The “dog days” of summer are winding down but levy projects are ramping up. County staff are monitoring several large construction projects that are underway. Significant improvements to the main parking lot at Howard Buford Park (Mount Pisgah) will wrap up in time for the annual Mushroom Festival at the park. We hope to see you there!

Future levy-funded projects to look out for include parking improvements, a new public restroom, trailhead kiosk, and security camera for the North Bottomlands parking lot at Howard Buford Recreation Area. Also, a much-awaited security camera at the East trailhead.

County staff is hard at work making Howard Buford Park more accessible. Recently, Hollis Shostrom and John Helmer assisted the County by noticing that rocks and other barriers were preventing safe access to the summit. So, this past July boulders, tree roots and other barriers along the final stretch of the summit were removed. Watch them at the BCC meeting to share their appreciation and advocate for continued accessibility improvements.

This summer, Friends of Buford Park assisted County staff with preparation for prescribed fire, which not only prevents future wildfires, but also provides the opportunity for native plants and animals to thrive.

Habitat within County parks is benefitting from volunteer work parties led by Volunteer Coordinator Laura Linn. County Sheriff work crews and volunteers cleared enormous patches of invasive Himalayan Blackberry patches that prevented access and the growth of native plants parks throughout the valley.

We’re proud to announce the hiring of Karen Noel as our Lead Compliance Ranger. Karen and other Park Rangers are friendly faces you’ll see more often at the parks, to not only provide security, but to assist park visitors with their overall recreation experience.

Parking lot improvements at North Jetty Park are wrapping up at the popular beach destination in Florence. Also, on the coast, new Hiker/Biker campsites were added to Harbor Vista Campground. This new camping opportunity was made possible by the incredible Lane County Parks maintenance staff. Harbor Vista is now able to provide an overnight stay for weary travelers who hike or bike along the popular Highway 101 corridor from California to Washington.

This fall, Hendricks Bridge Park along the McKenzie will see needed day-use parking lot upgrades. At Fern Ridge, plans are underway to preserve the shoreline along Zumwalt Park as water has chipped away at the banks.

See you at the parks. 

Brett Henry - Parks Division Manager

What's Happening

As construction season gets underway, many of the projects funded by the Lane County Parks levy are moving from planning into action. Years of community input, design, engineering and permitting are beginning to take shape across the park system.

With several major projects scheduled over the next couple of years, we’re excited to share updates along the way. Follow progress here in the newsletter, on social media, or through our Levy Projects StoryMap.

Arboretum Parking Lot

Howard Buford Recreation Area

Construction is under way at the Arboretum parking lot. At this point, most tiers should be accessible on weekends to accommodate visitors.

These improvements will reduce long-term maintenance costs and provide visitors with improved parking and access to Lane County’s most popular recreation destination.

North Jetty Lot

Florence, OR

Construction began in May and the project is now about 90% complete. We are currently working with our contractor to schedule the final paving.

Once that work is complete, visitors will have two fully reconstructed and paved parking lots with improved access to the park, trails and beach.

What's Ahead

The work isn’t stopping here. New levy-funded projects are on deck across the park system, bringing improvements that will make parks more accessible, functional, and enjoyable for years to come. Stay tuned as these projects take their next steps.

Hendricks Bridge Park

Day Use Parking Lot Paving

• Winter 2026-27
• New access road
• Day-use parking lot paving
• ADA Parking and Sidewalks

Heceta Beach Park

Restroom Replacement

• Winter 2026-27
• New flush restroom
• Stormwater improvements
• New gravel to Mobi Mats

Orchard Point Marina

Boarding Dock Replacement

• Fabrication Fall 2026
• Installation Winter 2026-27
• Supported by Oregon State Marine Board Grant Funding

What We've Accomplished

As projects funded by the Lane County Parks levy move from vision to reality, we're seeing the results across the park system. These improvements enhance visitor experiences, improve accessibility, and address deferred maintenance needs.

Years of planning, community input, design, and construction have brought these projects to life and we appreciate your support!

New Hiker-Biker Sites at Harbor Vista

We’re excited to announce that Harbor Vista County Park now offers seven hiker-biker campsites! Available on a first-come, first-served basis, these sites provide more options for hiker/bikers enjoying the coast. Maximum stay is 2 nights.

