FY25 Parks and Open Space Annual Report

EUGENE PARKS AND OPEN SPACE ANNUAL

Introduction

Eugene’s parks and natural areas connect our community, enrich lives, and provide opportunities that can make an impact. Residents and visitors alike enjoy parks and natural areas for all they have to offer. With miles of trails to explore, playgrounds for all ages and abilities, and thriving natural areas, there truly is something for everyone. But more than that, these spaces provide opportunities for people to connect to community, nature and culture, and find opportunities to play, exercise and relax.

While this report covers the fiscal year of 2025, the work shared in this report represents years of dedicated progress towards our mission of preserving and enhancing the over 5,000 acres of parks and natural areas. We are grateful to our dedicated staff, community partners, and volunteers who make this all possible.

We continually strive to serve Eugene in the best ways possible by understanding the needs and desires of everyone in our community. We are proud to share our achievements from the past year and remain committed to meeting the community’s growing needs.

Guiding Principles

Our daily and long-term strategic work is guided by four core principles:

• Care for and make the most of what we have

• Serve the entire community

• Create more connections

• Build better partnerships

Values

In our daily work we uphold these values

• Be Safe – Safety is paramount. We work every day to make our workplace and parks and open spaces safe for staff and the community.

• Be Well – Actively engage in making our workplace, parks, open spaces and community vibrant, healthy and inviting for all.

• Be a Team – Build unity and work together for success. Blur the lines, remove barriers, rely on expertise, encourage playfulness and celebrate wins.

• Be Innovative – Aim high. Combine the best of public policy, technology, science and new ideas to deliver the highest quality services and experiences possible.

• Be Ambassadors – We are advocates for the value of healthy parks and open spaces. Share our stories, build relationships and engage the community in meaningful ways.

• Be Resourceful – Foster strategic partnerships to leverage resources and maximize efficiencies. Be resilient in an ever-changing world, remain steadfast in preserving Eugene’s exceptional quality of life.

Parks and Rec System Plan

Our work is guided by a 30-year system plan created in 2018 with input from over 12,000 community members. While the 2018 Parks and Recreation Bonds have provided funding for developing parks in underserved areas and reinvesting in existing parks and trails throughout the city, the 2023 Parks and Recreation Levy provides for the care and maintenance of these assets and their ongoing safety.

Parks by the Numbers

21 metropolitan and community parks

60 neighborhood parks

4,877 acres of natural areas

30 miles of waterways

55 playgrounds

27.25 miles of trails

44 miles of multi-use paths

45 miles of off-street bike paths

6 community gardens

7 dog off-leash areas

55 athletic fields

17 tennis courts

10 pickleball courts

6 skate parks

170+ miles of irrigation pipes

70,000 street trees

623 public rain gardens

27 acres of vegetated medians and ROW

73.8 miles of roadside ditches

Eugene Parks and Open Space

Financial Statements

Operating Expenses by Program

Community and Administrative Services

Green Infrastructure

Park Planning, Development

Park Operations and Maintenance

Total FY25 Parks & Open Space Operating Expenses by Program

$3,306,097

$4,492,550

$628,407

$11,551,562

$19,978,616

Operating Expenses by Fund

General Fund (property taxes & park rental fees)

2023 Levy (Special Revenue Fund)*

Operating Road Fund (State Hwy Fund, tree related permits)

Stormwater Fund (user fees, grants)

Wastewater Fund (user fees)

Wetland Mitigation Fund (credit sales)

Operating Systems Development Charges (SDCs)

Operating Expenses

$3,345,514

$3,351,764

$2,661,352

$10,061,693

$49,099

$478,042

$31,152

Total FY25 Parks & Open Space Operating Expenses by Fund $19,978,616

*Does not include Levy funds expensed by LRCS and EPD Capital

Operating Expense by Type TOTAL Operating Expenses

Operating Personnel

Operating Materials and Supplies

Total FY25 Parks & Open Space Operating Expenses

$11,576,730

$8,401,886

$19,978,616

CREATING COMMUNITY

Community Engagement

Community engagement is at the core of everything we do. From public planning meetings and volunteer events to community gardens and park rentals, we provide a multitude of ways for people to get involved and inform decisions about the future of the park system. Get plugged in by following us on social media or subscribe to our monthly email newsletters.

Park rentals

Our park rental program facilitates a variety of events throughout the park system, fostering community engagement, outdoor activities and special gatherings. In addition to taking reservations for the public, the park rental program plays a supportive role for other City departments, such as Recreation and the Eugene Library, who activate the parks by offering events and classes to the public.

Annual Parks Survey

In FY24, Parks and Open Space conducted a parks survey to better understand perceptions of our parks and recent maintenance improvements made possible through levy funding.

