A memorial park for former University runner Steve Prefontaine soon will be constructed near the intersection of Skyline Boulevard and Birch Lane — the site of his fatal car accident in 1975.
Nike CEO Phil Knight recently donated the land to the city of Eugene, and the city has plans to construct the park in the next couple years. The park, which has no set completion date, will be built around an existing monument.
Assistant Athletic Director for Media Services Dave Williford said the University is supportive of the new park and the efforts being made to honor Prefontaine’s memory.
“Prefontaine was probably one of the few bright spots in our athletic history,” he said. “Many people still identify the University with him and the park is obviously something we would welcome.”
Eugene citizen Arne Alvarado’s house sits just a few feet away from the Prefontaine monument, and he said he is excited to see a park constructed in honor of his old acquaintance.
“When I was growing up, Prefontaine would come jogging by here,” he said. “He was a cool guy. If there were kids with a lemonade stand, he would make sure to have money in his pocket to buy some.”
Alvarado said he and his father, Bill, were the first two people on the scene the night Prefontaine lost his life.
Alvarado said the park will add to the already popular site. People often stop by and view the memorial, he said. The memorial is also a preferred site for runners to stop and stretch, he added.
City of Eugene Director of Parks and Open Space Division Johnny Medlin said the city has not set a timeline for developing the park, partially because funding is not currently available.
“It is not uncommon for the city to have a piece of land donated to them and, as public and private funds become available, make improvements to that site,” he said.
Medlin said although the development of the park won’t start for another couple years, the city already has plans to widen the road and create parking spots in the immediate future.