PARKS | TRAILS | NEIGHBORHOODS | STREETS | SCHOOLS

Since Eugene was awarded the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for Track and Field more than two years ago, government and business partnerships have secured funding for dozens of projects which will remain as physical legacies of Eugene 08.

Below is a list of the various projects.

PARKS
Mileage markers at quarter mile intervals along the 12-mile Ruth Bascom Riverbank path system in Skinner Butte Park will help residents and visitors identify their location along the path and allow those using the path for exercise to measure distances more easily.
 
Way-finding signs at either side of the five pedestrian bridges spanning the Willamette River in Skinner Butte and Alton Baker Parks will direct people to and from key connections along the path system. These enhancements increase safety along the path and help path users realize the system's seamless connection to other areas of interest, such as local shopping, dining, and entertainment venues.
 
A system of kiosks installed throughout Alton Baker Park, including construction of a covered wooden kiosk in the vicinity of the Alton Baker Park Host Residence. The kiosks will provide valuable information for both Olympic Trial visitors and community residents, such as way-finding signage for features within the park and interpretive signage related to the park's cultural and natural values, contact information, park and neighborhood events and volunteer project information.
 
New lighting installed along the path that leads from the Autzen pedestrian bridge over the Willamette River to Autzen Stadium. It will improve safety; the lights are more energy-efficient and more vandal resistant than previous lighting.
 
Fencing at the north end of the Autzen footbridge will improve safety.
 
Recycling receptacles will be installed at the north end of the Autzen footbridge to discourage littering and encourage recycling.
 
The five pedestrian bridges that span the Willamette River will be cleaned and enhanced with new railings, enhancing the use of the bridges.
 
New benches on three of the bridges spanning the Willamette River will provide path users an opportunity to rest and admire the natural surroundings.
 
TRAILS
The four-mile Pre's Trail has been refurbished to provide individual runners, track clubs, schools, and community members with an improved path system that will accommodate larger events, stand up to heavy use, and meet the community's needs for years to come.
 
Improvements to the Adidas Amazon Trail and Rexius Running Trail will add signage with maps and training mileage to two of the premier running trails in Eugene that are anticipated to be extensively used by the athletes and visitors during the Olympic Trials, and by residents during and after the Trials. 
 
NEIGHBORHOODS
Placement of six to 10 mid-block street lights along routes in the South University Neighborhood that are currently not well lit and expected to experience increased traffic from the Olympic Trials. 
 
Fairmount Eugene 08 Celebration and Art Exhibit.  The project involves a neighborhood cleanup of Fairmount Park, chalk art activity on sidewalks adjacent to the park, installation of larger than life size sculptures of track and field athletes crafted from recycled materials and fallen branches by a neighborhood artist and a celebration event in the park on July 2nd with food and music.
 
Two other projects requested by Neighborhood Organizations are listed under trails (Adidas and Rexius trails) and parks (kiosks).
 
STREET IMPROVEMENTS
18th Avenue (Agate to Hilyard Streets) and Agate Street (13th to 22nd Avenues) to greatly improve the south gateway to UO and Hayward Field; making it a safer and friendlier street for cyclists and pedestrians, included "green" improvements such as storm water swales.

Villard Street (vicinity of 15th Avenue), includes replacing concrete panels on about 300 feet of Villard Street to improve appearance and function of an important street on east side of campus.
 
East 13th Avenue (Franklin Boulevard to Agate Street) includes repairs on East 13th to improve appearance and function of an important street on east side of campus.
 
SCHOOLS
Reconstruction of the track at the Arts and Technology Academy at Jefferson Middle School, including resurfacing with "Nike Grind". The enhanced track will provide an incentive for students and neighborhood residents to participate in track events.