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HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/28/1997 Special Agenda Packet ....;. ASHLAND PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION 340 SO. PIONEER STREET ASHLAND, OREGON 97520 COMMISSIONERS: Kenneth J. Mickelsen Director Allen Alsing Bob Bennett T eri Coppedge JoAnne Eggers Laurie MacGraw TEL.: (541) 488-5340 FAX: (541) 488-5314 :MEMORANDUM TO: Ashland Parks and Recreation Commission FROM: Kenneth J. Mickelsen, Director DATE: July 28, 1997 SUBJECT: Summary of public comment from February 1997 meeting - Lithia Park Flood Restoration At its Regular Meeting in February 1997, the Commission scheduled time for public input related to restoration work in Lithia Park, in particular, as related to the east side trail which recived much damage. The following four items categorize much of the comment made at that meeting: 1) When considering repair and design features, keep in mind that another flood will happen. 2) When considering repair and design features, understand the natural forces at work and take this into consideration. 3) Taking into consideration the first two items, re-establish some kind of trail system on the east side of the creek. 4) Take this opportunity to enhance the park and stream channel for fish and riparian habitat, educational opportunities, and horticultural experiences. AB:FLOOD\MEMOS.97 Home of Famous Lithia Park -.......---. -..... Regular Meeting - February 24, 1997 Ashland Parks and Recreation Commission Page 3 Approval to advertise - continued MOTION Commissioner Alsing made a motion authorizing advertising for bids. Commissioner MacGraw seconded. The vote was: 5 yes - 0 no B. Approval to advertise for bids - maintenance eauioment Director Mickelsen indicated that the specified equipment budgeted for this year is an aerator, a 4-wheel utility vehicle which would be used by the Forestry staff, and a seeder. He said that the dollar amount involved may not require the bidding process on all items, but that staff would like authorization to advertise for bids on those items which may be high enough to require bidding. MOTION Commissioner MacGraw made a motion authorizing advertising for bids. Commissioner Eggers seconded. The vote was: 5 yes - 0 no C. Recommendation for aooointment to Ashland Parks Foundation Board Commissioner Alsing indicated that Celia Meese's term was expiring on the Ashland Parks Foundation Board. He also indicated that the Foundation's bi-Iaws stipulated that an individual could serve a second term. In a recent meeting, the Foundation Board chose to recommend to the Commission that it appoint Ms. Meese to a second term. MOTION Commissioner Alsing so moved. Commissioner Bennett seconded. The vote was: 5 yes - 0 no D. Proposal by Ashland Gun Club Commissioners briefly reviewed a report submitted by the Ashland Gun Club for completing improvements to the leased site. As it was the first opportunity Commissioners had had to see report, consensus was to table the item and to place it on the agenda for the next Regular Meeting. At 7:00 p.m., Chair Coppedge chose to postpone the remaining items under New Business to later in the meeting and to address the Public Participation portion of the agenda. V. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION A. Public input on Lithia Park flood restoration Director Mickelsen presented a few slides related to the current status of the flood damage to Lithia Park on the east side of Ashland Creek, particularly the east side trail system. Following the showing of the slides, Chair Coppedge indicated that the Commission was seeking input from the community as to what it would like to have happen regarding re-establishing the east side trail within the park. Regular Meeting - February 24, 1997 Ashland Parks and Recreation Commission Page 4 Public Participation - Flood Restoration - continued In response to a question from Commissioner Eggers, Donn Todt, Park Horticulturist, said that his best guess is that the red layer of soil about three feet down is fill brought in after the 1974 flood. Tom Foster 047 Nutlev). Mr. Foster said that he felt it was important to re-establish at least a portion of the east side trail system for joggers, hikers, and those people who wanted to access the more natural area of the park. He said that he felt that some of the foot bridges should be replaced so as to create a multiplicity of routes through the park. He encouraged the Commission to contact community service organizations about funding rebuilding of the foot bridges. He also encouraged the Commission to coordinate another volunteer weekend. Jim Moore 0217 Park). Mr. Moore recommended that when approaching reconstruction that the Commission take advantage of what the natural forces have done. Referring to the last City Council meeting in which the Council restated