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i renovation of planting beds, such as work helped spur activity in this area. In the j done recently near the Facility Management winter and spring of 2001, a large area of - buildings and main picnic area, generally invasive plant species was removed There are no occurs as maintenance staff and funding through a separate project from the south ~ permanent or are available. Over the past few years, Skinner Butte area, west of the SMJ House renewable funding volunteer efforts through organizations and north of the Lincoln Yard. Dozens of j sources committ®d such as the Eugene Rotary Club, have illegal camps, including tons of litter and ' - to maintenance of helped stretch currently limited staff and waste and hundreds of hypodermic { Skinner Butte Park funding to help maintain and improve the needles, were also removed. SMJ house quality of park facilities. With no dedicated staff report that legitimate use has _ ~ staff for the park, organizational increased significantly in thisareasincethe ` responsibilities have generally been shared project was completed. ~ for these projects. Q ~ There are no permanent or renewable ~ By financial necessity, the, large natural funding sources committed to the U areas within the park are not maintained maintenance of Skinner Butte Park. In the by regular staff. Removal of invasive face of imminent budget cuts and j j species has increased in recentyears, such increasing demand on maintenance staff, j as ivy removal in the north side forest, as this has been a significant challenge. Given ~ well as blackberry and Scotch broom the importance of this resource, the need ' ' removal, and thinning of vegetation in other for long-term funding is urgent. ~ areas. This work has icall occurred I. typ' y through staff-managed volunteer efforts or Events and Activities . ` contracted labor with youth organizations Several major annual events occur in i or county corrections crews. Ongoing Skinner Butte Park, including the Butte-to- The need for long- experimentation has been exploring the Butte run in early summer, bicycle races ~ ferm funding is most effective methods for invasive species and a breakfast social during the Eugene urgenf removal in conjunction with local naturalists Celebration. These events are allowed by and students from the University of Oregon. permit, and contribute greatly to positive --7 use patterns. For its location and generally ~ Recent efforts have increased around good access and parking, Skinner Butte - ` removal of debris from illegal camps and Park is an ideal location for community- ~ drug use. Funding was recently allocated wide events. These and other types of for ariver-bank clean-up effort that has events should be encouraged and ~ ~,-j supported through facility improvement and policy. r, . Several facilities in and around Skinner ~ ~ ~ Butte Park are available for renting. Lamb ~ ;F Cottage, the Campbell Senior Center and ~ ~ the Shelton-McMurphey-Johnson House ' are all rented and frequently booked for private events. Records show that other I park facilities around the city are also rented ' to capacity, particularly during the warm season, and indicate a need for more of this type of.facility. Large and small outdoor j rental shelters are among the most popular facilities for private events. If public facilities fail to accommodate this need, there may , ' be a greater likelihood that the private sector will move to fill the demand, possibly forfeiting the benefits of community- rr ~ 3~ ~ building and positive use patterns in city ~ Urban Forestry staff on call in parks. Skinner Butte Park j Skinner Butte Park • Master Plan 2001 51 ~ i i