In 2018, voters voiced their strong support for the future of Eugene’s parks. Just two short years later, the pandemic has shown how crucial parks are for our physical and mental health, and the importance of investing in these public spaces.
Parks staff has been busy at work on everything from strengthening safety and security efforts and increasing park maintenance, to planning park renovations and the creation of new parks in underserved areas. In a short time, your vote of confidence in our Parks program is already making Eugene a cleaner, greener and safer community. To stay up to date on these projects visit our website.
Downtown Riverfront Park
After many years of planning this legacy project, construction is well underway to create spaces for broad river views, new bicycle and pedestrian paths, seating and overlooks. The park is on track to be completed in late spring of 2021.
Berkeley Park
This southwest Eugene neighborhood park is scheduled for a complete renovation to begin in 2021. A community engagement process was completed in 2019 that prioritized a larger playground, sand and nature play, an irrigated lawn and looped walking path.
Suzanne Arlie Park Ridgeline Trail & Access
The master plan for the largest park in Eugene’s system has been completed and features a network of interconnected trails for nature-based recreation, disc golf, programmed group camping, a mountain bike skills park, and habitat conservation and restoration efforts which are already underway. The first phase of park development is bond funded and will include habitat enhancements, an extension of the Ridgeline Trail and mountain bike trails. Construction is expected in 2022.
Delta Ponds Loop Trail
The City has been awarded a $350,000 grant from the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department to complete the Delta Ponds Loop Trail. This grant provides an excellent opportunity to leverage existing funding from the bond to increase recreational access to our urban natural areas. Construction on the trail connection will complete this one-mile loop and is scheduled to begin in 2021.
Striker Field Park
Final designs for this 8-acre park include a large playground, court games (basketball, pickleball and petanque), restrooms, picnic shelter and informal amphitheater for community gatherings. The park is currently on schedule for construction to begin in summer 2021.
West Bank Path Lighting
The West Bank Path Renovation Project will be constructed in 2020 and replace approximately one mile of the Ruth Bascom Path between Stephens Drive and Copping Street (funded by pavement bonds) with new lighting extending to Maurie Jacobs Park (funded by Parks and Recreation bonds). The lighting system utilizes energy-efficient LED technology designed to meet desires for lighted alternative transportation routes between the River Road neighborhood and downtown with considerations for potential adverse impacts to habitat and wildlife.
Amazon Running Trail
Construction has begun on the renovation of the South Amazon Running trail. The beloved trail footprint will not change. The trail will be rebuilt with a new rock base and new mulch surfacing improving the drainage and providing a more stable and durable running surface. Other improvements include upgrades to the lighting and distance markers.
Santa Clara Community Park
Santa Clara Park is a future 35-acre community park currently comprised of two open fields with informal walking paths on the north and east sides of Madison Middle School. There’s not much there right now but it’s full of possibility. Opportunities for you to weigh in will continue through the fall as we ask the community to envision the newest and largest park in Santa Clara. Construction is anticipated in 2022.
