SPRINGFIELD – A frigid 40-degree wind chill wasn’t going to stop anyone from visiting newly opened Arrow Park. With red cheeks and puffy coats, Yolanda Elementary students took a recess to shoot basketballs, swing on the swing set, spin on the merry-go-round and glide down the slide. Willamalane staff also braved the cold and huddled next to the heaters for the opening ceremony.
Meridien Howe, Yolanda physical education teacher, said the park was a hit from the kids’ perspective.
“They love it. They keep saying, ‘So is this our new recess now? We can walk here every time, right?’” she said.
The new park is located at 2550 Otto St., directly behind Marcola Meadows — the largest housing subdivision in Springfield. Covering 5.6 acres, Arrow Park is named after its aerial shape and symbolizes moving forward with positive activity for the families of Springfield, according to Michael Wargo, executive director of administrative services division at Willamalane.
Arrow Park is Willamalane’s 47th park, meeting all ADA requirements and with something for every age.
Arrow Park’s amenities includes mud-free play structures for ages 2-5 and 2-12, a walking trail, as well as a basketball court; the main attraction, however, is undoubtedly the bike track, which is the first-ever bike attraction in a Willamalane park.
Landscape architect Simon Daws included a bike track in his design with teens in mind.
“A lot of kids get playgrounds and adults get sports fields, sometimes the teenagers get left out,” he said.
With the EWEB path running two-and-a-half miles across Springfield and right alongside the park, it provides safe access to a park with age-appropriate activities, without even having to ask for a ride, according to Daws.
“We want to find a way to keep (teens) involved in good, healthy, positive activities,” said Chris Wig, Willamalane board president.
The park cost $1.31 million, but actually came under budget with a $1.32 million original allotment.The funding came from system development charges from the Marcola Meadows development, which are fees collected to fund the construction of public infrastructure in order to support new developments and populations within the City of Springfield.
Wargo highlighted the collaboration of many minds to bring the park into fruition.
Willamalane staff standing proud in front of their newest project, Arrow Park. (from left to right) Chris Wig, board president; Brook Reinhard, board director; Renee Jones, board vice president; Greg James, board director; Michael Wargo, executive director.
“You go to a lot of different places, and you won’t get this type of collaboration and partnership building that you have here at Team Springfield,” Wargo said.
Classic Design and Construction LLC was the general contractor for Arrow Park, a family-run company owned by Clyde and Cynde Denny that also worked on Marylhurst and Bluebelle Parks, as well as Dorris Ranch. All playground equipment was built in Oregon by Plate Craft Systems of Grants Pass, too.
“We’re really excited because one of our goals at Willamalane is to have every part of Springfield have access and be able to walk to a park. … This is going to be a great resource for the folks who are just moving into these new homes,” Wig said.
The planning of Arrow Park was two years in the making, with construction lasting eight months in total.
“We don’t get to open up a brand new park each and every day. So this has been a really exciting time for us. … And it’s been a really long process but when you see the smiles on the kids’ faces it means so much to all of us,” Wargo said.
