Eugene determines its park needs based on a numerical <br />standard expressed in terms of acres of parkland per 1,000 <br />residents, as well as on equitable distribution of park land. <br />In Eugene, the desired numerical standard for total park <br />land is 20 acres per 1,000 residents. Each park type has a <br />standard as well. For community parks, the numerical <br />strategy is to provide 1.5 acres of community parkland per <br />1,000 residents (Strategy B-30). It is equally important to <br />ensure the equitable distribution of parks, recreation and <br />open space areas throughout Eugene (Strategy B-2). <br />The majority of the need is for new "neighborhood parks," <br />which generally are smaller parks located within an existing <br />or emerging neighborhood. The City has determined that <br />Planning Area Index Map <br />Bethel-Baneho <br />_-a <br />~f <br />Willow Creek <br />South Eugene <br />there is an adequate supply of suitable land within the <br />current Eugene UGB to meet the neighborhood park needs <br />of all six planning sub-areas. However, the City has also identified a need for new "community parks" to <br />serve its Bethel/Danebo and River Road/Santa Clara planning sub-areas in Northwest and North Eugene, <br />respectively. <br />The PROS Comprehensive Plan describes community parks as larger parks that provide both active and <br />passive recreational opportunities for City residents, intended to serve a 2-mile radius. Community parks <br />have a minimum of 40 acres, potentially including school sites when the two uses are co-located. <br />Community parks are intended to accommodate large group activities and are to include the following <br />facilities (Strategies B-28 and B-31): <br />• Neighborhood park components, including children's play area, basketball courts, open play <br />area, etc. <br />• Reservable picnic areas; <br />• Performance and gathering space; <br />• Restrooms; <br />• Soccer and softball/baseball fields; <br />• Paved pathways and trails; <br />• Natural areas; and <br />• Off-street parking, transit access and bike parking. <br />Many of the features of community parks (community recreation facilities, restrooms, competitive <br />sports fields, etc.) require urban levels of service, which cannot be provided outside of the UGB. Because <br />of the minimum size requirements for community parks of 40 acres, it is more difficult to find suitable <br />and available land for such parks as compared to neighborhood parks. <br />Aware of these needs for some time, the City of Eugene has actively searched for the most suitable <br />property in the Bethel/Danebo and River Road/Santa Clara planning sub-areas. The City acted on <br />opportunities to purchase land in 2007-2008 for the Bethel/Danebo sub-area and in 2007-2013 for the <br />River Road/Santa Clara sub-area. Later sections of this study set out the Goal 14 analysis demonstrating <br />that the properties are appropriate for inclusion in the UGB at this time. <br />Appendix C to Findings May 2017 Page 2 <br />