The new sites were created in-house by our maintenance staff, who saw a need and made it happen.

Our first guests? A couple from Switzerland who were traveling through the area!

Hikers and bikers can check in at the campground office or find the host on duty.

Camp Lane Improvements

Several improvements were completed at Camp Lane over the past year, including upgrades to the shower and restroom facilities, replacement of the historic lodge roof, and the basketball court roof.

The shower and restroom remodel improves privacy, accessibility, and comfort for guests. The former open shower area was divided into four individual stalls, an ADA-accessible shower was added to the changing area with new flooring, and partitions replaced curtains in the toilet stalls.

The basketball court roof was damaged during the ice storm and has since been replaced. The covered area provides a useful gathering space for groups, including outdoor seating for meals, meetings, and other activities.

Camp Lane is a reservation-only facility along Highway 126 near Walton, between Eugene and the coast. It is a popular setting for weddings, retreats, family reunions, and other group gatherings.

To learn more about Camp Lane visit our webpage

Armitage Dog Park: A New Place to Play!

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the ribbon cutting at Armitage Dog Park! We’re excited to celebrate this new space with the community and see so many happy dogs enjoying it.

And there’s more to enjoy! Agility equipment has now been added to the large-dog side of the park, giving dogs and their people a new way to play, exercise and have fun together. We hope you’ll come check it out!

Prescribed Fire Planning Underway

This fall, Lane County Parks, Friends of Buford Park and partners will conduct prescribed burns at Howard Buford Recreation Area (HBRA) to help restore rare native habitats and reduce wildfire risk.

Prescribed fire helps these landscapes thrive by reducing the growth of shrubs and trees, supporting the growth of native grasses and wildflowers and controlling invasive plants. It also lowers fuel loads that can contribute to severe wildfires.

Safety is the top priority. Burns are conducted with experienced partners, under strict weather and air-quality conditions, and with appropriate fire crews and equipment on site. The lower fuel load in these areas produce less smoke than wildfires or agriculture burns, and nearby neighbors are notified in advance.

We are in planning and preparation stages and will provide updates via Lane County Parks website and social media.

Want to help? We are looking for volunteers we call “Trail Sentinels” to post up at critical trail locations or parking areas to help redirect foot traffic away from the fires.

If you are interested, please review the 2026 Friends Trail Sentinel Interest Form and fill out with your availability. On this form you will find more information about what the position entails and the commitment involved.

If you have questions, please feel free to reach out to stewardship.coordinator@bufordpark.org. 

Growing Partnerships Through Stewardship

Lane County Parks recently welcomed cultural and natural resources staff from the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde to Howard Buford Recreation Area to continue conversations about traditional camas harvesting and stewardship.

The visit built on earlier research and collaboration exploring the cultural importance of camas and identifying potential harvesting areas within Lane County Parks.

Together, county staff and Tribal representatives discussed how the park might provide appropriate access to camas and other culturally important plants.

The conversation is an important step toward building relationships and exploring ways Lane County Parks can support Indigenous cultural practices and stewardship of these lands.

A Smoother Path to the Summit

This summer brought two improvements to Mount Pisgah that are helping make the outdoors more accessible. Lane County Parks completed improvements to the final half-mile of the Summit Trail, creating a smoother, more stable surface, while the Mount Pisgah Arboretum added two new all-terrain track chairs to its accessibility program.

Together, those improvements helped make a longtime goal possible for Larry and Julia, longtime Mount Pisgah visitors and accessibility advocates. .

Larry, who has used a wheelchair for more than 50 years, had tried to summit before, but was stopped by the rough trail and chair issues. This time, the improved trail and new track chair made all the difference and on July 20, they reached the summit!

It’s a meaningful example of how continued advocacy, thoughtful trail improvements, and increased accessibility can open up new possibilities for everyone.

Learn more about the new track chair program from this KEZI highlight

You can reserve a track chair through the Mount Pisgah Arboretum by calling their office at (541) 747-3817 or through thier online form.

Mount Pisgah Arboretum's Mushroom Festival - October 25

We'll be celebrating the new parking lot upgrades and hope to see you there!

You can expect to experience things like

• A huge mushroom exhibit where you can learn about hundreds of local species
• Educational talks from local experts
• Edible and poisonous mushrooms display, including an expert identification table
• Live music
• Guided nature walks by local naturalists
• Mushroom vendors
• Local foods, arts, and crafts
• Kids crafts and activities
• Cider pressing, scarecrow contest, and hay rides!

