The West University Neighbors want some volunteers who are not afraid to get a little dirty this Saturday and help rebuild the only park in the 64-block community – Eugene’s most densely populated neighborhood.
For nearly 12 years, the park on East 14th Avenue between Patterson and Hilyard streets has remained closed because of rampant crime and safety concerns. But the local neighborhood association banded together to try and rebuild the park with community involvement and investment that will keep the park open this time. Residents have already begun doing some landscaping on the lot, and hope to have the park open again by May or June 2008.
“Part of what we want to try to do is start from the beginning with getting people involved. After you’ve worked hard and planted trees and shrubs, you don’t want to see some jerk ruin it for everybody,” said Deborah Healey, the West University Neighbors chairperson.
The old park was situated between and behind buildings that faced the street, often called a “pocket park,” and it obstructed police officers’ views into it. Also, the rear of the park led into an alley that provided an easy escape route for criminals or suspects.
“Pocket parks like that have never been successful anyway,” said Eugene police officer Randy Ellis who routinely patrols the West University area. “That was the only city park that has ever been closed, so that gives you an idea of how bad things were.”
With the memories of the past problems still lingering, city officials and community members decided to reformat the park and allow for a few new checks on potential problems.
However, Ellis offered a gloomy future for the success of the park, and predicts it will probably fall back into ruin and crime.
“If I was forced to bet, I’d bet against it because we still have some of the same problems in the area such as activists, transient peoples” and drug use and dealing, Ellis said. “The city will not allow this thing to go to hell again – they will friggin’ close it in a heartbeat.”
Ellis said he plans to patrol the area more aggressively when the park opens to make sure it’s being used properly.
Bob Quinney originally owned two houses resting on the east side of the block and along the street, but decided to demolish the property and swap land patches with the park. He built apartments along the alley, and the park was moved to parallel East 14th Avenue where the houses stood.
“When we came up with this idea, the (city officials) said that it may really be a good idea,” Quinney said. With the lights on the park from the building and a fence to close off park access to the alley, those bad activities hopefully won’t happen any longer, he added.
The lengthwise design of the park makes it easier for police to spot any suspicious activity, and the new fence Quinney referred to will add to the security measures taken in the restructuring of the park, Ellis said.
“I think the idea of people watching out over it is a good thought, but not as good as the reformatting,” he said.
However, Ellis said the problem with homeless-related crime still exists, and the potential for problems still exists for the park.
Residents hope Ellis is wrong, and are optimistic this time will be different because of the vested community responsibility.
“If the people around (the park) are paying attention, it won’t happen again where people are shooting up and throwing up in the park,” Healey said. “It’s a challenge to really make it feel like home, and we’re doing our best to make it that way. It’s what makes a neighborhood lively.”
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