CC Newsletter - 01/15/04 - Laserfiche WebLink

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New Parks and Open Space Site on the Web The City of Eugene Parks and Open Space Division launched a redesigned website earlier this week at www.ci.eugene.or, us/parks/index.htm. Based on input from citizens and staff, it was determined the site was in need of a redesign because the organization, aesthetics and layout of the site and key information, such as park maps, were lacking or out of date. The new site sports a clean look with bright, vivid . photographs and consistent formatting and graphic , "~' '" i" elements, and a new organizational structure that offers several navigational paths to help visitors more readily access the information they're looking for. One of the new features available on the site includes "Find a Park by Amenities," which allows visitors to select specific amenities and geographical regions to find a park that meets their needs. Another new feature is a calendar of events that includes all Parks and Open Space-sponsored events, such as park planning workshops, volunteer projects, and special events ..... Visitors to the site can find out about a diverse array of information, ranging from park rentals, dog parks, community gardens, and individual parks, to native plants, volunteer programs and opportunities, the 1998 parks bond, and planning, construction and acquisition projects at parks and open space throughout the city. For more information about the redesign of the Parks and Open Space website or to give your feedback, contact Public Information Specialist Therese Picado at 682-4814 or therese.m.picado@ci.eugene.or, us. State Department of Agriculture to Spray for Gypsy Moths this Spring The Oregon Department of Agriculture (aDA) plans to combat a small outbreak of gypsy moths by spraying a biological insecticide in the Crest Drive neighborhood some time this spring. State officials anticipate it will take three days to cover the 183-acre area and are hopeful that the program will result in successful eradication of the insect that infested central Lane County 20 years ago and prompted a massive spraying program, aDA has scheduled a public information meeting about the spraying program on Monday, January 26, at 7 p.m. at Crest Elementary School, 1155 Crest Drive. The aDA recommended intervention after trapping a cluster of gypsy moths in an oak tree off Crest Drive last summer and finding evidence that the colony may represent a breeding population. The moth typically infiltrates a new area when its eggs migrate with humans traveling across country. It is suspected that this recent outbreak was brought to the area by a family who moved from the northeast where infestations are widespread. The gypsy moth can literally defoliate oaks, willow and other vegetation at an alarmingly fast pace and cause devastating environmental damage. The insecticide that the aDA will use this spring to eradicate the recent outbreak is called Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki, or Btk. State officials say Btk has an excellent safety record for humans and is commonly used on commercial and even some organic produce. For more information about the gypsy moth and the upcoming Oregon Department of Agriculture (aDA) spraying program, call (541)689-8893 or visit www.oda.state.or, us/Plant/ppd/Ent/Gypsy_moth.html, or call Natural Resources Section Manager Scott Duckett at 682-4842 or scott.duckett@ci.eugene.or, us. Honors Handed out for Community Work At the January 12, 2004, City Council meeting, the City presented one honor and received two others. Mayor Torrey read a proclamation expressing the deep gratitude of the community to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) for its work on the West Eugene Wetlands. In honoring the BLM, Mayor Torrey noted the long-term relationship between the City of Eugene and the agency and its role in the acquisition of approximately 1400 acres of wetlands in West Eugene. Further, the Mayor's proclamation noted that the BLM has played an integral part in fostering the growth of environmental education related to wetlands. Public Works staff member Scott Duckett presented the award to local BLM representative Julia Dugan. Ms. Dugan accepted the award and announced that a copy of the framed proclamation will be delivered to the BLM headquarters in Washington D.C. On the receiving end of awards was Airport Manager, Bob Noble, and Human Rights Program Manager, Greg Rikhoff. Noble accepted an award to the City of Eugene from the Oregon National Guard, the National Reserve and the EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 2 March 17, 2004