Lane County, Oregon Aug 20, 2008
Leisure, Recreation and Sports
Lane County offers outstanding year-round recreational programs for people of all ages and abilities. Participants can sign up for classes ranging from aerobics to zoology. Residents can bicycle around town or off road, watch a PAC-10 sporting event, fly fish on the McKenzie River, ski the Cascade Mountains, and enjoy the Pacific Coast's beaches. From sea level to ski level, Lane County has it all. Many internationally known professional track and field athletes, including Mary Decker Slaney and Alberto Salazar, reside in Lane County. Make sure to visit the Convention and Visitor Association of Lane County Oregon (CVALCO) website.
Leisure Activities
Although, the Eugene/Springfield area has been described as the "running capital of the world" by the New York Times, the region also offers a wide variety of recreational activities.
Community & Senior Centers
- Public and private pools, including the Lively Park Swim Center, the first indoor wave-action swimming pool in Oregon
- 99 city parks in Eugene and Springfield - over 2,000 acres in all
- Internationally recognized gardens at Eugene's Hendricks Park, with more than 6,000 rhododendrons and azaleas
- 170 miles of national award-winning running and bicycle paths
- 19 public and private golf courses
Outdoor Enthusiast
Virtually every kind of recreational environment can be reached within a 90-minute drive from Eugene/Springfield.
- In town, hiking options include Spencer Butte and Mount Pisgah Arboretum -- both provide stunning views of the Willamette Valley.
- The Willamette and Siuslaw National Forests, and Oregon Dunes National Recreational Area provide hiking, camping and picnicking activities. Hikers can explore four wilderness areas totaling 430,000 acres and including the famous Pacific Crest Trail.
- Numerous Lane County parks and recreation facilities.
- The Cascade Mountains offer cross-country skiing and three fully developed downhill areas. Mt. Bachelor, in central Oregon, is gaining an international reputation for quality skiing virtually year round. Oregon's largest ski area, Mt. Bachelor has been the training camp for the U.S. Ski Team for more than 30 years, with 10 lifts offering 60 runs. Hoodoo Ski Bowl and Willamette Pass ski areas have 22 and 29 runs, respectively, served by 8 lifts. All the areas provide Nordic trails as well.
- The Pacific Ocean, the McKenzie and Willamette Rivers, and dozens of lakes and reservoirs provide endless opportunities for fishing, rafting, boating, swimming, water skiing, kayaking, canoeing and wind surfing. There's plenty of world famous fly fishing on the McKenzie River. Fern Ridge Reservoir, west of Eugene, hosts more boaters than any Oregon lake, and is a favorite spot for wind surfing as well.
- Sportsmen also find the area a paradise for hunting and fishing. Deer, duck, geese, elk, China pheasant, and other game are available during the regular hunting season. The Pacific Ocean, coastal rivers, mountain streams and lakes provide excellent sport fishing for salmon, steelhead, trout and other game fish.
University Sports
Enjoy world-class athletic performances:
- PAC-10 football teams - University of Oregon Ducks and the Oregon State University Beavers
- The Fighting Ducks thrill fans at the University of Oregon's stunning Autzen Stadium.
- PAC-10 basketball is played in the intimidating "Pit," which has also been home to the NCAA women's finals.
- University of Oregon's Hayward Field, at the center of the Running Capital of the US, seats 10,000 for a full array of men's and women's track and field events, including US Olympic Trial competitions and NCAA finals.
Especially for Kids
Kidsports
Kidsports Program organizes athletic activities in a variety of sports for youngsters interested in after-school training and competition. Each year, 10,000 boys and girls participate in volleyball, basketball, soccer (fall and spring), football, baseball, tennis, and softball.
U.S. Basketball Academy
Young basketball enthusiasts are able to enjoy the U.S. Basketball Academy. The Academy, located near Blue River (approximately one hour from the metropolitan area), includes six full-size outdoor courts, one gymnasium with two courts, ten dormitory cabins, five coaches' cabins, a meeting/dining room and a 450-seat amphitheater. The one-week camp sessions are available for youths age 8 to 18. Scholarships are available for each weekly basketball camp.
Competitive Sports
Eugene Emeralds - Baseball
Eugene Civic Stadium is the home of the Eugene Emeralds, members of the Northwest League. The facility seats 6,800 spectators and offers special seating and parking for those with disabilities.
Fast Facts
Headlines
-
Jul 25 2008
-
May 02 2008
-
Apr 02 2008
-
Jan 29 2008
-
Jan 16 2008