Parts of Trainsong Park Reopened After Temporary Closure

Trainsong Park in Eugene, Oregon was temporarily closed last month after unexpected levels of dioxins were found in its soil. For neighborhood residents who often enjoyed the green space, this was an upsetting and worrying discovery. Dioxins are a group of toxic chemical compounds that take a long time to break down once in the environment. However, sports enthusiasts in Eugene will be pleased to know that the skate park, basketball court and other paved areas of the park reopened on the 3rd of February. However, grassy areas and those with exposed soil will remain fenced off until further testing is conducted.

Regular Trainsong Park visitors may be tempted to explore the wide range of alternative open spaces Eugene has to offer. Although most of the park is still not open, Eugene residents and visitors have many other parks and open spaces to choose from should they need a break from city life. In fact, Eugene is one of the most picturesque cities in Oregon thanks to its abundance of outdoor attractions. Eugene is frequently rated one of the best places to live in the United States, which is often attributed to the easy access it provides to beautiful green spaces.

Parks In Eugene, Florida

Hendricks Park is Eugene’s oldest city park and is still well loved by locals and visitors alike. It sprawls across 80 acres of winding trails bursting with native plants. Its rhododendron garden is world-renowned, with its blooms beginning in early May and lasting throughout spring and summer. Another long-established, large park is Skinner’s Butte Park, located between the Fifth Street Public Market and the Whitaker District. This 100-acre park features year-round hiking trails, beautiful views of the city, and even rock-climbing areas.

Bird enthusiasts will love Delta Ponds, a protected conglomeration of ponds, channels, and wetlands along the Willamette River. It is home to over 100 species of birds and is a sanctuary for the nearly endangered Western Pond Turtle. For those more interested in a family-friendly, neighborhood feel similar to Trainsong Park, Oakmont Park may be your best alternative. This park is the perfect place to play ball with the kids or have a casual family picnic. It is located in the Willakenzie neighborhood right across from the Oakway Center.

Park Design And Landscaping

When planning a commercial or private green space, well thought out design landscaping is essential. Good landscaping allows open spaces to offer maximum enjoyment for visitors and provide a wide array of other benefits. Landscaped environments can provide protection from heat, protect biodiversity, and even reduce pollution. When planning the landscaping for a public park or private garden, it is key to keep the goals of the space in mind. A space that takes the protection of indigenous flora and fauna as a primary goal will be landscaped very differently to a space designed primarily for recreational activities.

The parks in Eugene, Oregon can attest to the importance of landscaping and park design. Delta Ponds is centered around the protection of flora and fauna such as birds and turtles but is also designed in a visitor-friendly way to foster interest in and respect for nature. Oakmont Park, on the other hand, is designed to be a community-oriented park that can serve as a recreational and social space for families. Hendricks Park and Skinner’s Butte Park merge both of these goals through providing wilder spaces where native plants can flourish, and more structured recreational areas.