Voters to decide Pre’s Trail future
By John Patton
Emerald Contributor
The effort to build a golf course in East Alton
Baker Park has failed and a measure to protect the
park from further development will he on the No
vember ballot
"The people of our metropolitan area want to
keep some country in the city," said Pete Ruby, a
teacher at Shasta Middle School ami member of
the Alton Baker Park Coalition, whit h is sponsor
ing the initiative
Coalition members say the park is threatened
by proposed expansion of the Perry Street Bridge
and use by the University.
" The park is an island of habitat in the middle
of a sea of concrete and pavement," said Sharon
Teague, a group lender and spokeswoman. "Ibis
initiative gives the public a chance to vote and
voice its concern for the park "
The Lane County Board ol Commissioners
dropped plans for a park golf course alter devel
opers, in the face of community opposition,
pulled out.
County commissioner Jerry Rust said he sup
ports the coalition’s initiative but said the counts
must go through a planning process to give all
special interest groups an equal opportunity to
voice their ideas about the park's future
"This city needs to decide whether it wants a
central city park or expand city development to
include the Alton Baker Park area." he said
The initiative would prohibit the altering of
any trails or waterways within the park
"it doesn't mean the park can't he maintained
such as the fixing of trails or control of blackberry
hushes." said Junior Robertson, a memtier of the
coalition. "It means we oppose any significant
construction that would alter the shape of the
park, especially the old landfill "
A field of wltdflowers now covers an area of
the park that served as a landfill until 1974
The initiative would also set up u Citizen's
Planning Committee to design and adopt a plan
for passive recreational uses of the park
The group has been working since Novomfier In
collect the necessary 8.800 signatures On May
14. the coalition announced it had acquired the
signatures with two months to span*
University classes have used the park lor field
studies for decades More than -’IX) species of
vvildflowers, 80 species of birds and lt> species of
mammals make their homes in Cast Alton Itaker
Park
University biology professor David Wagner
leads puhlii wild flower walks in the park every
week fills spring, guides are leading more than
fiOO school children on nature walks
Two possible alternatives to the expansion of
Furry Street Bridge could cut through the middle
of the park Plans by the county to expand
Skipworth Juvenile Detention ('enter have caused
University officials to consider construction of
new practice fields over the old landfill
We knew proposal ol the initiative would
pressure the golf company to drop construction
plans,'' s.iid Robertson "This initiative is actually
an investment in the future to preserve the park
for future generations "
Members of the coalition said they encourage
returning University students to register to vote
because many students will have changed their
addresses
“Wo are fortunate to have a piece of the wild in
the city," l eague said “We need to preserve the
natural values we all enjoy within the jiark
Photo U* .;«*«
Voters mil decide it areas ot Alton Baker Park should be open to de
velopment or it the park should be lett as it is
%
5CtytOFF;
any;
MENUi
in-m ■
firm muM l»r Si |
j-rf c \04i*i*rt
«i »*ih
I
I
I
“TCBV” :
The Coun(ry\ Best Jinjurt.
J131 West 1 hit Marketplace 'Xfcst
1888 lr.uiklu\ IVImI . I raiJclin <Si Vilbrd
I
I
I Summertime Specials
V V
2 Months1
only
$69°°
/\ A J
1475 Franklin
Oregon West
fitness
485-1624
Looking for something
fun to do this weekend?
Look no farther than
Friday’s Entertainment section.
THE FAR SIDE
rrrr
By GARY LARSON
-m
/.Tft, I T T ' ■ — — ■ ■
High above the hushed crowd, Re* tried to remain
tocused. Still, he couldn't shake one nagging
thought: He was an old dog and this was a new trick.
•4
h.
...we re moving soon
to our new larger store
and we're having
a sale to celebrate!
coming June 1 5th:
A new larger store 2 doors west of
our present location.
The largest selection of art and
school supplies in Oregon.
Professional, friendly staff.
YIUOW US ITEMS IXCUKXD. *- _
SALE LIMPID tO STOCK ON HAND. , ./TT?
CANNOT If COfcMMD WITH ANY OTXIf SAU Of DtJCC