District History

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Introduction

At right: Construction of Splash! Lively Park Swim Center.

On September 29, 1944 voters in Springfield and Glenwood approved a proposal to organize Oregon’s second special-purpose park and recreation district. Much of this was due to the pioneering efforts of then Lane County District Attorney William S. Fort. Its first fiscal year began the following July with Willamalane having neither a budget nor property. First formed to serve a population of only 3,800 people, by the close of the 1940s, Springfield had doubled in size to approximately 3 square miles and a population of nearly 10,000.

 

As of the year 2009, the District maintains and operates four recreation facilities and 35 parks and open spaces that make up more than 700 acres. Highlights include Splash! Lively Park Swim Center, nine waterfront areas, 11 miles of hiking and biking trails, 19 sports fields and 21 playgrounds. Willamalane offers hundreds of recreation programs to more than 57,000 patrons. It is a special tax district, separate from the city of Springfield, with its own boundaries. It is governed by a five-member, elected board of directors and managed by a district superintendent.

 

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1940s

At right: Willamalane Swim Club members in the 1950s.

Voters organize and pass a park and recreation district measure to encompass the Springfield, Glenwood and Maple School Districts.

Walter Hansen becomes Willamalane's first superintendent in 1945. Irene Squires becomes Willamalane's superintendent in 1947.

First annual budget of $25,000 is proposed.

Willamalane Park and James Park are purchased. The former for approximately $200, the latter for $10. Willamalane Park is developed with the aid of a $25,000 gift from the Booth-Kelly Lumber Company.

Board of Directors increases from three to five members.

A $285,00 bond issue to develop Willamalane Pool, develop Willamalane Park and complete the Memorial Building is presented to voters. Bond is approved but is challenged by Portland attorney on the grounds the district was not legally established. Proved valid in 1950.

 

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1950s

At right: Willamalane staff and volunteers dressed for one of the the first Easter mEGGa Hunts.

Veterans Memorial Association donates the uncompleted Memorial Building to Willamalane.

Willamalane Pool opens as an outdoor facility.

The Willamalane Recreation Council (a citizen’s advisory group) forms.

Clayton Anderson becomes Willamalane's superintendent in 1952.

The Willamalane Golden Age Club forms and continues into the 1980s, after the Willamalane Senior Adult Activity Center is built. The Club is the only organized senior group in Oregon and provides the impetus for developing programs of interest to senior adults.

The first Program Guide is mailed to district patrons. It is a double-sided, one-page bulletin sponsored and printed by Weyerhaeuser.

A broken gas main near the Memorial Building causes a major gas explosion causing $10,000 in damage. The building custodian is hospitalized.

Willamalane's preschool program opens at the Memorial Building. Basketball, tennis, and programs begin.

Grand opening of "The Lounge," a center for teens. For a period in the 1960s, the lounge was known as the "Sugar Shack."

A bronze plaque is installed at the Memorial Building in memory of those who died in WWII.

District annexes area north to McKenzie River in the Wayside Lane and McKenzie Manor areas. Additional annexation to the north and west increased district area by 20%.

Robin Park and Gamebird Park are donated to the District.

Willamalane acquires Island Park.
University of Oregon students build play sculptures for Willamalane Park.

 

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1960s

At right: Indoor water skiing was a bold experiment at the Willamalane Park Swim Center in 1965.

Willamalane adopts first Master Plan.

Menlo Park, Guy Lee Park, and a portion of Bob Artz Memorial Park are donated to the District. Kelly Butte and Willamette Heights Park sites are acquired for $1 each from the City of Springfield. A portion of Island Park is acquired from Lane County, which includes the future site of the Senior Adult Activity Center.

21 other park sites are acquired.

Willamalane Park Pool cover construction begins.

Mushball leagues are formed and continue for 14 years until the switch in the 1970s to slow pitch softball.

Willamalane receives a National Merit Award as one of the ten outstanding governmental agencies in the United States.

Willamalane Baton Twirlers present their first annual recital.

Willamalane Swim Club beats world record for marathon swim—103 miles in 66 consecutive hours (the equivalent of the distance from Willamalane Pool to Portland). They also earn second place at a statewide invitational meet, edging out the Portland Swim Club

Willamalane Art League goes independent and becomes the Emerald Empire Arts and Crafts Association.

