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6.2 Design Concept and Intent <br />The design concept for Rasor Park features three management zones surrounded by a fire <br />protection area, with the following features: <br />(1) Mowed Grass Zone: accommodating multi-use and unstructured park activities <br />(2) Savanna-Prairie Restoration Zone: less frequently mowed area surrounding the <br />mowed grass zone <br />(3) Riparian Forest Restoration Zone: along the Willamette-River corridor <br />(4) Fire Protection Strib: around the perimeter of the park <br />Design intent is outlined here for each of the management zones, as well as supporting design <br />elements including infrastructure and other park design features. In Section 7, implementation <br />strategies are recommended to execute design and development, resource management, park <br />operations, and edge protection such as land acquisition and participation in the River Road <br />nodal development concept. <br />Mowed Grass Zone <br />This area will be maintained as a traditional mowed lawn area, and will function as multi-use <br />open space for unstructured activities and unorganized, open play. Low-impact recreation uses <br />will be encouraged.such as flying kites, throwing a Frisbee, informal picnicking, and exercising <br />and playing with dogs (on leash). Additional plantings will occur around the periphery of the <br />open lawn, keeping the interior open to protect scenic views of the park and riparian zone. <br />Savanna-Prairie Zone <br />Surrounding the open lawn area, the savanna-prairie zone will take on an appearance of scattered <br />trees and shrubs, and native wildflowers and grasses intermixed with non-native grasses. Over <br />time with additions of native vegetation, biodiversity and wildlife habitat values should increase. <br />Experimental plots will encourage testing and research, with the park becoming one of the City's <br />demonstration sites for natural area restoration and management. Public uses of this area will be <br />encouraged that focus on the restoration process and natural values of the site including passive <br />recreation activities such as observing wildlife, nature enjoyment, outdoor photography, wallcing, <br />picnicking in two locations near the relocated bikepath, and environmental education. <br />Neighborhood volunteer efforts will continue at a high level, with active participation in <br />restoration projects. <br />Riparian Forest Zone <br />By removing non-native vegetation and replacing with native trees, shrubs, and herbaceous <br />plants, the riparian zone should be enhanced for wildlife habitat and the adjacent aquatic habitat. <br />With relocation of the bikepath toward the park side, a wider river corridor will provide an <br />opportunity to not only restore the riparian zone, but also to provide improved public access, <br />enjoyment, and interpretation of the rivers edge. Access to the river will be directed and limited <br />to appropriate designated areas and will support activities such as river viewing, wildlife <br />observation, river study and awareness through interpretation, and limited picnicking (no more <br />than one or two tables) in two areas (north and south ends of the bikepath). <br />Rasor Park Master Plan 23 City of Eugene, Parks Planning <br />