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Donated acres would extend Bear Creek Greenway (July 1, 2002)
Medford Mail Tribune, Medford, OR -- The gift would provide about 90 percent of the property needed to complete the section
By Tony Bloom

ASHLAND - A donation of land in the Bear Creek flood plain may help the city extend the Bear Creek Greenway.

Four acres west of North Mountain Avenue and south of Bear Creek may be donated to the city by developers.

A development group that includes Evan Archerd and Russ Dale has purchased from the Beagle family a parcel that includes the flood plain land. An earlier proposal had the Beagle family donating the land before the developers purchased the rest of the parcel. Parks and Recreation commissioners were briefed on the latest development in the possible acquisition when they met Monday.

"It's very likely it's going to occur," said Parks and Recreation Commission Chairman Rick Landt. "It's a terrific piece of property that fits right into our updated parks, trails and open space plan."

In January, parks commissioners recommended to the City Council that it accept the donation from the Beagle family. Commissioners would need to vote again due to the ownership change. The council would then vote to accept the property.

"This has the potential to move our timelines for increasing the length of the Greenway forward," said Landt.

The Greenway bike path and trail presently ends near Nevada Street. Extension from Nevada to North Mountain Park would add about three-quarters of a mile. North Mountain Park includes ball fields and a natural area.

Greenway trails and bike paths running through municipal areas have usually been funded by cities. The Bear Creek Greenway Foundation has typically focused its efforts on land purchases in county areas along the creek.

The donation would give the city about 90 percent of the property it needs to complete the section. It already has about 60 percent. A few parcels still need to be purchased for the trail route.

No money for path work was included in this fiscal year's parks and recreation department budget. Development could come in the next few years as funds become available, said parks and recreation Director Ken Mickelsen.

After a bike path is built, the rest of the area would probably remain in its natural state, said Landt.

That would help salmon in the creek. They would benefit from cooler water created by trees along the creek banks, according to water consultant Paul Kay.

"That area ... has good cover," said Kay. "If there's an area in the flood plain that's fairly broad, then there are opportunities for at least preservation, if not enhancement.
"The more shade the better. The more plants that are native offer not only cooling but also filtration of sediment and nutrients," said Kay.

Conditions for acceptance of the parcel in January included city payment for a survey of the land, removal of machinery, vehicles and debris from the site at no city expense and a satisfactory environmental assessment. The city would split costs of the assessment up to $3,000. The commission could recommend different conditions.

Developers have already had a pre-application meeting with city planners. At least 50 single-family homes would be built.

Reach Ashland bureau reporter Tony Boom at 482-4651, or email tboom@mailtribune.com.

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