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Q. Is backstop staying, relocating, where? <br />A. The current proposal for multi-purpose athletic fields would negate the need of the existing <br />backstop. It should also be noted that the backstop is currently on 4J property. It may be <br />possible to relocate the backstop to a suitable location. <br />Q. Is baseball staying, relocating, where? <br />A. The current proposal would be to relocate the existing baseball use to another area. Due to <br />space limitations, lack of field/sport flexibility, and potential safety and or fencing issues, this <br />area is not deemed as the best place for a full size baseball field. Recreation staff have <br />committed to working with the current users of the baseball field to explore other alternatives. <br />Q. What are the reasons for losing baseball from first meeting? <br />A. The plan that was discussed at the first meeting was the 1994 Master Plan, which did <br />include a baseball field. However, since we are in the process of evaluating that Master Plan <br />and potentially revising it, staff met to discuss the best use of this land. Given the issues <br />mentioned above, it was determined that the most efficient and productive use of the space <br />would be multi-purpose fields. <br />Q. Where are wetlands? <br />A. The restored wetlands which are managed as a natural resource wetland are located to the <br />south of the proposed ballfields and west of the pool. A portion of the area where ballfields are <br />proposed is technically considered wetlands. This area is not managed as wetland and does <br />not have the diversity and habitat value of the restored wetlands. However, as this area is <br />technically defined as a wetland, any filling of the wetlands as a result of construction, would <br />require mitigation. Mitigation means that "credits" would need to be purchased which would go <br />towards the creation or restoration of wetlands elsewhere, or on-site wetlands could be <br />enhanced to fulfill this requirement. <br />Q. Shared development with 4J? <br />A. The City and local school districts have a long, productive history of partnering to provide <br />recreational opportunities to the community. Shared development is an excellent strategy for <br />meeting many community needs, however there is a need for fields on City-owned and <br />managed property.. Fields built on school property are subject to closure, and complete loss if <br />school development plans necessitate that. 4J is currently undergoing a master planning effort <br />for Roosevelt Middle School which the City will participate in. Likewise; 4J staff are participating <br />in the Amazon Park planning process. <br />Q. Where are users coming from? <br />A. Amazon Park is considered a community park, and thus serves a larger population than the <br />immediate neighborhood. Community Parks are defined as large parks that accommodate <br />large group activities, and provide active and passive recreational opportunities for all city <br />residents. Internal parking areas and sport field. areas are typically available. <br />Q. Where will baseball go? <br />A. Babe Ruth will have the ability to utilize the current Century Field in the 2004 season. In the <br />meantime, City Recreation staff will work with Babe Ruth to utilize existing resources elsewhere <br />in the community and explore alternative locations. <br />Q. What is the availability of baseball at other sites such as Spencer Butte and Patterson <br />schools? <br />A. These sites will be looked at in the work to find other suitable locations for 90' baseball. <br />Amazon Park 12/15/03 <br />Workshop 2 Report Page 4 <br />