A RiverFront LivingRoom for the University of Oregon

A Riverfront

LIVINGROOM

for the University of Oregon

Rebecca Shepard | Final Comprehensive Project | Winter 2015

introduction

history

site analysis

site context

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goals + obj.

precedents

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Spring 2013

Fall 2013

500

Winter 2013

UNIVERSITY OF OREGON Base Map 1/21/2015

1,000 Feet

Spring 2014

Fall 2014

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Winter 2015

ecolog eco

th outdoor education into by providing an e eng

kwater Slough Area

1944 Map of the Backwater Slough Area (NO FILL)

Studio 439

On Site Fill

1950 Map of the Backwater Slough Area (WITH FILL)

OUTreach

My Process

In the Spring of 2013, I took a Studio with Bart Johnson that focused on the Willamette River’s edge. Bart’s theme for that studio was to do the most with the least.

Unbeknownst to me, that studio was the beginning of a two year research project that ended up being my capstone project. After the studio ended, I decided I would continue focusing on this site for my final project in UO. water Slough Sitethe Landscape Architecture Program at the N My main focus was to create a design suitable for an educational site. But to do that, I had to uncover

INreach

rebecca shepard | octobe

Comp Prep

Comp Studio

the unknown by conducting self-guided research. I independently spent one year researching the Urban Fill on the UO Riverfront, conducting OUTreach and INreach, and gathering in depth information that I would need to have a successful comprehensive design project.

My last two Comprehensive Studios, with Anne Godfrey and Rob Ribe, helped me to synthesize all of my research into a successful design that proposed Bart’s original theme of doing the most with the least. In following that theme, I believe I created a less invasive and more conducive design that worked well within the many constraints of the site.

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UO Campus Millrace

Location

City of Eugene

University of Oregon’s Riverfront

The six acre site is part of the UO’s 67 acre riverfront property along the Willamette River

Photo Credit Google Earth

Location The site is located on the UO Campus, just about a 10 minute walk from here. The six-acre site is part of the UO’s 67 acres riverfront property along the Willamette River. (shaded in red)

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“We have lived our lives by the assumption that what was good for us would be good for the world. We have been wrong. We must change our lives so that it will be possible to live by the contrary assumption, that what is good for the world will be good for us. And that requires that we make the effort to know the world and learn what is good for it.�

- Wendell Berry, The Long-Legged House

Quote Pay attention to this sentence: ...what was good for us would be good for the world.

We have been wrong...

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site history

1850

UO Riverfront was covered by riparian oodplain forests

Photo Credit: R. Shepard, Information sited from: Johnson, B., Ferguson, A., & Simms, J.

History The following history slides are snap shots into the past showing the evolution of the site and how the changes overtime are meaningful to this project.

According historic maps, around 1850, during the time of Euro-American settlement in the Eugene Area, the UO Riverfront property was covered by riparian floodplain forest and bordered by oak savanna and upland prairie.

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MGP SITE

1900

The site was owned and operated by the Eugene Sand and Gravel Company.

(1928 photo looking North from the railway shows horse drawn carts & motor vehicles at the quarry)

1906 - 1910

A Manufactured GasiďŹ cation Plant (MGP) was constructed and in operation adjacent to the site

Photo Credit: Lane County Historical Museum and UO Library

In 1900, the Eugene Sand and Gravel Company was the principal owner and operator on the site as an aggregate quarry where extensive excavation took place.

In 1906 a Manufactured Gas Plant was constructed on the adjacent property. For three years it operated as a coal carbonization process facility and gasified combustible materials for lighting, heating and cooking purposes.

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1968

UO acquires 35 acres of riverfront from Eugene Sand and Gravel Company (red shows UO riverfront)

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1965 - 1975

ALarge volume of fill-materials were dumped on the UO Riverfront site to create a steep armored embankment

Photo Credits UO Riverfront Vision Plan and Teamster.com, Information sited from: Johnson, B., Ferguson, A., & Simms, J.

In 1968 the UO acquired 35 acres from the Eugene Sand and Gravel Co. along the South side of the riverfront.

Between 1965-1975, “Large volumes of fill material were dumped along the riverbank to create a steep, armored bank. This now creates a significant constraint on ecological restoration as well as on people’s interaction with the aesthetic experience of the river” (mention photo)

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1975 - 1990

Site was leased to EWEB for storage

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1990 - Present

Due to the toxicity from the manufactured gas plant, the whole site was fenced off and abandoned

Photo Credit: LR Squier & Assoc. Inc. and R. Shepard

Between 1975-1990, the site was leased to EWEB for storage of treated utility poles and other utility related equipment.

