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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAdmin Order 58-02-14 Administrative Order No. 58-02-14 of the Public Works Department City of Eugene, Oregon Adopting the Gilham 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 Gilham Park Master Plan (dated April 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 Gilham Park Admin Approval Page 1 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. Early Gilham Park Background: 1977: The City of Eugene purchased the initial 6.67 acre Gilham Park site at 3055 Gilham Road. The intent was to develop the park site together with adjoining 4J School District property into athletic fields. Early 1980s: School District 4J sold nearly half of the adjoining land to EWEB for an electric substation. 1994: Following size and siting criteria in the 1989 Eugene Parks and Recreation Plan, the City began negotiations with 4J School District, EWEB, and Paradise Development Co. to work out a four-way land trade to relocate the park site to better serve the residents. The City traded 3.23 acres out of the original 6.67 "acre park site and sold the remaining acreage for $68,000. The new site was to be developed jointly with 1.49 acres acquired by School District 4J on the west side of the park as a school/park development. F. During June and July of 1996 the City of Eugene Parks Planning staff hosted and facilitated a series of three public workshops at the Gilham Elementary School. The results of these workshops are summarized below: Public Scoping Session - June 13. 1996. held at Gilham School There were 14 people in attendance at the fITst public meeting, including Joyce Osternig (Gilham Principal), Laurie McCaskill (Gilham teacher), and Bob Leach (Athletics). Concerns and Issues: The park should be largely natural, open and free flowing. Keep trees and wild roses. Provide grading to create a place that would serve as an amphitheater. Keep the pond, maybe relocating it. Landscape with native trees and shrubs. Both of these actions would help create an outdoor classroom! educational opportunity. Specific amenities suggested include: Barbeque Stands Drinking Fountain Pumpkin Patch Bocci Ball Courts Picnic Tables Sand Volleyball Lights (maybe) Benches Trees Soft Jogging Path 2 Horseshoe Courts Gilham Park Admin Approval Page 2 There should be an activity area - turf- for students closer to building. There should be some identifying feature that can serve as a boundary for school kids to observe as a means of keeping the school program contained closer to the school. There should be paved paths for allowing people to ride bikes to school. ~ School staff have concerns about people assuming they can use the school area for their recreation needs during school hours. There should be a playground for use by others during times school is in session. Dogs should be prohibited; they are incompatible with animal life around a pond. Students from the school area should be invited to express their desires for the park. The community, students in particular, should be given an opportunity to be involved in the construction of the park. A concern was expressed about "undesirables" and designing in ways that discourage their presence. Second Public Meeting - July 9. 1996 at Gilham School Held mainly for school kids, approximately 20 attended, along with some parents, Principal Ostemig, and teacher McCaskill. Amenities, Objectives, and Concerns: ~ Make sure it is a neighborhood park; don't include amenities that would cause people to drive to the park. Have picnic tables. Include paths, especially for riding bikes. Have a train (salvaged full size railroad engine or car). Have a ship or boat (or something to stimulate imagination) Include a tire swing and merry-go-round (both of which are not found at the school). Include some things like they have at Emerald Park (River Road Park Dist.). Include a place for volleyball. Have a turf area large enough for football and soccer. (Set out your own goals). Have stationary animals to sit on in the play area. Install a big climbing structure. Include exercise stations. Have a measured length path for a running trail. Include a half-pipe for skateboarders. Have a special area for toddlers and parents play (and others) for use when school play areas are in use for school programs. There have been two requests to have designated off-leash dog area, as well as comments to prohibit dogs. Third Public Meeting - July 3 L 1996 at Gilham School A Schematic plan was prepared and presented that addressed the desires and concerns that were expressed during the fITst two public meetings and written testimony received. A total of 16 people attended this meeting. Among the participants, there was a general consensus given to support the plan as shown. G. In a January 21, 1997 memo to Mayor Torrey, Park Planning Manager, John Etter wrote: "The current status of the new 3.23 acre Gilham Park is that it exists in an Gilham Park Admin Approval Page 3 undeveloped condition at a location on the east side of Gilham Elementary School. Through a public planning process that drew heavily from families with children attending Gilham School, some school staff, and several immediate neighbors, a park development plan was created last summer that has enthusiastic support. The plan also covers additional School District 4J land which abuts the park." Note: At this time in 1997, no funding existed for the development of the park as shown on the 1996 Development Plan. Even though the passage of the Parks and Open Space bond measure in November of 1998 did not include funding earmarked to develop Gilham Park, the Park System Development Fund continued to grow during that period, and in 2000 funds were allocated towards the development of the park. H. Due to the elapsed time of approximately 4 years since the last public meeting, the next step was to reaffirm the direction given on the 1996' development plan by holding another public meeting. Public Review W orkshoo - July 26. 