If you are interested in receiving more information, including the upcoming work party schedule, please let us know your name and email so that you can be added to the contact list. We are seeking volunteers and, of course, we are also accepting donations. All donations are tax deductible. If you are interested in donating, or have already pledged a donation, please click here for more information.
If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact Teresa Dingman at 686-6218 or teresadingman@gmail.com. Thank you and thanks to everyone who has contributed so far to make our grant application a success!
Lafferty Park Improvement Grant Application
Tangible Neighborhood Benefit Below are the specific outputs and outcomes achieved through this grant funded project: Proposal: Improve existing playground area Proposal: Enhance the riparian area and increase biodiversity within Lafferty Park through invasive species removal and replacement with native plants.
B. The physical improvements of playground equipment proposed in this grant application will be maintained through a combination of current maintenance by the City and through an annual/ bi-annual community park cleanup which will include any necessary supplemental maintenance activities. The neighbors of Lafferty Park have already proven their commitment to maintaining the park through neighborhood organized clean up days, the most recent being May 2006. Currently, City staff inspects existing playground equipment and provides minimal maintenance and shall continue to do so. In the past few years the city has actually removed equipment deemed unsafe due to its age. In addition, part of the criteria for selecting the specific playground equipment will be the ease of maintenance. The newer equipment will actually require less maintenance than the existing, aging equipment. Also, the concrete block retaining wall will replace the existing, decaying wood timbers. C. Our grant proposal aligns with the City of Eugene’s PROS Project and Priority Plan, in which Lafferty Park is identified as Priority 1 project. However, although the need has been identified, funding has not. Given the demographics of the neighborhood and the large concentration of young children it is critical for Lafferty Park improvements to happen as soon as possible. Our proposal makes it possible for improvements in 2007 and it leverages private donations to maximize the efficient use of City expenditures.
Community Involvement The proposed enhancements to Lafferty Park shall build community among the affected neighbors by increasing the amount of time neighborhood families spend together in the park (rather than driving to other parks); and the more time spent in the park, the greater the sense of community. In addition, the proposed project will build community by instilling a common sense of purpose and pride amongst the neighbors, due to the community effort to obtain, finance, install, and maintain the improvements to the park. Over the years, the sense of community will continue to be generated, every time neighbors use the park together. The people in the affected area have voiced their support for the park improvements as demonstrated by the unanimous vote of support by the Crest Drive Neighborhood Association (see enclosed letter of support). We have also spoken with the immediate neighbors, and have obtained petitions of support and pledges from the majority of neighbors in the area closest to Lafferty Park. Please see attachments. B. The Friends of Lafferty Park are working with several businesses and organizations. KipCo is generously donating heavy equipment and operators; Lane Forest Products is offering a 10% discount; Coyote Creek Environmental and South Hills Garden and Design are donating time and expertise to help design and oversee the riparian enhancements. We are working with Lane County to dispose of the landscape timbers. The Friends of Lafferty Park have also contacted Walama Restoration as their organization was involved in previous riparian clean up efforts. And of course Friends of Lafferty Park are working with the Crest Drive Neighborhood Association to publicize the project and bolster community involvement. 3. Project Readiness A. Please see attached budget spreadsheet. Beth Ann Whalen, who can be reached at 344-8177, will track expenditures and contributions. However, the Friends of Lafferty Park would prefer the City of Eugene to directly handle all donations and expenditures. As is evident from the budget, the Friends of Lafferty Park have developed a detailed plan for the site improvements necessary to install the playground equipment. Our plan includes the removal of the existing landscape timbers, to be replaced with a concrete block retaining wall with a mortared cap, no greater than 30 inches in height. The wall will enable the playground area to be all one level, and meet the safety zone requirements of the playground equipment. In addition, the playground will extend an additional 5- 10 feet to the east, for a total playground area (excluding the existing swings) of approximately 35 feet x 45 feet. An ADA accessible path (approximately 5-10 lineal feet) will approach the playground from the north.
B. Project Planning and Scheduling: January 2007- May 2007
4. Neighborhood Match A. Please see attached pledge sheet. The neighborhood match of $ 17,954 far exceeds 50% of the overall project budget of $25,170, with the vast majority coming from neighbors who live in the affected area. The match includes $5,000 in pledged cash donations, volunteer labor, discounts and contributions of professional services and expertise from businesses. The generous donations of both time and money demonstrate the high level of support for this project.
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