Golden Gardens: Protect Bethel’s Natural Areas

Supporting community development that doesn't compromise on conservation

Golden Gardens Park is one of the few natural areas with wildlife habitat in Bethel and is a crown jewel of the community. The site features herons, bald eagles, and protected Western Pond Turtles. The City of Eugene is proposing a new community sporting complex to meet the community’s need to accommodate recreational activities. While we support local sports and recreation, the proposal will include adding a significant amount of plastic artificial turf to this highly sensitive habitat.

The proposed sports complex threatens the delicate ecosystem with the inclusion of artificial turf. Artificial turf contributes to the environmental crisis, releasing harmful microplastics that endanger wildlife and human health. Let's prioritize the well-being of our community, wildlife and environment.

2024 Update

The City of Eugene held a series of public meetings to share the latest design for the Golden Gardens Park Sports Complex and Neighborhood Park. The public is asked to give input on the latest design for the 223-acre park and sports complex which includes 14 sports fields, a 124-acre natural area with protections for turtles and native species, a trail system and a 12-acre neighborhood park. Community members who attended voiced concerns, including inadequate protection for the Western Pond Turtle, plastic grass/artificial turf playing fields, sports field lighting, over 700 paved parking spaces, and deterioration of wetland ecosystems and water quality.

The City has contracted Parametrix to complete a Triple Bottom Line Analysis of the use of artificial turf sports fields at Golden Gardens Park. We will continue to monitor progress and urge transparency throughout this process.

The Plan

This is a visualization of the final sports complex design provided by the City of Eugene's contracted design architect, Cameron McCarthy. If approved, the area would be constructed in phases.

The first phase would be approximately two rectangle fields with vehicle access from Clear Lake Road. The entire park is projected to be completed in 15 to 20 years.

What We're ASking

This is the final design for the 223-acre park and sports complex at Golden Gardens provided by the City of Eugene's contracted design architect Cameron McCarthy.

Beyond Toxics has added the area shaded in blue to represent the recommended 500 ft buffer zone (per Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Best Management Practices for Northwestern Pond Turtle) over the ponds and surrounding area which has been identified as habitat for the NW Pond turtle. The bright turquoise shaded area identifies areas where the NW pond turtles are known to have nested.

Ways You Can SUpport GOlden Gardens

Attend a Work Party With Us!

Beyond Toxics regularly holds work parties with Eugene Native Plants and Waterways to remove invasive species and support the northwest pond turtle population.

Click here to view our events!

A large group of volunteers in front of a pond on an overcast day.

Write to Eugene Parks & Open Space Representatives

Representatives on the Golden Gardens Committee:

Mark A Kosmos: [email protected]
Carolyn J Burke: [email protected]
See the talking points (below) to help craft your message.
NOTE: When communicating with the City of Eugene officials, please be polite and include your Eugene address in your communication.

TALKING POINTS

Prohibit the use of artificial turf. Artificial turf is a major source of PFAS, harms local aquatic wildlife from runoff, and creates heat islands that add risk of dehydration and heat stroke. Instead, use natural, organic turf.

Require a 500-foot buffer from suitable and inhabited turtle habitat. This is a minimum recommendation from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife's best management practices.

Place limits on lighting during evening hours and when fields are not in use.

Invest in current parks that are underresourced. Eugene has many underutilized parks that would benefit from increased maintenance and lighting to extend hours of use. Begin with these parks before developing a natural area.