From 1990 until present, the site, which is fenced off, still remains vacant and undeveloped due to the toxicity from the Manufactured Gas Plant and the treated poles.

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1989

Students passed the Campus Greenway Initiative

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2009

Site to be developed into a 200 spot parking lot and a three story ofďŹ ce building - just 100 feet from the River

Photo Credit: UO Riverfront Vision Plan and djcoregon.com

Politics In recent decades, there has been tension between those who wish to develop the riverfront and those who wish to preserve it. As this issue still remains unresolved, now is an opportune time to explore possible uses for the riverfront.

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MGP Contaminants

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Current Conditions

Opportunities & Constraints of the site

Site Analysis Current conditions of the site • The Manufactured Gas Plant has polluted part of the soil with poly aromatic hydrocarbons. Therefore, if the area is intended for human use, capping the contaminated location is the best standard choice.

• There are specific setbacks for the Southern Pacific Railway that cannot be changed.

• The state setbacks for the Willamette Greenway along the river and the Millrace outflow have potential to

provide a more robust riverine connection and habitat area.

• Armored fill from the 60s-70s has resulted in steep banks (sometimes with up to18’ of elevation change) making the river inaccessible. However, it makes a great place for riverbank restoration, as the site is a smaller part of a larger living system.

• The UO owns the property and they are committed to exceptional teaching, discovery and service to the public, whether it be indoors or outdoors.

• There is also the big and powerful Willamette River.

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Touch the Water

Bike Path

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How the site is used by people

User Conditions Since the site is inaccessible due to the fence, the only way people can interact with the site is along the bike path, or on a steep, secluded trail down to the river.

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1944

University of Oregon Riverfront

backwater slough site, showing site conditions prior to fill

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backwater slough site showing site conditions prior to fill nested between the willamette river side channels and a populating town

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1950

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backwater slough site showing the area shortly after it had been filled with urban fill

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backwater slough site, a by-product of choices made from over 60 years ago

current conditions in comparison to the 1910 topo map and current GIS contour map u of o riverfront site is largely composed of urban fill over the riparian flood plane

willamette river in 2013

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university of oregon - backwater slough filling in the gap - space & time Sections rebecca shepard studio 439 bart johnson spring 2013

Current conditions in comparison to the 1910 topographic map and current GIS contour map

Credit: R. Shepard - Spring 2012

Section These sections compare the 1910 topographic map with the current GIS contour map. The sections reveal how much urban fill was dumped onto the site.

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Wet Meadow

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Backwater/Aquatic

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Riparian

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Upland Meadow

Vegetation Zones

Information from: UO Riverfront Botanical Survey Spring 2012 (Bitty Roy) and Jeff Krueger. Photo Credits: R. Shepard

Vegetation Zones There are distinct vegetation areas on the site. They are broken down into four types.

• Wet Meadow (couple examples - Big Leaf Maple and Tufted hair grass) • Backwater/Aquatic (Oregon Ash + Cottonwood) • Riparian (Alder and BIG Leaf Maple) • Upland Meadow (Black Locust + Sweet Fennel)

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Willamette River

The river runs through it

Willamette River GreenWay Plan

The plan encourages ‘green’ choices when developing or environmentally enhancing sites.

Photo Credit: Intertwine and Google Earth

Site Context The big and powerful Willamette River flows along the UO’s Riverfront

The Greenway is a statewide plan along the Willamette River from Portland to Cottage Grove that encourages ‘green’ choices when developing or environmentally enhancing sites. (I created this diagram to explain the greenway)

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Skinner Butte Park

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Alton Baker Park

SITE

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Autzen Stadium

Bike Path

Whilamut Natural Area

Downtown University of Oregon

Amazon Park

Social Hubs

The site is well positioned in and amongst social gathering areas Photo Credit: Google Earth

Social Hubs The site is well positioned in and amongst social gathering areas that support & encourage community health, fitness as well as opportunities to experience the outdoors.

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UO CAMPUS

Eugene Water & Electric Board (EWEB) Owners of the adjacent land

University of Oregon

The UO’s Riverfront feels disconnected from the main campus Photo Credit: Google Earth and Rowell Brokaw Architects

Eugene Water and Electric Board (or EWEB) – are the owners of the adjacent land and have a Master Plan to redevelop their site into a mixed-use area along the riverfront.

The UO’s Riverfront feels disconnected from the main campus even thought it is just a short walk/bike away.

Perhaps the UO Riverfront needs an anchor to link the two together.

