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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAdmin Order 58-02-05 Administrative Order No. 58-02-05 of the Public Works Department City of Eugene, Oregon Adopting the Skinner Butte Park Master Plan The Executive Director of the Public Works Department of the City of Eugene finds that: 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, which 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 Skinner Butte Park Master Plan (dated January 2002), a copy of which is attached as "Exhibit A" hereto and incorporated herein by reference, has been prepared taking into the consideration the following 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; (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. Skinner Butte Park Background: 1846: Eugene Skinner arrives in the Willamette Valley and stakes 640-acre donation land claim (DLC) around the Skinner Butte area. 1847: The Skinner family operates a trading post from one-room log cabin built near W. 2nd Ave., west of Lincoln Street. The cabin is the first house in Eugene. mid 1800s: The Applegate Trail brings thousands of settlers through Skinner homestead site, near the current alignment of Cheshire Avenue in Skinner Butte Park. 1880s: Dr. T.W. Shelton purchases most of Skinner Butte. 1886: City of Eugene grants first water franchise to Shelton and Charles Lauer and Associates, group operates as Eugene Water Company (EWC) 1886: Dr. Shelton deed's an approximately 1/2-acre parcel of land on the upper east slope of the butte to the Eugene Water Company. The EWC subsequently builds a builds 300,000 gal. reservoir on the butte. 1887: Construction begins on the Dr. Shelton's house (today's Shelton McMurphey Johnson House). The house is completed in 1888. 1888: Dr. Shelton sells a 180'xl00' parcel of land on the east crown of the butte to the University of Oregon for the construction of an observatory. 1893-1936: The basalt columns on the west foot of the butte are quarried (the present-day rock climbing area is created). 1897: U of 0 observatory no longer used. The building is subsequently destroyed in 1905. 1906: A one-million-gallon masonry reservoir is constructed on the west summit of Skinner Butte to hold water for fire fighting. The reservoir is reportedly built over a stone ceremonial ring of the Kalapuya Indians. 1908: Eugene voters approve a 40-year, $300k bond issue for purchase of water system and butte as public utility, thus establishing the Eugene Water Board (EWB) 1908: A 50' high, wooden '0' is erected by U of 0 students as the first junior weekend project. This feature remains a focus of rivalry between the University of Oregon and Oregon State University. It is reportedly the fourth collegiate letter of its type to be installed in the country. 1914: Skinner Butte and surrounding property is designated as a public park by EWB's recommendation. Voters approve taking over $93,340 worth of non-operating property as a public park. There is a formal dedication with fireworks, a concert and dancing. Park acreage at this time totals 67 acres. 1915: The big 'E' is built by associates of the South Eugene High School. 1920s: Camping areas develop in the park between Skinner Butte and the river along with automobile popularity. Facilities are added, including an open air comfort station (the future Lamb Cottage). An observation point on top of butte and access roads are developed. At this time, the river front park is a favorite swimming hole with water slides, water wheels, a bath house and lifeguards. The river is subsequently closed to swimming in the 1930's due to pollution and health risks. 1926: EWB builds a three-million-gallon reservoir on the site of original 300,000-gallon reservoir built in 1886. 1930: Phoebe Skinner Kinsley and the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) place the Skinner's Cabin marker across the road from the basalt quarry. 1933: The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camp opens in Skinner Butte Park as a regional distribution center (Camp Skinner). Work begins clearing picnic areas and constructing basalt walls and steps on the north side of Skinner Butte. Camp Skinner closes in 1934, while other work progress camps continue to use the area and work for several months to a year. 1934: A community event on Armistice Day seeks to beautify butte by planting trees. 1936: Wilkins proposes turning old reservoir into pioneer museum w/rock work as foundation 1936: A wooden cross with red neon lighting is erected on Skinner Butte. Late 1940s: Buildings are constructed in the park along Cheshire Avenue (today's Facilities offices) as housing for veterans returning from the war. 1950s: The observation point is completely remodeled, and the parking area and guard rails for the road are added. Lamb Cottage is remodeled and a small monkey house is built as an addition to an informal zoo developed in the park since the 1920's. Over 2500 feet of concrete walks, a lighting system, two picnic areas and eight acres of irrigated lawn are added. 1952: A proposal to install television stations on the butte is rejected. 1962: A wooden cross with light bulbs (a replacement for the original, neon-lit cross) blows down in the Columbus Day storm. 1960s: The emergency communications towers are built on top of the butte on the site of the old U of 0 observatory. 1963 The Alpha Phi Omega fraternity decides to erect a 51' high concrete cross as a community service project. Public objection halts progress. However, a large concrete cross is installed mysteriously overnight on the Butte, and subsequent public support allows it to be legalized one month after installation. 