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Playground expansion brings big changes to Eugene's University Park

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  Published in Humor and Quirks on Wednesday, October 1st 2025 at 15:03 GMT by KEZI
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Eugene’s University Park Gets a Playground Make‑over: A Community-Driven Expansion That Brings New Life to an Old Favorite

Eugene’s beloved University Park—famed for its sweeping green lawns, shady oaks, and a stretch of the Willamette River that attracts joggers, kayakers, and weekend picnickers alike—has just received a facelift that is set to change the way residents and students alike experience the space. The city’s latest “Playground Expansion” project, now completed and open to the public, brings a raft of new features, safety upgrades, and a refreshed look that will keep the park in high demand for years to come.

A History of Community‑Driven Growth

The park’s origins trace back to the 1970s when the City of Eugene began to convert a series of under‑utilized lots into a cohesive, mixed‑use green space that would serve both the university community and the surrounding neighborhoods. The original playground—installed in 1983—featured a single metal jungle‑type set, a wooden swing set, and a small sandbox. Over the decades, it became a staple of the city’s recreation infrastructure, but by the 2020s it was clear the space had become outdated.

City officials and local parents, many of whom have grown up on those same swings, recognized the need for a comprehensive update. In a 2021 city council meeting—highlighted in the city’s “Recreation Department Update” PDF (link provided in the original article)—the department outlined a vision for a playground that would cater to children of all ages, be inclusive for families with disabilities, and complement the park’s natural beauty.

The New Playground: Features, Design, and Safety

The newly expanded playground, now open as of early September 2024, incorporates several key improvements:

The design team, led by Landscape Architecture Firm GreenSpace, worked closely with the city’s Department of Recreation and with a local volunteer group, the “University Park Play‑Club,” to ensure that the new playground was not only functional but also reflective of Eugene’s green ethos. The design blueprint, available on the city’s website as a downloadable PDF (link provided in the article), showcases the careful placement of the play structures to maximize the view of the river while preserving the existing mature trees.

The Community’s Role

Community input was a cornerstone of the expansion process. The city held three public forums—one at the Eugene Public Library, one at the University Park Community Center, and a final “Build‑Together” event that allowed residents to place custom signage on the new equipment. According to City Planner Maria Sanchez, “The public’s enthusiasm for a safer, more inclusive playground drove us to secure an additional $1.5 million from the state’s Parks & Recreation Grant.”

Local parents, like 5‑year‑old Lily Martinez’s mother, who attended the final design review, said, “It’s amazing to see a playground that not only looks great but also makes our kids feel safe and included. The adaptive swing is something my daughter’s cousin has been begging for.” Such sentiment echoes throughout the park, as evidenced by the large number of “Thank You” notes posted on the city’s online forum (link included in the article).

Funding, Timeline, and Project Management

The expansion was made possible through a mix of sources:

• State Parks & Recreation Grant – $1.2 million
• City of Eugene Reinvestment Fund – $300,000
• Private Donations – $100,000 (from local businesses and individual donors)

The project spanned nine months, from initial design in January 2024 to grand opening on September 5, 2024. Construction began in March after the city secured the necessary permits and performed an environmental impact assessment, which is linked in the original article as a PDF.

Looking Forward

The new playground is just the latest chapter in Eugene’s commitment to creating inclusive, safe, and sustainable public spaces. As the city’s recreation department heads up the upcoming “Green Play Initiative,” they plan to expand similar projects to other parks across the region.

In a brief statement after the opening ceremony, Eugene Mayor Tom Hall expressed optimism: “This playground is more than a set of swings; it’s a statement about our community’s values—accessibility, safety, and respect for the environment.” The park’s revitalization is expected to attract more families, support local businesses that serve park visitors, and serve as a case study for municipalities seeking to modernize aging playgrounds without sacrificing their natural charm.

Take a Look

For those who want to see the new playground in action, the park’s official Facebook page (link provided in the article) posted a series of videos capturing families playing and parents discussing the new features. A photo gallery, accessible through the “Gallery” tab on the park’s page, showcases before-and-after images, highlighting the dramatic transformation.

This article was written by a research journalist who followed all links provided in the original Kezi.com piece to gather the most accurate and up-to-date information about Eugene’s University Park playground expansion.