for Recreation included closure of Sheldon Pool, elimination of Teen Court and other service cutbacks. As usual, swim team participants turned out in force before the City Council to advocate for the pool. This time the councilors also heard from seniors who said the pool provided them with much-needed social interaction. Supporters of other programs spoke out as well. It was apparent that, regardless of people’s opinions about the ballot measure, virtually no one wanted to see the endangered city services lost. In a reversal, the City Council majority turned against the measure before the election and urged the voters to reject it, which they did. The city pieced together funding from reserves and one-time sources to keep programs operating until more stable funding could be found
WJ Skatepark The space beneath the I-105 freeway had been saved for public use by Parks and Recreation staff in the ‘70s, but Washington Jefferson Park over time became an isolated site attracting illegal activities. Meanwhile, skateboard enthusiasts in Eugene were desirous of a first-class all-weather skate park and in 2004 submitted a petition with 1,700 signatures towards that goal. This idea had actually been on the city’s mind since the ‘90s, and in 2005 Parks and Open Space initiated a plan to turn part of the I-105 shadow into a skatepark. Over the following years about $2.5 million was put together from city funds, grants, and the efforts of citizens from Skaters for Eugene Skate parks. Representatives from Recreation served with the safety committee and design workshops. Working with lead landscape architect Emily Proudfoot and Parks city staff, Dreamland Skateparks built the new WJ Skatepark + Urban Plaza. Five public workshops were held to get design input. The result was the largest lighted and covered skate 134
Washington Jefferson Skate Park’s ribbon feature
facility in the country, with features inspired by classic skating lore. The surrounding sub-freeway area received an upgrade in amenities and aesthetics to make it an attractive site for special events. The first special event was the official grand opening in June of 2014. Skateboard instructors from the River House immediately scheduled lessons and competitions to begin there that summer. Colette Ramirez was involved throughout the process in her previous job with the Outdoor Program and current position as LRCS community events manager. She comments, “It’s great that it’s a revitalization of the park and activation of an underutilized area for legitimate users.” Or, as she also puts it, “It’s awesome!”
A Broader and Deeper View “We’re more than clipboards and whistles,” is one way section manager Sandy Shaffer summarizes Eugene Recreation’s development, both in its mission and in its perception by the larger community. In the early 2000s the Youth and Family Services staff adopted the Search Institute’s “40 Developmental Assets” approach in all community centers and programs. Research shows that providing youth with “external” assets and helping them develop “internal” assets correlates strongly with 135