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<br /> 10/20/05 THU 11:56 FAX 541 682 4882 EtiGENE PV9 MNTNC & POS PW ADMIN f~001 <br /> E U G E N E <br /> Parks and <br /> open spice N E~~/S RELEASE <br /> www.ci.eugene.or.us/parics <br /> October 20, 2005 <br /> CONTACT: <br /> ¦ Carrie Peterson, City of Eugene Parks and Open Space Division Development Coordinator, 682-4907 <br /> ¦ Kelly Darnell, City of Eugene Parks and Open Space Division Marketing & Outreach Specialist, 682-4814 <br /> FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE <br /> Over 100 Community Members to Participate in Take Pride in America Event by Putting Finishing <br /> Touches on New RiverPlay Playground <br /> On Saturday, October 22~d from 9- I I arn, over 100 Rotary members and community volunteers will be <br /> joining farces with the City of Eugene's Parks and Open Space Division to participate in a Take Pride in America <br /> event. Volunteers will spend the day constructing and installing all of the remaining benches, picnic tables, bike racks, <br /> and swing sets; as well as planting over 1,000 varieties of local trees and shrubs, at the new RiverPlay Discovery <br /> Village Playground at Skinner Butte Park. Comprising one acre, Discovery Village will be the largest, most unique <br /> playground in the region. The design of the playground tapped into the dreams of children, while at the same time <br /> incorporated innovative educational and accessibility components to allow children of all abilities to play together. <br /> Special features include ramps and bridges to access the 25 foot replica of Skinner Butte; elevated sand and water <br /> features of the Little Willamette which allow easy access for children in a wheelchair; fossils waiting to be discovered <br /> at the ancient history sand dig; and a "Rain Circle" water feature at Kalapuya village where children can learn more <br /> about Eugene's native habitants. <br /> Initial funding far this project came from a 1498 Parks and Open Space bond measure. Additional <br /> contributors to the project include over $ 130,00 from the Eugene Rotary Club, $ (50,000 from Meyer Memorial <br /> Trust, $30,000 from the Oregon Community Foundation, and $25,000 from the Eugene/Springfield New Car Dealers <br /> Association. In addition, community members have purchased over 500 bricks at $100 a piece as parC of the "One <br /> Brick at a Time" campaign. The playground was designed to be completed in phases, each adding a new element from <br /> the overall design. Due to the tremendous success of the initial fundraising campaign, Parks & Open Space has <br /> launched a "Home Run Campaign" with the hopes of selling 500 more bricks in order to construct the final features <br /> from the initial design, These include the little Willamette, the Ancient History Sand Dig, and the Kalapuya Village. <br /> The entire playground will open Spring/Summer 06. <br /> The City of Eugene has been designated a Take pride in America partner city. Take Pride in America is a <br /> national partnership established by the U.S. Department of the Interior that aims to engage, support and recognize <br /> volunteers who work to improve our public parks, foresu, grasslands, wildlife refuges, cultural and historical sites, <br /> local playgrounds and other recreation areas. <br /> . <br /> ~~;fG~ <br /> o <br /> 'QaveneuR• <br /> <br />