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Pre’s Rock in Eugene will be closed for safety improvements

The memorabilia at Pre's Rock will be kept secure and returned to the memorial site after safety work is complete.
City of Eugene
The memorabilia at Pre's Rock will be kept secure and returned to the memorial site after safety work is complete.

An informal pilgrimage site for track fans in Eugene is getting a makeover. The renovation work at “Pre’s Rock” is aimed at increasing safety.

Steve Prefontaine was a star runner who died in 1975 in a car accident while driving too fast on windy Skyline Boulevard near Hendrick’s Park. “Pre’s Rock” attracts runners and their fans, especially during major track events. Emily Proudfoot with the City of Eugene, told KLCC sometimes entire tour buses bring fans to the narrow residential street.

“Basically, there’s no sidewalk in front of the rocks,” said Proudfoot. “And so people are just standing out in the street. It’s not a very heavily traveled street but people drive really fast on it. It’s between two blind corners. So, it’s not very safe. For people to just be kind of standing in the street.”

Pre’s Rock will be closed to the public through December while crews install a sidewalk and viewing area. Many more visitors are expected at the memorial in July when the World Track & Field Championships come to Eugene.

Copyright 2021 KLCC.

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.