Golden Gardens: Protect Bethel's Natural Areas
Golden Gardens Park is one of the few natural areas with wildlife habitat in Bethel and is a crown jewel of the community. The site features herons, bald eagles, and protected Western Pond Turtles. The City of Eugene is proposing a new community sporting complex to meet the community’s need to accommodate recreational activities. While we support local sports and recreation, the proposal will include adding a significant amount of plastic artificial turf to this highly sensitive habitat.
The proposed sports complex threatens the delicate ecosystem with the inclusion of artificial turf. Artificial turf contributes to the environmental crisis, releasing harmful microplastics that endanger wildlife and human health. Let's prioritize the well-being of our community, wildlife and environment.
See our 2-page handout, "The Case Against Artificial Turf" (PDF)
FALL 2024 UPDATE
The City of Eugene is holding public meetings to share the latest design for the Golden Gardens Park Sports Complex and Neighborhood Park. The public is asked to give input on the latest design for the 223-acre park and sports complex which includes 14 sports fields, a 124-acre natural area with protections for turtles and native species, a trail system and a 12-acre neighborhood park. Community concerns include inadequate protection for Western Pond Turtle, plastic grass/artificial turf playing fields, sports field lighting, and over 700 paved parking spaces, deterioration of wetland ecosystems and water quality.
TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT GOLDEN GARDENS TODAY!
Here are a few ways you can get involved:
1) Join us for one of the upcoming meetings and make your voice heard. Public input can significantly improve the proposed design. Tell City Parks and Open Space to protect our communities from overuse of Eugene’s unique natural ecosystems, to protect wildlife and keep plastic grass/artificial turf out of our public parks and playing fields.
Sign up to attend one of the upcoming community meetings:
Wednesday, Nov 13, 2024 Public Meeting
5:30 - 7:30 PM at Prairie Mountain School Cafeteria
5305 Royal Ave., Eugene, OR 97402 - (google map)
Thursday, Nov 21, 2024 Virtual Public Meeting
12 - 1 PM, via Zoom:
REGISTER (required)
Learn about the final design for the 223-acre park and sports complex from city staff. The plan includes 14 sports fields, a 124-acre natural area with enhanced protections for turtles and native species, a trail system and a 12-acre neighborhood park.
2) Write to Eugene Parks & Open Space representatives on the Golden Gardens Committee
Mark A Kosmos: mkosmos@eugene-or.gov
Carolyn J Burke: cburke@eugene-or.gov
See the talking points (below) to help craft your message.
NOTE: When communicating with the City of Eugene officials, please be polite and include your Eugene address in your communication.
The map above is the final design for the 223-acre park and sports complex at Golden Gardens provided by the City of Eugene's contracted design architect Cameron McCarthy. Beyond Toxics has added the area shaded in blue to represent the recommended 500 ft buffer zone (per Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Best Management Practices for Northwestern Pond Turtle) over the ponds and surrounding area which has been identified as habitat for the NW Pond turtle. The bright turquoise shaded area identifies areas where the NW pond turtles are known to have nested.
TALKING POINTS
What Beyond Toxics is asking for:
The graphic above is a visualization of the final sports complex design provided by the City of Eugene's contracted design architect, Cameron McCarthy. If approved, the area would be constructed in phases. The first phase would be approximately two rectangle fields with vehicle access from Clear Lake Road. The entire park is projected to be completed in 15 to 20 years.
Resources
Golden Gardens Park Master Plan: includes information on the city's public involvement plan, the three draft designs for the park, and other background materials.
Guidance for Conserving Oregon’s Native Turtles including Best Management Practices: includes ODFW's recommendation for a 500 ft buffer between turtle habitat and minor infrastructure.
Sports Complex at Golden Gardens Park: The Case Against Synthetic Turf by Stuart Greenleaf (PDF)
Turtles and turf: Eugene activists urge caution in city's designs for sports complex - KLCC | By Nathan Wilk (November 16, 2023)
Eugene council rejects bundling bond for Golden Gardens sports, Ems Stadium, LCC pickleball (Nov. 16, 2023, R-G)