Prineville, landscape architects designing Barnes Butte Rec Area
The city of Prineville, in partnership with the National Park Service’s Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance program and the Oregon Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects, will host a design workshop Sept. 27-28 to help develop a vision and concept plan for the Barnes Butte Recreation Area.
The design workshop, facilitated by volunteers from ASLA Oregon, will be held at Barnes Butte Elementary School.
Community experts and ASLA Oregon design professionals will participate in a guided walking tour of the recreation area, meet with community members during a hosted barbeque dinner, identify opportunities for improvements throughout the site, and develop conceptual designs. The design workshop will conclude with a community presentation and overview of the findings and vision on Sept. 28.
NPS RTCA staff work collaboratively with local communities to conserve and enhance special places like Barnes Butte, as well as identify funding sources, engage the public, and create recreation opportunities. Last year, the NPA’s RTCA program awarded the City of Prineville a community assistance grant. The city is utilizing the grant for master planning of the Barnes Butte Recreation Area.
In 2000, ASLA and the National Park Service formalized a partnership to help communities across the nation plan, design, and manage their natural, cultural, and recreation resources. This unique partnership expanded opportunities for ASLA chapters and NPS staff across the country. Dozens of community projects have benefited from this valuable collaboration.
“The RTCA/ASLA partnership benefits communities in the early stages of projects with the design and problem-solving skills of landscape architects. It’s a great way to build community interest and support,” said RTCA Community Planner, Alexandra Stone.
“ASLA Oregon members volunteer their skills because they are passionate about helping communities plan, design and manage their natural landscape,” said Jean Senechal Biggs, ASLA Oregon Chapter Trustee.
On Friday, Sept. 27, a community barbeque will be held from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. in the Barnes Butte Recreation Area parking lot. The event will provide community members the opportunity to meet the landscape architect volunteers and Barnes Butte Recreation Area Focus Committee members and share their ideas for how they would like to see the area conserved and enhanced.
On Saturday, Sept. 28 from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m., community members are invited to attend a workshop presentation at Barnes Butte Elementary School, located at 1875 N.E. Ironhorse Drive, Prineville, Oregon. ASLA Oregon representatives will present an overview of the findings and vision for the Barnes Butte Recreation Area based on their field study and community input from the evening before.
Purchased by the City of Prineville in early 2017, the Barnes Butte property is 460 acres of open space at the base of Barnes Butte just north of the Prineville city limits. When combined with existing BLM land, the property connects the north and south ends of Prineville, giving residents and visitors access to more than 620 acres of open space.
Since its acquisition, the Barnes Butte Focus Committee has established walking trails and solicited public input.
“We are grateful to volunteer landscape architects of ASLA Oregon for donating their time and expertise in developing ideas for our wonderful community asset,” said Prineville Mayor Steve Uffelman.
The community barbeque and workshop presentation are family-friendly events; children are welcome. People needing accommodation to participate in this event can contact Lori Ontko at the city of Prineville at 541-447-2340.