District closes all restaurant operations at the Memorial Building.

First Willamalane egg hunt.

Pre-teens present a petition (with 90 signatures) requesting that Willamalane reverse its plans to close the gym and pool tables at the Memorial Building for the summer. The closure is nothing new, but a policy that has been used to encourage youth to be out-of-doors when the weather becomes favorable and reflects previous patterns of reduced use.

Rosboro Lumber Company donates a 40-passenger bus to District.

Robert Artz becomes Willamalane's superintendent in 1960. Robert Haworth becomes Willamalane's superintendent in 1967. Gary Walker becomes Willamalane's superintendent in 1969.

In 1969 the District celebrates its 25th anniversary.

The Mayor of Springfield appoints committee to explore the feasibility of city operation of the park district; however, studies show that funding and services would be reduced.

 

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1970s

At right: Willamalane dancers at a Springfield birthday party.

In 1970 Springfield’s population stands at 26,874, more than a 100% increase from 1950.

Willamalane creates the first after-school recreation programs at Maple and Brattain Elementary Schools.

Senior Citizens' Advisory Council is formed and senior programs are expanded.

District purchases first 150 acres of Dorris Ranch property and the north portion of Island Park.

A $75,000 donation from Ben and Kay Dorris makes possible the purchase of the remaining 100 acres of Dorris Ranch property with matching money from the LWCF and the State of Oregon for the Willamette River Greenway.

New recreation programs are introduced to meet the needs of swing-shift workers. Late-Late sports leagues are formed (basketball, bowling, and softball) that practice and play between 11 p.m. and 4 a.m.

Willamalane Track Club earns 18 first-place ribbons at a Hayward Field all-comers track meet.

Willamalane Diving Club member Mark Bradshaw sets a new division record at the Oregon Junior Olympic Diving Championships. And, at the Oregon Indoor Diving Championships, he is named the "Most Outstanding Male Diver in Oregon."

Willamalane receives the state "Distinguished Award in Recreation."

Willamalane receives a national award "Community Model Program" for community education.

Willamalane receives a national award "Allied Organization Award" for developing community education programs.

Willamalane initiates community garden program on vacant lot donated by McKenzie-Willamette Hospital.

Major remodeling and renovation begins at Willamalane Pool.

Voters approve an annexation of the east end of Springfield. Willamalane's service district increases in size by more than 50%.

Specialized recreation programs serve the needs of disabled teens and adults.

Mr. and Mrs. Jack B. Lively donate $100,000 to Willamalane.

Dorris Ranch Land Use Plan, recommending development of a living history farm, is completed and adopted.

The Senior Adult Activity Center is completed.

 

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1980s

At right: Teams competing in Willamalane summer softball league.

Survey shows that twice as many people use Senior Adult Activity Center as originally anticipated.

Thurston Park property site is donated.

First Chicken Classic 8K Road Run is held and sponsors it's first triathalon.

Fire causes $75,000 in damage to the Memorial Building. Building is renovated and rededicated.

Daniel Plaza becomes Willamalane's superintendent in 1972.

School Recreation program expands to include 15 schools.

District initiates Scholarship Fund for needy residents.

In 1984 Willamalane celebrates its 40th anniversary.

Willamalane holds first Summer Day Camp at Dorris Ranch.

District acquires Jack B. Lively Memorial Park land, property at South 34th Street.

In 1989 Lively Park Swim Center opens to the public. It is the first indoor wave pool in the Northwest.

In 1985 Springfield celebrates its centennial.

Willamalane receives a national award "Outstanding Board-Commission Award."

Willamalane receives two state award for Board members, " Professional Honor Award" and "Under 30 Award." The entire Board also receives "Board of the Year."

In 1986 Willamalane wins the "National Gold Medal Award" as the outstanding park and recreation department in the United States in the 20,000-50,000 population category. Willamalane had been nominated for this award on six previous occasions.

Willamalane also receives the "Oregon Fitness Leadership Award, " the "Golden Spade Award" in recognition of investment made in the community, the "National Specialized Recreation Gold Medal," and the "National Waterpark Safety Award."