its commitment to the Valdez principles, he recommended that the Commission commit itself to work with the environment and take advantage of what Ashland Creek has done rather than put it back to the way it was. He said that if we just put it back the way it was before, we will just have the same problem "because the creek doesn't like the way it was before. " Steve Koskella (Scenic Drive) said that he kind of likes what the creek has done; its invited a little wildness into the landscape of the upper park. Saying he aesthetically enjoys this wilderness look, he hoped that some of those features could be retained and that the Commission only put back what needs to be put back. Laurence Olsen (2365 Lupine) said that he felt the Commission should look at the advantages of what the creek did by opening up the channels so "things won't get so screwed up the next time." Should analyze where the problems were, get all the best input you can, total resource analysis, and take time before deciding what to do. Don't try to correct everything. Not always what we would like to have done but what can be done. Nola Katopothis (491 Lori Lane) said her primary question was about money and the bond issue which citizens were being asked to vote on. She said she would like to see restoration, but wanted to know how much money was needed and where it was going to come from. In response to a request by the Chair, Director Mickelsen responded that it was his understanding that at the time the Council had had to write the ballot measure, an extremely rough estimate was that 2.6 million dollars would be needed to cover the cost of repairing damage related to the flood throughout the city. He said that his understanding was also that now that the various departments throughout the city had had the time to more thoroughly review the damage, that the actual cost would be much Regular Meeting - February 24, 1997 Ashland Parks and Recreation Commission Page 5 Public Participation - Flood Restoration - continued less and that the City would only sell bonds in the amount needed to cover the real cost of repair. Councillor Carole Wheeldon indicated that that was also her understanding and that she was going to encourage the Council to review all matters related to the bond measure at the upcoming Council meeting. She encouraged all those present who were interested to attend or view that Council meeting. Michael O'Brien 007 Fork). Mr. O'Brien said that first and foremost he believed that it needs to be remembered that we are talking about a park which people will be using and that the health and safety of those people needs to be considered when deciding what will be done. He said that living just above the park he can observe people using the area now and he feels some concern about the stability of some places. Jim Young (Talent). Mr. Young said that he was present as a representative from the Lithia Arts Guild which was very interested in restoration, particularly on Calle Guanajuato. In general he stated that he was supportive of diversity in use and design. He felt it would be important to use the community's interest and understanding of keeping diversity in a riparian area as it flows through an urban area. Mike Uthoff (633 Roca) indicated that the sooner we learn that we are "not in charge", the better off we will be. He said that he believed repetitively recreating "what was before" after each flood has proved an obvious mistake. He recommended a minimum of structural fixing and filling. Likes it the way it is now. Llovd (Clav Street). Lloyd, a fifty-year resident of Ashland, said that he and his family have used the park a lot over the years. He said he didn't know exactly how it should be done or how to fund it but please "do it." He said that he felt it was very important to the people of Ashland and its many visitors to have the park back in shape. Somehow, we need to get a trail back on the east side. As it is now, you can't walk the entire length of the park without going into the street. Would like to see a complete trail on the west side of the creek as well! Lola Brosbe 098 N. Wightman). Ms. Brosbe inquired as to how quickly the playground area would be repaired, and, whether or not the food tax monies could be used to help pay for the flood damage. Chair Coppedge responded that, as approved by the voters, the Prepared Food and Beverage Tax can only be used for land acquisition, not for construction or maintenance. Director Mickelsen said that the playground will be repaired within about three weeks. Right now the department is waiting on the specially prepared sand which is used for safety purposes under the equipment. He also took the opportunity to let the audience know that he anticipates that the area of the park from the Bandshell to the plaza should be completely restored by early summer. It is the upper portion of