More recently, in 2025, there was a city-wide community survey implemented. The goal of this survey was to more broadly understand community members’ experiences and opinions on important issues. While this survey wasn’t specifically focused on parks, there are some results worth sharing.

eugene-or.gov/parkwatch

488 shelter reservations

286 activations of neighborhood parks

200+ public events across developed parks and natural areas

The survey results show, similarly to the 2024 Parks Survey, Eugene residents deeply value parks, with 92% of participants viewing parks as Very Important or Important. 72% of respondents said they feel safe or very safe while visiting parks. Parks were identified as a key factor in creating “positive experiences related to sense of belonging in Eugene.”

Park Watch helps make our parks safer with easy mobile reporting for information related to safety and maintenance issues.

In FY24, we received

4,050 Park Watch reports.

5 community gardens 389 plots

7 partner organizations 52 new gardeners 29 scholarships offered

Record Year for Community Gardens

This year, our Community Garden Program saw a 39% increase in applications, with over 200 hopeful gardeners entering the lottery for just 65 available plots.

For the first time in years, we had plots available in all garden locations, opening up opportunities to garden in each area of the city.

These gardens have become essential spaces for connection, sustainability, and well-being. From growing fresh produce to fostering friendships, the community gardens continue to play a pivotal role in enriching our local neighborhoods.

There are currently five community gardens throughout the city: Alton Baker Garden, Amazon Garden, Mathews Garden, Skinner City Farm, and Whitaker Garden.

Visit eugene-or.gov/496/Community-Gardens to learn more about the program.

Planting seeds at a community garden

Planning Meetings and Outreach

Public involvement is a critical part of our work. Public meetings provide an opportunity for residents to voice their opinions and contribute valuable insights into the planning and design process. These gatherings, both online and in person, help ensure that the park development process aligns with the diverse needs and preferences of the community.

Parks Planning staff are committed to actively working on public engagement and gathering community input on additional projects. In FY25, Parks Planning staff primarily focused on the following three projects:

Scobert Gardens Park

Park staff hosted an on-site public meeting, which included a self-tour of the proposed design for the park that was painted on the ground. Approximately 75 people attended, took the selftour, and were encouraged to complete an online survey about the proposed design. The approved concept design was issued in the fall of 2025.

Mattie Reynolds Park

Golden Gardens Park

The public process for development of the Golden Gardens Master Plan was completed in FY25, with the final public meetings taking place in November of 2024. Over 150 people attended these meetings and over 3,500 people provided input into the final approved plan.

Public engagement for the design of Mattie Reynolds Park concluded in the fall of 2024 with a final community meeting and celebration.

Over 20 people attended the final public meeting and an additional 26 people responded to a final survey.

Staff give residents a tour of

Volunteers

The park system thrives with the support of a vibrant network of volunteers of all ages and backgrounds. In FY25, volunteers contributed 19,445 hours at public events.

4,753 trees, shrubs and forbs planted

39 adoption groups

19,445 hours

1,000+ events

45 community partners

Volunteer Spotlight

Becky Riley’s decades long dedication to prairie restoration has earned her the 2025 Oregon Parks and Recreation Association Volunteer Service Award, a recognition that reflects both the scale of her contributions and the heart she brings to every project.

For years, Becky has been a driving force in restoring prairie ecosystems at Rasor Park; collecting seeds, removing invasive plants, nurturing native plants, mentoring new volunteers and showing up season after season with unwavering commitment. Her deep knowledge of prairie ecology, paired with her generosity in sharing it, has strengthened restoration efforts in the park and inspired countless others to get involved.

Her work has helped transform degraded landscapes into thriving habitats, supporting pollinators, wildlife, and the longterm health of Oregon’s natural areas. But just as importantly, Becky has built community by leading by example, lifting up fellow volunteers, and proving how powerful sustained stewardship can be. This award celebrates her extraordinary service and the legacy she continues to grow with every seed sown and every volunteer she encourages.

Scan (or click) the QR code to watch the award video

MLK Day of Service: Community Comes Together to Boost Eugene’s Urban Forest

Nearly 80 volunteers braved the frosty conditions to help plant more than 100 native trees and shrubs in the Whilamut Natural Area for January’s MLK Jr. Day of Service event.

Thank you to our City of Eugene partners in Recreation and the River House Outdoor Center for helping make this event a success.

Our Ecological Services team and the Volunteer Program gave a big boost to our natural areas this winter, planting over 600 native trees and shrubs!

Tree plantings in natural area portions of Bethel, Bertelsen and Irwin Parks are helping us make progress toward the city’s climate action goals. Targeted plantings along waterways like the Willamette River, Tugman Creek, Amazon Creek and the A-2 Channel help meet riparian planting goals.