This is a nearly true story about what I observed when conducting research down at the UO Riverfront.

the Guy (before) I watched a young man and his buddies’ pass through this space. Clad in bathing suits and sporting sunburns from yesterdays tube rides down the river, they hooted and hollered as they scrambled over logs and rocks, crushing down the plants as they went. The young man walked out onto the rocks, clumsily slipping here and there until he came to an abrupt stop. He stared into the river for a few moments then plunged in his hand and plucked out a fish. Proudly, he held the tiny, wiggling fish in his fist.

He showed it to his friends and then proceeded to smash it on the rocks. He continued to walk over to the island, and toss down his backpack. Beer cans roll out of his pack and his friends pushed and shoved at each other as they aggressively grabbed for the rolling beer cans.

The young man bent down to pick up a handful of rocks, looking for just the right ones, when his eyes targeted two mallard ducks, nesting down peacefully on the ledge of the sandstone. He twisted back, cranked his arm and hurled the rocks at the defenseless ducks. Missing them completely, the alarmed ducks fled in a state of panic, while his friends passed him a beer and taunted him, saying that he throws like his little sister.

I will come back to this story later, and perhaps it might have a different outcome after you hear about the design‌

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Photo Credits: gianteagle.com, ďŹ sherynation.com,VK.com, mosstrotter.com

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key issue - education

Remote Indoor Learning

Nearly all education at the UO is taught indoors

Placed-Based Learning

Hands-on learning in the outdoors

Photo Credit: scienceblogs.com and envs@uoregon.edu

Key Issue - Education Nearly all the education at the UO is taught indoors.

Students learn about dynamic systems while sitting in the classroom listening to lectures, or watching PowerPoint presentations and videos.

Hands-on learning in the outdoors provides opportunities to actually experience dynamic systems first hand.

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OUTdoor Learning at the UO

Campus grounds for outdoor education Photo Credits: oimb.uoregon.edu ,monzelherbs.com,Tobias Pollicha, Whitey Lueck, utnews.utoledo.edu, Harper Keeler, Bitty Roy

OUTdoor learning at the UO Some classes already make use of the UO Campus grounds for outdoor education: such as Urban Farm, Plants Series, Field Biology, and Geology.

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Green Island

Delta Ponds

West Eugene Wetlands

Mckenzie River

Whilamut Natural Area

UO CAMPUS

Dorris Ranch

Mount Pisgah

River Education

Students are taken away from campus to learn about the river

Photo Credit: ides.science.oregonstate.edu and Google Earth

River Education Professors take students on field trips, away from campus, to learn about the river. Why travel far and wide when the Willamette River is directly on the Campus?

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Oregon Institute for Marine Biology (OIMB)

UO already recognizes the value of placed-based learning

Photo Credit: oimb.uoregon.edu and blogs.ďŹ t.edu

OIMB UO already recognizes the value of teaching placed-based learning. It is so important in fact; that students in their third year of studying Marine Biology relocate to Coos Bay on the ocean for their final year so they have opportunities for hands on learning. Fortunately students studying

aspects of river education do not have to be relocated anywhere - as the river is just a short walk away from the UO’s main campus.

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to teach students about growing food and

history site in analysis working together a well established urban farm located on the campus grounds

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students have the u of o’s arboretum goals + obj. as an outdoor classroom to teach and ID over 400 plants and trees combined during a three term long plants sequence

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ideas for educational opportunities that could occur along the riverfront to encourage a great learning environment & outdoor classroom habitat types

riparian forest, riparian sloughs. prairie, savanna

management

native ecosystem restoration or control of invasive species

riparian topography

laying back banks, removing fill above OHWM

sampling

water,soil,macro vertebrates, aquatic organisms

monitoring insect or vertebrate diversity & habitat use

diversity

gathering

native plant spaces species students & faculty presentations and discussions

art

drawing & painting classes

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river educ

conclusion u of o has NO offical riv

classes need to cross th the u of o is on the river, a benefit biology, ecology, landscape

one of the u of o’s mission statements is: P

what would it look like if the u of o could offer education b

scott bridgham professor of biology & environmental studies alan dickman research associate professor of biology arica duhrkoop-galas adjunct instructor of landscape architecture daniel gavin associate professor of geology anne godfrey instructor of landscape architecture

