Willamalane Park and Recreation District maintains and operates five recreation facilities and 46 parks and natural areas, totaling more than 1,500 acres. Highlights include 10 waterfront areas, 29 miles of hiking and biking trails, 9 sports fields and 27 playgrounds.[2] Willamalane offers hundreds of recreation programs to more than 60,000 patrons. Created by voters in 1944, Willamalane is a special tax district, separate from the city of Springfield, Oregon, with its own boundaries. It is governed by a five-member, elected board of directors and managed by a district superintendent. Willamalane offers:
Classes ranging from dog obedience to pottery, art, language, computing, music, history, cooking, outdoors, dance and a full range of fitness classes.
Water fitness
Adaptive recreation for adults with disabilities
Major Special Events
MEGGA Hunt, March or April, Lively Park
Children's Celebration, July, Island Park
Haunted Hayride, October, Dorris Ranch
Turkey Stuffer, November, Lively Park
Parks
32nd Street Community Sports Park, 400 S. 32nd St. Four lighted artificial turf sports fields and playground adjacent to Willamalane Center for Sports and Recreation.
Bluebelle Park, 50th Place & Bluebelle Way
Bob Artz Memorial Park, 7807 Thurston Road. Baseball/softball diamonds.
By-Gully Bike/Jog Path, Mill Street, Anderson Lane
Clearwater Park, Clearwater Lane. Boat landing, fishing.
Dorris Ranch[ceb], 205 Dorris St. Historic filbert orchards, trails, historic village with replica pioneer cabin, trapper's cabin and longhouse.
Douglas Gardens Park, 3455 S. Redwood Drive
Eastgate Woodlands/East Alton Baker Park, 512 Aspen St.
Gamebird Park, 1500 Mallard Ave.
Guy Lee Park, 890 Darlene Ave.
Harvest Landing, Harvest Lane
Island Park, 200 W. B St.
Jack B. Lively Memorial Park, 6100 Thurston Road. Picnic shelters, dog park, large playground, walking trail.
James Park, 4141 E. 19th Ave.
Jasper Meadows Park, 57th St.
Jesse Maine Memorial Park, South 69th Place
Kelly Butte Park/Overlook, 937 Summit Blvd.
Meadow Park, 851 Mill St.
Menlo Park, 1080 Cottonwood Ave.
Middle Fork Path, Clearwater Lane
Millrace Park, 200 S. Mill St.
Pacific Park, Shady Lane Dr.
Page Park, 1300 Hayden Bridge Road
Pride Park, 277 S. 34th St.
Quartz Park, 2300 S. 60th Ave.
Rob Adams Park, 890 MountainGate Drive
Robin Park, 2950 Wayside Loop
Royal Delle Park, 401 Blackstone St.
Thurston Park, 6329 F St./747 64th St.
Tyson Park, 3405 E St.
Volunteer Park, 4350 Mt. Vernon Road
Wallace M. Ruff Jr. Memorial Park, 66th Street. Magnolia arboretum.
West D Street Greenway, Aspen Street-Riverview Street
Willamalane Park, 1276 G St. Large playground. skate park.
Willamette Heights Park, 508 Valley View Ave.
William S. Fort Memorial Park, 300 58th St.
Facilities
Bob Keefer Center for Sports and Recreation, 250 S. 32nd St. Three hardwood basketball courts, a new Fitness Center, new sport courts, climbing wall, bouldering wall, indoor tennis, youth center.
Adult Activity Center, 215 W. C St. Computer center, wood shop, classrooms, stage and hundreds of programs aimed at adults 50 and older.
Splash! at Lively Park, 6100 Thurston Road. Indoor wave pool with waterslide, kiddie pool, lap pool, adult spa.
Willamalane Park Swim Center, 1276 G St. Competition lap pool, diving, warm-water pool with waterslide.
Camp Putt Adventure Golf Park, 4006 Franklin Blvd. (privately owned, but operated by Willamalane)
Two50 youth center, 250 S. 32nd St.
History
On Sept. 29, 1944, voters in Springfield, Oregon and approved a proposal to organize Oregon's second special-purpose park and recreation district.[3] Much of this was due to the pioneering efforts of then Lane County District Attorney William S. Fort. Its first fiscal year began the following July with Willamalane having neither a budget nor property. The district was first formed to serve a population of only 3,800 people. By the close of the 1940s, Springfield, had doubled in size to approximately 3 square miles and a population of nearly 10,000.
1940s
Voters organize and pass a park and recreation district measure to encompass the Springfield and Maple School districts.
