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Option A
<br />GO Bond
<br />Excludes Sheldon Pool
<br />RESOLUTION NO. ____
<br />A RESOLUTION CALLING A CITY ELECTION ON MAY 15, 2018, FOR
<br />THE PURPOSE OF REFERRING TO THE LEGAL ELECTORS OF THE
<br />CITY OF EUGENE A MEASURE AUTHORIZING THE ISSUANCE OF A
<br />MAXIMUM OF $31,100,000OF GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS TO
<br />FUND PARKSANDRECREATION PROJECTS.
<br />The City Council of the City of Eugene finds as follows:
<br />A.
<br />Great cities have great parks and recreation systems. For over 100 years, Eugene
<br />residents have demonstrated strong support for parks and recreation services by donating land,
<br />raising funds, and approving measures that expanded parks and recreation facilities. The results of
<br />this support can be seen from the establishment of Hendricks Park in 1906, and Spencer Butte Park
<br />in 1914, to the passage of a series of levies in the 50s and 60s that built more parks, pools, and
<br />community centers. In 1972, a bond measure created the 12-mile riverfront path system, and in 1976,
<br />voters passed a $5 million levy for park improvements and acquisition. By the 1980s, Eugene’s
<br />growing population of 100,000 enjoyed 1,500 acres of parks that included developed playgrounds,
<br />swimming pools, sports fields, and community centers. In 1998, voters passed a $25.3 million parks
<br />and open space bond that significantly increased the number of parks, turf fields, and land for future
<br />parks and natural areas. The bond also renovated 12 existing parks, and made the expansion and
<br />renovation of Amazon Pool possible. In 1999 and 2002, local option levies passed that provided
<br />more funding for after-school recreation programming. In 2006, voters approved a $27.5 million
<br />bond focused primarily on acquiring land for future neighborhood and community parks in growing
<br />areas, as well as the expansion of Eugene’s natural areas including the Willamette riverfront system
<br />and Ridgeline Park.
<br />B.
<br /> Today, Eugene enjoys and benefits from over 4,700 acres of parks which includes:
<br />playgrounds, sport fields and courts, trails and pathways, gardens, and natural areas, as well as six
<br />community centers, three swimming pools and seven satellite recreation facilities that extend
<br />services by leveraging local partnerships. These assets provide essential social, environmental, and
<br />economic services that contribute to the overall health, safety, prosperity and well-being of the
<br />community. City of Eugene Parks and Recreation is a community leader in providing opportunities
<br />that inspire a lifelong passion, to imagine, explore, learn, grow and contribute. Recreation builds
<br />community by bringing people together to create a safer, healthier, and happier community.
<br />C.
<br />In 2015, the Parks and Open Space and Recreation Services divisions launched a
<br />process to establish a plan for the future of the parks and recreation system. During the past three
<br />years over 12,000 individuals contributed their voice to this planning effort. The three-year
<br />community engagement process has resulted in a vision that builds on Eugene’s rich legacy and
<br />promises a robust, exciting and equitable parks and recreation system for future generations. The
<br />Resolution - Page 1of 4
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