Developing a Master Plan for the East Ridgeline Extension

In 2008, the City of Eugene Parks and Open Space Division acquired 200 acres of land in southeast Eugene from Arlie & Co. for an expansion of the Ridgeline Park system. This parcel will enable the existing 12 mile Ridgeline Trail to extend another several miles towards Lane Community College and Interstate 5. The first public workshop was held on Monday, June 29th. You can find more information, take a survey, and share your ideas about potential enhancements here, or contact Philip Richardson, Landscape Architect, at 541-682-4906.

City Participating in Developing Willamette River Open Space Vision

The City of Eugene is joining with ten other local agencies and organizations to develop a future vision for the Willamette River in the Eugene-Springfield area.  Partners include Lane Council of Governments, McKenzie Watershed Council, The Nature Conservancy, McKenzie River Trust, Willamette Riverkeeper, City of Springfield, Willamalane Park & Recreation District, Lane County Parks, Eugene Water & Electric Board, and the Metropolitan Wastewater Management Commission.  The vision will address the future of recreation facilities, trails, wildlife habitat, public safety, and visual quality along the river corridor from the confluence of the coast and middle forks of the Willamette to Green Island, north of Eugene.  Lane Council of Governments is coordinating the visioning process on behalf of the project partners.  Information about the project is available on the project website at www.lcog.org/willamette.  For more information contact Jeff Krueger, Lane Council of Governments, at 541-682-4122. 

Bicycle Detours during I-5 Bridge Replacement Project (2009-2012)
The Parks and Open Space Division (POS) is working closely with the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) as replacement of the I-5 Bridge over the Willamette River begins this spring. ODOT and their contractors have been working in partnership with POS, Willamalane, the Whilamut Citizen Planning Commission, neighborhood groups and others to ensure that the project minimizes disruptions and mitigates negative impacts for park users during construction. However, there will be impacts as the contractors will be staging operations from the eastern end of the park and will need to close some bike paths through the park. ODOT will ensure that there is always a safe route open through the park to connect Eugene and Springfield, park users may experience delays or need to use an alternate route. ODOT will be enhancing the park in many ways including improving several trails and intersections, restoring riparian forest, planting native prairie grasses and wildflowers, and adding 5 Kalapuya talking stones. ODOT’s commitment to partnering with the community and the POS division has resulted in a well planned project that we hope will result in a long term benefit to the park and park users. Park detour routes have been broken up into stages. Stage 2 detours are expected to last from summer 2009 to fall 2012 and stage 3 detour routes are expected to be in effect intermittently between fall 2009 and fall 2012. For more information go to www.WillametteBridge.org