the park which will require more study, time, and policy decisions prior to taking action. - . Regular Meeting - February 24, 1997 Ashland Parks and Recreation Commission Page 6 Public Participation - Flood Restoration - continued Cate Hartzell (881 E. Main) encouraged the Commission to take into consideration as much as possible the cause and effect nature of what happened and why; to take the opportunity to understand what happened all along Ashland Creek from the watershed down. Prior to making decisions about whether to fill or not to fill to look at the overall picture of what would happen next time. She said that she hoped we would take this event as an opportunity to learn and try something different. As to re-establishing jogging and hiking trails, she said that she hoped that a process would be used to ask people what they "really need" so that a plan could be made which would better fit people needs with a more natural stream course. Phil Miller (Laurel St.) urged the Commission to act conservatively in the upper portion of the park. He said that he had first anticipated being depressed when he went to the upper park following the flood, but that his reaction was entirely different. He enjoyed the "wilder" look of the park; more like a river than a controlled stream. He suggested that the Commission put its money between the Bandshell and the plaza and focus on "wilderness" planning for the upper park; i.e. keep the stream channel wider, don't re- establish all the trails on the east side. He also speculated that perhaps some of the slides in the upper park may have contributed to taking out some of the bridges in the lower park. Michael G. said that he used the park a lot and wanted the trail on the east side rebuilt in some form but that he did not believe it would be necessary to replace all the bridges. He also said that a park is not a wilderness. He is also an avid user of wilderness and felt if someone wanted a wilderness experience they should go to the wilderness. Lithia Park was created. He said that the experience of walking the east side trail was very different than that of walking the west side; that he didn't necessarily want everything replaced the way it was, but wanted enough replaced so that the experience walking the east side would not be lost. He expressed concern that the widened creek channel would not be ecologically sound during summer months when the water flow has decreased substantially. Mike Parker (Tolman Creek Rd.) said that he was a fish biologist and that the only place within the park which does look somewhat natural at this time is that widened portion of the creek. He said that this summer the side channels would warm up some but over time, when the riparian vegetation grows back, water temperature should not be a problem. He said that the structures in the channel in the lower park currently prevent fish from reaching the upper stream anyway. He said that he has used Ashland Creek in fisheries class studies and when doing so has used it to demonstrate what is un-natural about the channel, such as the rip-rapping. He said that he felt that some access to the east side of the creek would be appropriate but felt it should be as minimally intrusive as possible. . . Regular Meeting - February 24, 1997 Ashland Parks and Recreation Commission Page 7 Public Participation - Flood Restoration - continued Susan Powell expressed her opinion that Ashland Creek as it flowed through the park was more a "water feature" for the park rather than a natural waterway. She said that there is very little similarity between a truly natural creek and Ashland Creek. She said that it will always be part of a managed watershed. She said she supported a healthy ecology to the stream but felt that to have it totally "natural" was not realistic. Scott Kurtz (Liberty St.) said that he loved the east side of the park and thought it looked great now. He said he would want a trail all along that side, but did not believe that we need as many bridges as we previously had. As to the front lawn area, he said that he felt that it would be okay not to replant the front lawn prior to "tourist" season if the engineering study which the City is undertaking is not yet far enough along to plant this spring. He recommended interpretive signs for the tourists and to hold off planting until fall. Indicating that he believed that the Commissioners were "stewards of the stream channel", he expressed concern for some of the work done by City contractors on upper Granite Street which appears to have damaged the stream channel. Several other persons also spoke who re-iterated ideas and comments previously stated; primarily, that Commissioners should take time in making decisions regarding the stream channel, the east slope and east side trail using whatever technical resources available to them prior to making those