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We Have Big Plans for the Future!

October 18, 2021

May contain: field and outdoors

The devastation to our much loved Park must be seen as an opportunity to provide the community and visitors to the McKenzie valley with better facilities and a more useful shared space. With this in mind, we would like to thank Arica Duhrkoop-Galas, RLA Senior Instructor at the Department of Landscape Architecture at the University of Oregon for leading a Blue River Park concept project. Arica has been instrumental in pulling students together to help us envisage what the Park might look like as we restore and rebuild.

Take a look through the preliminary concept document below and we will be announcing a public meeting in the near future to gather feedback and community input. A very special thanks goes to Audrey Rycewicz, a Master of Landscape Architecture Student at the University of Oregon for the fabulous conceptual plans in the early stage Masterplan below and we are thrilled that Audry will be joining us to present her concept at the public meeting. Watch this space for an announcement on this upcoming meeting and get your thoughts and questions ready!

Updates:

  • The Park will reopen for foot traffic as soon as we get metal debris removed and the Park Board is currently working on getting the Blue River Park sign re-installed
  • The Park will be setting up a donation site to help raise the funds needed
  • Some stumps in the Park have been carved and we hope a Chainsaw Art trail might be part of the new layout
  • The board is also very happy to announce the addition of Dan Miller, Community Planner with Rivers, Trails & Conservation Assistance (RTCA) National Park Service. Dan brings vast technical experience as well as possible funding opportunities. Dan is also working with Lane County Parks to restore other county parks that have been damaged by the fire. 
  • See the link here for information about RTCA 
  • Another recent addition to the Park team is Taylor Bowden with the NPS, RTCA Community Assistance Fellow UO, MLA 

Below is the 2023 Park Plan Overview

A technical drawing showing the overall plan for Blue River Park.
A technical drawing showing the overall plan for Blue River Park.

Below is the 2022 Park Plan

A cover page of "Blue River Community Park Masterplan" with symbolic graphics of nature and community.
Table of contents for a masterplan, including park details and additional areas of interest.
May contain: field and outdoors
Text about a masterplan for rebuilding Blue River Community Park after a fire, including background, history, goals, and usage guide.
Text about Blue River Community Park masterplan and guiding principles with associated icons.
A document page with images of three park signs and text about sign construction, materials, and suggested locations.
A document detailing a permeable parking lot paving plan, including suggested dimensions, a context photo, and reasons for permeability.
An excerpt from a document discussing "Bollards to limit vehicle access" with images and descriptions of different bollard styles.
A document page showing designs and locations for park entry kiosks, including images of different kiosk structures.
A document detailing the Blue River Historical Trail project, with text and images, including a man interacting with an informative sign.
Design plan showing different styles of bleachers for a basketball court seating in a community park masterplan.
A brochure page about park host camping with text and campsite images.
A nature play area with kids on logs, park plans text, map overview, and wooden benches creating a forest seating area.
A brochure page on creating pollinator gardens, with tips, illustrations of bees and birds, and a photo of a garden.
A park restroom design page showing two types of toilets, traditional and composting, with cost analysis and layout plan.
A presentation slide proposing a river trail design with text, a map, location numbers, and a photo of the current river edge.
Two images of open-air covered stages in a park setting, with design notes and a site plan below.
A dog park design proposal with images of dogs, equipment, and layout details.
A plan for a Pet Memorial Garden with a plaque, arbor design, flowers, and location map.
Design plan for an ecotone trail and temporary soccer field with maps and descriptions.
Text about a community park masterplan and photos of a high ropes course, a tent by a lake, and disc golf.
A planting plan for Blue River Community Park showing different areas and plant species.
A plant selection chart for Blue River Park, detailing species, site conditions, form, size, notes, and features like foliage or berries.
A colorful plan for Blue River Community Park redesign, with labeled zones for activities, parking, and plant species.
Architectural plans for a kiosk, showing elevations, construction details, and materials list.
Topographic map displaying contour lines representing terrain elevation.
A cover page of "Blue River Community Park Masterplan" with symbolic graphics of nature and community.
Table of contents for a masterplan, including park details and additional areas of interest.
May contain: field and outdoors
Text about a masterplan for rebuilding Blue River Community Park after a fire, including background, history, goals, and usage guide.
Text about Blue River Community Park masterplan and guiding principles with associated icons.
A document page with images of three park signs and text about sign construction, materials, and suggested locations.
A document detailing a permeable parking lot paving plan, including suggested dimensions, a context photo, and reasons for permeability.
An excerpt from a document discussing "Bollards to limit vehicle access" with images and descriptions of different bollard styles.
A document page showing designs and locations for park entry kiosks, including images of different kiosk structures.
A document detailing the Blue River Historical Trail project, with text and images, including a man interacting with an informative sign.
Design plan showing different styles of bleachers for a basketball court seating in a community park masterplan.
A brochure page about park host camping with text and campsite images.
A nature play area with kids on logs, park plans text, map overview, and wooden benches creating a forest seating area.
A brochure page on creating pollinator gardens, with tips, illustrations of bees and birds, and a photo of a garden.
A park restroom design page showing two types of toilets, traditional and composting, with cost analysis and layout plan.
A presentation slide proposing a river trail design with text, a map, location numbers, and a photo of the current river edge.
Two images of open-air covered stages in a park setting, with design notes and a site plan below.
A dog park design proposal with images of dogs, equipment, and layout details.
A plan for a Pet Memorial Garden with a plaque, arbor design, flowers, and location map.
Design plan for an ecotone trail and temporary soccer field with maps and descriptions.
Text about a community park masterplan and photos of a high ropes course, a tent by a lake, and disc golf.
A planting plan for Blue River Community Park showing different areas and plant species.
A plant selection chart for Blue River Park, detailing species, site conditions, form, size, notes, and features like foliage or berries.
A colorful plan for Blue River Community Park redesign, with labeled zones for activities, parking, and plant species.
Architectural plans for a kiosk, showing elevations, construction details, and materials list.
Topographic map displaying contour lines representing terrain elevation.