Events

Past Events

ConnectingEugene and the ASUO are co-producing the Riverfront Celebration. This is a wonderful opportunity for the University and Eugene communities to show their appreciation for the public space along a beautiful and majestic river. There will also be information available for people interested in the proposed riverfront developments by the University of Oregon, and talks highlighting that a greater vision is possible for our public riverfront lands. Please come have fun with us, and enjoy the spring weather – Rain or Shine!

Music and fun!

Molasses Sting Band will play live from 12:30 to 2:30pm!

Speakers will address the issues

Our Speaker program begins at 2:30 pm at the Autzen footbridge over the Willamette River, on the UO campus. Talks will be short introductions to various issues, the history, and controversy surrounding the Riverfront Research Park, a private office complex planned for the UO riverfront. Talks will emphasize the positive outcomes possible if the community is included in the planning for the University’s riverfront lands.

2:30pm – Autzen footbridge

Talks will be approximately 5 minutes each.

1. Christo Brehm (ConnectingEugene – Grad. in Landscape Arch and Planning)
2. Dan Stotter (Land Use Lawyer involved in 1989 legal battle over the RRP)
3. Paul Nicholson (Long-time resident, Owner Paul’s Bicycle Way of Life)
4. Tom Titus (President, Speaking on Behalf of the Board of the Eugene Natural History Society)
5. Josh Laughlin (Former UO student, Conservation Director Cascadia Wildlands)
6. Allen Hancock (Long-time resident, small business owner)
7. Paul Adkins (Bicycling advocate, Director at Large – GEARS)
8. Emma Kallaway (ASUO President, Student – University of Oregon)
9. Amelie Rousseau (ASUO President-Elect, Student – University of Oregon)
10. Ron Lovinger (Faculty – Department of Landscape Architecture, University of Oregon)

Suggested Walking Tours with Children

There is a lot going on for children on Saturday April 24th, 2010. The annual Earth Day Celebration at EWEB’s riverfront plaza is just a short (~0.5mi) walk or bike ride west down the South Bank Path from the Riverfront Celebration. On the north bank of the river is Alton Baker Park and the beautifully restored Whilamut natural area. Here a few possible schedules.

If You Start Early Schedule – start 10:00-11:00 am.

Park at Science factory, Autzen Stadium or Alton Baker Park. Walk to Autzen footbridge and cross the river. Walk south across autzen footbridge to the Riverfront Celebration. Shoot water rockets and do other fun activities while listening to music and enjoying the public open space in front of autzen footbridge. Make or pick up wildflower seed balls, and carry these West down the south bank path to EWEB. On the way, consider the animals that live along the river. Look out for ducks, mergansers, eagles, osprey, hawks, geese and insects. When you make it to the chain-link fence, consider other uses that would be more public for this space. Right now it’s planned to be a private office building and 200-car parking lot. Perhaps this site could use some wildflowers!!
Continue to EWEB plaza. Make costumes, and draw animals on a large river mural. The Procession of All Species is scheduled for 2:00pm. Afterwards, head west and north across DeFazio footbridge, make your way through some really nice riverside forest and back to your car. OR, come back to the Riverfront Celebration for 2:30pm talks, and a 3:30pm show of solidarity for all ages.

Total route: about 1.25 miles round trip. Bikes encouraged!

If You Start Later Schedule – starting 12:00-1:00pm

Park at Alton Baker, Science Factory, Autzen Stadium, or EWEB.  Cross DeFazio Footbridge to EWEB (if necessary) and participate in children’s activities at the EWEB plaza. There will be wildflower seed balls here too to make and take east down the river. Participate in the 2:00pm Procession of All Species. Afterward, proceed east to Autzen footbridge to listen to community members talk about our greater vision for a public riverfront. Join in a peaceful show of solidarity for all ages at 3:30pm.

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Thanks for your interest. Stay tuned!