Item A: Joint Meeting with River Road Parks and Rec District

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ECC UGENE ITY OUNCIL AIS GENDA TEM UMMARY Joint Meeting with River Road Park and Recreation District Meeting Date: July 23, 2008 Agenda Item Number: A Department: Central Services/LRCS Staff Contact: Jim Carlson/Renee Grube www.eugene-or.gov Contact Telephone Number: 682-5524/682-5067 ISSUE STATEMENT The River Road Park and Recreation District has requested a joint meeting between its Board of Directors and the Eugene City Council to discuss the City’s role in supporting the district. (see Attachment A). BACKGROUND The River Road Park and Recreation District (RRPRD) was formed in 1954 and has been providing a valuable and high quality service to residents for over 50 years. Currently, the district operates a community center and indoor pool at Emerald Park. In addition to the pool and center, the 9 acre park includes landscaped grounds, a playground, picnic shelters, wading pool, and a skatepark. The district has classes, programs and activities for youth, adults and seniors as well as a unique gymnastics program at a facility outside the district boundaries. Emerald Park is an active and popular neighborhood asset, with a full scope of services to meet the needs of youth, families and older adults. While RRPRD is seen as the main provider of services inside the district boundaries, the City of Eugene does provide a number or park and recreation services, including: -Acquisition and development of over 100 acres of parkland in the River Road area over the past 20 years including the West Bank Park along the Willamette River (including Rasor and portions of Maurie Jacob Parks) and Bramblewood, Rosetta Place and Walnut Grove parks. -After-school activities at Kelly Middle School. The park district is responsible for the payment of all the instructors who teach in the after-school program. -Joint development and ongoing coordination of multi-purpose field at North Eugene High School Later this year, the City will also be: -Improving Rosetta Place Park by adding a playground, pathways, trees, lawn area, native plants, drinking fountain, benches, and picnic tables, and -Providing after-school activities at River Road and Howard Elementary Schools beginning in 2008-2009 in collaboration with Eugene School District 4J. Because the City of Eugene does not currently operate a community center in the River Road/Santa Clara area, Emerald Park and the services provided by the River Road Park and Recreation District are important in providing equitable and accessible parks, recreation and cultural opportunities for Eugene citizens and the overall community. Z:\CMO\2008 Council Agendas\M080723\S080723A.doc