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Willamette River Open Space Vision
Vision Endorsements
As a demonstration of broad community support, the following groups have provided an endorsement of the Willamette River Open Space Vision:
- League of Women Voters of Lane County
- Lane County Audubon Society
- Greater Eugene Area Riders (GEARs)
- Willamette Kayak and Canoe Club
- Eugene Planning Commission (May 10, 2010)
- Friends of Buford Park & Mount Pisgah
- Eugene Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee
- Native Plant Society of Oregon, Emerald Chapter
- Willamalane Park and Recreation District Board
- American Society of Landscape Architects - Oregon Chapter
- Eugene City Council (July 12, 2010)
- Springfield Planning Commission (September 21, 2010)
- Springfield City Council (October 4, 2010)
- Lane County Parks Advisory Committee (October 11, 2010)
Endorsement Letters
Draft Vision Document and Map
Willamette River Open Space Vision and Action Plan (document with map)
Willamette River Open Space Vision Map (high resolution map)
The Vision
Our community has long treasured the Willamette River for the natural, recreational, and visual qualities it provides. The river gives us a sense of place and contributes greatly to the quality of life for all who call the Eugene-Springfield area home. The open space that lines the river provides a welcome break from the urban environment, accommodates recreational amenities of all types, and provides exceptional wildlife habitat. The river corridor also functions as a lineal connector between many of our region’s major parks and natural areas for wildlife and humans alike. The goal of for this planning effort is to create an inspiring vision for the Willamette River corridor that will help lead the way for coordinated efforts to further improve this outstanding open space resource in the coming years and decades.
Purpose
Over the past decade, numerous planning efforts have studied and made recommendations on the Willamette River at various scales ranging from the entire Willamette Valley to specific sites along the river. However, a comprehensive open space vision or plan has never been compiled specifically for the Willamette River in and around our metropolitan region. In 2003, the Rivers to Ridges Metropolitan Regional Parks and Open Space Vision was endorsed by local elected officials and identified the Willamette River as a key element of the region's open space network from a habitat, recreational, visual, and cultural perspective. In addition, the Willamette River corridor was recognized for its importance for linking several of the region's most significant park and open space features such as Buford Recreation Area, Island Park, Alton Baker Park, Skinner Butte Park, Delta Ponds, and Green Island.
Building upon the Rivers to Ridges vision and other Willamette River related planning efforts, the partnership embarked on developing an inspirational vision for the river beginning in June 2009. The process included outreach to the general public, key property owners, numerous interest groups, and local elected officials. All were asked to think long-term (30 years) and asked to describe their ideal vision for the river over that period of time. This input was critical for shaping the vision and for building strong community support. A detailed list of recommended actions and strategies were then developed to support implementation of the vision.
Partners
Partners contributing to this open space planning effort include:
- Lane Council of Governments
- McKenzie Watershed Council
- The Nature Conservancy
- City of Eugene
- McKenzie River Trust
- City of Springfield
- Willamalane Park & Recreation District
- Lane County Parks
- Eugene Water & Electric Board
- Willamette Riverkeeper
- Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife
- Metropolitan Wastewater Management Commission
- Oregon Parks and Recreation Department
- Long Tom Watershed Council
- Coast Fork Willamette Watershed Council
- Middle Fork Willamette Watershed Council
Key Implementation Guidelines
The Willamette River Vision and Action Plan will be implemented through voluntary participation of study partners and private property owners. Guidelines for implementation include:
- Reliance on a partnership of local, county, state, and federal agencies, land trusts, watershed councils, and private property owners to implement the vision.
- Use of a non-regulatory approach to achieve the Willamette River open space vision.
- Reliance on voluntary participation of private property owners. Information, technical assistance, and incentives will be provided to help private property owners implement the vision.
- Coordination of the open space vision and its implementation with ongoing planning efforts in the area.
Thank You for Your Input!
Input and ideas generated by the public, a variety of interest groups, and property owners were extremely valuable in developing an open space vision for the Willamette River corridor that is both exciting and that reflects the common interests of the community. The first of two public events was held on June 9, 2009 and was well attended. The workshop was kicked-off with an overview presentation followed by topic specific small group discussion. On March 15, 2010, a public open house was held and participants reviewed and provided input on the draft vision map and report.
Thanks to all who filled out the Willamette River Open Space Survey! We collected almost 500 responses between June 1 and August 31, 2009. These responses, along with the comments submitted during the public workshop and open house, have been recorded in the draft Willamette River Open Space Public Input Summary (April 2010) and were be used to help shape the vision.
Resource Maps
Public and Land Trust Ownership Map
Historic Vegetation Patterns
Surface Hydrology Map
Recreational Resources Map
Presentation
Eugene City Council Presentation (June 12, 2010)
Springfield Planning Commission Presentation (September 21, 2010)
Contact
For more information on this effort, please contact Jeff Krueger, Senior Landscape Architect, Lane Council of Governments.
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