Sure, it may be cold and wet outside now but the blissful days of spring and summer will be here before you know it! Â Next time we have a warm sunny day in the weather forecast, we recommend getting outdoors! Â These five local parks are an ideal spot to soak up some Vitamin D and enjoy some much needed downtime.
#1 Hendricks Park
With 80 acres of stunning gardens and incredible views, Hendricks Park is a must for any nature lover. It’s the oldest park in Eugene and it’s never quite as noticeable (or incredible) as when you’re walking beneath the branches of 200-year old fir trees. Â If you want a real treat make sure to visit in the spring when the flowers are in bloom.
In short, this park is ideal for anyone with an interest in hiking, bird watching, picnicking, or simply looking to relax in nature.
#2 Alton Baker Park
When we say Alton Baker is Eugene’s largest developed park, we mean it. At a whopping 373 acres there’s no shortage of space and facilities to take advantage of. Walking your dog, fishing, BMX, exercise stations, and disc golf are just a few of the options available to you at Alton Baker Park.
#3 Skinner’s Butte Park
If someone were asked to describe Skinner’s Butte in two words, they’d be “Rock Climbing.” The Columns of Skinner’s Butte offer a 50′ high rock wall that climbers can scale.
But don’t be fooled in thinking that’s all Skinner’s Butte has to offer. It’s also a pretty fantastic spot for a picnic or to ride your bike. You can even go ahead and grow your own vegetables in the community garden!
#4 Owen Rose Garden
Though the smallest park on the list at 8.5 acres, the Owen Rose Garden is no less spectacular. Named after George E. Owen who donated the parcels of land, the park has grown from an initial 750 roses to over 400 varieties displayed across 4,500 roses.
Though you can enjoy the sights of the park at your leisure, there is also the possibility of volunteering to lend a hand. The Owen Rose Garden organizes year-round Thursday work sessions where you can help manage these beautiful parks and get on some hands on experience in pruning, planting, and general rose care.
#5 Amazon Park
Though it might be easier to list the things you can’t do at Amazon Park, we’ll try to cover just a few of the activities available in the 99-acre park. There’s tennis courts, soccer fields, a skate-park, baseball diamonds, ball fields, a community garden, picnic tables, recreation centers, bike paths, a dog park, and exercise stations.
Perhaps most important of all, however, is the fact it contains Eugene’s only outdoor pool in its recreation facilities. When Summer comes around you’ll want to keep Amazon Park in mind.
