i <br /> <br /> 05/16? a FRI 12:40 AX 541 682 4882 EUGENE PFP MNTNC & POS PW ADMIN [~Jddl <br /> allay 16, 2003 <br /> ONTACT: <br /> John Webe ,parks planner, City of Eugene, 6$2-4908 <br /> • Therese Pi do, public information specialist, Parks and Open Space, 682-4814 <br /> I. Jenica Tan enholz, event assistant, 682-4$00 <br /> FOR IMMEDI E RELEASE <br /> BOAT PARA~ PLANNED FOR GRAND OPENING OF NEW BOAT LAUNCH IN ALTON <br /> BAKER PAR <br /> Bring y ur non-motorized craft and plan on floating the Willamette River for the <br /> inaugural 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 wel me to participate. Participants are asked to have their craft in the water by 11 <br /> a.m. Admiral ike FischnaAer of the Rotary Duck Navy will lead the flotilla, and a shuttle service <br /> will be availa a from the Valley River Center parking lot. The boat launch is located off of Day <br /> Island Road, cross from the Cuthbert Amphitheater. <br /> The vi ion for a new boat launch in the park was first conceived in 1997 in the West <br /> Alton Baker ark plan, after an informal gravel launch was discontinued in the eastern section <br /> ~ of the park in 1996 and the local boating community lobbied for a replacement. The vision <br /> became a re City when voters approved a $25.3 million parks and open space bond measure in <br /> 1998. Const ction began last summer, and the launch opened for public use in late November <br /> aoo2. <br /> The ew facility features parking for 12 boat trailers, landscaping native to the riparian <br /> or river habi t, and safety features at the crossing between the bike path and the road, such as <br /> two post lig ts, stop signs for vehicular traffic, and caution signs for bicyclists and pedestrians <br /> on the bike ath. <br /> The edication coincides with the beginning of the fishing and boating season. City <br /> parks staff re hoping that the festivities-and the boat launch--encourage residents to take <br /> advantage f the many recreational opportunities the river has to offer. "We are very fortunate <br /> to have su a beautiful river flow through our community," says Parks Planner Jahn Weber. <br /> 'This acre s to the river is long overdue for our community, and we're hoping that it helps <br /> people get o know the river as a recreational asset." <br /> For more information about the boat parade, call 684-7747. For more information about <br /> vendor dis lays at the event, calf 682-4800. <br /> <br />