07/10/1989 Meeting (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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e Cheryl ZWillinger, 892 West 23rd Avenue, spoke as a representative of the Youth Commission. Referring to the 1986 report of the Crime Action Task Force, which concluded that there is a lack of youth-oriented recreational resources available in the community, and to the council's recent passage of anti-skateboarding and anti-cruising ordinances, Ms. Zwillinger asked that the council make positive recreational alternatives a priority in the goals of the Parks and Recreation Plan. She gave the council a copy of a handbook on skateboarding from Salem. Mark H. Simpson, 622 Hayden Bridge Road, spoke as a skateboarder and described skateboarding as an art form which has been denied expression by the council1s passage of an ordinance prohibiting skateboarding on the downtown mall. Mr. Simpson maintained that skateboarding should not be considered a crime and that a skateboard park should be developed. He volunteered to help in that development in whatever way possible. Brian Wright, 398 West 20th Avenue, asked for a skateboarding facility to be made part of the Eugene Parks and Recreation Plan. He considered the amount of public testimony on the issue a demonstration of the need for such a facil ity. Mr. Wright volunteered his time and expertise in making the facility a reality. He suggested that specific areas be designated as legal and safe for skateboarding during the planning and development stages of a skateboard park. Julie Stock, 1710 South 5th Street, Cottage Grove, said there is a need for more activities for youth in the Eugene area because present alternatives are e limited to parties where alcohol and drugs are used, or expensive movies and dance clubs which many young people cannot afford. Charlie Larson, 73 Rasor Avenue, encouraged the council to involve youth and homeless people in developing a parks plan. He supported providing a legal camp site, possibly in a City park, for homeless people, and developing a skateboard park and other recreational opportunities for young people. Brad Perkins, 1590 Mill Street, presented a petition regarding the West University Park located on 14th Avenue near Hilyard Street. The park is presently a IIpocket park,1I often frequented by transients. Mr. Perkins suggested expanding the park to Hilyard Street, which he said would help establish the area as a park by making it more visible to the community. Mr. Perkins said a half-block site at 19th Avenue and Pearl Street is presently controlled by the City's Public Works Department and could be transferred to the PARCS Department and then turned over to a private sector company or private/public partnership to be developed as low-income multi-family housing. Mr. Perkins said income from that sale could be used to buy the additional property for expansion of the 14th Avenue park. Next, Mr. Perkins described skateboarding as an art form and said young people should be given an opportunity to represent the community by serving e MINUTES--Eugene City Council July 10, 1989 Page 3