“A wonderful idea. The U of O could really use a site like this within walking distance andrew marcus, associate dean of social sciences, u of o

david hulse professor of landscape architecture

bart johnson associate professor of landscape architecture

“Your idea to provide a location to educate our s nathan tublitz, professor of biology, u of o

ronald lovinger professor of landscape architecture

whitey lueck adjunct instructor of landscape architecture

“Best of luck - I fully endorse this project!” dan gavin, associate professor of geology, u of o

andrew marcus associate dean of social sciences

“I think the upland area you refer to could b native vegetation communities and the pro dave hulse, professor of landscape archite

patricia mcdowell professor of geography

philip richardson city of eugene parks and rec

“I’m excited that you are taking on this project and hopefully it will inform beyond yo josh roering, professor of geological sciences, u of o

josh roering professor of geological sciences bitty roy professor of biology

“This is an interes scott bridgham,

nathan tublitz professor of biology

“This sounds like a worthwhile project” peter wetherwax, research assistant professor of biology, u of o

peter wetherwax research assistant professor of biology

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UO Professors and they would use the site university of how oregon - backwater

landscape as education

There is a demand for placed based learning

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“I think you’ve nailed it! philip richardson, city o

slough

rebecca shepard studio 439 bart johnson spring 2013

Credit: R. Shepard - Spring 2012 and hrwc.org

UO Professors + the Riverfront There is a demand for placed-based learning for river education here at the UO. This is a survey I conducted that shows educators who would utilize in-the-field-learning on the UO riverfront, as part of their courses, if such a place existed.

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Degraded

Healthy? Look again

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Restore

Learning about healthy riparian areas

Photo Credit: R. Shepard and friendsofmoran.com

Degraded

Restore

The UO’s riverfront is within the Greenway boundary, yet it doesn’t represent what a healthy riparian area should look like. Rip-rap and green shrubs don’t make it healthy. We have become numb to the fact that the edge of our river is degraded.

The more opportunities for hands-on experience to learn about healthy riparian areas, the better we understand how these systems should look and function. The more we are involved in seeing what works – the better our understanding.

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Disconnect

Interacting with the site is limited

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Engage

BeneďŹ ting from a place that engages with nature

Photo Credit: R. Shepard and childrenandnature.org

Disconnect

Engage

The site disconnects people to the extent that the bike path tends to funnel users through the site. This restricts accessibility to the river, the fields and opportunities to engage people with these features.

The UO and the community need a place that specifically and intentionally encourages engaging and learning about nature along the riverfront.

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thesis It would only take a few strategic edits to weave outdoor education into the fabric of the University’s riverfront that would provide an environment that restores, engages and inspires nature.

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design conceptualization willamette river

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Information Overload

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Design Conceptualization

Essential Design Problem

It was clear there were three major components to designing the Riverfront LivingRoom. The river with it’s organic, flowing, and dynamic systems, the community who seeks out areas for fitness and outdoor experiences and the university with it’s eager students, faculty and their educational curriculum.

My design problem is to create an outdoor classroom that strongly engages people about riverine ecology along the Willamette River for the University and the community.

Proposals – Failures Here are a few ideas that I quickly sketched out in the

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Proposal 1

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Proposal 2

Proposal 3

design process. In proposals 1 & 2, I experimented with circulation, small buildings on the site for education, as well as highlighted the sites ecological contributions by comparing a more organic design with a more practical design.

Proposal #3, makes a bold move that would recontour most of the site and bring in the water from the millrace, creating a hugely expensive design. It was

a design that would fail if the UO continued to stop pumping the millrace and when stormwater runoff delivered in the summer months was insufficient. It was a cool but unrealistic design.

After that, I was inspired to do a design that was realistic – one that responded to the natural processes that were already on the site. And a design that would do the ‘Most with the least’.

Goals + Objectives #1 Design the LivingRoom to engage users with ecological learning opportunities for observing nature.

• Design easy access to part of the river’s edge.

• Provide a pavilion to prolong outdoor enjoyment for visitors during seasonal weather.

• Provide educational sign boards (ex: back water slough, millrace outflow, vernal pools etc…) that would speak about each unique and important landscape process.

#2 Design the LivingRoom to restore habitat diversity & complexity • Lay back the banks of the river for the flood plain to distribute the energy of river flow and to encourage a healthy riparian area with a gently sloping littoral zone.

• Use Brushlayering on steeper banks to stabilize and reduce erosion.

• Place log weirs, rootwads and shade trees in the Millrace Outflow and along the backwater slough and allow naturally occurring woody debris to stay to provide fish and wildlife habitat.

• Increase plant diversity to provide food and cover for birds, pollinators & other wild animals.

#3 The LivingRoom must also serve user’s recreational needs • Views of the river.

