Up and away the busy season is upon us. 

There’s so much going on at your Lane County Parks! As spring churns into summer, Levy projects are underway at many parks like Orchard Point and Hendricks Bridge. These parks are receiving noticeable improvements as they are transformed before your very eyes. 

Many of these improvements like the dock and kiosk repairs were rebuilt with the hands of our incredible maintenance staff. If you see them out and about, and with the increase in ranger patrols there will be more opportunity, please be sure to thank them for their service. 

Our many wonderful volunteer groups are doing meaningful work like spreading mulch on trails, keeping our parks clean, and removing invasive vegetation like Scotch Broom and Himalayan Blackberry. The Hileman Heroes along with the Santa Clara Community Foundation is restoring the habitat at Hileman Park by planting native vegetation. We have other mainstays like the Friends of Zumwalt Park as they host several work parties each month. There are newly formed volunteer groups like the Friends of Three Mile Prairie and the Friends of Orchard Point Marina. 

You don’t have to join the Adopt-A-Park Program or Friends organization to volunteer. Our Stewardship Saturdays are available to anyone interested in volunteering. These work parties offer monthly opportunities to work with Parks maintenance staff to improve our parks. 

Lastly, I want to remind folks about parking fee discounts that are now available. If you volunteer a minimum of 10 hours in one calendar year, you are eligible for a free parking pass for the following year ($40 value). Seniors and Veterans can buy annual passes for only $20 with a 50% discount. Disabled Veterans and WIC recipients qualify for free parking passes throughout the year. Also, remember that parking is free to all on the Federally recognized holidays.

So, get your pass and enjoy all that Lane County Parks have to offer!

We’ve launched a new Current Projects webpage to highlight the improvements and planning efforts underway across Lane County Parks. From facility upgrades to habitat restoration, this new page offers a closer look at how levy funding is being put to work.

Lane County’s 4,000+ acres of parks are more than just places to recreate — they’re vital to our county’s environmental health, outdoor lifestyle, and sense of community. Spanning 68 sites across 4,800 square miles, our parks system includes diverse natural areas, historic landmarks, and access to everything from camping and boating to forest hikes.

In 2022, voters approved a $31.5 million parks levy to invest in these shared spaces. With that support, we now have a dedicated funding source to address long-standing needs and build a more accessible, welcoming, and resilient parks system.



Historically, our parks relied heavily on user fees and tourism revenue — leaving little room for major improvements or long-term planning. The five-year levy is helping close that gap, and the results are already visible.

Thanks to community input, increased staffing, and additional resources, we’ve been able to complete key upgrades, launch restoration projects, and lay the groundwork for more significant improvements ahead.

Scotch Broom Removal at Three Mile Prairie

Three Mile Prairie is a 160-acre undeveloped natural area owned by Lane County Parks, located in Florence, Oregon, near the confluence of the Siuslaw River and the Pacific Ocean. On a recent spring day, we worked alongside local students, volunteers, and partners as we tackled a patch of dune being encroached on by Scotch broom. With its bright yellow flowers, it may look pretty, but it’s an invasive species that can alter dune habitat, making it harder for native plants to survive.

The volunteer work party was a joint effort between Lane County Parks, Friends of Three Mile Prairie, the Oregon Dunes Restoration Collaborative, and students from the Siuslaw Middle School Stream Team and the high school’s Environmental Club. Together, these groups brought energy, enthusiasm, and weed wrenches to a shared mission: protecting the dunes.

Continued partnerships with local organizations and schools will be key to protecting this section of dunes. Lane County Parks and its partners plan to host more work parties in the future, providing ongoing opportunities for community members to get involved in stewarding this special place.



Rangers Recognized for Compassionate Response

Two Lane County Parks rangers, Karen Noel and Andee Conrad, were recently recognized by the County for going above and beyond to support a camper in distress. While much of a ranger’s work involves maintaining facilities and managing natural spaces, this moment was a reminder that their role extends far beyond that.

Rangers are often the first friendly face visitors see—and sometimes, they’re a critical source of support when people need it most. These two rangers acted with care and calm in a difficult situation, helping ensure the camper’s safety and well-being.

Though they were the ones recognized, both emphasized that any member of their team would have stepped in without hesitation. Their humility reflects the spirit of service that defines the values of Lane County.

Extended Ranger Coverage This Summer

With the help of Parks Levy funding, Lane County Parks is increasing staffing this summer to better meet the needs of the busy season.

One important change - Rangers will now be on patrol into the evening hours across the county. As the days get longer and visitation higher the extended hours help us respond quickly, support visitors, and keep parks welcoming and safe.

We hope to see you out enjoying the parks—our rangers will be too, so be sure to say hello!