Native Plant Nursery Wins ORPA Award

Eugene’s Native Plant Nursery program earned high praise for its sustainable approach to habitat restoration. The program engages City staff and dedicated volunteers in growing native plants and seeds used in park restoration projects across Eugene. It’s a model of communitypowered environmental stewardship that supports local ecosystems and increases long-term environmental resilience.

Scan (or click) the QR code to watch the award video

Partnerships

Eugene’s parks sit within a larger context of public and nonprofit agencies, recreation providers and landowners. This web of agencies and service providers is critical to meeting the needs of the community and region.

Rivers to Ridges

The City of Eugene has been a member of the Rivers to Ridges Partnership from its beginning. As of January 2026, the partnership is comprised of 21 partners representing federal, state and local governments and non-governmental organizations. Each organization contributes to the vision of the partnership, which includes protection and enhancement of the region’s habitats and the species that call them home, stewarding the urban-rural interface and connecting people and nature. In the upcoming year, the partnership looks to prioritize actions to make real progress on the vision and continue the work to learn from and with each other. To learn more visit www. rivers2ridges.org

Eugene Parks Foundation

Parks is working closely with the Eugene Parks Foundation to conserve natural areas, expand the Ridgeline Trail System, build the new Suzanne Arlie Mountain Bike Park and more. Eugene Parks Foundation launched its Finish the Ride campaign which focused on building trail hubs and advanced trails in the mountain bike park. To learn more visit www. eugeneparksfoundation.org

Friends of Hendricks Park

The Friends of Hendricks Park steward Eugene’s oldest park through volunteerism, community engagement and fundraising. Funds are used to improve overall park maintenance and trails, care for specialty gardens, provide community tours and more. To learn more visit www.friendsofhendrickspark.org

Across the system, we have more than 150 partner organizations committed to helping us care for our parks and natural areas.

Arts In the Parks

New Public Art

Several new public artworks including murals, sculpture, and interpretive artwork were installed in Eugene’s Parks in FY25.

Three bridge columns close to the off-leash dog area in Washington Jefferson Park were painted with new murals featuring dogs and owners. Muralist Esteban Camacho Steffensen was commissioned for the works, which were paid for by Parks and Open Space and City of Eugene Cultural Services.

A new sculpture piece by Volkan Alkanoglu was installed in Eugene’s Downtown Riverfront. The piece is intended as an interactive art sculpture where people can climb at low levels and sit inside the piece. Constructed from bright blue and white polymer, the sculpture’s shape is open to playful interpretation.

This is “Bluana” the new sculpture at the Downtown Riverfront Park. The name was chosen by the artist from a list of suggestions gathered at the grand opening ceremony.

Elsewhere at Downtown Riverfont Park, carved granite and stainless-steel engravings were installed as interpretive artwork within the new spray playground at the plaza. The piece reveals patterns from local species in painted granite carvings, and the surrounding steel pieces share written language from diverse cultures and communities, including local indigenous languages.

Art in the Parks Event Series

Because of support from the City of Eugene’s Parks and Open Space and Cultural Services, the third annual Art in the Parks event series was hosted throughout the parks system, activating the parks and inviting thousands to participate. The Art in the Parks grants offer artists and organizations an opportunity to transform outdoor spaces into vibrant destinations for arts and culture.

Dozens of applications are reviewed by a public committee every year, with consideration given to programming quality, organizational capacity, long-term impact, and commitments to equity, inclusion, and diversity.

The selected projects bring Eugene’s parks to life throughout the summer with events both large and small—including performances, cultural celebrations, and interactive experiences. Each awarded project received up to $5,000 through Cultural Services, along with logistical support from permit offices across the city to help organize their events.

2025 events included:

Asian American Council of Oregon: Oregon Asian Celebration

Center for Dialogue and Resolution, Nobel Peace Laureate Project and Palmo Center for Peace and Education: Nobel Peace Park Community Festival

David Graves: THE FUTURE BELONGS HERE

Eugene Difficult Music Ensemble: Ambient Ecology Concert Series

Eugene Symphony: Fête de la Musique - A Day of Music in Eugene

Free Shakespeare in the Park Theatre Company: Two Gentlemen of Verona

Oregon Aloha Festival: 4th Annual Oregon Aloha Festival

Pearl Buck Center: Stories of Community, Art and Poetry Workshop in the Park

Pride Day Equality Project/Eugene Pride: Eugene Pride in the Park 2025

Prosed Books: Prose in the Park

Radical Alternative Development: Together We Are Enough - Resource fair: Art show - Punk Show

Whiteaker Community Council: Free Summer Concert and Outdoor Fun Series

Whiteaker Community Market: Cultural Celebrations

The 2025 Art in the Park event series makes art accessible, elevates diverse voices, and celebrates the creativity and community spirit of Eugene. For more information about Art in the Park, including future events, visit the Art in the Parks webpage at eugene-or.gov/5103

Art in the Parks ORPA Award

Because of the outstanding work of this collaborative effort and the impact these events have in the community, the City of Eugene’s Parks and Open Space and Cultural Services were awarded the Oregon Recreation and Park Association - 2025 Presidents Award.

