Tom and Adam
>from Suvia Judd edited by Dave Peckham
>
> I noticed that only one of the three plans for the `Hidden
>Treasure' portion of the Linear Park makes much use of the park area for
>flood control, and in that design the natural alternate channel is blocked
>by raised earth with two holes excavated east and west. At the drop-in
>session I spoke with the designer, and he indicated that the plan is to
>CUT DOWN THE EXISING OLD WILLOW TREES ALONG THE CREEK, and recut the banks
>to a shallower angle. I think a better alternative would be to leave the
>trees and the old channel as is, and allow the flood waters to overflow
>down the alternate channel which is broad and shallow and turfed, and
>adequately carried several feet of moving water in the winters of 1996 and
>1997, as in the past.
>
> I think the park trails can be designed around this nattural
>flood basin, and the basin itself used for frisbee throwing, kite flying
>etc during the 360 plus days it is not flooded. Please consider this
>alternative concept.
> I would like to see the final design work with and reflect the
>existing qualities of the site more strongly. It would be a pity if in
>order to make a "natural" park we had to cut down big willows and move
>more dirt than we would have for apartments.
>
>When I spoke with the Linear Park Task Force they told me that the
>designers had not made any of them aware that all three alternative
>proposals called for cutting down the willows along Paradise Creek.
>Committee members said that PCEI had told them that cutting down the creek
>banks was essential for proper "restoration." as the banks cannot be
>resloped without first removing the willows.
>
> I hope you on the net will discuss this issue. I question whether
>we are working with nature if we cut down the willows, cut down the
>banks of the creek, and block the natural, grasslined overflow swale and
>basin. The one proposal which would use the park site for flood storage
>blocks the overflow channel and digs a huge pit where the wild iris now
>grow.
> Thanks for your thoughts. I'll check in on the comments at he
>library in a week or so.
>
>Suvia Judd
Thomas C. Lamar, Executive Director
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