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Access to Arts, Recreation Improved <br />Opportunities for positive recreation and cultural <br />activities are important fox all youth and families. <br />Increased scholarship funding has allowed staff to <br />actively market recreation programs, and affords more <br />families the opportunity to participate. More than 100 <br />arts and entertainment activities were provided free ox <br />at low cost, including Hult Center Presents Amazones, <br />Women Master Drummers of Guinea; Putumayo <br />Presents Women of Latin America; Flamenco Vivo!; <br />and My Soul Is A Witness. <br />Cuthbert Accessibility Improved <br />Important upgrades at the Cuthbert Amphitheater <br />include accessible berm seating areas and accessible <br />bus transportation between the CuthbertAmphitheatex <br />and public parking areas at Autzen Stadium. <br />Pool Additions Expand Uses <br />A new multi-purpose room and outdoor spa were <br />completed at Echo Hollow Pool and Fitness Center. <br />The additions provide of an ideal space for fitness, <br />dance and yoga classes, as well as meetings, birthday <br />parties, and other community events. <br />Page 14 Ciry of Eugene ~ Highlights of 2005 <br />Partners Counteract Childhood <br />Obesity <br />Selected as one of 18 sites nationally by the National <br />Institutes for Health, Recreation Services and four <br />other youth service agencies in Lane County will <br />implement the WeCan! program for youth ages 8-13 <br />and their parents. The goal of ,WeCan! is to increase <br />activity levels in children, improve their nutrition, and <br />reduce television, computer and video game "screen" <br />time. <br />Parks Flourish in Eugene <br />Grand openings were celebrated at four new or <br />upgraded neighborhood parks in 2005. Awbrey <br />Arrowhead, Milton, and Frank Kinney Parks .were <br />dedicated, which makes a total of 12 neighborhood <br />park projects completed since Eugene voters approved <br />a $25 million park bond .measure in 1998. In addition, <br />the RiverPlay project at Skinner Butte Park reached <br />substantial completion of its first phase. RivexPlay's <br />Discovery Village Playground, a joint project with <br />Rotary International and other volunteer groups, will <br />be the largest, most unique playground in the region. <br />Also, looking to the future, park planners worked with <br />citizens to draft a Parks, Recreation and Open Space <br />Comprehensive Plan, which was presented to the City <br />Council in November 2005. <br />Bonny Bettman, Ward 1 <br />This year's work and accomplishments have been overshadowed by tragedy all over <br />the Globe, as well as closer to home where American families grieve over their fallen <br />soldiers and communities struggle to survive devastating natural disasters. I am <br />gratef~d every day for the commui>;ry in which I live. I feel ~rery fortunate to share the <br />natural beauty and bounty of the Willamette Valley. I am especially appreciative of <br />the civic spirit and charitable generosity of my neighbors in Eugene. I look forward to <br />working with all of you in the coming pear. <br /> <br />' hil ~l"'~i~ iii r ~ ~ 1°~ L°l~~ <br />r ~1~1 i~~~l~ ~~[riI t`~~~1~f ~ s <br />~ ~~~ Diu t ~'+ ~ y~ ,t~ ~ ~ ~ ~' , l ` "L1 ~` f 71 <br />~ r~~~~~~-1192 r~ h^l <br />r a,L Viiln:4` 11,. +t~~~tll,.~Y ~~1°ll,%dl_'`t <br />- - -- <br />Eugene library Celebrates <br />100th Anniversary <br />The Eugene Public Library had a banner year in 2005, <br />celebrating its 100th anniversary with a year of special <br />events that highlighted the high-quality library and <br />information services provided daily Summer reading <br />programs broke participation records, with an increase <br />of more than 1,000 children and teens participating, <br />and expansion of the program to adults. Community <br />demand for services continued to grow, with more than <br />two million items checked out, representing an almost 20 <br />percent increase over 2004. <br />Grant Supports After School Fitness <br />Activities <br />Eugene School District 4J and Recreation Services <br />were awarded athree-year Project Rising Expectations <br />(PRE) grant to provide after school fitness and health <br />activities in eight middle schools. Activities, including <br />climbing and other non-traditional sports, dance classes, <br />nutrition courses, and health awareness activities, began <br />in January 2005 and will continue until June 2007, The <br />PRE funds supplement School and Youth Local Option <br />Levy (Measure 20-67) dollars to enhance programming <br />at existing recreation sites. <br />Library Foundation Pays Off <br />$5 Million Pledge <br />During planning stages for the new downtown library, <br />the Eugene Public Library Foundation pledged to <br />solicit $5 million in donations to add enhancements <br />to the construction project and the Library's <br />collections. The foundation recently completed this <br />extraordinary contribution to the community, making <br />its final donation payment in September. <br />City of Eugene ~ Highlights of 2005 Page 15 <br />