Scan (or click) the QR code to watch the award video

CREATING YOUR PARKS

In 2018, Eugene voters overwhelmingly passed a five-year capital bond. In FY23, Park staff continued to oversee the completion of new parks and major renovations at existing parks with the use of bond funds. Of 38 bond-projects, 35 (92 percent) are complete or underway.

Lincoln School Park

The Lincoln School Park renovation project was constructed from the winter of 2023 through the summer of 2024. The project design for Eugene’s smallest park features a new playground, a new adult fitness area, and a new lawn tucked in around two historic Big Leaf Maples. The park reopened to the public in September 2024.

Recently Completed Projects

Delta Ponds Loop Trail

This project completed the last segment of the trail required to create a barrier-free one-mile loop around Delta Ponds. A 100 foot bridge spanning Debrick Slough was installed in January of 2024, creating the critical link between North Delta Highway and the bank to the west. When the water receded over the summer, the last boardwalks were constructed and the project opened to the public in December 2024.

Projects with bond funding are noted with a

Downtown Riverfront Plaza

Construction of the Downtown Riverfront Plaza began in June 2024 and was completed in the summer of 2025. The plaza design includes a new playground, shady tree grove, a lawn mound, spray play, interpretive artwork, a playful art sculpture and a large open programmable event space. The project provides a key space for city-wide event programming along the Willamette River and includes access to power and water to support community events into the future.

MLK Jr. Park

This small park in west Eugene was identified for renovation in the 2018 Parks and Recreation Bond Measure and was constructed between fall 2024 and summer 2025. The project included re-grading of the site for better visibility, construction of a new playground, new paths, and trees. The project opened to the public in summer 2025 and will eventually include two community-based murals.

Scan (or click) the QR code to watch the grand opening celebration video!

Mountain Bike Trail “Baby Steps”

A much-anticipated new mountain bike trail is officially open in Black Oak Basin. “Baby Steps” is a 0.3-mile, easy-tomoderate mountain bike trail that connects existing unimproved trails in Black Oak Basin Park. The trail, originally identified in the Black Oak Basin land management plan, was built by Eugene Mountain Bike Stewards, Disciples of Dirt volunteers, and Parks and Open Space staff, with financial support from the Eugene Parks Foundation.

It is located mostly within the park’s conservation easement area, which aims to protect rare oak and prairie habitats and a number of Oregon Conservation Strategy species, including acorn woodpecker, willow flycatcher, chipping sparrow, and western grey squirrel. The trail also provides opportunities for recreational access. Black Oak Basin and Baby Steps are part of an expanding Ridgeline Park System that contributes to increased trail and habitat connectivity in the EugeneSpringfield area.

FY25 Projects in the Works

CONSTRUCTION PHASE

Alton Baker Park Parking Adjacent to Eugene Science Center

With the University of Oregon’s expansion of the Autzen football practice center to the south, the parking lot previously serving the Eugene Science Center was removed to become the new alignment for Leo Harris Parkway. As a result, replacement parking was designed north and east of the Science Center, with Parks Planning staff coordinating extensively with University of Oregon representatives on the work. The project was completed in time for football season in the fall of 2025.

Amazon Creek Restoration

Phase one of the Amazon Creek rewilding project was completed in 2024. This phase encompassed the rewilding of approximately one-third of the channel reach and the installation of a pedestrian footbridge and adjacent pedestrian facilities. Landscaping and site preparation for Phase two occurred over winter 2024-2025. Phase two commenced in June 2025, beginning with channel excavation and repair work within the previously constructed phase one area. Construction wrapped up in the fall of 2025, with planting and seeding occurring in the late fall and winter (2025-2026). This project was managed by Public Works Engineering.

Santa Clara Community Park Phase One

Phase one of construction began in March of 2024 and includes a large playground, spray play area, restroom, parking lot, outdoor community gathering space, picnic shelter, open lawn, multipurpose field, and new trees. A new pedestrian bridge connects the north and south sections of the park and soft-surface walking trails loop on the north end of the site. A new bike/pedestrian paved path will eventually meet the west bank bicycle path extension project connecting the neighborhood to the Ruth Bascom Riverbank System along the Willamette River. The park was completed and opened to the community in FY26 with a grand opening celebration scheduled for summer 2026.

Restroom Cozies in Developed Parks

The 2023 Parks and Recreation Bond Measure included expansion and improvement of restroom services in Eugene’s parks. Seasonal expansion of service has been typically provided using portable restrooms. In order to provide consistent locations and security for portable restrooms, park staff designed “cozies” that were installed in developed parks in the summer of 2025.

