Gaffney Lane Neighborhood Association

Follow-up of pathway controversy on Castleberry Loop & Meyers Rd

Apr 22, 2001

This letter was written as a result of the March 15, 2001 General Membership meeting in which this was a topic of discussion. I will keep you informed of any future developments concerning this matter.


March 26, 2001

Mr. Brian Nakamura, City Manager
City of Oregon City 320 Warner Milne Road
Oregon City, OR. 97045

I am writing in regards to a letter sent to Mayor John Williams dated January 22, 2001, from Kitsie
Parkinson, Principal for Gaffney Lane School. Gaffney Lane School requested that the easement between Meyer Road and Castleberry Loop be reopened so the children who live in the Pioneer Ridge Apartments can use it to walk to school.

As you know approximately two years ago the City closed off this easement due to the request of several neighbors who live near this easement. The reason it was closed was due to a series of cars thefts in the area where the pathway was used as a get-away; it was also used as a place to use illegal substances; and most importantly for the safety of the children who used the pathway. This non-illuminated pathway has a
significant incline towards Meyers Road, which is a very busy road. Many of our children own bicycles,skateboard, roller blades and scooters and the chances of rolling right into Meyers Road are high.

When Gaffney Lane Neighborhood Associate heard about the request to re-open this pathway, we
informed our members and presented the pros and cons for reopening this easement. With the use of our web site, our newsletter and our general membership meeting on March 15, 2001, we requested input from our members. We even made a special flyer that was sent to everyone living at the Pioneer Ridge Apartments as well as the residences closest to this easement that would be impacted the most.

As Chairman of the Gaffney Lane Neighborhood Association I collected the votes that were received, by e-mail, verbally, by petition, by telephone call and by hand vote at the March 15 general membership meeting. 33 votes were received to keep the easement closed and 2 votes were received to reopen the easement. With these votes, Gaffney Lane Neighborhood Association recommends that the City of Oregon City leave the easement closed. I have attached copies of all the supporting documents for your files.

As a separate note, the only reason the request to reopen the pathway was done in the first place is because the Oregon City School District stopped busing the children of the Pioneer Ridge Apartments to Gaffney Lane School. We understand it is because of budgetary reason and by state law they do not have to if they are within one mile from the school. We have measured the distance that children from Kindergarten to
6th grade have to walk to reach the school. They have to walk 7/10th of a mile to get to school with at least half of it occurring on busy Meyers Road. A copy of this letter is being sent to the School Board and to Gaffney Lane School strongly urging them to work with the parents of Pioneer Ridge Apartments and hopefully find a way to transport the children to school.

Please keep us informed when this issue will be presented to the City Commission for their review and their decision regarding this matter.
Sincerely,

J. Derrick Beneville
Chairman of Gaffney Lane Neighborhood Association

CC: Barry Rotrock, O.C. School District, Kitsie Parkinson, Gaffney Lane School, Mary Palmer, O.C.
Public Affairs Manager