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Page 14 ACCESSIBLE AND THRIVING CULTURE AND RECREATION A community that recognizes that the arts and outdoors are integral to the social and economic well-being o f the community and should be available to all RiverPlay Opening Highlights Parks I00th Anniversary The July opening of Eugene's largest and most unique playground was a highlight in a year filled with park accomplishments. RiverPlay Discovery Village in Skinner Butte Park offers children opportunities to scale a replica of Skinner Butte, uncover fossils, play along a miniature Willamette River and imagine the past in Kalpuya and pioneer villages. A 1998 Parks and Open Space bond measure provided seed money. The Eugene Rotary Club played a key role in the project. Additional partners included local businesses, granting organizations and community members. Other highlights of " 100 Years of Parks" included a party at Hendrick's Park and grand openings of four new or revitalized neighborhood parks: Monroe Park, Marche Chase Park, Arrowhead Park, and Acorn Park. Arts Soar Outdoors at Cuthbert Cultural Services forged a concessionaire contract with a team of professional entertainment promoters to schedule and manage the Cuthbert Amphitheater. The number of events and attendance doubled over the preceding three years and in a partnership with the University of Oregon, the season opened with the Willamette Valley Folk Festival. Service Outreach Expands In collaboration with community agencies, the Eugene Public Library extended its outreach by initiating a program that allows homeless persons to obtain library cards. Through the Afterschool and Community Education (ACE) partnership with Eugene School District 4J, Recreation Services began offering after-school programs aimed to help close the "achievement gap" at three economically disadvantaged middle schools. Programs Exceed Delivery Records The Eugene Public Library handled a record 2.5 million check-outs in 2006 and its Summer Reading programs hit new attendance highs with 4,300 youth and 900 adult participants. The free playground program, Fun For All, recorded more than 18,400 children and youth attendees at I I sites last summer, with more than 16,800 meals served by FOOD For Lane County. Ciry of Eugene • Highlights of 2006 ACCESSIBLE AND THRIVING CULTURE AND RECREATION A community that recognizes that the arts and outdoors are integral to the social and economic well-being o f the community and should be available to all Library Is Oregon's Most Advanced = Three technology upgrades implemented this year make Eugene's library the only one in the state, and among just a few in the nation, to ~ ~'~ - offer patrons the top five technological innovations in library service ;f~ today. Digital audio books, an integrated Internet/print management t' system, and wireless Internet access in all facilities were added this ,~ '- year. Automated materials handling for check-in and radio frequency identification tags for self check-out have been in place since the new Downtown Library opened. ~ ~'~ .~-,-- ~ s ~~ Technology Improves Customer Service Recreation patrons can now register for programs 24/7 by using the online "RecEnroll" system installed this year. The Hult Center's new ticketing service allows patrons to buy and print tickets online or purchase tickets at a self-serve kiosk. Also this year, the Hult's Assisted Listening System, previously available only in the performance halls, was expanded to include the lobby area. Wireless Internet connection is now available in backstage areas as well as in the lobby. G,~n~„q~ 2006 CITY EMPLOYEE AWARDS AND RECOGNITION Public Works Director Kurt Corey is named one of the top I 0 public works leaders of the year by the American Public Works Association. Adaptive Recreation Programmer Molly Elliott receives a Meritorious Service Award and Adaptive Recreation Services receives a citation from the National Therapeutic Recreation Society. Recreation Manager Sandy Shaffer receives the Fitness Leader Award from the Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. Stuart Ramsing is named Building Official of the Year by the Oregon Building Officials Association. Eugene Police Detective Bob Holland is named Oregon 2006 Arson Investigator of the Year by the Oregon Chapter of the International Association of Arson Investigators. Eugene Fire & EMS Department personnel receive several awards from the Oregon Fire Chiefs Association for lifesaving actions, fiscal diligence, urban search and rescue service and assistance in the Gulf Coast to victims of Hurricane Katrina. City of Eugene • Highlights of 2006 Page 15