Walter Hansen becomes Willamalane's first superintendent in 1945. Irene Squires becomes Willamalane's superintendent in 1947.[4]
Board of Directors increases from three to five members.
1950s
Veterans Memorial Association donates the uncompleted Memorial Building to Willamalane.
Willamalane Pool opens as an outdoor facility in 1951.[5]
Clayton Anderson becomes Willamalane's superintendent in 1952.
The Willamalane Golden Age Club forms and continues into the 1980s, after the Willamalane Senior Adult Activity Center is built. The club is the only organized senior group in Oregon and provides the impetus for developing programs of interest to senior adults.
The first Program Guide is mailed to district patrons. It is a double-sided, one-page bulletin sponsored and printed by Weyerhaeuser.
A broken gas main near the Memorial Building causes a major gas explosion causing $10,000 in damage. The building custodian is hospitalized.
Willamalane's preschool program opens at the Memorial Building. Basketball, tennis, and other programs begin.
Grand opening of The Lounge, a center for teens. For a period in the 1960s, the lounge was known as the Sugar Shack.
District annexes area north to McKenzie River in the Wayside Lane and McKenzie Manor areas.
Additional annexation to the north and west increased district area by 20 percent.
Robin Park and Gamebird Park are donated to the district.
Willamalane acquires Island Park.
1960s
Menlo Park, Guy Lee Park, and a portion of Bob Artz Memorial Park are donated to the District. Kelly Butte and Willamette Heights Park sites are acquired for $1 each from the city of Springfield. A portion of Island Park is acquired from Lane County, which includes the future site of the Senior Adult Activity Center.
Royal Delle Park opens in 1960.
Willamalane acquires 21 other park sites.
Willamalane Park Pool cover construction begins.[6]
Mushball leagues are formed and continue for 14 years until the switch in the 1970s to slow pitch softball.
Willamalane Swim Club beats world record for marathon swim — 103 miles in 66 consecutive hours (the equivalent of the distance from Willamalane Pool to Portland).
Willamalane Art League goes independent and becomes the Emerald Empire Arts and Crafts Association.
First Willamalane egg hunt.
Robert Artz becomes Willamalane's superintendent in 1960.[7] Robert Haworth becomes Willamalane's superintendent in 1967. Gary Walker becomes Willamalane's superintendent in 1969.[8]
The mayor of Springfield appoints committee to explore the feasibility of city operation of the park district;[8] however, studies show that funding and services would be reduced.
1970s
In 1970, Springfield's population stands at 26,874, more than a 100 percent increase from 1950.
Willamalane creates the first after-school recreation programs at Maple and Brattain elementary schools.
Senior Citizens' Advisory Council is formed and senior programs are expanded. The Senior Adult Activity Center is completed.[9]
District purchases the Dorris Ranch property and the north portion of Island Park.[4]
New recreation programs are introduced to meet the needs of swing-shift workers. Late-night sports leagues are formed (basketball, bowling, and softball) that practice and play between 11 p.m. and 4 a.m.
Willamalane Diving Club member Mark Bradshaw sets a new division record at the Oregon Junior Olympic Diving Championships and, at the Oregon Indoor Diving Championships, he is named the "Most Outstanding Male Diver in Oregon."
Major remodeling and renovation begin at Willamalane Pool.
Voters approve an annexation of the east end of Springfield. Willamalane's service district increases in size by more than 50 percent.
1980s
Survey shows that twice as many people use Senior Adult Activity Center as originally anticipated.
Thurston Park property site is donated.
Fire causes $75,000 in damage to the Memorial Building. Building is renovated and rededicated.
Daniel Plaza becomes Willamalane's superintendent in 1982.[4]
District acquires Jack B. Lively Memorial Park land at South 34th Street.
In 1989 Lively Park Swim Center (later called Splash! at Lively Park) opens to the public. It is the first indoor wave pool in the Northwest.[4]
In 1985, Springfield, Ore. celebrates its centennial.
In 1986 Willamalane wins the National Gold Medal Award as the outstanding park and recreation department in the United States in the 20,000-50,000 population category.
The National Register of Historic Places lists Dorris Ranch in its registry.
1990s
Willamalane Pool bathhouse renovation is completed. The facility reopens and is renamed Willamalane Park Swim Center.
The Teen Center opens with coordination of the district, the city of Springfield, Ore., concerned citizens and interested teens.
Willamalane co-sponsors the first annual Filbert Festival, held at Island Park.
The district's first annual Haunted Hayride is held at Dorris Ranch.
