Document text
0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Rancher killed in standoff vowed to die before going to jail ... OSU-Cascades buys pumice mine property for expansion ... Hunter allegedly shot man fleeing crime ... Rancher killed in standoff vowed to die before going to jail ... OSU-Cascades buys pumice mine property for expansion ... Hunter allegedly shot man fleeing crime ... PLACES TO PLAY Phoenix hopes to expand parks with UO students' help Comment By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune Posted Jan. 26, 2016 at 3:35 PM By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune Posted Jan. 26, 2016 at 3:35 PM » Social News University of Oregon students will help Phoenix develop plans for more parks and open spaces in anticipation of a near doubling of its population by 2036. The city received a $35,000 state Parks and Recreation Department grant to go toward updating that part of its comprehensive plan and provided a $15,000 match. On Jan. 19, City Council awarded a $47,000 contract to UO's Community Planning Workshop, made up of graduate and undergraduate students who provide planning and policy work for clients throughout Oregon. “This will allow us to see needs in our parks and to reach all age groups,” said Councilor Carolyn Bartell, liaison to the city’s Parks Commission for the last four years. Phoenix's population, now at 4,585, is projected to increase by 40 percent over the next 20 years. Annexation of an unincorporated area north of city limits could add another 2,000 people, planners say. The parks element of the comprehensive plan was last updated in 1998. Community input will be sought as part of the process. “I think they are going to do a direct mail survey to all our citizens,” said Planning Director Matt Brinkley, who secured the grant. “There’s a very robust public outreach component. I think that’s one of the things that made their proposal very predominant.” Developable land in Phoenix already is designated for residences, leaving little space for parks, Brinkley said. “We do have some opportunities within our current urban growth boundary,” Brinkley said. “We are looking for opportunities to do pocket parks, but we will also want to look ahead at adding some larger, regional parks for the entire city and beyond.” The study also will look at needs in areas designated as urban reserves during the Regional Problem Solving effort. One of those is an unincorporated area west of interstate 5 on both sides of Highway 99 between Coleman Creek and South Stage Road. An estimated 2,000 people reside there, but the only public space is the Bear Creek Greenway. The area is currently in the county. Residents of the area would have to approve becoming part of the city. UO students will hold eight stakeholder meetings with smaller groups as well as larger public workshops and meetings. Both the Planning Commission and City Council will review the plan and decide whether to approve it. Students will be starting with city surveys of residents from the last several years, Bartell said. A top immediate need identified in those surveys was more parking at Blue Heron Park, she said. A Ford Institute Leadership Program group built a bandstand there in 2012, but lack of parking restricts its use, she said. Conceptual plans will be created for one or two of the existing parks, said Brinkley, one of which might address parking at Blue Heron. Other top items the public would like to see include a splash pad, a dog park and areas for teenagers, said Bartell. She would like to see expansion of a modest recreation program. “What we are trying to do is more things for the community to do right in their backyards,” said Bartell. “You can walk to the parks, you can take your kids after school, and you can go there on a hot summer evening.” Tony Boom is an Ashland freelance writer. Reach him at [email protected]. By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune Posted Jan. 26, 2016 at 3:35 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501