The National Register of Historic Places accepts and lists Dorris Ranch in its registry.

 

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1990s

At right: Hundreds enter the water at the start of the Willamalane triathalon.

Willamalane Pool bathhouse renovation is completed. The facility reopens and is renamed Willamalane Park Swim Center.

The Teen Center opens with coordination of the district, the City of Springfield, concerned citizens and interested teens.

Another award-winning decade for Willamalane " National Waterpark Safety Award," a state design award given to Lively Park Swim Center, a KUDOS Award for Best Television Public Service Announcement, an "Oregon Lifesaving Award" given to the Lively Park Swim Center lifeguard team and Willamalane's Kids Club is voted "The Best Place to Go After School" by the Eugene Weekly.

The Memorial Building remains open over the Memorial Day holiday for Red Cross teen counseling in response to the Thurston High School shooting tragedy.

Willamalane cosponsors the first annual Filbert Festival, held at Island Park.

The District's first annual Children's Celebration is held.

The District's first annual A Day on the Farm is held at the Dorris Ranch Living History Farm.

The district's first annual Haunted Hayride is held at the Dorris Ranch Living History Farm.

The Computer Learning Center opens at Senior Adult Activity Center.

The performance stage at Island Park is completed by the Springfield Community Concert Band. Maintenance and operation of the stage is turned over to the District.

Dorris Ranch entrance and kiosk are designed and built by University of Oregon student

The Dorris Ranch Interpretive Store opens, promoting and selling a wide range of Oregon-produced filbert products.

A vintage 1910 house (Tomseth House) to the Dorris Ranch Foundation for relocation to Dorris Ranch as on-site offices.

Clearwater Park is acquired from Lane County.

Wallace M. Ruff, Jr. Memorial Park and Pierce Park land is donated to the District.

The District acquires West D Street Greenway and Alton Baker Park Eastgate Woodlands.

Willamalane purchases two acres for a neighborhood park in the South Thurston Hills area. The land will be named Jesse Maine Memorial Park.

District acquires 11 acres on 79th Street from Springfield School District in Bob Artz Memorial Park trade.

Voters reject a bond measure to replace the failing roof at Willamalane Pool. The facility is closed due to flood damage in the pool tank and rain damage to the roof structure. A few months later, voters approve a bond measure to replace the pool roof by a margin of 63%. However, fewer than 50% of the electorate cast ballots and the vote is ruled invalid. As a result, the pool roof is removed and facility opens as an outdoor pool. The following winters, voters approve a bond measure to replace the pool roof and make other improvements.

In 1999 a computer system links all Willamalane facilities and the Willamalane Web site is launched.

 

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2000s

At right: One of the many "talking stones" at the newly redeveloped Eastgate Woodlands. The Kalapuya word "Kanaa" means "going across place."

Bob Keefer becomes Willamalane's superintendent in 2000.

The Skatepark at Willamalane Park is completed and the grand opening ceremony gets a visit from internationally acclaimed Tony Hawk and his crew.

Willamalane Park Swim Center reopens as an indoor facility.

Flag poles are upgraded or replaced at every Willamalane facility.

East Alton Baker Park is renamed The Whilamut Natural Area of East Alton Baker Park, honoring the Kalapuya people and their language.

In 2004 Morrisette Field is dedicated and opens at the 32nd Street Community Sports Park. It is the first artificial turf sports field in Springfield. The playground next to the field includes a popular climbing wall. The District broke ground on a new community center at this site. The center will replace the Memorial Building Community Center and the Administration Center.

In 2004 Willamalane throws a Birthday Bash to celebrate its 60th anniversary.

Willamalane's 20-year Comprehensive Plan secures approval, charting a course for parks and recreation in Springfield for the next 20 years.

Volunteers construct a replica pioneer cabin at Dorris Ranch, similar to the cabin that housed Oregon Trail pioneers William and Eliza Masterson when they first homesteaded the property in the 1850s. The cabin is used for educational programs at Dorris Ranch.

Willamalane purchases a wheelchair-accessible 35 passenger bus.

 

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