Park representatives collaborate with project team

I’m excited  about writing my first post for the Willamette River Bridge project blog. When I was part of ODOT’s Geo-Environmental Natural Resources Unit, I watched how the project has benefited by collaboration.

One example of this is at the parks coordination meetings, where local jurisdictions, parks and community members meet with ODOT Project Manager Karl Wieseke and me on the first Friday of each month to focus on how the project impacts the surrounding area. Attendees represent local natural areas and parks, including:

·         City of Eugene Parks and Open Space Division.

·         City of Eugene Public Works Transportation Department.

·         Willamalane Park & Recreation District.

·         Citizen Planning Committee for the Whilamut Natural Area.

·         Fairmount Neighbors Association.

These representatives point out maintenance concerns, provide information on existing area charters and collaborate with us to find solutions that work for everybody. The meetings also give the project team an opportunity to update the parks agencies and our neighbors on construction activity. Design enhancements and park improvements are the most common topics of discussion.

Some results of our close collaboration include protective fencing for wetlands and reconfiguration of a frog pond in the Whilamut Natural Area. Both efforts will help restore the area to better-than-original conditions. We also use the parks coordination meetings to agree on a long-term maintenance plan to ensure continuity of care for areas surrounding the project.

I look forward to continued collaboration with this knowledgeable and motivated group as the project moves forward.