02/19/09 - City Council Newsletter (2)

Home Browse Search

Volunteers Turn Parking Area into Natural Area As part of the City of Eugene Volunteers in Parks Program, 25 volunteers spent a day in late January turning a portion of the canoe canal parking lot, within the Whilamut Natural Area of Alton Baker Park, into a more natural park setting. Community members and volunteers from the Whilamut Citizen Planning Committee (CPC) planted over 50 native trees in a 30-foot band along the north side of the canoe canal, creating a natural area buffer and wildlife corridor. Even in a more natural state, the East Alton Baker Master Plan calls for this area to continue providing event overflow parking. Volunteers followed up the project on Saturday, February 14, by installing beaver-resistant fencing around each new tree. The CPC’s work includes monitoring agency-initiated restoration and park-improvement activities, coordinating committee-sponsored volunteer projects, and promoting the Whilamut Natural Area to the community as a valuable resource. The City of Eugene Volunteers in Parks program organizes volunteers to work on projects to enhance parks and natural areas such as constructing trails, planting trees, installing playground equipment, and removing invasive plants. For more information contact Volunteers in Parks Coordinator VIP volunteers create natural area Lorna Baldwin at 682-4845 or lorna.j.baldwin@ci.eugene.or.us. Wastewater Division Manager Recognized for Regional Role Eugene’s Wastewater Division Director, Peter Ruffier, was recognized on Tuesday as an outstanding example of the spirit of intergovernmental cooperation that has been built over three decades by Springfield, Eugene and Lane County, partnering to provide regional wastewater management services efficiently and effectively through the Metropolitan Wastewater Management Commission. Ruffier has served as Eugene’s Wastewater Division Director since 1992, managing the operations end of the MWMC business, and working together with Springfield staff to maintain a strong intergovernmental partnership. Recently, when Susie Smith vacated the MWMC general manager position to become the Springfield Public Works Director, Ruffier supported the City of Springfield by filling her role during the six-month recruitment period. Ruffier took on a demanding set of responsibilities, in addition to keeping much of the oversight role he regularly provides for the Eugene Wastewater Division. He worked part-time in an office in Springfield City Hall, led the Springfield MWMC team, and provided leadership as the MWMC general manager in ways that provided seamless continuity of service to this interagency commission from July to December 2008, when the new MWMC Peter Ruffier, left, receives plaque General Manager, Ron Bittler, came onboard. For more information, contact Public from Springfield Mayor Sid Leiken Works Public Affairs Manager Eric Jones at 682-5523. Sustainable Park Management Efforts Highlighted in National Magazine The current edition of the National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA) Magazine features some of the sustainable practices Eugene uses to maintain its parks and natural areas. The issue highlights Eugene’s use of eco-friendly bike trailers to deliver services along the Riverbank Path, the six neighborhood parks maintained without the use of pesticides, efforts to find the best low-fertilizer grasses, and plans to utilize goats in Hendricks Park this summer to clear invasive English ivy. The magazine was specifically searching for green practices that could be replicated by other park agencies. The Parks and Open Space Division has already received inquiries about its efforts from park districts as far away as Chicago. NRPA distributes over 20,000 copies of its monthly magazine to park and recreation agencies across the United States. For more information, contact Park Operations Manager Kevin Finney at 682-4809 or Kevin.P.Finney@ci.eugene.or.us. EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 2 February 19, 2009