Alton Baker Park, Eugene, OR Recreation + nature + education History:
• Similar length to the SE corridor • Eugene has very similar population size to Santa Rosa (154,620 in 2008) • With the exception of University Students, not near major population density centers • Combines developed with natural park elements • Major educational uses • Bicycle and pedestrian trails part of broader trail/greenway network • A major recreational water feature, the canoe canal, is manmade • Despite the fact that Eugene is a major bike and pedestrian city, the ample parking lots are still heavily used, and seem to be a prerequisite of park success
Differences
• The park is relatively close to downtwon • Alton Baker park is much wider than the SE corridor, leaving much more space for different features.
Eugene’s largest developed city park (~1/3 of area) • West Alton Baker Park Development Plan (2004)
Whilamut Natural Area (~2/3 of area) • East Alton-Baker Park Plan (1996) • Whilamut Natural Area Restoration & Management Plan (2005)
Educational Features
Nearby Nature (nonprofit)
Nature walks and education for kids and many natureoriented events, workshops, & camps throughout year
Network Charter School
Part of handson style charter school. Math and science taught in an onsite yurt.
The Science Factory
Children’s science museum
Big-box retail
Football stadium
East
Off-campus student housing
Alton
Baker
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Park
West Alton Baker Park
te 5 rsta
Relevance:
East Alton-Baker Park
Inte
• Alton Baker Park was created during the 1950s when Eugene decided it needed a large public park. • Eugene was fortunate to have major agricultural lands near the Willammette River, and so used these undeveloped lands • Part of the Whilamut Natural Area is built over an old gravel quarry and landfill • Designed by Howard Buford of Oregon State University
West Alton-Baker Park:
Downtown Eugene
Developed Features Bike/ped paths Peter DiFazio bike/ped bridge Cuthbert amphitheater
University of Oregon
Natural Features Community gardens Manmade Canoe Canal
Tree & butterfly gardens Parking lots
Riparian, meadow, and forested habitats 35 animal species 117 bird species 12 reptile species 9 amphibean species
8 17 45 6 217
fish species butterfly species tree and shrub species species of mushroom species of wildflowers, grasses, & ferns
Scale model of the solar system Speaking stones
commemorate and honor native Kalapuya cultural history in the park
Erin Machell CP243, College of Environmental Design, Berkeley, CA, Fall 2010
Precedent Analysis