New black metal cozies are now in place at Alton Baker, Petersen, Oakmont, and Westmoreland Parks.

Suzanne Arlie Park and Trails

Construction of three miles of new Ridgeline Trail and 11 miles of mountain bike trails commenced in early 2025 at Suzanne Arlie Park. The project received $1.2 million in Federal grant funds from the Economic Development Administration in 2023 and design work concluded in late 2025. The project is planned to be completed by late 2026 and will include the construction of a new trailhead and parking area at the east end of the park.

Willow Bend Parking and Access Improvements

The City of Eugene, in partnership with Evergreen Development, worked to provide access improvements to a 25-acre riverfront park site in North Eugene that was formerly a portion of the River Ridge Golf Course. Park gates, an entry drive, parking area, utilities and a basketball court were constructed in the summer of 2025. The City subsequently took ownership of the new park and it is now open to the public.

The newly developed features of the park were agreed upon during the acquisition negotiations for the property. In the future, Willow Bend may also become part of an expanded Ruth Bascom Riverbank system that connects north to the McKenzie River. Any future park developments at this site will include an opportunity for community input and ideas.

DESIGN DEVELOPMENT

Alton Baker Park Parking Expansion Projects - Cuthbert Amphitheater and Lot 8

As part of the University of Oregon’s expansion next to Autzen Stadium for the construction of the new Hatfield-Dowlin Practice Field, the parking lot previously serving the Eugene Science Center and Cuthbert Amphitheater was removed to become the new alignment for Leo Harris Parkway. Design work for a new Cuthbert parking lot is being completed by a consultant. Concept design work started in the spring of 2025, with construction completion expected late in 2026. Lot 8 has long served as a gravel lot serving the east end of Alton Baker and the UO on football game weekends. Planning for paving this lot has followed a similar timeline to the Cuthbert project and the work will be completed prior to the start of the 2026 UO football season.

Mattie Reynolds Park Development

Community input into a final concept design for this new five-acre park concluded in 2025 and the project moved into the construction document phase. The park has been designed to center the history of Eugene’s Black community and will serve as a community park for the southwest park planning region of Eugene. Inclusivity is a strong design theme of the project that will include a picnic shelter, playgrounds, a restroom, a stage, multiuse paths, public art, interpretation, and spray play. Construction is planned for 2027/2028.

Ridgeline Trailhead Parking Expansion at 52nd & Willamette

This project was prioritized for planning and construction in 2023 to provide new parking and a trailhead for the forthcoming South Eugene Meadows Trail. Located across the street and west of the existing Willamette Street Trailhead, this new 48-space lot will provide critical extra parking for the Ridgeline Trail System access points on Willamette Street. The project was bid in early 2026 for construction completion prior to the end of the calendar year.

South Eugene Meadows Trail

This new 2.5-mile Ridgeline Trail expansion project is generously supported by the Eugene Parks Foundation and establishes a new connection between Willamette Street and Blanton Road through South Eugene Meadows Park. Project planning concluded in the spring and bids were received in the summer of 2025. Project completion is expected by fall of 2026.

University Park

University Park was designated for renovation in the Parks and Recreation System plan and funded by the 2018 Parks and Recreation Bond. Park improvements are scheduled for completion in the summer of 2026. The design includes a new playground and accessible paths, restroom improvements, and updates to the basketball courts.

PLANNING PHASE

Alton Baker Park Comprehensive Plan

The current Alton Baker Park Comprehensive Plans are over 20 years old and much of the work defined in that plan has either been completed or is no longer relevant. The 2018 Park and Recreation Bond Measure called for an update to the plan and work began in 2025 to start this design and community engagement process.  The new plan is expected to be substantially complete by early 2027.

Amazon Prairie Wetland Mitigation Bank, Phase 2

City staff are working on plans for phase two restoration to include approximately 170 acres of wet prairie, upland prairie and riparian habitat. The intent is to complete plans, permitting and start construction (i.e. earthwork and planting/seeding) in July 2026. The first phase is in its fifth growing season postrestoration.

Irrigation Master Plan

With water conservation becoming an increasingly important concern, Parks Planning staff have been working on an assessment and inventory of all irrigation systems. Working in collaboration with Park Operations, Eugene Water and Electric Board and a local consultant, planning staff are identifying high priority areas for repairs, along with a broader understanding of the City’s water use for parks. A final report will describe existing conditions and provide recommendations for future investments in water-conserving repairs and renovations to park watering systems across the city.

Scobert Gardens Park Renovation

Planning and community engagement for the renovation of Scobert Gardens Park started in 2023, and the final plan was completed in the fall of 2025. The planning process involved two on-site tours, two public meetings and several surveys. Given the Historic designation of the site within the Blair Historic Commercial District, staff were asked by local tribal governments to engage in an archeological site survey. This work along with construction documents, will be completed in 2026 with construction to follow later in 2026 or 2027.

