TO: Mayor and City Council
THROUGH: Steve Powers, City Manager
FROM: Peter Fernandez, PE, Public Works Director
SUBJECT:
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Eagle’s View Park Master Plan
Ward(s): Ward 8
Councilor(s): Councilor Jim Lewis
Neighborhood(s): West Salem Neighborhood Association
Result Area(s): Welcoming and Livable Community
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ISSUE:
Shall the City Council adopt the proposed 2020 Eagle’s View Park Master Plan?
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Adopt the proposed 2020 Eagle’s View Park Master Plan.
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SUMMARY:
The Eagle’s View Park Master Plan (Plan) presents the overall park design that reflects public input and neighborhood desires for active recreation uses balanced with passive uses and enhancement of its natural features (Attachment 1). The Eagle’s View Park Master Plan Report (Attachment 2) presents the overall park design, and appropriate amenities and uses for the park. The report describes the public outreach process and input, provides guidelines for its future development, and includes a master plan level cost estimate. The Plan has been developed in consideration of community input and the unique aspects of the site.
A landscape architecture firm, Environmental Science Associates, was hired through the City’s public contracting process to assist with public outreach and presentations and to provide graphic design.
The Plan identifies the following elements for Eagle’s View Park:
• Picnic shelter
• Playground with embankment slide and scramble
• Multi-use court
• Open lawn for drop-in play and gathering area
• Drainageway enhancements and bridge crossing
• Outdoor fitness pods;
• Practice disc golf baskets
• Pollinator habitat area
• Hard and soft surface paths
• Shade trees and landscape enhancements
• Site furnishings such as benches and drinking fountain
The Plan has been developed through a robust public process facilitated by City staff and the consultant. This process included three public workshops and two separate online surveys. Workshop attendance averaged 25 individuals at each meeting. Responses to the first survey totaled 52; the second survey received 93 responses. The workshops and surveys were advertised through a combination of postcard mailers, posted fliers, email-based newsletters, visits to West Salem Neighborhood Association meetings, and the City’s website.
FACTS AND FINDINGS:
1. The West Salem Neighborhood Association was presented the draft park master plan on May 18, 2020, via a Zoom meeting platform. The plan was approved unanimously by the Board (Attachment 3).
2. On June 11, 2020, the Salem Parks and Recreation Advisory Board unanimously approved the Eagle’s View Park Master Plan (Attachment 4).
3. Funding for some of the amenities at Eagle’s View Park will be provided through Park System Development Charges. Additional funding may be provided through a combination of a local government grant from the Oregon Department of Parks and Recreation, donations, and volunteer services as these opportunities become available.
4. Development of the park master plan will be dependent on funding and will likely proceed in at least two phases.
BACKGROUND:
Encompassing five acres, Eagle’s View Park is an undeveloped neighborhood park located in West Salem. A neighborhood park as classified in the Comprehensive Park System Master Plan (CPSMP) provides local access to basic recreation resources for residents within a half-mile service area. Presently, the site has interim use improvements including picnic tables, a soft trail, pet waste bag dispensers, trash cans, and a bridge that crosses the drainageway. The soft trail was built by West Salem neighbors and the bridge was constructed by an Eagle Scout candidate.
The park is surrounded by low density single-family residential housing. Several multi-family housing complexes are located at the outer extent of the half-mile neighborhood park service area. The park borders Eagle’s Wing Street NW to the east and Stellar’s Eagle Street NW to the west. Pedestrian access to the park is available from both of these streets.
Park design guidelines are provided in CPSMP. Typical neighborhood park facilities include playground equipment, sports courts, picnic tables, pedestrian paths, multi-use turf fields, and passive recreation opportunities.
Robert D. Chandler, PhD, PE
Assistant Public Works Director
Attachments:
1. Draft Eagle’s View Park Master Plan Graphic
2. Draft Eagle’s View Park Master Plan Report
3. West Salem Neighborhood Association Minutes May 18, 2020
4. Salem Parks and Recreation Advisory Board Action Sheet June 11, 2020