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The $150,000 grant will ensure that a mammoth play replica of Skinner Butte will be included in Phase 1.
<br />The play structure includes a seven-foot-high climbing feature fashioned after the basalt climbing
<br />columns on the west face of Skinner Butte, a slide that originates at the upper level of the structure 12
<br />feet above the ground, a wheelchair-accessible bridge at six feet, cut-out trees at the top of posts to
<br />depict the forested butte, three panels that portray animals that live on the butte, and ladders, crawl
<br />tubes, and other play accessories. Other Phase 1 play areas include two water features, the millrace and
<br />the rain circle, which represent the origins of the Willamette River, and part of the pioneer village.
<br />Subsequent phases will include an ancient history sand dig, miniature Willamette River, and Kalapuya
<br />village. In addition to helping the City raise funds for the playground, the Eugene Rotary Club has also
<br />pledged a significant contribution in volunteer labor from their members to help install many of the play
<br />components.
<br />
<br />The Meyer Memorial Trust is a private, independent foundation representing the late personal
<br />philanthropy of Fred G. Meyer, who built the chain of retail stores bearing his name throughout the
<br />Pacific Northwest. The trust makes grants of various amounts to qualified tax-exempt applicants in
<br />Oregon and Clark County, Washington, in a range of fields, including arts and humanities, education,
<br />health, social welfare, community development, and environmental conservation and restoration. For
<br />more information about RiverPlay, call Park Development Coordinator Carrie Peterson at 682-4907 or
<br />visit the project's webpage at www.ci.eugene.or, us/PARKS/riverplay.
<br />
<br />Tour the Gardens at Hendricks Park this Spring
<br />Spring is here and Hendricks Park is in bloom! Encounter
<br />and learn more about magnolias, rhododendrons and
<br />native flora on walking tours of the park's renowned
<br />rhododendron and native plant gardens this spring. All
<br />tours begin at the F.M. Wilkins Shelter at 2200 Summit
<br />Avenue and last about an hour.
<br />
<br />On a very dramatic, blustery Sunday in March as
<br />magnolia petals swirled in the wind, Roger Gossler, owner
<br />of Gossler Farms Nursery and nationally known magnolia
<br />expert, officially inaugurated the spring garden tour series
<br />with a tour of the magnolias in the rhododendron garden,
<br />considered one of the best collections in the northwest.
<br />Approximately 20 people were treated to an intimate introduction to all the magnolias in bloom,
<br />background on the species and hybrids, and tips on gardening with magnolias.
<br />
<br />This Sunday, April 3, at 1 p.m., Ginny Alfriend, Hendricks Park head gardener and resident native plant
<br />expert, leads a tour of the native plant garden, which features native trees, shrubs and perennials of the
<br />southern Willamette Valley. Many early season wildflowers, such as trillium and trout lilies, are still
<br />blooming, and those that usually bloom later, such as delphinium and sidalcea, are beginning to bloom.
<br />
<br />Alfriend is predicting a very short, but potentially spectacular, bloom season. "Early, mid and late season
<br />plants may all bloom simultaneously! So, don't miss the show - come early," she says. "The garden,
<br />despite the odd year, is full of life, birds and flowers, and a lovely, tranquil place to visit." According to
<br />Alfriend, the cooler temperatures and rain will help extend the season and keep the blossoms fresh.
<br />
<br />A tour of the rhododendron gardens led by Rich Aaring, an active member of the local chapter of the
<br />Rhododendron Society and rhododendron and Hendricks Park enthusiast will occur on Sunday, April 10,
<br />at 1 p.m. and another tour of the native plant garden will take place on Wednesday evening, May 4, at 6
<br />p.m. For more information or to arrange special accessibility accommodations, call Hendricks Park
<br />Head Gardener Ginny Alfriend at 682-5324 or visit www'ci'eugene'°r'us/parks/hendricks'
<br />
<br />Contact - The Award-Winninq Broadway Musical Cominq to the Hult
<br />Is it a musical without singers? A dance play? Regardless of how it's categorized, Contact has proven to
<br />be simply irresistible to audiences. This dazzling show will take the Silva stage April 2-3, 2005.
<br />
<br />EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 4
<br />March 31,2005
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