Special Places

Dragonfly Ponds
Some insects spend the first stage of their lives in the water. Other animals depend on water for shelter or food. Look in or near this pond for dragonfly nymphs, water boatmen, water beetles, spiders, giant water bugs, frog and snail eggs, red-winged blackbirds, blue and green herons, and even an occasional duck nest.

Heron Woods
Great blue herons have roosted in these woods in recent years. Herons nest in groups, usually from January - July, each monogamous pair tending three to five chicks. Look for their large, stick nests high in the cottonwood and Douglas-fir trees.

Butterfly Meadow
Nearby Nature has worked with the city of Eugene to keep this area unmowed for wildlife habitat. A variety of butterflies, including swallowtails, sulphurs and blues, frequent this patch of tall grass on hot summer days.

Oak Savannah
High on this old river terrace stand the park's three largest Oregon white oak trees. The hammer throw field here will be gone by the year 2005. Imagine this area restored to oak savannah, becoming prime habitat for ground-nesting birds, snakes, small mammals, and their predators, such as hawks and owls.

Magic Forest
Slender Douglas-firs grow packed into this dense shady stand. Lack of sunlight keeps seedlings and ground cover from thriving, and creates a shelter from rain and heat.

Cottonwood Corridor
Cottonwood, alder, ash and willow trees characterize this rich riparian area. Look for scenic riverside spots along the streamside trails.

Wildflower Hollow
Many of the park's most beautiful spring flowers can be found hugging the wall of the old river terrace. Look for meadowrue, larkspur, smilacina and fairy bell as you step carefully along this trail.

Incense Cedar Grove
Cedars give off a smell that repels insects but is pleasant to humans. Enjoy a cool fragrant stroll or a picnic among these sturdy trees.

Frog Haven
Listen for native Pacific treefrogs during late winter to spring breeding season and look for tadpoles soon after in these ephemeral, or temporary, ponds. Also, look for nearby water-loving plants such as sedges, rushes, and tufted hair grass.

Cattail Wetlands
Although this area had been severely degraded by inappropriate use, wetland species can still be found here, suggesting the promise of a future restoration project.

Filbert Orchard
Once a filbert farm, these remnant trees are related to our native hazelnut. Many animals love hazelnuts and even the native grey squirrel can often be seen leaping from limb to limb or searching the ground for tasty nuts in this shady wood.

Willow Point
Enjoy the flicker of the willow leaves and the shine of smooth river rocks at this scenic outlook along the river. Once a highly degraded place, this site now provides vital habitat for riparian wildlife. Watch for wading herons and nesting ducks in spring and summer.

Beaver Way
The quiet waters of the canoe canal provide habitat for many species. Look for waterbirds such as reclusive green heron and signs of beaver along this peaceful waterway

Turtle Pond
Originally excavated to provide fill for Autzen Stadium, this pond now serves the needs of many wildlife species. Look for grebes, cinnamon teal, and bufflehead ducks on the water, and red-winged blackbirds along the shore. With help, this area could provide an excellent breeding spot for the rare western pond turtle.

Meadowlark Prairie
Once a grassland and then a landfill until the early 1970's, this area now provides habitat for many native animals not commonly found in the city, including alligator lizards, lazuli bunting, kestrels and our beautiful state bird - the western meadowlark.

Maple Woods
Recently recovered from the grip of blackberries, this gently rolling area promises to become a grove of the valley's most characteristic tree, the bigleaf maple, and its accompanying snowberry, Indian plum, and sword fern.

Sedge Slough
These nutrient-rich quiet waters off the river's current provide sanctuary for resting fish and a nursery for aquatic insects. The sedges, rushes, and redosier dogwood create hiding places for nesting waterbirds.

Redtail Lookout
Check here for our most common hawk, the redtail, soaring and screaming above the park's largest ponderosa pine. These hawks prefer high perches beside open grasslands where their favorite prey species, field mice, like to scamper.

Whilamut Natural Area Guidelines

The Alton Baker Park Natural area is an oasis in the Eugene/ Springfield urban area. One of the best and simplest ways we can protect the natural qualities of our park is to lessen human impact.

Please help by heeding the following guidelines:

• Stay on the trails!   This keeps trampling to a minimum and reduces human disturbance of wildlife.
• Pack it out!   Litter shows disrespect and damages plant and wildlife habitat.
• Leave it in!   Each plant, animal, and rock has its value in nature. Please don't pick, catch, remove, or collect natural items.
• Keep pets leashed and on trails!   Pets can disturb and harm wildlife - and sometimes other park visitors, too!
• Ride bicycles only on designated paths!   Bicycles are allowed only on paved paths in the natural area (BMX and mountain biking may be done in the BMX area.)

  Please attend to these guidelines and help educate other park visitors as well. Remember, the natural area belongs to all of us, and especially to those plants and animals that can't speak for themselves!

Map of Alton Baker Park