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ones.
<br />
<br />Few people realize just how much time, energy, and talent the Friends of the Eugene Public Library put
<br />into the annual book sale. Dozens of dedicated volunteers work year-round to sort, prepare, price, and
<br />store tens of thousands of donated items. During the final week, additional volunteers join in to move
<br />everything to the site and set up and run the book sale. All told, nearly 300 people volunteered to make
<br />the 2005 Book Sale a success.
<br />
<br />"Many, many thanks from all of us at Eugene Public Library, including Library users," says Library
<br />Director Connie Bennett. "We really appreciate everyone who donated books, everyone who 'shopped
<br />for a cause' at the book sale, and especially the Friends' Board members and volunteers who make it all
<br />happen!" For more information, contact Library Director Connie Bennett, 682-5363.
<br />
<br />City Financinq Assists Opus 6ix Downtown
<br />The City of Eugene Business Development Fund recently
<br />provided financing to help establish Opus 6ix, a premier
<br />purveyor of high quality art, gifts, and merchandise. The
<br />showroom provides a retail venue for artists and artisans to
<br />showcase their works. Opus 6ix currently features products
<br />from over 75 different artists and artisans, a majority from
<br />the local area, with plans to eventually feature over 200
<br />different artists and artisans.
<br />
<br />Opus 6ix is located at 22 West 7th Avenue, on the ground
<br />floor level of the Parcade parking structure, in the space
<br />formerly occupied by the Oveissi & Co. rug store. Business
<br />Development Fund financing in the amount of $30,000 was
<br />critical in making this project a reality. For more information, contact Denny Braud, Planning and
<br />Development Department, 682-5536 (denny.braud@ci.eugene.or. us).
<br />
<br />Park Rental Facilities Get Much-Needed Facelift
<br />The Parks and Open Space Turf and Irrigation
<br />crews recently installed and improved turf areas in
<br />Alton Baker Park and Owen Rose Garden just in
<br />time for spring rentals.
<br />
<br />The first effort was the renovation of the decrepit
<br />turf area surrounding the shelters at Alton Baker
<br />Park. Last year, this popular park was rented 144
<br />times, drawing an estimated 46,000 people. Most
<br />of those rentals were centered in the two shelters
<br />and surrounding area and the turf area was often
<br />used as a dance site for large community events.
<br />In addition to the intensive use of the area,
<br />especially in the summer, an old tree stump,
<br />depressions from settling ground, dumped soil, and
<br />erosion made this area difficult to maintain and mow, as well as raised safety concerns for park users.
<br />
<br />"This renovation project was long overdue. The area was in poor condition when the City took
<br />responsibility from the County in the late 1980s, and it has not been updated since," said Turf and
<br />Grounds Lead Worker Todd Richards.
<br />
<br />During phase 1 last fall, the crew installed additional irrigation, rolled 5,000 feet of sod between the
<br />shelters, and poured concrete to improve shelter entranceways. During subsequent phases, crews
<br />worked on the large area between the shelters and bike path. Improvements made consisted of grading
<br />the area, spreading a lawn-base soil mix, layering a mix of sawdust and sand, and spraying hydro seed,
<br />a mixture of virgin wood fiber mulch, dye, seed, and water (see photo above). In the process, the crew
<br />removed 20 square yards of rock, concrete and other debris.
<br />
<br />EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 3
<br />May 12, 2005
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