Item A: Arts and Outdoors Issue - Laserfiche WebLink

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· A detailed parks and open space evaluation, including an inventory of city-owned parks, recreation facilities and open space areas was conducted as part of the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Comprehensive Plan process. The report, completed in February 2005, provides key findings and an assessment of need for parks, natural areas, recreation amenities and facilities. · Staff in Cultural Services, Parks and Open Space, and Facilities are studying ways to open Cuthbert Amphitheater for year-round use. Preliminary plans include expanding the concert seasons from 9 - 30 events, expanding the sponsorship program, and making the facility more affordable for all to use. · A focus group of local employers and representatives of business, tourism, and economic interests was part of the public input process for the PROS Comprehensive Plan. Participants discussed the role that parks, recreation and open space has in the region's economy, and provided input on how to build a strong and positive relationship between these critical community interests. · Continuous process improvement efforts are being implemented by the Planning and Development Department through enhancements to public information and outreach and through collaborative processes in land use decisions and problem solving. · The staff team preparing the preliminary Action Plan has developed a preliminary resource list that will inform the Resource Assessment element. The list provides a preliminary inventory of existing programs and activities, venues and facilities, as well as partners and stakeholders for arts and outdoors in Eugene. D. Action Plan Following is the recommended components of an Action Plan to promote arts and outdoors as an economic development strategy. A timeline for implementing these components is provided as Attachment B. Element I - PROJECT INITIATION In order for the work of City staff to be most effective, an initial focus of the Arts/Outdoors effort will be to identify key staff, gather data regarding internal and external progress to-date, and to establish the City as a key community partner within a larger regional discussion. Specific tasks within this element include: A. A multiple disciplinary team of staff from various City Departments will be assembled in order to designate a core staff team. Roles and responsibilities of team members and participating Departments will be discussed and established. This task will include identifying initial community partners. B. The core staff team will meet to refine the action plan, and to clarify the goals for city participation in the larger community effort. Information from related internal and external efforts (see Progress To Date) will be gathered and used as a basis for this work. C. Staff will conduct a meeting with initial partners to participate in the creation of a larger community vision of Arts and Outdoors economic development efforts and to further refine the specific role of the City of Eugene. Council Strategic Priority 5: Arts/Outdoors 3