A vintage 1910 house (Tomseth House) was given to the Dorris Ranch Foundation for relocation to Dorris Ranch as on-site offices.
Clearwater Park is acquired from Lane County.
Wallace M. Ruff Jr. Memorial Park and Pierce Park land are donated to the district.
Willamalane acquires West D Street Greenway and East Alton Baker Park/Eastgate Woodlands.
Willamalane purchases two acres for Jesse Maine Memorial Park.
Willamalane acquires 11 acres on 79th Street from Springfield School District in Bob Artz Memorial Park trade.
Voters reject a bond measure to replace the failing roof at Willamalane Pool. The facility is closed due to flood damage in the pool tank and rain damage to the roof structure. A few months later, voters approve a bond measure to replace the pool roof by a margin of 63 percent. However, fewer than 50 percent of the electorate cast ballots and the vote is ruled invalid. As a result, the pool roof is removed and facility opens as an outdoor pool. The following winters, voters approve a bond measure to replace the pool roof and make other improvements.
2000s
Bob Keefer becomes Willamalane's superintendent in 2000.[10]
Willamalane Park Swim Center reopens as an indoor facility.
The skatepark at Willamalane Park is completed and the grand opening ceremony gets a visit from internationally acclaimed Tony Hawk and his crew.
East Alton Baker Park is renamed The Whilamut Natural Area of East Alton Baker Park, honoring the Kalapuya people and their language.
In 2004 Morrisette Field is dedicated and opens at the 32nd Street Community Sports Park. It is the first artificial turf sports field in Springfield.
The district broke ground on a new community center at this site. The center will replace the Memorial Building Community Center and the Administration Center.[11]
Willamalane's 20-year Comprehensive Plan secures approval, charting a course for parks and recreation in Springfield for the next 20 years.[12]
Volunteers construct a replica pioneer cabin at Dorris Ranch, similar to the cabin that housed Oregon Trail pioneers William and Eliza Masterson when they first homesteaded the property in the 1850s. The project is followed by the construction of a smithy, a trapper's cabin and a longhouse.
Willamalane purchases the former Regional Sports Center. A remodeled 97,000-square-foot building is named Willamalane Center for Sports and Recreation.[13]
Willamalane constructs the first phases of the Middle Fork Path, which runs along the Middle Fork of the Willamette River from Clearwater Park to Dorris Ranch.[14]
Springfield Public Schools leases the Memorial Building and offers alternative and special education classes.
↑ Velasco, Dorothy, Velasco, Mara & Laudati, Neil (ed.) (2010). "Springfield Celebrates 125 Years". Oh So Graphic. p. 6.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Velasco, Dorothy & Velasco, Mara (1999). "Willamalane Park & Recreation District." Springfield: Between Two Rivers An Illustrated History. Community Communications, Inc. p. 118. 1581920105.
↑ , Register Guard. Accessed online 11 November 2011.
↑ , Register Guard. Accessed online 15 November 2011.
↑ , Register Guard. Accessed online 15 November 2011.
1 2 , Register Guard. Accessed online 15 November 2011.
↑ Velasco, Dorothy, Velasco, Mara & Laudati, Neil (ed.) (2010). "Springfield Celebrates 125 Years". Oh So Graphic. p. 7.
↑ , Register Guard. Accessed online 15 November 2011.
↑ , Register Guard. Accessed online 15 November 2011.
↑ , Register Guard. Accessed online 15 November 2011.
↑ , Register Guard. Accessed online 17 April 2012.
↑ , Register Guard. Accessed online 17 April 2012.
Related Research Articles
Eugene is the second largest city in the U.S. state of Oregon and the seat of Lane County. It is located at the southern end of the Willamette Valley, near the confluence of the McKenzie and Willamette rivers, about 50 miles (80 km) east of the Oregon Coast.
Scouting in the U.S. state of Oregon includes the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) and Girl Scouts (GSUSA) youth organizations, as well as newer organizations like the Baden-Powell Service Association.
Oregon OR 126 (OR 126) is a 204.63-mile-long (329.32 km) state highway that connects coastal, western, and central parts of the U.S. state of Oregon. A short freeway section of OR 126 in Eugene and Springfield is concurrent with Interstate 105 (I-105).
Robert William Straub was an American politician and businessman from the state of Oregon. A native of San Francisco, California, he settled in Eugene, Oregon, where he entered politics. A Democratic politician, he served in the Oregon State Senate, as the Oregon State Treasurer, and one term as the 31st Governor of Oregon from 1975 to 1979. Like his perennial opponent for governor, Tom McCall, he was a noted environmentalist.
