Item B: Parks, Recreation and Open Space Comprehensive Plan

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2025. Showing a surplus of natural area park land is not consistent with the input received from Eugene residents. Examples of citizen input regarding natural park land includes: ?According to respondents of a questionnaire distributed at the Eugene Celebration, “purchase more natural areas” is the top priority for all park and open space improvements. ?In an open-ended question, “providing additional natural areas” was the most frequently mentioned individual improvement for all parks, open space, and recreation services, according to Speakers Bureau respondents. ?Natural areas “provide opportunities to enjoy nature/outdoors and protect the natural environment.” These are two of the top three benefits of parks, recreation, and open space, according to respondents from the Community Survey, the Eugene Celebration, and the Speaker’s Bureau. ?Eugene needs a “strong open space acquisition program,” according to participants in the Natural Resource and Open Space Focus Group. They identified priority sites for acquisition to include Ridgeline sites, farmland, Metro Natural Resource Study sites, the confluence of the Willamette and McKenzie Rivers, and rare and endangered habitats. It is staff’s belief that the public recognizes the contribution of BLM property to Eugene’s open space system, and desires additional natural area parks. The PROS Comprehensive Plan currently shows a deficit of over 600 acres in the natural area parks category through year 2025, (see Attachment E to this AIS, Table B-1 from the PROS Comprehensive Plan). This additional acreage is needed to complete goals such as Ridgeline Trail connectivity and protection of key waterways. Lastly, the Planning Commission had three additional comments that, while outside the purview of its specific charge, the Planning Commission wanted communicated to the council. These additional comments are attached to this AIS as Attachment F. RELATED CITY POLICIES The PROS Comprehensive Plan will replace the Eugene Parks and Recreation Plan, which was adopted by the City Council in 1989 as a refinement to the Metro Plan. COUNCIL OPTIONS The council is asked to review the PROS Comprehensive Plan and accompanying information. Following this work session and a public hearing on December 12, 2005, the council will be asked to adopt the PROS Comprehensive Plan. CITY MANAGER’S RECOMMENDATION The City Manager recommends proceeding with the public hearing on December 12, 2005. SUGGESTED MOTION Move to direct the City Manager to proceed with the public hearing on the Parks, Recreation and Open Space Comprehensive Plan on December 12, 2005, with adoption set for December 14, 2005. L:\CMO\2005 Council Agendas\M051128\S051128B.doc