Arboretum members always get free festival tickets, become a member at any time and get in free. 

New Agility Equipment at Armitage Dog Park

Dogs have a new way to play at Armitage Dog Park! New agility equipment has been added to the large-dog area, giving pups a chance to run, jump, climb and burn off some extra energy.

Bring your four-legged friend out to try it!

A Fresh Look at Armitage Park

Just after the dog park upgrades wrapped up, you may have noticed another improvement at Armitage Park: the entrance road was paved and restriped.

In 2026, Lane County Parks completed pavement repairs that included crack sealing, an asphalt slurry seal, and new striping. This treatment will extend the life of the existing roadway while giving the park entrance a much-needed refresh.

We’re also looking ahead. Lane County Parks is working on the design for a complete reconstruction of the day-use parking lot, positioning the project to move forward when future funding becomes available.

Clearing the Way for Better Parks

The Sheriff’s Work Crew has been busy helping Lane County Parks tackle invasive species throughout the park system. Working three days a month in our parks, the crew has made a noticeable difference. Most recently at Whitely, removing blackberries and other invasive plants to open up the area and improve visibility.

The before-and-after photos show what a little hard work can accomplish. We’re grateful for their continued help all year long!

Cornhole Is Here!

We’re giving visitors another way to enjoy some friendly competition! Some of the horseshoe pits at Armitage and Richardson Parks have been replaced with cornhole boards.

Gather your friends and family, and enjoy a game during your next park visit.

Please note: Cornhole bags are not provided, so remember to bring your own!

Youth Volunteer Corps Goes the Extra Mile

For the fourth year in a row, Youth Volunteer Corps of Corvallis spent a couple of Fridays getting out into our parks and putting in the hard work.

This summer, youth volunteers spent two days at Hileman Park removing invasive ivy, clearing trails, and helping care for the park’s natural areas.

Their efforts help keep trails welcoming while protecting native plants and wildlife. Thank you to these dedicated young volunteers for going the extra mile for our parks!

Sailing Camp Gives Back

This summer, City of Eugene Sailing Camp participants took time away from the water to give back at Orchard Point Marina and Park.

They removed invasive blackberries along the fenceline and gave the playground a fresh layer of wood chips.

Their hard work helped improve the park for both people and wildlife. Thank you to these young sailors for lending a hand and helping care for their community!

Restoring Three Mile Prairie

Volunteers came together at Three Mile Prairie County Park in August to help protect Oregon’s unique coastal dune habitat.

Hosted by the Oregon Dunes Restoration Collaborative (ODRC), Lane County Parks, McKenzie River Trust, and Friends of Three Mile Prairie, the work party focused on removing invasive Scotch broom and small trees that can crowd out native dune plants and alter this special habitat.

Thank you to everyone who came out to lend a hand and help care for Three Mile Prairie! Community partnerships like these make a big difference in protecting the plants, wildlife, and open sand habitats that make the Oregon Dunes so special.

Thank You, Hendricks Bridge Watering Volunteers!

A big thank-you to the dedicated volunteers who have been helping water young plants at our Hendricks Bridge riverside restoration area.

Their regular care is making a real difference helping newly planted trees and shrubs stay healthy, grow strong, and become established.

Restoration takes time, and these small acts of stewardship add up. We’re grateful to everyone who has taken time to lend a hand and help give these young plants a strong start!

A Big Thank You to Our Park Hosts

Summer is a busy season in our parks, and our camp hosts and caretakers are at the heart of keeping them welcoming, safe, and cared for.

From helping visitors and keeping an eye on the grounds to tackling the many small tasks that make a big difference, they put in countless hours throughout the season.

We’re grateful for their hard work, dedication, and the friendly presence they bring to our parks.

Ever wonder what a day in the life of a camp host looks like? Take a behind-the-scenes look at the work that goes into caring for our parks in the Lookout's recent news article, A Day in the Life of a Camp Host.

Parks Advisory Committee | September 14

Hileman Volunteer Work Party | September 26

Zumwalt Volunteer Work Party | October 10 and 24



Mount Pisgah Arboretum's Mushroom Festival | October 25