Trainsong Park Soil Remediation

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality discovered soil contamination in Trainsong Park in 2022, and the City of Eugene applied for and subsequently received a $1.56 million federal Environmental Protection Agency cleanup grant in 2024. Planning for the project has been ongoing since that time and additional soil depth testing was completed in early 2026. Remediation construction is planned for the summer of 2026.

Trainsong Park Renovation

The 2023 Parks and Recreation Bond Measure identified Trainsong Park for renovations, which will take place following soil remediation activities in 2026. Community outreach regarding desired renovations will begin in 2026, with planning and construction to follow in 2027.

Golden Gardens Park and Sports Complex

Work began on Master Planning for this 223-acre park property in the Bethel Planning District of Eugene’s Park System in 2023. Envisioned and planned for as a regional sports complex, the final 2025 plan successfully balances conservation of pond habitat and species with development of approximately 14 fields, dozens of sport courts, a pump track, a neighborhood park, and supporting amenities. Land Use planning for phase one construction is now under way.

CARING FOR YOUR PARKS AND NATURAL AREAS

Park and Natural Area Maintenance

Our 45 full-time and 30 seasonal operations staff maintain park assets while creating a safe and welcoming environment. Mowing grass, emptying trash, cleaning restrooms, monitoring playground safety, repairing irrigation and removing leaves are all part of a day’s work. Trail building and maintenance, invasive species control, habitat improvements, roadside and waterway pruning, graffiti removal and cleanup of urban campsites complete the daily round.

By the numbers

10,060

route checks in developed parks (bathroom, sanitation, trash removal and safety checks)

2,384

custodial visits to high-use natural areas and trailheads

756 times turf was mowed

936 playground inspections

14,100 feet of gravel and bark trails resurfaced

228 irrigation site inspections and repairs

1,230 plants watered during establishment cycle

290 instances of tree pruning and landscape maintenance

Green Infrastructure Maintenance

The Green Infrastructure Section of Parks and Open Space shapes Eugene’s livability and environmental health through two cornerstone programs:

• The Urban Forestry Program manages thousands of street trees, ensuring they thrive through strategic planting, pruning, and maintenance. These trees are essential infrastructure that cool neighborhoods, improve air quality and strengthen community identity.

By the numbers

4,353 street trees pruned

448 street trees removed

1,325 street trees watered during establishment cycle

• The Stormwater and Medians Program maintains rain gardens and landscaped medians that filter pollutants, manage runoff and beautify public spaces.

Together, these programs advance climate resilience, protect waterways, and foster healthier neighborhoods, making Eugene a model for sustainability.

23 cubic yards of sediment removed from rain gardens

623 rain garden sites

1,482 Urban Forestry requests for service

775 street trees planted

335 stormwater work orders completed

392 median work orders completed

1,565 new plants in rain gardens and medians

Rough Mowing Program

Parks and Open Space’s Rough Mowing Program employs up to three tractor operators between April and October to mow 750 acres of undeveloped parkland and park natural areas up to three times per year. The tractors operate in dynamic areas along roads and paths, carefully mowing uneven ground up to 20 feet in a single pass. The team uses iPadbased GIS maps that show areas to be mowed across the path system so they can track their progress. Operations, planning and ecological staff review mowing locations and goals annually. This effort helps reduce potential fuel for fires, increases sightlines along roads, paths and at intersections and facilitates active use of green spaces and habitat management.

Our staff is looking out for you but it is always helpful if you look for them too. If you see a tractor mower on a busy path, wait for the operator to acknowledge you and move the tractor to the side before passing. Operators seek to avoid impacts to critical infrastructure ranging from utility vaults to native wildflower populations.

The Stormwater Team partnered with the Public Works Creative Services Team to spotlight the power of vegetated stormwater facilities. Green systems, like rain gardens, quietly protect our city. They capture runoff, filter pollutants, and reduce flooding, keeping waterways clean and neighborhoods resilient. They also cool streets, support pollinators, and create vibrant green corridors. By turning infrastructure into living landscapes, Eugene is investing in a healthier future.

Scan (or click) the QR code to watch the award video

Employee Spotlight

Rooted in Service: Matt Rivers’ Legacy in Urban Forestry

When Eugene residents have questions about their street trees, chances are they’ve met Matt Rivers. For 25 years, Matt has been a cornerstone of the Park’s Urban Forestry Program, combining technical expertise with a deep commitment to public service.

As a Municipal Arborist Technician, Matt evaluates tree health and potential risks, resolves issues in the field, and coordinates with crews to keep our streets safe while protecting the long-term health of the urban forest. He also issues free permits for pruning, removal and planting in the public right-of-way, guiding residents through the process.

