Admin Order 58-97-13 - Laserfiche WebLink

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turnaround, canoe access, and improvements to areas nearby WISTEC and the Planetarium. She said she felt it would be positive to create a sign marking access to the park at WISTEC which was visible to west-bound traffic on Centennial Boulevard. She indicated that she liked the outdoor science park shown between Leo Harris Parkway and the WISTEC building; however, she would also like the ability to utilize the space behind the WISTEC building at some point in the future. Ian Whitelaw, 2740 University, stated that he was a volunteer with Nearby Nature and Valet Bicycle Parking organizations. He said he appreciated the proposed accessible view point, but expressed concern regarding the safety of locations where wheelchairs would cross bicycle paths. He suggested that such intersections were more appropriately placed in open meadows than wooded locations. He said he supported plans for locating areas set-aside for specific uses in close proximity. He said he believed the dog leash-free area and the community garden area provide good buffers between the more active recreation in Alton Baker and the more passive recreation/natural areas in East Alton Baker. He suggested that the proposed footbridge connection between WISTEC and Cuthbert Amphitheater could be made special, and be an opportunity for development of a self-guided interpretive nature trail providing an introduction to native plant species. Tony Lum, 1030 Spyglass, stated that he represented the Asian American and Sister Cities foundations. He said that both organizations had discussed and approved the cultural garden proposal contained in the proposed park plan. He said he anticipated that the foundations would seek to fund development of the cultural garden at some time in the future. Tim Whitley, 280 West 30th Avenue, stated that he was a biology teacher at Sheldon High School. He said that he often took groups of students to the eastern zone of Alton Baker Park because it was one of the few areas in the metropolitan area providing examples of natural eco-systems. He reported that it was his experience that all areas of the park were well used. Paul Beistel, 2805 University, described the history of public boat launching facilities in the area of Alton Baker Park. He said that including such a landing in the park design was positive because it would eliminate the need for boaters to navigate a dangerous section of the river by the 1-5 bridge. Bruce Davidson, 2315 Tyler Street, stated that he was a resident in the Westmoreland Park area of Eugene. He said he agreed, and that he favored the proposed park plan because it preserved a pristine and natural area in the middle of an urban environment. Julie Fischer, 778 Elm, stated that she supported the proposed park plan, but had concerns that the proposed new bicycle path to the overlook on the river was unneeded, that the dog off-leash area was larger than needed, and that planned parking east of WISTEC would unduly encroach on surrounding areas. Carol Brewster, One Eugene Center, stated that she was Special Events manager for the City of Eugene. She said she supported the proposed park plan, but had concerns that adequate parking was not included for Cuthbert Amphitheater, especially in light of proposed construction by the University of Oregon in parking areas of Autzen Stadium. She said she also supported creating a river viewpoint MINUTES-- West Alton Baker Park Public Hearing June 4, 1997 Page 3