The City of Eugene Parks and Open Space is proud to announce that the Downtown Riverfront Park project has been honored with Oregon Recreation and Park Association's 2023 Design and Construction Award.
This award recognizes superior architectural and/or landscape design for new or renovated parks or facilities in Oregon whose construction was completed in the last five years. Parks and Open Space was recognized in the large project category (exceeding $2 million budgeted).
Detailed planning for the Downtown Riverfront Park began in 2017, led by the firm Walker Macy. From spring to fall 2018, thousands of community members provided input through surveys, focus groups and public events, helping inform the park's final design. Construction began in 2020 and was completed in June 2022, just in time to host the Eugene Riverfront Festival during the 2022 World Track and Field Championships.
Additional recognition for this project includes:
- 2022 Honor Award, General Design - American Society of Landscape Architects
- 2022 Oregon People's Choice Award, Landscape - American Institute of Architects, Willamette Valley
About the Downtown Riverfront Park
After decades of visioning, the City of Eugene has fulfilled a long-held goal of turning the former EWEB utility operations yard into a vibrant, active, and accessible riverfront park that reconnects Downtown to the Willamette River and serves as a regional destination. The three-acre Downtown Riverfront Park is urban in character balanced by riverbank and habitat enhancements.
Funding for the Downtown Riverfront Park development comes from the 2018 Parks and Recreation Bond, Urban Renewal Agency funds and Public Works capital funds. Ongoing maintenance of the park is being funded by the Parks and Recreation Levy.
PROJECT VIDEO - youtube.com/watch?v=cY9l76lBfX0