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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Madison Meadow?
What happens if Madison Meadow dissolves?
What are the plans for the meadow?
How much are the property taxes?
How much is the liability insurance?
How many people are involved in this?
Wouldn't preserving that parcel of land put pressure
on the Urban Growth Boundary?
Aren’t there a lot of parks already in the neighborhood?
Is $400,000 a high price for the land?
I live far away, why should I help to save Madison
Meadow?
Q: What is Madison Meadow?
A: Madison Meadow is the name of the non-profit, 501(c)(3), corporation
that was formed in November of 2003 to preserve the two acre historic,
remnant orchard and meadow at 22nd and Madison in Eugene, Oregon. Madison
Meadow is also the name of this two acre parcel. Neighbors who’ve
enjoyed the beauty and tranquility of the meadow for decades formed
the corporation. The board and voting membership is open to anyone
who shares our vision of keeping the meadow as open space.
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Q. What happens if Madison Meadow dissolves?
A. Our bylaws require that in the case of dissolution, the assets
of the nonprofit be either passed to another nonprofit or to the
City of Eugene. Even if it is one day transferred, the meadow will
still have to remain open space.
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Q. What are the plans for the meadow?
A. The purchase option that we have with the current owner requires
that we keep the property as open space. The specific future design
of this open space will be up to the voting members of Madison Meadow.
The board wants the neighborhood to be involved in future landscaping
decisions, however our energies have been dedicated to making the
acquisition of the land possible. There are many great possibilities
for the use of meadow: as community gardens, native plant restoration,
recreating the original wetland, or an environmental study area
for the U of O’s landscape architecture school or local high school
program. If you don’t want to commit to becoming a voting member
we still want your input. Send us an email or letter and a board
member will happily meet with you.
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Q. How much are the property taxes?
A. As a nonprofit corporation we are exempt from
property taxes under Oregon Revised Statute 307.115.
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Q. How much is the liability insurance?
A. State law limits the liability on land that is held for public
benefit. Our liability insurance is $300 a year.
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Q. How many people are involved in this?
A. Many! We have 10 members on the Board of Directors. Dozens of
people have volunteered in many different ways at a variety of public
events and have donated. We’ve had four community meetings. We’ve
had many people visit our tables at local events to make donations,
sign up as volunteers, and buy t-shirts. We’ve received out-of-state
donations from as far away as Germany and Holland. Neighbors have
lawn signs up all over the Friendly neighborhood and the city. Community
leaders, fundraisers, and environmentalists have given us advice
and have attended our board meetings. Local businesses have put
out collection jars for us and have donated goods and services for
our silent auction. This is a community effort with broad support.
Contact us and find out how you can help.
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Q. Wouldn't preserving that parcel of land
put pressure on the Urban Growth Boundary?
A. No. When the city does it’s periodic inventory of “shovel ready”
land, our 2- acre meadow is too small a parcel to be included in
their calculation. Pressure on the UGB is a concern for us. Infill
is happening in the historic neighborhoods of Eugene. As the population
density increases, open space and parks become more necessary to
maintain our quality of life and keep Eugene an attractive place
to live.
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Q. Aren’t there a lot of parks already
in the neighborhood?
A. The park system in Eugene is great, so much so that parks in
the Friendly neighborhood (Washington and Westmoreland) attract
people from all over the city – and outside of the city – to participate
in organized sports and cultural events. The meadow is a different
kind of open space. It’s an undeveloped neighborhood park where
children play in an unstructured way, and neighbors meet and talk
while walking their dogs. It links up with the alley that runs between
Jefferson and Monroe, creating a momentary escape into nature to
enjoy while biking or taking an evening stroll.
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Q. Is $400,000 a high price for the land?
A. No. It’s actually a really great price. Currently 1/4-acre lots
in the city are averaging $100,000. If the land were sold in this
way, the price would be $800,000! The neighbors got a lower price
with the original owner because he preferred that the property not
be developed. This is a great opportunity that we won’t get a second
chance at.
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Q: I live far away, why should I help to save Madison
Meadow?
A: The Audubon Society estimates that there are around 100 species
of birds that use the meadow, many of them migratory. Ecologists
are now recognizing the importance of “island habitats”, small natural
areas that migratory species can visit to feed and rest as they
negotiate the built up landscape.
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