If you love exploring Lane County Parks—from the sandy beaches of the coast to the flowing waters of the McKenzie River—an Annual Parks Pass will provide access to all of it!

Why Buy an Annual Pass?

Parking at Lane County Parks costs $5 per day. But with an Annual Pass, you can park at over 50 day-use areas for just $40 a year. If you visit even once a month, you're already saving—and if you go more often, the pass pays for itself many times over.

Your pass is good for a full year from the date of purchase, not just the calendar year—so you can buy anytime and get your money’s worth.

Discounted passes are also available for qualifying individuals and groups. Learn more about eligibility and where to get your pass below.

Annual Parking Pass Fees:

• Annual Pass: $40
• Seniors (62+): $20
• Veterans: $20
• Disabled Veterans: Free
• Lane County Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Recipients: Free (distributed through the county Health and Human Services office)
• Lane County Park Volunteers (10+ hours annually): Free

How to Buy Your Pass

Getting your Lane County Parks Annual Pass is simple:



• Online: Visit lanecounty.org/parks
• By Phone: Call the Lane County Parks office at 541-682-2000.
• In Person: Stop by the Parks office at 3050 N. Delta Hwy, Eugene.
• Local stores: From vendors around the county.

Horse Arena Rental Available at Howard Buford Recreation Area

Looking for an outdoor arena space? The horse arena at Mount Pisgah, built and maintained by the Lane County Sheriff's Mounted Posse, is now 50% off user fees for the 2025 season to encourage more community use. The booking and cleanup fee are not included in the discount.

It features a picnic area and dry camping, and hosts groups like the Eugene Pony Club, Lane County 4-H, and Search and Rescue. Youth equestrian groups may qualify for grants.

For more information contact Alan at 541-556-8521 or find rental forms and details at lanecountysheriffsmountedposse.com.

Stewardship Saturday

We are offering a monthly volunteer work party to bring the community together in support of Lane County Parks! Each month, volunteers will team up with parks maintenance staff to tackle beautification and stewardship projects—think trail upkeep, landscaping, painting, invasive species removal and other hands-on efforts that make a real impact.

These events are a great way to get involved, see firsthand what’s happening in our parks, and contribute to their ongoing care. Whether you're passionate about the outdoors, want to give back, or just enjoy working with others, there’s a place for you. Stay tuned for upcoming dates and project details!

Our next Stewardship Saturday is June 21st at Orchard Point Marina where we will join our Friends of Orchard Point Adopt-a-Park group to spruce up the marina for the boating season.

Become a Volunteer Campground Host!

Wake up to beautiful waterfront views and immerse yourself in Oregon’s natural wonders as a Lane County Parks Campground Host! Hosts play a vital role in keeping our parks welcoming and well-maintained while serving as friendly ambassadors for visitors.

As a host, you'll live on-site in your RV and assist with day-to-day park operations, including visitor services, light maintenance, and keeping facilities clean and welcoming. In return, we provide a full hook-up RV site in exchange for 20 hours of volunteer service per week.

Seasonal and year-round positions are available at multiple Lane County parks. If you love the outdoors and enjoy helping others, this is a great way to give back while experiencing Oregon’s stunning landscapes firsthand.

Learn more and apply at www.lanecounty.org/parkhost.

Lane County’s first-ever parks levy is doing more than maintaining and improving county-owned parks—it’s also helping local community organizations enhance public access and restore natural areas through targeted grant funding.

One example is the McKenzie River Trust (MRT), which received a $150,000 grant through Parks levy to support upgrades at Finn Rock Landing, a popular river access site along the McKenzie River. This grant was part of a larger $850,000 project to improve visitor safety, accessibility, and environmental resilience at Finn Rock Landing and the adjacent 278-acre floodplain property MRT has managed since 2015.

Finn Rock Landing reopened in summer 2024 with significant upgrades that enhance both recreation and conservation. Each year, thousands of visitors rely on this non-motorized launch site to access the McKenzie River—highlighting its value as a key community resource and the importance of continued upgrades to support accessibility.



With support from the county and other partners, MRT completed a wide range of improvements:

• Grading and resurfacing of access roads
• Clearly defined parking stalls, including ADA-accessible spaces
• A new pedestrian staircase and universal-design pathways
• Bird-friendly lighting and gathering areas outside of traffic zones
• Wood rail fencing, natural boulders, and native plant replanting
• A relocated kiosk and improved signage
• Permitting and planning expenses

The project reflects the power community partners working together to create safe, inclusive spaces that provide access to outdoor recreation on the McKenzie River.

Through grant programs like this, Lane County Parks is extending the reach of the levy to support local organizations that are deeply rooted in their communities and committed to connecting people to nature. In addition to improving this launch site, levy funding also supports other McKenzie community partners such as the McKenzie River Discovery Center and Blue River Park.