• Multi Modal and ADA paths for bikers and walkers.

• Seating Areas.

#4 The LivingRoom will enable research for students & faculty at the UO (Some of the major research opportunities would be) • Prairie restoration.

• Prescribed field burnings.

• Woody debris and salmon smolt.

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goals & objectives ecological learning opportunities

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enable research

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Perched & nested seating areas Access to part of the river’s edge Pavilion Educational sign boards

Lay back the banks Brushlayering Log weirs, rootwads & shade trees Plant diversity

Views Paths Seating areas

Prairie restoration Prescribed ďŹ eld burnings Woody debris & salmon smolt

Photo Credit: R. Shepard, boolie.me, celebratebig.com, tcwp.tamu.edu

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site before millrace outow

Eugene Water + Electric Board Property

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UO property boundary

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The UO Riverfront Site - Before

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site design millrace outow backwater slough

pollinator knoll water map

engineered log jam

ADA path + trail

perch perch

bike path

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perch

observation bridge

mounds + vernal pools pavilion

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identiďŹ ed manufactured gas plant contaminants (west of dashed line)

The UO Riverfront LivingRoom Design More details to follow...

UO property boundary

millrace

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Precedents

Pollinator Knoll

EWEB’s Precedent for creating a man-made landform from excavated fill from their on site development

Water Map by Stacy Levey - Arboretum, Penn State An interpretive map to reveal the Willamette River Watershed

Photo Credit: EWEB Master Plan and stacylevy.com

Precedents Pollinator knoll – this is a precedent that EWEB used for their design

Water Map – is an interpretive map to reveal the Willamette River Watershed

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Perches

Perching-out to see the river

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Nested Seating

Nesting-back into the landscape

Photo Credit: EWEB Master Plan and pinterest.com

Perches – get people out over the water

Nested seating – nestle people back into the landscape

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Brushlayering - Augusta Creek, Eugene, OR Bank stabilization & habitat restoration

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Brushlayer Diagram

Stabilizing banks and healthy vegetation cover Photo Credit: Bitty Roy and USACE Urban Creeks Council

Brushlayering – provide bank stabilization, vegetation cover & habitat

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Rootwads - Centennial Rearing Pond, W.Van, Canada Habitat for ďŹ sh and aquatic insects

Rootwads & Brushlayer Diagram

Stabilizing banks and provding habitat (above and below water)

Photo Credit: R. Shepard and Main.net/rootwads.html

Rootwads – Habitat for fish & aquatic insects

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Mounds - Tenino, WA

Creating micro habitats through mounding earth

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Pavilion - Schlitz Audobon Nature Center, WI Providing a place for shelter

Photo Credit: Bart Johnson and tkwa.com

Mounds – Creating micro habitats through mounding earth

Pavilion – providing shelter from the seasons

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target species

Wet Meadow

Target Species

There are three areas of the design that have target species: The Wet Meadow: provides native frogs with standing water and woody debris, pollinators with a diverse mix of native forbs, and several species of birds with open

Riparian

Aquatic

grassland for nesting materials and food from plants.

The Riparian area: provides bald eagles and osprey with snags and perches.

Aquatic area: provides Spring Chinook Salmon, Winter Steelhead + Oregon Chub with large woody debris.

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users of the site

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pollinator knoll water map

karen + ella neighbours

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Ella + Karen Ella and Karen are best friends and live in the new EWEB development. They were so excited when they first moved into the area. There were so many shops and restaurants and so much to see and do. However, all the programmed spaces of the development didn’t give them what they really wanted: trees to climb and mud to cake. Then they

discovered the park next door. The girls loved to race to the top of Pollinator Knoll: not up the stairs or the winding ramp, but straight up through the grassy knoll.

Finally when they reached the top, the map would always be waiting.

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karen + ella neighbours

water map

Water Map There on the ground, etched in stone was a huge map, it looked ancient. It was called a water map. Calapooja….

Mollala…Clakama….Together they made out some of the names of the tributaries that fed into the main stem of Willamette River. Then they read a sign board and realized

the map was of their watershed. Ella had heard her mum talk about watersheds before.

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karen + ella neighbours

section a-a

new site entrance at 5th st.

10’

native grass + wildflower plantings

riverview steps + ramp

hilltop interpretive watershed map

regional bike path

service road

path

upland meadow

water map

stairs

path

stairs + landing

path

stairs + landing

path

stairs

landing + path

12’

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101’

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Pollinator Knoll 0’

entrance from EWEB site

rail line

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60’

restored riparian edge

river

riparian edge 50’

80’

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Hill Ella had also heard her mum talk about why this hill was here. It was because of the old contaminants on the site.

