Measure 20-110: Yes.Byline: The Register-GuardE l e c t i o n 2 0 0 6 It should come as no surprise that this newspaper is a strong supporter of public parks. Eugene's largest developed park is named after Alton F. Baker Sr., founder of The Register-Guard and patriarch of the family that is now in its third generation of owning and operating the newspaper. But Alton F. Baker Sr. believed that careful planning was the key to creating the best parks system in Eugene, and he would have asked tough questions about how any proposal to expand the city's parks inventory fit into a big-picture blueprint. We think he would have been more than satisfied with the city's answers about why Eugene voters should approve Ballot Measure 20-110, a $27.5 million parks bond issue that would buy land for future parks, open space and trail corridors and finance construction and improvement of park facilities. Measure 20-110 is much more than a shopping list for available park land. It's the next step in a visionary Eugene Parks, Recreation & Open Space planning process that began in the summer of 2002. The PROS plan identifies future needs for parks, open space and recreation programs and services. At its foundation is feedback from thousands of Eugene residents gathered at meetings with neighborhood organizations, representatives of various interest groups, youth, seniors, adults, people with disabilities and cultural minorities. This is the first time the city has asked for money to acquire park land since a 1998 bond passed with the support of more than two-thirds of Eugene voters. In addition to generating $10.5 million to buy 13 park sites throughout the city, one 40-acre community park in Santa Clara Santa Clara, city, Cuba Santa Clara (sän`tä klä`rä), city (1994 est. pop. 217,000), capital of Villa Clara prov., central Cuba. and two small parcels to enhance Skinner Butte Skinner Butte (also called Skinner's Butte) is a prominent hill on the north edge of downtown Eugene, Oregon, United States, near the Willamette River. Skinner Butte is a local landmark and the location of Skinner Butte Park, a municipal park. Park and Amazon Park, Measure 20-110 would provide: $7.75 million to acquire open space by purchasing 60 to 100 acres to expand the Ridgeline ridge·line n. See ridge. Noun 1. ridgeline - a long narrow range of hills ridge arete - a sharp narrow ridge found in rugged mountains Trail, 30 to 45 acres along the Willamette River Willamette River River, northwestern Oregon, U.S. It flows north for 300 mi (485 km) into the Columbia River near Portland. Oregon's most populous cities are in its valley. The Fremont Bridge, a steel arch with a main span of 1,225 ft (373 m), crosses the river at Portland. north of Belt Line Road and 1.7 acres to improve access to Gillespie Butte Butte, city, United States Butte (by  t), city (1990 pop. 33,336), seat of Silver Bow co., SW Mont.; inc. 1879. It is a trade, ranching, and industrial center. .
$5 million to join with the Eugene and Bethel school districts Bethel School District may refer to:
Willamette, or "Wil-Hi," is located in the Bethel-Danebo area of west Eugene, and is the only high school in the Bethel School District. . This money also would be used to replace four artificial turf fields at Eugene School District Eugene School District (4J) is a public school district in the U.S. state of Oregon. It serves the city of Eugene Elementary schools
$2 million to acquire up to 100 acres and begin developing Golden Gardens Park Golden Gardens Park is a park located in the north part of the Ballard neighborhood of Seattle, Washington, an area also known as Sunset Hill. The park is bisected by the BNSF Railway railway tracks (usually referred to locally as the "Burlington Northern" tracks) that . This Bethel-area site west of Highway 99 and south of Clear Lake Road includes three water-filled former gravel pits Noun 1. gravel pit - a quarry for gravel stone pit, quarry, pit - a surface excavation for extracting stone or slate; "a British term for `quarry' is `stone pit'" where four young people have drowned during the past two decades. Development efforts here would be aimed at enhancing safety. $1.75 million to help build a West Eugene Wetlands Environmental Education Center on South Danebo Avenue. The first phase includes initial site development, a stormwater demonstration project for sustainable landscaping, a laboratory for school groups and interpretive programs and a public reception area with volunteer staff to answer questions and schedule programs. The levy to pay off the bonds would cost the owner of a $200,000 home an average of $30 annually over 20 years. The cost would be higher in the first year - $66 for the owner of a $200,000 home - but then gradually drop as the bonds are paid off, to the $30 average. Like the city's PROS Comprehensive Plan from which it emerged, Measure 20-110 strives to accompany park land acquisition with development of existing facilities, enhancement of open space and natural areas, and partnerships with other public agencies to offer recreational and educational opportunities to Eugene citizens of all ages. The case for supporting the measure is compelling. Land prices continue to climb. Development pressures already are encroaching on the open space that is the cornerstone of Eugene's natural beauty and quality of life. Then there's the welcome addition of all-season athletic fields in a community where rainy weather often turns grass-field team sports into mud-wrestling matches. Measure 20-110 offers current Eugene residents a rare opportunity to build on the city's legacy of beautiful parks, serene open spaces and high-quality recreational opportunities. It's a gift that keeps on giving, generation after generation. Measure 20-110 deserves everyone's support. |
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