Lane Community College is a public community college in Eugene, Oregon, with additional facilities in downtown Eugene, Florence, Cottage Grove, and the Lane Aviation Academy at Eugene Airport. Lane serves more than 26,000 credit and non-credit students annually in a 5,000 square-mile (~8047 km2) service district, including most of Lane County as well as individual school districts in Benton, Linn, and Douglas counties.
Goshen is an unincorporated community in Lane County, Oregon, United States. It is located at the junction of Oregon Route 58, Oregon Route 99, and Interstate 5.
The Emerald Express (EmX) is a bus rapid transit (BRT) system in the Eugene-Springfield metropolitan area in Oregon, United States. It is provided by the Lane Transit District (LTD) which is the public transit authority in Lane County, Oregon.
Eugene–Springfield station is a train station in Eugene, Oregon, United States. It is served by Amtrak's Coast Starlight passenger train and is the southern terminus of the Amtrak Cascades corridor. The station is also served by the Cascades POINT bus service.
Walterville is an unincorporated community in Lane County, Oregon, United States. It is located six miles (9.7 km) east of Springfield on Oregon Route 126 near the McKenzie River.
Wendling is an unincorporated community in Lane County, Oregon, United States, located northeast of Marcola. Wendling's post office operated from 1899 to 1952. It was named for George X. Wendling, a local lumberman. Wendling was created as a company town for the Booth-Kelly Lumber Company.
McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center is an acute care hospital located in Springfield, Oregon, United States. Opened in 1955, it serves the Lane County area. McKenzie-Willamette is investor-owned, and accredited by the Joint Commission. Licensed for 114 hospital beds, the facility was the only hospital in Springfield until the Sacred Heart facility at RiverBend opened in August 2008.
Springfield School District, also called Springfield Public Schools, is a public school district in Lane County, Oregon, United States. It serves students in Springfield and outlying areas, including Goshen, Mohawk, and Walterville.
Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District (THPRD) is a special parks district located in the eastern part of Washington County in the U.S. state of Oregon. Created in 1955, the district covers all of the city of Beaverton and many of those communities surrounding Beaverton in the Portland metropolitan area. The district covers an area of 50 square miles (130 km2) and serves a population of about 220,000, making it the largest parks district in Oregon. Tualatin Hills operates over 200 facilities totaling 2,100 acres (850 ha), including eight swimming centers. The district has an annual budget of $40 million and is overseen by a five-person board of directors.
Springfield is a city in Lane County, Oregon, United States. Located in the Southern Willamette Valley, it is within the Eugene-Springfield Metropolitan Statistical Area. Separated from Eugene to the west, mainly by Interstate 5, Springfield is the second-most populous city in the metropolitan area after Eugene. As of the 2020 census, the city has a total population of 61,851.
Lane United FC is an American soccer club based in Eugene, Oregon, named for Lane County, where Eugene is located. Founded in 2013, the men's team currently plays in USL League Two, the fourth tier of the American soccer pyramid. The organization has added an amateur women's team, which will compete in the USL W League starting in 2023, and announced a professional women's team to compete in the second-tier USL Super League in 2024.
LGBT culture in Eugene, Oregon predates the Stonewall riots in New York in 1969, but that event coincided with organized efforts in Lane County, Oregon, to support and celebrate LGBT people. Even though Eugene has been rated on lists of cities friendly to LGBT populations, there are very few venues specifically for the LGBT community in the Eugene/Springfield metropolitan area.
Nancy Golden is the first Professor of Practice in the College of Education at the University of Oregon. She has been a leader in education as Oregon's chief education officer, as former education policy advisor to Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber, and as Superintendent of Springfield School District.
The following is a list of media in Eugene, Oregon, United States.
The Hayden RR Bridge, is a truss bridge located in Springfield, Oregon, spanning over the McKenzie River. It initially served as a traditional railroad bridge, starting as part of the first transcontinental railroad in Utah, before moving to its current location as part of the Marcola line, whose primary use was the distribution of lumber. It later closed alongside the area's lumber mills, and became a pedestrian bridge in 2019. It is one of the few remaining wrought-iron, Phoenixville bridges still standing, and the oldest intact bridge in the state of Oregon.
References
Velasco, Dorothy & Velasco, Mara (1999). "Willamalane Park & Recreation District." Springfield: Between Two Rivers An Illustrated History. Community Communications, Inc. p.118. 1581920105.
Velasco, Dorothy, Velasco, Mara & Laudati, Neil (ed.) (2010). Springfield Celebrates 125 Years. Oh So Graphic. p.6-7.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply. Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.
