With A BMX Course, Disc Golf, And Concert Venue, This Oregon Park Is the Ultimate Family Destination
By Will Suphan|Published August 24, 2023
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Will Suphan
Author
Will has been living in Arizona off and on for 30+ years in the Phoenix Metro and Tucson areas. He has traveled all over the state as well as having lived all over the Southwest. He's been writing for OnlyInYourState for one year and has previously written for Digital Journal. Will has a passion for travel and writing and combining the two is what he loves most. He loves solo international travel and has been to Thailand, France, Japan, and Cambodia.
Oregon is famous for its lush, gorgeous parks where one can get lost in nature and enjoy the activities that the outdoors provides such as swimming, hiking, fishing, and birding. I absolutely love exploring them, however, sometimes you want to bring the family to parks in Oregon that have additional activities like disc golf, biking courses, and maybe even see a concert or a play. Alton Baker Park in Eugene is the ultimate family destination in Oregon when it comes to a park with countless activities.
Alton Baker Park opened in 1959 next to the Willamette River and its 400 acres have provided endless family fun for generations. Its location right next to the University of Oregon makes it a central feature of this charming town.
It’s a gorgeous park any time of the year and even though Eugene isn’t full of skyscrapers and you never have to go very far to step into nature, it’s convenient to visit and offers a combination of lush nature and amenities.
The Cuthbert Amphitheatre is Eugene’s best concert venue and hosts some surprisingly big names as well as local acts. I once saw Oregon’s own Pink Floyd tribute band Floydian Slips here and it was just as good as any stadium concert.
While the Willamette River is right next to the park, there is a separate Canoe Canal specifically for canoeing, kayaking, paddleboarding, and the like. It’s entirely contained within the spacious park so you won’t be carried off by currents and can have a wonderful time.
If you have kids who are into BMX racing, Emerald Valley BMX has a full track in the park. There are also regular biking trails all over the park for cyclists of all ages.
In Eugene, we love to grow things and are proud of our six Community Gardens, one of which is here in the park. It’s an excellent way to learn about gardening and keeping Eugene green.
We’ve only scratched the surface of what is available at this magnificent park! The Eugene Science Center has interactive exhibits for all ages and there are miles of trails for running, walking, biking, and hiking. The Hays Tree Garden is simply gorgeous. The Nobel Peace Park with its Hiroshima Peace Tree is a place for reflection. The whole park is an exciting interactive experience.
Have you ever been to Alton Baker Park in Eugene before? What are your favorite things about it? Let us know in the comments. If you’re looking for another wonderful park in Oregon with a ton of things to do, check out Skinner Butte Park in Eugene. If you’re going to be hiking, check AllTrails for closures and updates. Whatever you do, come to Eugene and experience all the beauty and friendliness it has to offer.
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