2000 at Gilham School The 1996 Schematic Development Plan was used to continue discussion with the public on how Gilham Park should be developed. There were 17 people in attendance, including 4J teacher Laurie McCaskill, and Mayor Torrey. Comments and Concerns from Workshop and Written Testimony: The use of natives was urged for the street tree planting. Also, using eco-Iawn was urged for the curb planting strip. The issue of how the maintenance would be handled for the 4J portion of the park was raised, plus the implied liability and use of the amphitheater, which was shown near the school building. The need for a restroom, its 10caton, screening, lockable doors, and proximity to other park uses was debated. Half of the people thought a restroom was necessary, especially for the elderly and young children, others were concerned about undesirable activities it might cause. The park should remain largely natural, friendly, open and free flowing. The playground should be mainly for 2-5 year olds. ~ Some of the existing school play equipment is old and there is no money for replacement. A bike rack is needed. The park entrance should be on the east side of the park. The park should have a natural resource zone...native plants, trees, flowers, roses. A discussion occurred over paving or not paving the paths and walks. There was an understanding of accessibility and maintenance needs, but still a desire for some natural walk ways. There was a general concensis that a basketball court should not be built at this park. Especially since basketball exists at Cal Young School. If exercise equipment is installed, do it at different locations in the park. In the playfield, plant trees as goal posts. Community plots for gardening. Gilham Park Admin Approval Page 4 Some people, not all, liked the idea of a tennis court. The tennis court was strongly supported by Mayor Torrey. Some people wanted volleyball, others did not. The slight majority went towards keeping volleyball on the development plan. Lack of lighting was discussed as there is only street lights on Lake View. There was a general concensus to have some form of low level lights in the park for safety. There was a general concensus to eliminate the following uses from the development plan: - bocce ball - basketball - horseshoes Concern over not enough on-street parking. Given limited funding for development and maintenance, a less conventional park might be desireable. Less sports and play equipment and more nature trails, native plants, meadows, water, woodlands, and wildlife habitat/ "Schoolyard Habitats Program." Cost of maintenance, parking, policing. Access for the disabled. Keep it simple, yet attractive, geared to younger children and families. I. Final Development Plan Following the 7/26/2000 public workshop, the development plan was adjusted in response to testimony received. Highlighting some of the plan changes: A large part of the park will be managed in a natural state, using native plants, and limiting the irrigation system so as to not adversely affect existing trees. A open drainage swale will be enhanced and planted with native vegetation for wildlife habitat value. The park, and in particular the public entrances, will be oriented towards the east side to provide spatial separation from the elementary school. Also, the restroom, if constructed, will be located in a highly visible location. ~ Bocce ball, horseshoes, and basketball was eliminated and a tennis cO,urt added to the plan. The playground will be designed with a focus on children in the 2-5 year old age group, and some water elements will be considered for inclusion in the playground. Park will be constructed with the potential to add lighting at selected locations to help with park security . J. Advertisement for public involvement efforts, both in 1996 and in 2000 included a direct mailing to surrounding neighbors, individuals, stakeholder organizations, and the Willakenzie Neighborhood Organization, a news release to the news media and display ads in the Register Guard. K. Due to the presence of a small wetland on the park site, a Joint FilllRemoval Permit was applied for at the Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) and at the Oregon Division of State Lands (DSL). A Consultant was hired to provide a detailed delineation and the data was submitted to the two agencies. ~ In February of 2002 the ACOE ruled that no "waters of the United States" existed on the project site and that a permit was not required. ~ The DSL is expected to issue a permit soon. Gilham Park Admin Approval Page 5 L. On April 23, 2002 City Parks staff met with School District 4J Facilities staff to update them on the pending bid and construction planned for the park site in 2002. Based on the park planning process over the last seven (7) years, the park site development incorporates approximately 1.5 acres of adjacent School District property on the west side of the park into the site development. The School District will need to provide formal authorization for the City to proceed with construction on their portion of the SchoollPark site. School District Facilities Manager, Bill Hirsch, stated the School District would provide the authorization. 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 Gilham 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 Gilham Park Master Plan, is hereby adopted, and will be accordingly implemented as resources permit. Dated this q fJ, day of 7 , 2002. Kurt Corey, Exe Public Wo (1) Gilham Park Admin Approval Page 6 . SCA/X: I" ~ 60' , J , I \ \ \ \ o ~ ::r t c.. ~ c.. LAKEVIEW DRIVE lfC1fNtJ 0' fXISl1NU -<. .' fVfRuRffN 1RffS rTJ;1 fXISl1NU ~ DfCIDUOUS1RffS PROPOSfD fVfRuRffN 1RffS ~ PROPOSfD ~ DfCIDUOUS1RffS D PROPOSfD · ................... PICNIC fABLfS D PROPOSfD ..... i BfNCHfS '\' PROPOSfD LlJ SKt\LLCVV SWALf ~ PROPOSfD U HARDPAfH/W,ALK ~V1 1, II f\ ! I ~I ~/"'I \ ~l/' H V1 \\ \ \ ~ I I / / _~~c.\~~e~~ .~ \k ~,... I. -'-fl' ~ 0 EGON ~ 8/tA)/fIe ~ ,. ,. ------ --...---- ---..... ~~ -.--.~ ""'" ~':::::::--"'" C GILHAM PARK PARKS AND OPEN SPACE DIVISION PARKS & OPEN SPACE PLANNING ~ APRIL 26, 2002 APPROVED DEVELOPMENT PLAN EXJtl tOrr I , A."