CC Newsletter - 04/22/04 - Laserfiche WebLink

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First Seatinq Node at Hays Memorial Tree Garden Completed On April 9, the first donor seating "node" was completed at the Hays Memorial Tree Garden in Alton Baker Park. The nodes are custom- designed seating areas for people making donations of $4,200 or more. This inaugural seating node is dedicated in memory of Duncan Kirkpatrick. It features a natural rock seating wall enclave surrounded by Iow, landscaped mounds planted with river birch, paperbark birch and Jacquemonti birch. Dwarf evergreen shrubs around the seating area help create an intimate, contemplative setting in Kirkpatrick's memory. Construction of a second seating node is anticipated to begin this fall for donor Betsy Ford in memory of her late husband. Both seating nodes are located immediately north of the tree garden entry plaza. The garden has a limited number of these opportunities available. Since its beginning in 1999, the Hays Memorial Tree Garden in Alton Baker Park has been growing into a striking botanical garden. Five years after the groundbreaking for the first phase of the garden, donors have filled 50 of the 60 tree locations with trees. The lighted and landscaped entry plaza to the garden has a directory showing the tree locations, and each tree is marked with its scientific and common name. Trees are selected for distinctive characteristics such as fall leaf color or notable flower bloom. Planning staff expects the vacant tree spaces to be adopted within the next two years, and, to keep pace with donor demand, are beginning to plan for the second phase of the garden. Besides purchasing seating nodes and trees, there are several other ways community members can help the garden continue to grow. Slate tiles, etched with a leaf design, are available for $145. These tiles, personalized with the donor's name or a tribute to a loved one, are placed in the entry plaza. Benches in the entry plaza or along the pathways are also available for a donation of $1,200 to $1,700 and include a plaque with a custom inscription. Thirty percent of all donations are placed in a trust fund to be used exclusively for ongoing maintenance of the tree garden. For more information about donating to the tree garden, call Park Development Coordinator Carrie Peterson at 682-4907. For more information about the design of the tree garden, call Park Planner John Weber at 682-4908. 'Salmon and the Ecosystem' Makes a SPI_ASH! in Local Classrooms Salmon and the Ecosystem, a new unit of the SPLASH! curriculum developed by the City of Eugene Stormwater Management Program, explores the .~-~'~ ~9J~011 9.t'l~J relationship between salmon, streams, forests and other species. The salmon curriculum was developed for fifth through eighth grade students. It received ' /~"---'-' ~,~,,~,,~,,~¢,~- '~'- positive reviews and has been requested by administrators and teachers in Eugene's 4J and Bethel School districts. Through Salmon and the Ecosystem, students learn about the factors that have contributed to the decline of salmon populations and the impact of losing a species that is key to the health of an entire ecosystem. The unit also focuses on how stormwater pollution affects salmon habitat and how specific pollutants carried into waterways can be harmful to salmon. For more information, please call Kathy Eva, stormwater public information specialist, 682-2739. ~'~ __,=... EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 4 April 22, 2004