It’s All Connected! Whether you live in Eugene, Springfield, or elsewhere our waterways are connected and we all need clean water. Starting from Alton Baker Park, enjoy a bike tour to the Booth Kelly Trailhead in Springfield to meet the artists who will be painting the newest UpStream Art murals at the trailhead. The tour will continue onto the Mill Race path, where stormwater experts from the City of Springfield will meet participants to interpret the recent restoration project completion and other clean water features installed along the path. Participants will return to Alton Baker Park for the Willamette River Festival Opening Ceremony.
Please meet at the Alton Baker Canoe Canal Pond at the Festival Registration tent at 9AM. Please make sure your bicycle is in good working order before participating. The tour will covering approximately 7 miles round trip. Please wear comfortable shoes for riding a bicycle and come dressed for the weather. Sunblock and water bottle recommended! All ages welcome, under 17 must be accompanied by an adult.
The MIll Race Path was completed in 2017 as part of an environmental restoration effort east of the former Booth-Kelly mill, started in 2009 in an effort to preserve wildlife habitat and improve water quality. Along with the Mill Race Path, the City of Springfield also built a new stormwater treatment plant near the Booth-Kelly trailhead.
To learn more about the Springfield Mill Race Stormwater Facilty Project, please see the City of Springfield website here.
The UpStream Art Project features 16 unique murals on storm drains in downtown Springfield. Click for a map of storm drain mural locations. The murals raise awareness of the importance of storm drains and their connection to our rivers.
For more information about the UpStream Art Project click here.
Artwork above created by local artist, Jessilyn Brinkerhoff.