HomeMy WebLinkAboutAdmin Order 58-00-11
Administrative Order No. 58-00-11
of the
Public Works Department
City of Eugene, Oregon
Adopting the Hendricks Park Forest Management Plan
that:
The Executive Director of the Public Works Department of the City of Eugene finds
A. Pursuant to the Eugene Charter of 1976, the City Manager is the administrative head
of the City of Eugene, and as such, has authority to administer the development of the City parks or
to delegate that authority to others.
B. The City Manager has delegated to me, as Executive Director of the Public Works
Department, authority to administer the acquisition and development of City parks and parkland,
consistent with adopted City policies.
C. On July 10, 1989, by Resolution No. 4127, the City Council adopted the Eugene
Parks and Recreation Plan (Master Plan) for the City, which contains adopted goals and polices for
development of City parks. The Master Plan also contains guidelines to be followed in making
administrative and budgetary decisions about parks and recreation acquisitions, development and
management consistent with those adopted goals and policies.
D. Consistent with the above authority, the Hendricks Park Forest Management Plan
(dated January, 2000), a copy of which is attached as "Exhibit A" hereto and incorporated herein by
reference, has been prepared taking into the consideration the following Master Plan goals:
(1) Meeting the existing and future needs of the community through orderly and
systematic planning, implementation, and evaluation programs;
(2) Making a wide range of parks, programs and facilities available for citizens
and visitors of various ages, cultural backgrounds, abilities, interests, incomes, and
participation levels;
(3) Enhancing the environmental quality and visual character of the community;
(4) Involving the community in the planning of parks and recreational facilities;
(5) Coordinating the provision of recreational and cultural services with the plans
and programs of other agencies and private organizations;
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(6) Ensuring safe and convenient access to recreation lands and facilities; and
(7) Maintaining, remodeling and upgrading park, recreational and cultural
facilities in order to respond to changing uses as well as attaining and preserving operational
efficiency.
E. Hendricks Park Background:
1906: Thomas and Martha Hendricks donated 47 acres of land to the City of
Eugene. An additional 31 acres were acquired from Colonel and Angie
Smith. This 78 acre area became the City's first park which is known as
Hendricks Park.
1906-1911: The first roads were built up to and through Hendricks Park.
1925-1936: Sometime between 1925-1936 an observation tower was erected at the
southwest comer of the park.
1938: Wells were drilled for drinking water, swings were erected, and a picnic
shelter was built as a Works Progress Administration proj ect.
1951: A partnership with the City and founding members of the Eugene Chapter of
the American Rhododendron Society was formed and the Rhododendron
Garden was opened.
1967-1970: Major park improvements were made during this time including realignment
of Summit Avenue; building of new park roads; adding a shop, restroom, and
new entrance to the Rhododendron Garden; adding pedestrian lighting,
automatic irrigation, new pathways; and adding a restroom in the interior
forest.
1970: The Ribbon Park Association, which was incorporated in 1962 to acquire and
develop land for hiking and riding trails, built a path from the park south to
29th Avenue.
1974: The Eugene City Council adopted the South Hills Study which provided the
catalyst for acquisition of the ridgeline open space and trail system.
1982: Adopted in 1982, the Laurel Hill Refinement Plan established goals for
preserving tree lines fringing the hills, conserving trees and vegetation, and
preserving topographical features with sensitive subdivision development.
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1982:
1986:
1987:
1988:
1989:
1990:
Also adopted in 1982 was the Fairmount/University of Oregon Special Study
that aspired to preserve and enhance livability by maintaining a balance
between open spaces, parks, and urban development.
An extensive 20-year plan for horticulture, turf, and irrigation within the park
and garden were prepared. This was the first comprehensive planning effort
for Hendricks Park and included extensive mapping of the forested area
ecosystem, a classification of types and distribution of public use for the site,
and an assessment of infrastructure needs including the forest trails.
The Eugene/Springfield Metro Area General Plan established a number of
policies which support hillside open space acquisition and preservation.
