /> and community activities; <br /> b. Relocation of the existing maintenance function from the existing structure in the <br /> middle of the park to the southwest corner of the park; <br /> <br /> . c. Construction of a large perggla for clirr~bing roses; <br /> d. Redesign and layout of new rose beds and lawn area in the southwestern portion of the <br /> park; ' <br /> e. Addition of a fountain and pond feature; <br /> f. Addition of a gazebo; <br /> g. Construction of new viewing paths for the heritage rose beds, and the paving of main <br /> walks to improve accessibility; <br /> h. The construction of entrance gates to the garden and extending the perimeter trellis <br /> along the western side of the park. <br /> This development plan is intended to be a long range document that will guide future <br /> improvements in the park. No funding has been allocated or identified at this time for the ! <br /> improvements, therefore it is impossible to predict any construction schedule for any of the <br /> specific elements proposed in the park. The only exception is the 692 square foot <br /> OWEN ROSE GARDEN (MD 97-6) (CU 84-23) <br /> Page 2 <br /> <br />