Eugene voters approve park funding levy

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A park worker cleaning up graffiti in Eugene.
File photo

Eugene voters Tuesday voiced their support for parks with approval of a five-year levy to fund park services.

The enhancement of an existing 2018 parks levy lets the city spend an additional $4.33 million annually on park services. Craig Carnagey, Eugene Parks and Open Spaces Director, said the funds are meant to improve public safety.

“So, we’ve got dedicated police officers, park resource officers patrolling parks,” he said. “We’ll have a more stable park ambassador crew that addresses park rule violations. We’ll have a more stable clean-up team that’s going to focus on clean-ups associated with park rule violations as well as increased graffiti removal and vandalism response.”

A trail at Iris Ridge Park part of the Eugene Parks and Open Space system.
Rachael McDonald

The funds also support additional recreational activities in Eugene parks.

“We know that the community loves our parks and recreation system and this really was a vote of confidence in the hard work that our staff do every day to make sure that Eugene has a safe, clean and green park system for everyone to enjoy,” he said. “So, I just want to say, thank you very much Eugene.”

The levy was passing with more than 65 percent of the vote in Tuesday’s special election.

Copyright 2023 KLCC.

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Rachael McDonald is KLCC’s host for All Things Considered on weekday afternoons. She also is the editor of the KLCC Extra, the daily digital newspaper. Rachael has a BA in English from the University of Oregon. She started out in public radio as a newsroom volunteer at KLCC in 2000.