Our Past Projects
Bring The Beat Amazon
In the early 1980’s, Amazon Park Playground broke new ground as one of the first fully wheelchair accessible play structures in the country. Now the playground is remodeled and took this legacy of accessibility to an unprecedented level. It is now proudly Eugene’s first fully-inclusive playground for all ages and mobility. There’s was just one thing missing: Music.
Why is music so important? One in 20 children in the United States has some kind of disability, whether it’s learning, mobility or developmental. For these children, sensory stimulation is key. And, there’s no better place to grow than a playground. Spinning, swinging and climbing are sensory activities were already available at Amazon, but one missing component was the auditory experience. The Foundation brought drums, chimes and xylophones to the playground that create a musical arena for kids of all ages to shine in a solo or create their own band.
Washington Park Spray Play
The Foundation raised funds to bring a water spray feature to this six-acre park which is now a popular draw for families with young children. The park has a sandy playground area, a looped path and picnic tables. There are also ball fields, basketball courts and tennis courts.
Yes! for Parks
We love our parks. The Foundation helped form a Political Action Committee in support of the two funding measures for parks. Both measures passed. The bonds will pay for improving six parks, including Alton Baker, University and Trainsong, and the renovation of Sheldon Pool. It also will pay for added lighting and new trails, plus improvements at Echo Hollow Pool and Campbell Community Center, as well as build the first four sports fields at Golden Gardens Park in northwest Eugene. The five-year levy will generate about $3.1 million per year and has increased the level of park operations services as well as safety and security measures.
Riverloop Connection
One of the best known and most frequently used portions of Eugene’s Parks and Recreation is the 12-mile Ruth Bascom Riverbank Path that lines both sides of the Willamette River from the Willie Knickerbocker Bridge just west of I-5 to the Owosso Bridge just south of Beltline Road. Construction of this grand vision began in 1971 and is now a Eugene landmark. Used every day by thousands of residents and visitors, it provides easy access to the outdoors as well as inspiring vistas of the river.
Continuing Ruth Bascom’s legacy of advocacy, the Foundation partnered with the City of Eugene to dramatically improve the wayfinding signage along the path. Now users are assisted by new quarter-mile posts with path and directional information and detailed map and interpretive signs at key locations including the bike/ped bridges across the Willamette River. Additionally, a hand-held map highlighting unique points of interest was created.
These enhancements increase safety along the path and help residents and visitors alike realize the path system’s seamless connection to other areas of interest within the community such as local shopping, dining, and entertainment venues.
Land Acquisition
- Ridgeline Trail Easements
- Ridgeline Property Acquisition
The Foundation was thrilled to help facilitate the City of Eugene acquiring approximately 200 acres in south Eugene to extend the Ridgeline Trail. The City recently purchased 200 acres of land in South Eugene from Arlie & Company to extend the Ridgeline Trail by over two miles. The acquisition will enable the City to extend the existing Ridgeline Trail from Mt. Baldy, located between Dillard Rd. and Spring Blvd., to Lane Community College. The purchase price for the 200 acres was $3 million. City funding for the purchase came from a combination of Park System Development funds and from the 2006 Parks and Open Space bond measure.
The 200 acres along the topographic Ridgeline is part of a 1,200 acre tract owned by Arlie & Company and divides the property, separating Lane Community College to the north from rural land to the south. The land consists of a mix of Douglas fir forest, high quality prairie, and oak habitat. It affords views of Spencer Butte, Mt. Pisgah, and the surrounding lands to the south and east.
Ridgeline Trail
The Foundation, Obsidians, and Disciples of Dirt partnered with the City’s Parks and Open Space division to initiate and design an important Ridgeline Trail connection. This multi-use trail extends just over a half-mile and features a bridge that spans one of the headwater tributaries of Amazon Creek, while connecting Fox Hollow trail with the East Dillard trailhead. This relatively small segment of trail effectively leverages three miles of continuous trail for mountain bikers and six miles of continuous trail for hikers. The experience of hikers and bikers is significantly improved by allowing safe passage to Mt. Baldy without having to ride along the shoulder of Dillard Road.
