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EUGENE/ <br /> May 16, 2003 <br /> CONTACT: <br /> • John Weber, parks planner, City of Eugene, 682-4908 <br /> • Therese Picado, public information specialist, Parks and Open Space, 682-4814 <br /> • Gabe O'Campo, boat parade organizer, 684-7747 <br /> • Jenica Tannenholz, vendor display organizer, 682-4800 <br /> FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE <br /> BOAT PARADE PLANNED FOR GRAND OPENING OF NEW BOAT LAUNCH IN ALTON <br /> BAKER PARK <br /> Bring your non-motorized craft and plan on floating the Willamette River for the inaugural <br /> boat parade to dedicate the new Alton Baker Park boat launch Saturday, May 31. The <br /> dedication will begin at 11 a.m., followed by the boat parade at 11:30 a.m. All non-motorized <br /> craft are welcome to participate. Participants are asked to have their craft in the water by 11 <br /> a.m. Admiral Mike Fischnaller of the Rotary Duck Navy will lead the flotilla, and a shuttle service <br /> will be available from the Valley River Center parking lot. The boat launch is located off of Day <br /> Island Road, across from the Cuthbert Amphitheater. <br /> The vision for a new boat launch in the park was first conceived in 1997 in the West <br /> Alton Baker Park plan, after an informal gravel launch was discontinued in the eastern section of <br /> the park in 1996 and the local boating community lobbied for a replacement. The vision became <br /> a reality when voters approved a $25.3 million parks and open space bond measure in 1998. <br /> Construction began last summer, and the launch opened for public use in late November 2002. <br /> The new facility features parking for 12 boat trailers, landscaping native to the riparian or <br /> river habitat, and safety features at the crossing between the bike path and the road, such as <br /> two post lights, stop signs for vehicular traffic, and caution signs for bicyclists and pedestrians <br /> on the bike path. <br /> The dedication coincides with the beginning of the fishing and boating season. City <br /> parks staff are hoping that the festivities—and the boat launch—encourage residents to take <br /> advantage of the many recreational opportunities the river has to offer. "We are very fortunate to <br /> have such a beautiful river flow through our community," says Parks Planner John Weber. "This <br /> access to the river is long overdue for our community, and we're hoping that it helps people get <br /> to know the river as a recreational asset." <br /> For more information about the boat parade, call 684-7747. For more information about <br /> vendor displays at the event, call 682-4800. <br /> ## # <br />