The area was capped to keep the bad stuff away from people. Then truck loads of rocks and soil where collected from excavating the edges of the banks and piled up on

top of the cap to make a giant hill. The height of the hill represents the height of the old manufactured gas plant that used to be on this site along time ago.

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perch

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Perch Then like the wind, the girls flew over to their favorite lookout. As the girls then walked along the planks out onto the perch, jutting out over the steep banks, they grew quieter. For a few moments they stopped and paused in the middle on the circular seat. The perch kept the girls off

the delicate plantings along the bank, and got them high up in tree canopy so they could feel like little birds on a branch perched out over the backwater slough.

Karen pointed out a dead tree. Last week her grade two class came to visit here and the guide called it a

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karen + ella neighbours

the perch

snag. He said it had more life in it when it was dead than when it was alive. Ella looked at Karen and in a very eightyear-old-way said, ‘yah – I know that’. Then off they flew in hopes to find their last two sign boards. There are a total of 17 educational boards in and amongst the livingroom,

but the challenge is, to see if you can find all 17. And the girls are always up for a challenge!

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millrace outow

bike path seating nook

paula

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pavilion

student

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Paula Paula is a student at the UO in the Landscape Architecture Dept. She rides along the river on the Bike Path every day to school, rain or shine! When there are groups of people on field trips down at the LivingRoom, visitors now have seating nooks to get out of the way from fast bikers like Paula. She sees groups of students gather on rainy days, under the reclaimed wood pavilion that she and Design

Bridge participated in building a couple years ago.

Last year Paula took an Environmental Studies class about river education. Her professor brought the class down to the Riverfront LivingRoom to talk about the new restoration project that would take place along the millrace outflow. Then her professor elaborated upon the details.

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paula

student

section e-e erosion

40% slope

degraded banks

outflow

degraded banks

bike path

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Millrace Outflow - before 0’

narrow outflow through pipe

invasive plants

bike path

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Millrace (Before) The goal was to restore the cinched-in, eroding outflow area, riddled with invasive plants species. The project would lay back the banks to create a more complex habitat and to encourage riverine processes. He offered students a chance to work on the project and help with installation. Paula, of course, jumped right onboard.

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paula

student

section e-e

repurposed bridge for observation

bike path

riparian forest

20’

75’

restored river channel + placed woody debris for habitat outflow 25’

riparian restoration riparian forest 65’

regraded bank to 16% bike path + field 20’

Millrace Outflow - after 0’

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Millrace (After) Over a period of months Paula and other interested students learned hands-on how to stabilize the steep banks using brushlayering techniques. They learned how to plant willow and dogwood twigs between the layers.

They watched as big machines lowered rootwads and woody debris into the millrace to promote fish and aquatic habitat.

Then UO obtained a huge repurposed bridge from ODOT that was lowered in by a crane. It spanned the whole width of the Millrace Outflow. Now Paula sees professors taking students along the bridge and educating them about the riparian forest and how it supports native plant communities and wildlife habitats.

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Flood Levels

at the millrace outow

Ordinary Low Water Mark

2 Year Flood

5 Year Flood

404

411.7

412.7

10 Year Flood

414.6

20 Year Flood

415.3

Flood Levels Paula often stops on the bridge to notice the flood levels, especially during the rainy seasons. And she remembered her professor saying that even if the UO stops pumping the water for the Millrace, the new restoration project is resilient and will continue to thrive as a riparian habitat,

thanks to the fluctuating flood levels of the Willamette River.

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vernal pools

jeff

UO instructor

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Jeff Jeff is an instructor at the UO. He takes his students out into the field whenever possible, as he knows the value of hands on learning, and how students can really gain an appreciate of the outdoors if they are involved‌

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jeff

UO instructor

section b-b

nested seating

wet meadow 18’

fill from bank restoration used to create mounds

intentionally placed wood for habitat

vernal pools excavated to retain water longer

seating

path

wet meadow + mound

vernal pools

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12’

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48’

wet meadow + mound 35’

vernal pool

wet meadow

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Wet Meadow Mounds + Vernal Pools 0’

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Vernal pools The vernal pools, or seasonal pools have been on the site for ages. Thanks to the new design with the path and trail system, Jeff and his students can get close in to see how the natural processes work. He points out that the 2’-4’ mounds in the wet meadow were created from the excavated fill when the millrace outflow banks were set back. Now, the strategically placed mounds direct their

rainwater run off directly into the vernal pools. This helps the vernal pools exist slightly longer into the season. This meadow is now a hub for microhabitats and restores homes to many delicate plants and wildlife. Jeff sees the value in bringing awareness to these often-misunderstood fragile ecosystems, and the students are always shocked to earn they are not just puddles.