decisions so that old problems aren't recreated, that the "new, wilder look" to the east side wasn't all bad and in many respects was more aesthetically pleasing and provided better access to the stream channel, that having a trail on the east side was important to people who wanted a less urban park experience but that it may not be necessary to have the path as wide as it was in the past, and, finally, that some of the foot bridges should be replaced to provide access to the east side but not necessarily all the bridges. People encouraged the Commission to work closely with the City on the overall picture, to remember that "the flood will happen again", to try to work with the natural forces as demonstrated by the flood, and to plan for the future. B. Kari Tuck - Partners for Wildlife Kari Tuck reported to the Commission on a visit from Maureen Sullivan, Project Officer for U.S. Fish and Wildlife, regarding the $9,500 grant for the natural area development of N. Mountain Park. She said that Ms. Sullivan had indicated that although most of Fish and Wildlife's projects were more focused on floodplain restoration that she was excited about the project in that it was in a public park and would receive a lot of visibility. Ms. Sullivan had also expressed concern however that the planning process was still in a conceptual phase and wanted to have a clearer understanding within the next six months as to how the monies would be used. In discussion with Commissioners, Director Mickelsen indicated that he foresaw no difficulty in supplying Ms. Sullivan with the kind of information she needed within the next six months. t v0dJ, ~~~- T~-0.lw--~ ' ~.~~. vLf'Mu-J,~ i ~~ ~u-. Yu~ M./ ~,4~~. () v' ~~ &~'VL-._ ~ ~ ~ (do ~'f~~' u' () v ~---;:; t-w }.uuL a-c..LI./XlJ ~ J-u-U ~ ~ . ~L .~, ~,~O~, I~ lI)L.J ~ . vP~drr~lh(uk~J~JP~~ . ;!;:;:-1r~ , , Ir ~ . ~)'6 ~ o ~ ~ v' :~'onJ~~~M~;rvu~. -t~ .1AfMU...J) ~~L~ Ql ~ ~~jI~ -.I P~-k-Uf~J...;~~. ~\ 6.;}) ~O<J.A ~ tJ .cb ~ r"- ~ au '0, . vi ~ ~~ 'l;) ?t )J.fJ hu, vi ~~<~,~~b~L<v~, 4-v)~~~~. ~J .MI.1L d~ J-1p4b-J.'-'<--" lor ., v~~tfLW? ~~.(f~) ~~~tv~). . p~ tkJ, ~ -- --(f 11k(r" J Cn~~~;JW~~. ~ ~.~ ~ilWJ-I;)~ ~ ~ ~. >/ ~ /l1-44-V~ ~~~~nJh ~ ~~. ~ p;-l~~.' ~.r;w.'D )J:zluL _ !rup ~ .oj '.i&uJ' fH,~~ 0-- -. v (~/A4I- 'tJ rG- - ~ ~ ~'o j~m-. ~cJi~~, V ~~6v~. ~J; ~ Iwfu. L W-atJ ~?:l ~. ~~r ~ ac~4J . -/ ~~: ~~0a. p~~~ ~ !u-0. JM~#frA~~~' ~. ~kf ~~.. V~~~~J~~. U~.GawJ ~&J ~~. U J~~ ~~IQ~~ dL~ ~ rJUfJpJ ir6 ~ . , ILuAv ~JA1:HI.~ ~ -- ~'1J ? r(.HU1'). . @ Ifr..-_ ~ - J' o Pw-; ~Lbv ~~~ v ~ tvPj M1/ ~ kmHHi~. yJduJ tv ~<f(J; JJJk-tL.~ ~ / JL.-b Jt~ . v~Hu lb (1M. fiML W ~~ro' vM '~~"M~r" J ~ W1hJ ~ 'b jp ~~. ~ ~ hV Lu~-p;m~~SO~' u v ~:~"1J~~~~~' ASHLAND PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION Statement of Objectives L1THIA PARK RESTORATION 1) To preserve and/or enhance the Park's unique character, aesthetic qualities, historical elements, and natural resources. 2) To increase the Park's carrying capacity through subtle changes in materials, use areas, and circulation routes. 3) To limit the introduction of new recreation facilities or elements which would tend to increase Park use. 4) To work in harmony with the park-wide systems and patterns which combine to make Lithia Park a balanced entity. 5) To work in harmony with nature's systems and forces. 6) To encourage public participation in planning, restoration and maintenance of the Park. 7) To maximize the use of outside funding sources. 8) To prioritized restoration efforts to balance the immediacy of degenerating forces, the budget and the desires of citizens. 9) To maintain a sense of connection with the past and strive for a sense of permanence with all things built. 10) To increase maintenance capabilities to the point where staff is moving slightly faster than the degenerating process. ADOPTED: 1979 AB,FLOOD\MEMOS 97 r ~ ASHLAND PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION COMMISSIONERS Allen Alsing Bob Bennett Teri Coppedge JoAnne Eggers Laurie MacGraw TO: FROM: DATE: SUBJECT: 340 SO PIONEER STREET ASHLAND, OREGON 97520 Kenneth J. Mickelsen Director TEL.. (541) 488-5340 FAX (541) 488-5314 MEMORANDUM Ashland Parks and Recreation Commission Kenneth J. Mickelsen, Director July 28, 1997 Review of 1979 Statement of Obiectives and Phases of Master Plan for Lithia Park Restoration In 1979 the Commission adopted a 10 point Statement of Obiectives for the Restoration of Lithia Park. That statement is attached. The Commission also adopted a 10 Phase Master Plan for the restoration work which would be done: PHASE 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 AB,FLOOD\MEMOS.97 The Feast of Will Area Playground Area Upper Duck Pond Area Main Entrance Area Bandshell Area Lower Picnic Area Upper Picnic Area Wooded Buffer and Commercial Creekfront Area Service Area Parkway Planting Area Home of Famous Lithia Park