Beyond his customer service role, Matt’s institutional knowledge makes him an invaluable resource within the Urban Forestry team. He mentors staff, supports seasonal crews, and contributes behind the scenes through data tracking and mapping. This work ensures decisions are informed and strategic. His dedication exemplifies the values of the Parks and Open Space Division, helping Eugene grow a safer, greener and more resilient urban forest.

Head Gardener, Hendricks Park Rhododendron Garden

Since 2009, Emily Aune has been the guiding force behind the beauty and vitality of Hendricks Park’s 13-acre Rhododendron Garden. As Head Gardener, Emily combines deep horticultural expertise with a passion for public lands and community engagement. Her work ensures that this historic garden remains healthy, welcoming, and resilient for generations to come.

Emily’s role is both hands-on and highly collaborative. She leads staff and volunteer teams, oversees park infrastructure and cleanliness, and manages critical tasks such as invasive species control, habitat restoration, irrigation, and mowing. From planting and trail repair to educational outreach, Emily’s dedication touches every corner of the garden.

With a degree in Environmental Science and certifications as a Certified Arborist and Master Gardener, Emily brings exceptional knowledge to her stewardship. Beyond daily care, she shares her expertise through tours, presentations, and workshops, helping visitors and volunteers connect with the garden’s ecology and long-term care. Emily is also an active member of the Rhododendron Society, contributing through writing, education, and community partnerships.

Her commitment reflects the very best of our department; she preserves natural beauty while fostering community connections and provides outstanding service and leadership!

Celebrating Excellence in GIS

The Parks and Open Space Division was honored with two prestigious Special Achievement in Geographical Information Systems awards at the Esri International User Conference in San Diego. Todd Johnson and Eric Cariaga represented the City of Eugene to accept the awards and served as panelists at a Special Interest Group for Public Works at the event.

Two awards were received:

• City of Eugene SAG Award: For collaborative GIS efforts during the 2024 Ice Storm, which showcased the power of this technology in enhancing community resilience. This work relied on collaboration across divisions throughout the City of Eugene.

• Public Works Department and Parks and Open Space Division

SAG Award: For innovative GIS work to transform Eugene’s parks into smarter, more efficient spaces.

This work highlights how leveraging enterprise technology, data, and collaboration across divisions can generate meaningful outcomes both for the organization and the community

Reestablishing the Urban Forest: A Strategic Investment

Thanks to the Urban Forestry Vision and Action Plan and funding from the 2025–2029 Transportation Bond, Eugene is entering a pivotal era for tree planting. By aligning infrastructure projects and neighborhood planning, particularly in underserved areas like Bethel, we’re integrating trees into streetscapes, rights-of-way and public spaces. Every tree planted today is an investment in livability and climate resilience for decades to come.

Park Safety

Park Safety Team

The 2023 Parks and Recreation Levy funded park safety team is made up of two Eugene Police park resource officers, four full-time park ambassadors, two-full time illicit activity clean up team members and nighttime security services. Together, they are focused year-round on keeping Eugene’s parks, natural areas and waterways safe, clean and welcoming.

Park ambassadors provide a welcoming presence in parks and remind people of park rules such as keeping dogs on leash, no smoking and no structures. The illicit activity team is focused on cleaning up debris associated with abandoned structures,

Park Safety Team Award

The Park Safety Team received the 2025 Maintenance and Asset Management Award from the Oregon Parks and Recreation Association for the transformative work that the team has done in caring for over 5,000 acres of parks and natural areas throughout Eugene. The Park Safety Team uses an innovative approach that has reduced public service requests by 40%, significantly reduced response times, and protects sensitive wildlife areas.

Scan (or click) the QR code to watch the award video

overnight camping and dumping, and has a particular focus on keeping Eugene’s waterways clean and safe.

In FY25, park staff posted 1,295 structures, removed 799 instances of graffiti and cleaned up 330 dump trucks worth of garbage. In addition to patrolling parks and addressing criminal activity and park rule violations, the Eugene Police Park Resource Officers provide support to park staff if they are unable to gain voluntary compliance and respond to instances requiring a higher level of enforcement response overall.

Riverfront Park System Expansion

The Downtown Riverfront Park expanded with the acquisition of approximately eight acres of riverfront property from the University of Oregon adjacent to the park. The newly acquired site, located along the south bank of the Willamette River, is now managed as a natural area with access to the shared-use path and other nearby trails. In order to get it ready, Parks staff removed four truckloads of debris resulting from illicit activity on the site and began patrolling it to keep it safe and welcoming. Staff also installed new park rule signs and boundary markers.

The City and the University of Oregon entered into a land exchange agreement on December 21, 2023, involving Cityowned land near Autzen Stadium and University-owned land

next to the new Downtown Riverfront Park. The exchange facilitated the rerouting of Leo Harris Parkway to support construction of a new indoor practice facility for the University, while securing additional riverfront open space for public use and habitat protection. This acquisition strengthens our connection between the Willamette River and downtown and reflects the City’s commitment to stewardship and long-term care of Eugene’s natural areas.

