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3.2 Opportunities and Constraints <br />An environmental scan was undertaken to record the potential capabilities and limitations of the <br />park, as well as specific opportunities and threats of the park edge and surrounding <br />neighborhood. This site analysis has also been mapped. Positive (+) and negative (-) findings are <br />listed here by category. <br />Resource Values <br />+Rasor Park is distinctive in the Eugene park and open space system because of the presence of <br />both scattered native trees and non-manicured, biodiverse grassland next to the Willamette River. <br />+Rasor Park has a special landscape character, because much of the site has the vegetation <br />structure of historic savanna-prairie. <br />+The historic savanna-prairie provides high potential as a demonstration project, experimental <br />station for testing, research and monitoring, and for natural history education and interpretation. <br />+Madrones, conifer groves, and a remnant oak woodland are major attributes of the site. <br />+Vegetation structure along the river is moderately good with mature maples, ash, and <br />cottonwood and some native understory. <br />+The neighborhood has made a major investment in the park with native plantings, care and <br />maintenance. <br />+Plantings by the neighborhood represent civic pride and attachment to the park. <br />+The park is valued for its open character, but also its existing vegetation and natural values. <br />+The river fringe is an important link providing habitat connectivity for wildlife within and <br />through the urban area. <br />+Location on the Willamette River/Crreenway contributes to the high significance of this site. <br />+Due to armoring of the riverbank, bank erosion is minimal. <br />+The park is undeveloped and therefore nothing must be "undone." <br />-The park grasses are largely non-native and must be mowed to control woody plants such as <br />blackberries, poison oak, and seedling trees. <br />-Blackberries and other non-native vegetation are found along the riverbank. <br />-Worn "desire lines" extend from the bikepath to the rivers edge, which creates some erosion and <br />potential hazard because of the steepness of the bank. <br />-A townhouse building terminates the greenway and bikepath on the north edge of the park, <br />which fragments the riparian habitat and creates a gap in the greenway corridor. <br />Views <br />+Excellent views and viewsheds include the park's open space and riverbank from River Road, <br />the opposite riverbank and night lights, the river itself including an island, Coburg Hills, Skinner <br />Butte, and Spencer Butte. <br />+Vegetation along the eastbank screens intensive development in the Valley River Center area. <br />+Mature Douglas-fir trees on the west side of River Road provide an important enclosure and <br />buffer to the west side of the park. <br />+Proximity of the park to the river provides excellent opportunity for public education with <br />respect to ESA and salmon recovery. <br />-Views of the river itself are obstructed by riverbank vegetation from the park, especially during <br />the growing season. <br />Rasor Park Master Plan 11 City of Eugene, Parks Planning <br />