New Search
A chronology of the major improvements within the park includes: <br /> 1954 Amazon Softball fields built <br /> 1956 Century Field (baseball) built <br /> 1958 Creek channeled <br /> 1959 Swimming Pool opened <br /> 1960 Playground and picnic area constructed <br /> 1962 Tennis courts constructed (on 4-J property) <br /> 1964 Amazon Parkway extended to 30th and Hilyard Street <br /> 1973 Amazon Community Center opened, surrounding area landscaped <br /> 1973 Bike path installed from 24th to 29th Avenue <br /> 1975 Jogging path installed <br /> 1983 Hilyard Street and Parkway south of 29th widened. 29th <br /> Avenue through the park was removed to mitigate widening, <br /> in park areas. <br /> 1985 Lane Transit District transfer station opened <br /> 1989 Hilyard Center opened <br /> 1989 Sports field adjacent to Roosevelt School constructed. <br /> 1991 Skateboard bowl opened <br /> Topography: The park is approximately flat. Some grading of <br /> open areas was done to facilitate drainage at the time the <br /> channel was engineered, and during the construction of the Amazon <br /> Parkway. New material was added when. streets were constructed in <br /> the immediate vicinity, and during park and recreation facility <br /> construction. Such areas exhibit pronounced mounding. Some <br /> undisturbed areas within the ash groves allow ponding of water <br /> during the wet season. <br /> Amazon Creek drains the south part of Eugene. The area south of <br /> 29th Avenue that drains to the creek totals about 5.4 square <br /> miles. The bulk of the park which is the focus of the current <br /> development plan is centrally located to the south part of Eugene <br /> as defined by the surrounding hills. It is part of a drainage <br /> system and riparian corridor that stretches another 12 miles <br /> northwesterly to Fern Ridge Reservoir. <br /> Animal Life: Urbanization and channel modifications have <br /> undoubtedly impacted some species within the area. This can be <br /> mitigated if-conditions are restored. As the creek channel was <br /> modified during maintenance operations, water fowl returned to <br /> the creek. The growth cif riparian vegetation has improved the <br /> habitat for various animals. <br /> Views and vistas: People value certain views and vistas found in <br /> the park, including Spencer and Skinner Buttes, the surrounding <br /> south hills, the Amazon Creek and natural areas free of <br /> urbanization. The size of the park and the ability to perceive <br /> great distances and spaces within it is important for some <br /> <br /> people. Possibilities exist for enhancing views and vistas by <br /> <br /> mounding. <br /> 2 <br /> <br />