1967: The Metropolitan Civic Club is formed to research possible uses for Skinner Butte. Many ideas were put forth as a result of a city-wide survey, including tramways, restaurants, high-rise apartments, leveling the butte, keeping vehicles out, or a possible site for OMSI. Most proposals are abandoned partly due to disagreement, lack of funding and difficulties with construction on butte. 1967: The main playground and the octagonal restroom are constructed. 1968: The park expands westward with the purchase of land and the subsequent removal of buildings. One building remains at 169 N. Washington St. and is subsequently occupied by Child Care, Inc., a child care facility for low-income families. 1970: The zoo closes in the park and the last animals are moved out. 1971: Lane County presents the City of Eugene with the keys to a new replica of Skinner's Cabin. Oregon Lewis and Clark Chapters of the DAR donate a plaque during a community dedication ceremony. 1973: The Eugene Jaycees start the "Buck for the Butte" promotion to clean up and enhance the Butte. The City Council approves $5000 for butte improvements to match the Jaycees' pledge. A master plan proposal is drafted for the top of the butte and used in subsequent cleanup and restoration efforts. The proposal was to turn the butte into a passive recreation area with irrigated turf and viewpoints. 1973: The old concrete reservoir (1906) is removed as a first step in community- sponsored cleanup operations. 1973-1977: The river-front bike path is constructed through the park. 1973-1975: Community gardens built and tended west of octagonal restroom. Program fails due to high theft of produce. 1974: Gabion baskets are installed along the river bank to stop erosion caused since the alteration of river hydrology as a result of the construction of the 1-105 freeway in 1962. 1987: City Parks and Recreation proposes extension and re-alignment of Cheshire Street. City buys duplex, house and property to make way for expansion. Whiteaker neighborhood rejects plans to put Cheshire through to west side of 1- 105. 1996: The Skinner's Cabin replica is moved from the north side of the butte to a more open, sunny location (present location). 1997: Due to ongoing legal protests, the cross is removed from the butte to new location at Eugene Bible College. 1997-: The Eugene Rotary is involved in improvements to overlook area, planting, benches, new light, etc. 1999: Following a vote to approve the action, an American flag is erected on the butte to replace the cross as a veteran's memorial. F. The Skinner Butte Park Master Plan was developed through an extensive public involvement and research process from April 2000 through January 2002. Dozens of stakeholder groups and individuals were involved in its development at every level through a format aimed at involvement on a number of scales to reflect a cross-section of the community the park serves. G. Extensive research was carried out for historical aspects and current conditions of the park. City archives, the Lane County Historical Society, the University of Oregon Landscape Architecture Department, oral histories, interviews, on-site evaluations and more all contributed to the body of information contained in this master plan. H. City of Eugene Parks Planning staff hosted and facilitated a series of three public workshops at the Campbell Senior Center between April 2000 and June 2001, drawing over 120 participants. The first workshop was an all-day event including a presentation of the history and current status of Skinner Butte Park, a walking tour and evaluation, and a group discussion of issues and opportunities within the park. The second workshop focused on reviewing a draft vision statement, policy goals and strategies for the master plan, and two rounds of group discussions to review concept diagrams of key issues and opportunities. The third workshop involved general discussion of the draft master plan drawing, a revised vision statement and goals, and a comprehensive list of master plan strategies and actions. Participants at the third workshop also helped set priorities for project , implementation. 1. Advanced Marketing Research, Inc. was contracted to implement and analyze a city-wide, random-sample survey on general park issues and questions directly related to Skinner Butte Park. Information gathered from this survey helped inform the planning process, and was also presented for discussion at the second public workshop. J. The second step in broad-base community outreach involved the placement of five (5) self-service comment stations with large, color displays of the Draft Master Plan drawing in prominent public locations around the city. On a scale of 1 to 10, participants were encouraged to rate their support for the master plan (10=high support, 1 = low support). The average level of support for the Draft Master Plan among respondents was 8.5 out of 10. When asked whether or not they felt the draft master plan meets their needs, over 80% of the respondents replied YES. K. Advertisement for public involvement efforts included direct-mail postcard invitations to over 3000 neighbors, individuals and stakeholder organizations, display ads in the Register Guard and Eugene Weekly, news releases, television and radio press coverage, personal contact and interviews with over 50 stakeholder organizations and individuals, listing on the Calendar of Public Meetings and more. Now, Therefore, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT OF THE CITY OF EUGENE ORDERS AND DIRECTS THAT: In addition to he above findings, which are hereby adopted, I have reviewed the Skinner Butte Park Master Plan, 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 Skinner Butte Park Master Plan, is hereby adopted, and will be accordingly implemented as resources permit. Dated this ~ay of ~, 2002. @.....,/'"""., .if ~ Skinner Butte Park Park Master Plan Exhibit A Available for review in the City Recorder's Office