Despite a global pandemic and historic wildfires, the Eugene Parks and Recreation bond and levy work continued. Of the 37 bond-fund projects, 24 are complete or underway with another round ready to get going in 2021. We’ve contributed to our community’s long-term recovery by contracting with local companies and keeping people working.
We have also played a pivotal role in addressing community-wide needs during this time, from sheltering the unhoused and distributing resources during the lockdown and providing space to peacefully protest racial injustices, to supporting wildfire evacuation and recovery relief efforts.
Our recent public survey illustrates just how important Eugene parks are to your quality of life and confirms most community members have noticed significant improvements in parks since the passing of the 2018 operations and maintenance levy. Expanded maintenance operations and stronger safety teams provided by the levy are key factors in how we were able to respond to the COVID-19 crisis.
Parks and Recreation staff are proud of the role we’ve played through it all, and we’re committed to continuing and improving our service to you in the future. Here’s a list of what’s been done, what’s currently happening and what’s up next.
Completed
Amazon Park Running Trail was completed in November 2020. This reconstruction project added a thicker rock base for long-term stability and a more level path without changing the footprint of the trail. Additional improvements based on community feedback included replacement of current lighting, a stretching station, a shelter and distance markers.
Also completed:
- Replacement of four turf fields at Meadow View School, Willamette High School, Spencer Butte Middle School and Arts and Technology Academy.
- Tugman Park playground renovation.
Underway
An updated lighting project is being done on the West Bank of the Ruth Bascom River Path System in conjunction with a pavement renovation project. Project construction started in late 2020 and will replace approximately 1 mile of the path between Stephens Drive and Copping Street (funded by pavement bonds) with new lighting extending to Maurie Jacobs Park (funded by the Parks and Recreation bonds). The lighting system utilizes energy efficient LED technology designed to provide lighted alternative transportation routes between the River Road neighborhood and downtown with considerations for potential adverse impacts to habitat and wildlife. Project construction will be completed by May 2021.
Also underway:
- The Downtown Riverfront Park has been constructed over two construction phases and is expected to be completed by spring 2021.
Upcoming
Parks has quite a few projects planned for 2021. In 2019, the City was awarded a $350,000 grant from the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department to complete funding for a bridge to connect the 1-mile Delta Ponds Loop Trail. The bridge will expand the service area of Delta Ponds by connecting it to Goodpasture Island Road and make it accessible to more people. This project is on schedule to be completed in 2021.
Also upcoming:
- Amazon Creek Restoration (expected to be finished in 2022).
- Berkeley Park Renovation (expected to be finished fall 2021).
- Churchill Tennis Courts Renovation (expected to be finished 2021).
- Striker Field Park (expected to be finished fall 2021).
- Lighting projects at Alton Baker, Monroe parks and South Bank Path (expected to be finished 2021).
Stay informed
Look for updates at eugparksandrec.org, follow us on social media or subscribe to our monthly e-newsletter.