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engineered log jam backwater slough

jeff

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UO instructor

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Engineered Log Jam Students in Jeff’s studio class worked with the Army Core of Engineers and assist in designing a salmon habitat area along the backwater slough.

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jeff

UO instructor

section c-c

native meadow plantings

regraded bank to 13%

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10’

constructed ELJ for habitat

path

riparian forest

engineered log jam

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Engineered Log Jam at the Riverfront

0’

riparian restoration

meadow’s edge

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Juvenile salmon have been seen here in the past, so a constructed engineered log jam was designed and placed at the entrance of the slough.

river

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jeff

UO instructor

engineered log jam, backwater slough

Jeff educated his students saying that log jam mimics what would naturally occur during a flood when woody debris accumulates. It slows water down, deposits sediment and provides multiple types of habitat for aquatic life. Later, with Jeff’s guidance, students were involved with the restoration on and around the log jam to creating plant communities and habitats for fish and wildlife.

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ADA accessible trail

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nest

will + betsy

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retired seniors

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Will & Betsy Betsy and Will are a retired couple who live in the South Eugene Hills. Since retiring Betsy has taken up painting and the couple enjoys taking visits to the Livingroom so Betsy can paint the river life. They are grateful for the ADA accessible paths everywhere, especially since Betsy

is recovering from hip surgery. Walking on the trail is easy for her, and the couple appreciates that the LivingRoom was designed to provide a place that is accessible to everyone.

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will + betsy retired seniors

section d-d

gathering space for 40 people

meadow

merging paths

the nest

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regraded bank to 10%

riparian restoration

touch the water

riparian forest

path

river bank

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The Nest at the Riverfront 0’

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Nest Many a time Betsy will set her painting easel up at one of the perches or at the nest to really feel like she in the setting. But the nest is her favourite spot. She loves to sit back into the seats and watch the river rush by and listen to the birds sing sweetly. Sometimes a group of students will come down from the university and gather in the nest

for a lecture. Betsy listens to the talks on all sorts of topics, from prairie restoration to riverine ecology.

Students will often chat with her about her paintings and sometimes even sketch with her. Betsy finds it a fun way to engage with the landscape and with her community.

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ecological burns

will + betsy retired seniors

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Controlled Ecological Burn Will retired from the Oregon Department of Forestry where his main job was to oversee controlled ecological burns.

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wet meadow

When Will and his team were asked to participate in conducting burns on the UO property for educating students a few years back – he jumped at the chance.

Even though Will is retired now, he still enjoys giving talks to students and the public about the benefits of prescribed burns that were once essential to the Kalapuya tribes who used to live in this area. Will explains how it clears out old

growth, restores nutrients to the soil, and combats invasive weeds. He also mentions that the burns provide a greater abundance and diversity of native plants and improves habitat for native wildlife species.

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ecological burn

Usually a burn is done in September in an area on the wet meadow to prepare the ground for spring growth. Will’s team of fire fighters, prep the area before and are on site to ensure the burn is contained and thoroughly extinguished.

It is a great opportunity for them to also have a place to practice their skills at controlling grass fires. Every burn, the dates are announced to the UO students and faculty.

Not only does it alert everyone that there will be a burn happening, but it also draws many classes down to the Livingroom to learn about the benefits of the ecological burns.

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healthy wet meadow

The end result of a controlled burn is a healthier ecosystem for plants and wildlife.

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site design millrace outow backwater slough

pollinator knoll water map

engineered log jam

ADA path + trail

perch perch

bike path

nest

perch

observation bridge

mounds + vernal pools pavilion

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Final LivingRoom Design The design with all of its amenities + highlights

identiďŹ ed manufactured gas plant contaminants (west of dashed line)

UO property boundary

millrace

You might remember this guy, but he is a little different now…

The Guy (after) I watched a young man and his friend pass through this space. Clad in dirty shorts and t-shirts from working at the Urban Farm all morning. They walked lightly as they stepped over logs and rocks, avoiding the plants as they went. The young man pointed out carex obnupta (slough sedge), grabbed a few blades, passed them to his friend with an overgrown beard, and hinted that the blades were so sharp that some first nations men used to use them for shaving.

Then the young man walked mindfully out onto the rocks.

