Re: Urban Forestry Office
City of Eugene Parks and Open Spaces Division
1820 Roosevelt Boulevard
Eugene, OR 97404
Dear Sirs:
My name is Kent Slocum, and I am a full-time student of the University of Oregon. I am a strong supporter of your work, preserving and expanding the tree canopy in Eugene. My family is proud to support many trees and bushes on our property.
It is with great dismay that I found out about the proposed removal of 23 trees in the right-of-way surrounding Hayward Field. I walk under those beautiful, healthy trees every day, and I know first-hand that they provide a great deal of shade and joy for the entire community.
I am especially shocked that this massive removal project will be occurring in conjunction with your initiative to increase tree coverage for the 2021 Track and Field World Championships. The 2021 Track and Field World Championships will be held at Hayward Field; why remove the trees that are best positioned to absorb the carbon emissions? The replacement of just 30 immature trees is insufficient to offset the environmental impact of removing those trees around Hayward Field. I urge you to please reconsider this removal and prevent the destruction of such a wonderful natural treasure.
Please keep me notified of further developments on the Hayward Field project, including meeting times and locations, and projected removal dates and times.
Your fellow supporter of a greener Eugene,
Kent Slocum
Re: Mailbag
The Register-Guard
3500 Chad Drive
Eugene, OR 97408
Dear Editor:
As a student at the University of Oregon, I walk past the East Grandstand twice a day. My pace picks up every time I pass by the grand wooden structure, thinking of the incredible track-and-field legacy that the stadium has presided over. As a fan of track-and-field, I am saddened that the UO intends to demolish Historic Hayward Field in lieu of something flashier, larger, and definitely more expensive. The last time the UO built an athletic arena of this scale (think Matthew Knight Arena), students ended up paying nearly $502,000 a year in debt service. I'm not sure what will be more disappointing--seeing the "Historic" part of Hayward go, or seeing a vastly empty stadium sitting unused most of the time.
Don't get me wrong; I am pleased that the UO is planning for the future. But what kind of a future does Eugene want? Plenty of cities have sprawling, overbuilt athletic stadiums. What they don't have is a place that is recognized worldwide for its remarkable ability to inspire people to greatness. With the East Grandstand nominated for City Landmark status, I urge the UO to reconsider the original remodel plan, as well as the students and citizens of Eugene.
Sincerely, Kent Slocum
Re: Mailbag
The Register-Guard
3500 Chad Drive
Eugene, OR 97408
Dear Editor:
As you are aware, Tinker Hatfield is the famed designer who has worked with Nike. It seems fitting that he work on the design for the newly renovated Hayward Field, especially considering the fact that Phil Knight, the founder of Nike, is one of the primary donors to the project. However, it appears that the decision to replace Tinker Hatfield's design with one that removes all traces of the Historic East Grandstands is an collective effort to create University-wide amnesia of the rich and storied legacy of its past.
Sincerely, Kent Slocum
