COMMUNITY
CULTURE, RECREATION & LEISURE
Great Places to Play
Eugene’s 134 parks cover nearly 3,442 acres, offering numerous picnic spots, play areas, 24 miles of hiking/jogging trails, 132 miles of bike paths, rhododendron and rose gardens. You’ll enjoy indoor and outdoor pools, 44 athletic fields, an outdoor amphitheater, 23 tennis courts, rock columns for climbing, five outdoor skateboard facilities, a major lighted softball complex. Add to that 12 community/recreation centers, a specialized recreation center and a year-round, professionally staffed recreation program for all ages and skill levels.
One local sporting organization, Emerald KIDSPORTS, annually serves nearly 24,000 young people, ages 5-18, with a wide variety of team sports programs that include soccer, baseball, softball, basketball and volleyball. (541/683-2374)
The University of Oregon’s 10,000 seat McArthur Court, affectionately known as “The Pit,” regularly hosts University and city league sports such as basketball, volleyball gymnastics. Cultural events are also held at Mac Court. The University of Oregon is currently constructing a new basketball arena, Matthew Knight Arena, which is set for completion in 2010.
Autzen Stadium with seating for 54,000 fans, hosts PAC 10 football. Besides Ducks football, Autzen also plays host to other events, marching band competitions, Oregon high school football championships and musical concerts. It is currently the largest sporting arena in the state of Oregon. (Oregon Athletic Dept. Tickets 541/346-4461)
The University’s beloved Hayward Field regularly hosts regional, national and international track and field events, and has been the home field of such legendary track stars as Alberto Salazar, Steve Prefontaine and Mary Decker Slaney. Each spring the Oregon Track Club holds the Prefontaine Classic track meet. It was home to the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Track & Field. It was ranked The Best Track to Watch a Meet by Runner's World, May 2003. (541/687-1989)
Civic Stadium is the home of the Eugene Emeralds, a Class A professional baseball team and an affiliate of the San Diego Padres. (541/342-5367)
Last but far from least, the Eugene area is a golfer’s paradise, with scenic courses offering challenges from everyone from weekend duffers to pro.
Great Places to Meet
Modern facilities, exceptional services and moderate prices make the greater Eugene area an ideal site for conventions, trade shows and conferences as well as recreational, athletic and cultural events. We’re equipped to manage virtually any size event.
The Hult Center for the Performing Arts includes the 2,500-seat Silva Concert Hall and the 500-seat Soreng Theatre. Both regularly feature top performing artists from across the U.S. and around the world. The Hult Center is home to the Eugene Symphony, Oregon Bach Festival, Eugene Concert Choir, Eugene Ballet Company, Eugene Opera, Oregon Mozart Players and the Shedd Institute. The Hult is part of a large civic center complex that includes the spacious Hilton Eugene & Conference Center, restaurant, full service bar, lounge and two large parking garages.
The Oregon Festival of American Music at the John G. Shedd Institute for the Arts presents concerts and festivals year-round in all genres from jazz to classical, traditional to musical theater, for kids and adults.
The Lane Events Center is a modern, all-purpose facility ideal for trade shows, equestrian events, ice skating and hockey, crafts fairs and major conferences and conventions.
Let Us Entertain You
Our area is extraordinarily rich in cultural activities and the arts. Each summer Eugene hosts the internationally-acclaimed Oregon Bach Festival, as well as the Art and the Vineyard, the Oregon Festival of American Music and the Lane County Fair.
In the fall you can enjoy food, fun and festivities at the city’s unique Eugene Celebration. There’s an annual Asian Celebration, a Scandinavian Festival, an Octoberfest and many other fairs and festivals in nearby communities.
Audiences can enjoy superb live theater at more that half a dozen-area venues such as Lord Leebrick Theatre Company and Mainstage Theatre Co./Actors Cabaret of Eugene. Dance and live music abound, and a broad selection of visual arts and crafts can be seen at local galleries. First-run movies, art and foreign films are available on more that 30 local theater screens.
We’re also proud of our area’s strong support for seven museums including the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art, UO Museum of Natural & Cultural History, the Lane County Historical Museum and the Springfield Museum, the Science Factory Children's Museum and a local planetarium.
For more Culture, Recreation & Leisure information, please click the following link: Culture, Recreation & Leisure.