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categories of plantcommunities on Skinner volunteer projects undertaken by the Butte. In her report, she highlighted the Eugene Rotary club on Skinner Butte in the tremendous threat that English ivy and late 1990s, most ofthe recreational facilities other invasive plant species had begun to remained unchanged throughout this pose to the native plant communities, and period. ' recommended that these invasive species ~ i be "removed or drastically controlled." Traffic issues became more of a concern _ j within the park in the 1980s. Following a The site's cultural history experienced a study that documented high speed and revival in the early 1970s when volunteers traffic volumes along Cheshire Avenue, a 'j and donors sponsored the construction of traffic diverter was installed to help slow ~ a replica of Skinner's Cabin. The cabin was things down. Although the diverter did N j presented to the city in a celebration of reduce traffic, it funneled traffic through a Q history, and took its place at the northern parking lot frequented by children visiting ~ foot of Skinner Butte. The original cabin the playground. After a few years, the U location, while not exacly known, was diverter was removed due to safety. outside of park property and had been long concerns. since developed. By 1996, it became apparentthatthecabinwouldnotwithstand Partly in response to neighborhood the damp, shady conditions on the north concerns about high traffic flow on side of the butte for much longer, and it was Jefferson Street, a proposal was drafted restored and moved to a new, sunnier later in the 1980s to connect Cheshire location near the playground and restroom Avenue to Jefferson Street and Owen Rose and closer to where Skinner may have Garden underthe existing 1-105 underpass. originally built his cabin. Once again, A block of land north of Cheshire and east volunteers and community sponsors such of Lincoln was acquired and several homes li as the Applegate Trail Committee, helped were cleared in anticipation of constructing restore the cabin and add an interpretive the extension. The plans for the connector, kiosk, and it was rededicated with another however, were rejected by the Whiteaker celebration of history. Today, the cabin neighborhood and subsequently 1.~. i replica is a popular attraction for history abandoned. enthusiasts and followers of the Applegate Trail. The debate over the large cross that had 1 ~G been present on Skinner Butte since the The Modern Era 1930s, having come to a head some thirty After decades of more or less continual years previous, flared up again in the improvement and expansion, Skinner Butte 1990s. In 1962, the second wooden cross . Park saw relatively few projects in the1980s to adorn the butte blew down in the In the 1980s, plans called for and 1990s. This is mostly due to a dramatic Columbus Day storm, Debate raged within _ aconnectiontoOwenRose decline in funding to support park the community over whether or not to ~ Garden by extending develo ment and maintenance that replace it. In the middle of the night in 1963, Cheshire Avenue under 1-105 p ~ ' to Jefferson Street marked these years. Aside from extensive a large, concrete cross appeared - mysteriously on the butte. After much {"r. ~ debate and a showing of support from the ~ M'"'~ community, the cross was legitimized by ~ ~ ~ action of the City Council. The battle ~ ~ continued in the courts for decades, and F in 1997, the cross was finally removed by legal order. Two years later, through ~ ~ w ~•-fi generous community donations and ~ ~ ~ volunteer efforts, a large American flag and ` ~ overlook was constructed in place of the Y.~.:. ra?; :t ~ - cross as alegally-sanctioned veteran's memorial. i.. _i h ~ i ~ ~ ' Skinner Butte Park • Master Plan 2001 35