He read the signboard near the nest that mentioned the rocks were composed of sandstone, which was part of the Eugene Formation. He also knew sandstone was slippery when wet, so he walked with caution.

He came to an abrupt stop as he stared into the river for a few moments. He quietly motioned to his friend to come closer as he pointed at a small fish in the water. Proudly, he told his friend that he took a field trip down here last week and learned about Juvenile Chinook Salmon. He then described how Chinook used this backwater slough to take refuge in from the strong currents of the river. His friend pointed out some woody debris off to the side, and mentioned that the fish probably used it to hide in.

He continued to walk over to the island, and placed down his backpack. He noticed some empty beer cans and some trash and proceeded to pick them up and place them in a plastic bag in his backpack to recycle later.

He looked out to the river and he picked up a handful of rocks, feeling for just the right ones. His geology class had had an outdoor lab here last quarter and he learned

that many of the dark colored rocks are made of basalt, probably from a basalt intrusion along the river.

The basalt was much heavier than the sandstone and therefor better for skipping. But of course, he didn’t tell his friend that, he wanted to get the most skips.

As he turned his head, his eyes met two mallard ducks, nesting down peacefully on the ledge of the sandstone.

He leaned over to his friend and told him that when he took a field tip here last year for his marine bird and mammals class, the professor told them that Mallards are strong fliers, and can travel up to 55 miles an hour, when migrating. That’s faster than driving his mum’s Prius C to Portland in traffic, he mentioned to his friend.

He leaned back, cranked his arm and lunged forward hurling the flat smooth rock out towards the river.

1,2,3,….11 skips – beat that! The ducks sat there quietly watching the action. His friend passed him his water bottle they had refilled at the Urban Farm, and commented that he throws like his little sister. The young man thought about this and smiled. His sister was the pitcher for the woman’s softball team at the UO and her throw was better than any guys that he knew.

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Photo Credits: gianteagle.com, ďŹ sherynation.com,VK.com, mosstrotter.com

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“We have lived our lives by the assumption that what was good for us would be good for the world. We have been wrong. We must change our lives so that it will be possible to live by the contrary assumption, that what is good for the world will be good for us. And that requires that we make the effort to know the world and learn what is good for it.�

- Wendell Berry, The Long-Legged House

Quote The last part of the paragraph ...We must change our lives so that it will be possible to live by the contrary assumption, that what is good for the world will be good for us. And that requires that we make the effort to know the world and lean what is good for it.

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final poster

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Acknowledgments Family

Ella Sophia Shepard you are my greatest little helper and one of the biggest reasons I made it though the LA program

Cohort

everyone of you!

UO Faculty All the LA Faculty Peg Boulay (Environmental Studies - ELP) Scott Bridgham (Professor of BI & ENVS) Alan Dickman (Research Assoc. Professor of Biology) Arica Duhrkoop-Galas (Adjunct LA) Chris Enright (Adjunct LA) Daniel Gavin (Assoc. Professor of Geology) Anne Godfrey (Instructor LA) David Hulse (Professor LA) Bart Johnson (Associate Professor LA) Harper Keeler (Urban Farm) Ron Lovinger (Professor LA) Whitey Lueck (Adjunct LA) Andrew Marcus (Assoc. Dean of Social Sciences) Patricia McDowell (Professor of Geography) Rob Ribe (Professor LA) Josh Roering (Professor of Geological Sciences) Bitty Roy (Professor of Biology) Nathan Tublitz (Professor of Biology) Peter Wetherwax (Research Assistant Professor of Biology)

UO Employees Andrew Blake (UO Info Graphics Lab) Emily Eng (UO Planning) Karol Godffedson (former UO President’s wife) Eric Grape (UO Cartographer) Jeff Madsen (Cap Con Energy Systems Manager at UO) Chris Ramey (AIA UO Architect) Fred Tepher (UO Planning Associate) Christina Thompson (UO Planning)

Experts in the Field Benny Dean (USACE) Susie Holmes (LCC) Laurie Holts (City - Delta Ponds) Jeff Krueger (Jeff Krueger Environments) Nan Laurence (City - Senior Planner) Master Gardeners (OSU) Michael Mattick (Water Master, District 2) Lorri Nelson (Rowell Brokaw) Jeannine Parisi (EWEB) Stuart Ramsing (City of Eugene - Division Manager) Linda Renslow (OSU) Philip Richardson (City of Eugene POS) Mike Shippey (ODOT) Sarah Whitney (LTWC) Jeff Zeller (ODFW)

conclusion

the riverfront livingroom:

where a duck can naturally be a duck