Playing fields will be key to parks plan.Byline: GUEST VIEWPOINT By Charles Warren
General Sir Charles Warren For The Register-Guard The Eugene City Council is considering a November bond measure exclusively for the acquisition of open space. While the acquisition of land for future development is a worthy goal, I believe it is imperative that the council also look at a more immediate need we have for athletic fields. In 1998, $5 million of the $25 million parks and open space bond measure was earmarked for athletic fields, of which $3 million was later parlayed with the 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
These all-weather fields can be used every day, 365 days a year, and require very little maintenance - as opposed to grass fields that could only be used in the spring through the fall, and then on a limited basis depending on the weather, and require constant maintenance. These four all-weather fields are used by the district during school hours, and in the fall on Thursday and Friday nights. The rest of the time and on weekends, they are available for the city of Eugene's recreation activities, Kidsports, the American Youth Soccer Organization, Pop Warner Pop Warner refers to
While this has proved to be tremendously successful, we have two looming looming: see mirage. problems. First, these four fields will need to be resurfaced sometime after 2008 at a cost of approximately $2 million, of which the city's share would be about $1 million. If the city of Eugene is not prepared to pay its half of the resurfacing, we would presumably pre·sum·a·ble adj. That can be presumed or taken for granted; reasonable as a supposition: presumable causes of the disaster. forfeit To lose to another person or to the state some privilege, right, or property due to the commission of an error, an offense, or a crime, a breach of contract, or a neglect of duty; to subject property to confiscation; or to become liable for the payment of a penalty, as the result of a the opportunity to share with the school district in the use of these fields. Secondly, because of the continued growth in popularity of youth and adult athletic activities - plus the addition of new sports such as rugby, lacrosse lacrosse (ləkrôs`), ball and goal game usually played outdoors by two teams of 10 players each on a field 60 to 70 yd (54.86 to 64.01 m) wide by 110 yd (100.58 m) long. Two goals face each other 80 yd (73. and ultimate Frisbee - usage of these all-weather fields has almost reached capacity. The fields are completely booked in the spring and the fall and are in constant use during the other times of the year; many groups are excluded due to lack of available time. The point is, if we want to continue to offer all of the youth of this community the opportunity to participate in athletic programs, as well as meet the needs of our adult athletic organizations, the best investment we could make is to develop more of these all-weather fields. The school district already is beginning to plan for future development of all-weather fields at some middle schools, and the city of Eugene needs to be prepared to fund its share to continue this very successful partnership. I can personally attest To solemnly declare verbally or in writing that a particular document or testimony about an event is a true and accurate representation of the facts; to bear witness to. To formally certify by a signature that the signer has been present at the execution of a particular writing so as that the reason we were successful in passing the 1998 bond measure was because there was something in it for everyone. There was open space and neighborhood parks Neighborhood parks, which generally range in size up to 30 acres, serve as a social and recreational focal points for neighborhoods and are the basic units of a park system. Many include a playground. , but what really carried the day in regard to support for the bond measure was the fact that it included a new swimming pool, youth sports parks and athletic fields for the entire community. While all interest groups supported the measure, it was the swimming community and the parents and supporters of youth athletics who really made the difference in fundraising
If the City Council wants to improve the chances of this bond measure passing, and if the council wants to address the growing needs for playing fields in our community, it should include as part of the bond measure the cost of resurfacing the existing fields and development of additional all-weather fields in Eugene. Charles Warren was chairman of the campaign to support the city of Eugene's 1998 bond measure for parks and open space. |
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