An ad-hoc group working with the City's principal landscape architect
prepared the Rhododendron Garden Tree Management Plan, which focused
on the health and management of the tree canopy in the Rhododendron
Garden. A recommendation was made to develop a forest management plan
for the entire park after observations that stress on some fir trees was
contributing to root zone impaction. In addition to the Rhododendron
Garden Tree Management Plan, this ad-hoc group prepared a Hendricks
Park Management Manual that defined the park's purpose and outlined
specific management guidelines. Emphasis was placed on simple, forest-
related uses such as walking, jogging, picnicking, and nature contact and
recommended keeping the native forest undeveloped and to remove ivy and
other non-native vegetation.
The Eugene Parks and Recreation Plan was adopted, which formulated a
number of policies and actions for protecting and managing natural areas,
with an emphasis on passive recreation opportunities in the south hills and
extension of the Ridgeline Trail System. Specific actions for Hendricks Park
include developing a master plan to reduce automobile impact on the
Rhododendron Garden and other park activities, develop a small scale
playground, redesign and improve irrigation in the garden, and remodel the
Rhododendron Garden.
The Eugene/Springfield Natural Resources Special Study inventoried
significant upland, wetland, and riparian areas in the metropolitan area.
Hendricks Park, as part of the Laurel Hill site, was identified as a significant
upland area and received a high rating for significant wildlife habitat, and a
high rating for flora and a variety of habitat.
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Late 1990's: City staff identified potentially hazardous trees along the east side of the
park, and began removing and topping the trees, and corrected a number of
drainage problems by constructing curbs along park roads and installing
pipes to control water run-off.
1997: The City of Eugene prepared a fact sheet "Managing Diseased Trees in
Hendricks Park" after a consultant completed a perimeter tree hazard survey
for the east perimeter of the park and had several months of community
discussionsabout how best to manage hazardous trees. A recommendation
was made to appoint an advisory committee, hire a consultant to develop a
forest management plan, and develop a strategy for forest ecosystem
restoration.
1998: Nineteen Growth Management Policies were adopted by the City Council to
guide growth decisions for the next 10-15 years. Included in those policies
were actions emphasizing acquiring properties that will provide connections
for continuous open space, and raising passive recreation and natural viewing
to a higher priority.
F. Development of Hendricks Park Forest Management Plan:
(1) The process for developing a management plan for Hendricks Park began with
the formation of the Hendricks Park Department Advisory Committee in April 1998,
consisting of eleven representatives from the following: one representative from the
Fairmount neighborhood, one representative from the Laurel Hill n~ighborhood, two
immediate neighbors of Hendricks Park, one representative from the Eugene Chapter of the
American Rhododendron Soc~ety, one park user, one representative from wildlife and habitat
interests, two urban forestry professionals, and two representatives from the general voter
pool.
(2) The Hendricks Park Department Advisory Committee held 17 meetings from
April, 1998, to February, 2000 that were advertised and open to the public.
(3) On July 15, 1998, the Hendricks Park Department Advisory Committee held
an Open House to share the issues the members had identified for inclusion in the
management plan and to seek ideas from the public. A summary of the public comments
received are attached as "Exhibit B".
(4) In November, 1998, a contract was awarded to David Reed & Associates to
serve as consultants in the development of a management plan for Hendricks Park.
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(5) On November 17, 1999, the Hendricks Park Department Advisory Committee
held a second Open House to share the draft management plan for Hendricks Park and seek
public comment. A summary of the public comments received are attached as "Exhibit C".
(6) On February 23,2000, the Hendricks Park Department Advisory Committee
accepted the Hendricks Park Forest Area Management Plan, a copy of which is attached as
"Exhibit A," and recommended its adoption by the Public Works Director.
(7) The goals and proposed action for the Douglas-fir Forest and Oak Forest
Management Units, included in "Exhibit A," the Hendricks Park Forest Area Management
Plan, constitutes a habitat enhancement plan.
Now, Therefore,
THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT OF THE
CITY OF EUGENE ORDERS AND DIRECTS THAT:
In addition to the above findings, which are hereby adopted, I have reviewed the Hendricks
Park Forest Management Plan, a copy of which is attached as "Exhibit A" hereto and incorporated
herein by reference, and find that it is consistent with the goals and policies of the Eugene Parks and
Recreation Plan and other adopted City policies. Therefore, the attached Hendricks Park Forest
Management Plan is hereby adopted, and will be implemented as resources permit.
Dated thiSJwJ_ day ~ 2000.
(l) ~,t2~~LA~
Christine Andersen, Executive Director
Public Works Department
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