Looking ahead, the City plans to enhance the site’s ecological health with riparian tree and shrub plantings. Staff will continue to assess both short- and long-term restoration and maintenance needs.

CREATING A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT Trees

615

street trees planted (316 by Urban Forestry, 299 by Friends of Trees)

3,268

street trees proactively pruned to extend lifecycle

318 trees planted in parks

185 trees planted along waterways

30 New Trees Planted Downtown

Mayor Kaarin Knudson joined Lane County and City of Eugene staff to celebrate Arbor Month and kick off the planting of 30 trees throughout downtown.

Eugene has earned the Tree City USA status for the last 46 consecutive years, but staff and community members have noted that the urban canopy in downtown is patchy. Thanks to a partnership between the City of Eugene, who provided the trees, and Lane County, who helped prepare the tree wells, we are working toward creating a greener, more vibrant downtown that encourages people to walk and roll from one part of downtown to another.

Staff and community volunteers planted 30 new trees in new and improved planting sites, bringing the total to 70 new trees added to downtown Eugene this planting season.

A busy stretch of 18th Street was just concrete and asphalt until the Parks and Open Space Urban Forestry team saw an opportunity to breathe new life (and greenery) into this critical urban corridor.

Guided by the Tree Equity score—a nuanced metric combining canopy cover and socioeconomic data—the team identified this area as a prime candidate for transformation. Large open spaces and high-impact potential made 18th Street the perfect canvas for urban reforestation.

During the summer and early fall of 2023, crews carefully vetted planting sites, mapping out where new trees would take root and identifying stumps to grind and areas requiring careful removal.

The first phase launched in October 2023, stretching from Agate to Pearl. Over 100 trees found their new home by April 2024 despite the ice storm temporarily interrupting planting. Undeterred, the team continued, planting 135 more trees down to Mistletoe between November and December.

Now, their sights are set on the final stretch, from Bailey Hill past Bertelsen, where 140 more trees will soon stand.

As a bonus, the Arbor Day celebration in the downtown core added 20-50 trees, continuing a multi-year commitment to urban renewal.

Each tree represents a promise of cooler streets, cleaner air and a more resilient community.

Planting Wapato at Golden Gardens

Volunteers with the Volunteer Program partnered with Active Bethel Community and Beyond Toxics to plant native Wapato at Golden Gardens.

The Wapato had been harvested in partnership with ODFW and Willamette Riverkeeper, as well as the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde’s native plant nursery experts and the City of Salem.

Parks staff had recently returned from the Intertribal Nursery Council annual meeting and learned about the historic significance of Wapato and local tribes. The plant will support wetland plant diversity and provides baby turtles a great place to hide from predators.

Waterways

Eugene Metro Rotary Teams Up for Amazon Creek Cleanup

After flooding, Amazon Creek needed some serious TLC, and the Eugene Metro Rotary delivered!

Despite the muddy conditions, an amazing crew of volunteers rolled up their sleeves and got to work. They removed plenty of debris and trash from the creek banks and the surrounding area.

Since 2011, the Eugene Metro Rotary has maintained an adoption agreement for the stretch of Amazon Creek from

Oakpatch to Acorn, organizing at least two cleanup events annually. These efforts have made a significant impact, with recorded data since 2017 showing 440 volunteer hours and the removal of 34 cubic yards of trash from the waterway and surrounding areas.

Throughout the years, the Eugene Metro Rotary has partnered with ReStore Habitat for Humanity, Friends of Oakpatch East, and Churchill Area Neighbors to increase their combined impact.

Natural Areas

Enhancing Eugene’s Natural Areas

The Parks Ecological Services Team and Volunteer Program gave a big boost to our natural areas this winter, planting over 600 native trees and shrubs. Thanks to strong work from our Northwest Youth Corps crew and community volunteers over the last few months, this initiative wrapped up at the MLK Day of Service volunteer event on January 20.

Tree plantings in natural area portions of Bethel, Bertelsen and Irwin Parks are helping us make progress toward the City’s climate action goals. Targeted plantings along waterways like the Willamette River, Tugman Creek, Amazon Creek and the A-2 Channel help meet riparian planting goals.

Species include OR White Oak, CA Black Oak, Bigleaf Maple, Alder, Hawthorn, Western Crabapple, Cottonwood, Cascara, Chokecherry, Ninebark, Nootka Rose and Spirea.

In partnership with Xerces Society, the team established three specialized pollinator pods at Tugman, Hendricks, and the Whilamut Natural Area. These unique installations will be monitored through June, providing valuable data on urban pollinator habitat success.

eugene-or.gov/parks