Dedicated to providing the most innovative and highest quality park and recreation services to our patrons at a reasonable cost.
You may reach a Board member by contacting the Willamalane Community Recreation Center at 736-4544 or 250 S. 32nd Street, Springfield, OR 97478.
The Board is composed of five lay members elected by the registered voters of the District to serve volunteer, staggered four-year terms. Each member represents the District at large rather than serving separate precincts. Board members are listed here in alphabetical order.
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Term:
July 1, 2005 through June 30, 2009Lee Beyer is a longtime Springfield resident who has served on the Springfield City Council, the Willamalane Budget Committee, and in the state House of Representatives. He is currently a member of the Public Utility Commission and the Springfield Planning Commission. Beyer has served on numerous nonprofit boards and commissions. His wife, Terry, is also a former Springfield city councilor and is currently a member of the state House.
Term:
July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2011Springfield native James is purchasing and print services manager at the Springfield School District. He cited his background in finance and public policy in applying for the position, and his experience as father to two teenagers who have taken part in Willamalane programs their entire lives. "I believe that a strong parks and recreation district is the lifeblood of the community," he said. "I see this vacant board position as an opportunity to give back to Willamalane for all of the wonderful experiences provided to the citizens of Springfield at all levels...from the youth to the elderly and all those in between."
Term:
July 1, 2005 through June 30, 2009Danelle Ralston is also a longtime Springfield resident. She currently chairs the Springfield Filbert Festival board. Ralston has been involved with Boys and Girls Club and a number of other youth programs. She most recently served as a member of the Willamalane Budget Committee. Her husband, Dave, is a member of the Springfield City Council.
Term:
July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2011Ross is a longtime Springfield resident and former teacher who has served Willamalane as a member of the Budget Committee and, previously, the East Alton Baker Park Citizens Planning Committee. He also serves on the boards of the Lane Business Education Compact and the Oregon Career Information System. He has made use of Willamalane as a patron and as a parent: his daughter, Erin, is a former Kids Club kid.
Ross says he is humbled by the trust the District has placed in him and excited to pursue this new opportunity to help shape park and recreation services.
Term:
July 1, 2005 through June 30, 2009Longtime Springfield resident Helen Ballew Wagner decided it was time to give a little bit back when she ran for the Willamalane Park and Recreation District Board of Directors.
Wagner had grown up using Willamalane facilities, and she raised her own family across the street from Willamalane Park. "My son spent all kinds of time there," she said. Today, she is still a patron, taking part in the many classes offered by the Senior Adult Activity Center. "Those folks see me as one of them," she said of her friends at the Center.
As a Board member, Wagner said she is putting her point of view—as a senior, as a woman, and as a patron—to work.
"I'm looking to see what makes it better for the patrons." Subjects on her list include program evaluations, more neighborhood parks, and a bigger role in youth sports.
Some of her favorite memories are of her son playing community sports as a child. "I'd really like to see the District be able to offer more of those programs." Wagner would also like to see more people take advantage of what Willamalane already has to offer.
When she looks at the Willamalane Program Guide, the variety and quality of programs stand out. When Wagner isn't off traveling abroad (her favorite hobby), she's at home in Springfield walking in the parks, looking at the flowers, and getting computer tips from the Senior Center's Golden Bytes Club.
"I like Willamalane," she said. "It has good programs, and a good 'listening ear' to the community."