Willamette River Festival 2021
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The annual weeklong festival to connect people to the history, culture, ecology and recreation of the Willamette River runs from August 21-28, 2021.
Activities during the festival week include the PaddleCross Challenge – a self-guided paddle race where individuals can compete or participate for fun. Other activities include snorkeling, paddling, a species count, birding, interpretive walking and canoe tours, river safety, fly casting, Indigenous performances, adaptive recreation, music, art, and more!
Folks can get their hands dirty at a series of small volunteer group events, featuring an on-water river cleanup, riparian tree mulching and English ivy removal in the Whilamut Natural Area.
The Festival also highlights local Indigenous Peoples through art, music, and efforts to connect the community to the Kalapuya language through the Talking Stones exhibit.
Learn more at willametteriverfest.org
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Downtown Riverfront Park Update
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Due to ongoing construction delays, the Downtown Riverfront Park will take a little bit longer to complete.
We had hoped to open this month. Unfortunately, we are seeing the results of nationwide supply chain issues, labor shortages and other residual effects of the COVID-19 pandemic play out on a local level. These delays, coupled with new OSHA rules to protect the safety of staff and contractors working in the heat, mean that we need to push out the opening of the park to late fall.
This is a landmark project for the City of Eugene and with it come high expectations of quality and finish. We want to make sure we are exceeding those expectations when we officially open this park. We look forward to welcoming park visitors and delivering a safe and first-class experience as soon as we can.
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Thursday, August 26, 4:00 — 7:00 p.m.
Owen Rose Garden
Are you ready to bask in the delicious smell of roses? What about sizzling, fiery, smoky barbecue? If your senses are tingling, then come help us dead-head roses and eat delicious food!
All volunteers will receive $5 when they spend $5 towards the purchase of a meal at Vinnie’s BBQ. Please bring pruners and gloves if you have them.
Please RSVP for this event by emailing Danielle Klinkebiel, Parks Volunteer Coordinator, or call 541-510-9318.
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Path etiquette campaign kicks-off
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Eugene’s popular shared use paths have experienced an increase in activity and the range of bikes and wheeled devices since the beginning of the pandemic.
To ensure that all shared use path users behave courteously and safely on paths, the City launched a path etiquette campaign this summer.
The campaign aims to promote courtesy and safety among all path users and includes community outreach, education, media and temporary signage throughout July, August and September.
The key messages of the path etiquette campaign are:
- Paths are for everyone (all modes)
- Travel a safe speed—20 MPH speed limit on paths, slower as needed
- Stay in your lane—stay right, pass left, don’t take more than your half
- Give warning when passing—call "passing on your left” or ring bell
- Dogs on a short leash
For more information about the path etiquette campaign, contact Shane Rhodes, City of Eugene Transportation.
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With temperatures soaring, community members are encouraged to stay hydrated.
Human heatstroke symptoms can include: high body temperature, a fast, strong pulse, headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion, and loss of consciousness. If you notice someone experiencing these symptoms, call 911 right away – heatstroke is a medical emergency.
All water fountains and splash pads in Eugene parks are on. Splash pads are available at:
- Fairmount Park (E. 15th Ave. and Fairmount Blvd.)
- Oakmont Park (2295 Oakmont Way)
- Skinner Butte Park (248 Cheshire Ave.)
- Washington Park (2025 Washington St.)
Pools
Amazon Pool is open every day for drop-in lap swims, Rec swims and parent/child swims. A complete schedule is available on the Amazon Pool webpage. Echo Hollow Pool also has drop-in lap swims and Rec swims every day, but is closed Sunday. A complete schedule is available on the Echo Hollow Pool webpage.
Water Safety
With a great number of people seeking relief at one of Lane County's many waterways, our Lane County first responders would like to urge community members to use extreme caution when recreating.
Use a life jacket and beware that many bodies of water remain cold despite the hot temperatures. If boating or swimming also beware of submerged hazards.
Pet Safety
It is extremely important to remember these safety tips to keep your furry family members safe:
- Leave pets at home when running errands. Leaving your animal in a parked car, even for just a few minutes, can easily cause heat stroke or brain damage. On an 85-degree day, a car's interior temperature can climb to 104 degrees in 10 minutes, even with the windows slightly open.
- Dogs should not ride in uncovered pickup truck beds. The hot metal truck bed can burn your pet’s paw pads.
- Keep pets inside during the heat of the day; do not leave them outside unattended.
- Make sure pets have access to water bowls full of cool, fresh water.
- When pets are outside, be sure to provide shaded areas for them to rest in.
- Limit or skip on exercise and time at the dog park during the heat of the day.
- Always test the pavement or sand with your hand before setting out (too hot to touch is too hot for your pet), walk early in the morning or late at night when it’s cooler, carry water and take frequent breaks in shady spots.
Animal heatstroke symptoms can include: restlessness, excessive thirst, heavy panting, lethargy, lack of appetite, dark tongue, vomiting, and lack of coordination. If your animal is overcome by heat exhaustion, consult your veterinarian right away.
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