Overview:
Springfield is conveniently located just east of I-5 between the McKenzie and Willamette Rivers. This location provides access to major arteries that service the Eugene- Springfield metropolitan area while maintaining easy access to the nearby coast, rivers, lakes and mountains. It shares a border to the west with Eugene, Oregon at the southern edge of the Willamette Valley. It is the 2nd largest city in Lane County and is best known as the gateway to the scenic McKenzie River Valley.
Springfield is home to the Willamalane Park & Recreation District which manages miles of trails, parks and event centers that offer options for exercise and fun family friendly activities to residents of all ages. In the heart of historical Springfield you’ll find not only the local government buildings & library but a thriving downtown with cafes, restaurants, markets, art galleries, antique malls and local artisan shops.
The Eugene-Springfield metropolitan area is serviced by 2 large Hospitals that operate out of Springfield. Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend & McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center which are also two of the larger employers in the area.
History of the Area:
Elias Briggs along with William Stevens ran a ferry on the nearby Willamette River and were some of the first to settle in the Springfield area. In 1854 Springfield School District No. 19 was created and a small schoolhouse was built near the corner of south 7th and B streets. Miss Agnes Stewart, a young woman from Pennsylvania, was the first teacher there. The community is rich in history and has a historical preservation committee as well as a museum to ensure that the history and records are well preserved. You see art and tokens of Springfield past featured in many local businesses.
Several Springfield, Oregon employers/ industries have had large impacts to the city’s culture & growth over the years. Weyerhaeuser opened it’s complexes in Springfield in 1949 and brought in a boom of building and work to the area in the 1950’s and last half of the 1900’s. The Springfield Creamery opened in 1960 by the family of well known local writer and activist, Ken Kesey. The creamery has become famous for its star product, Nancy’s Yogurt, developed from recipes of Nancy Hamren. The Grateful Dead held benefit concerts on behalf of the creamery through troubled financial time further solidifying their brand. For many years the city sponsored the annual “Filbert Festival” in early August to celebrate the history of Hazelnut farming in the area. While production has declined in the area to give room for housing development you can still roam the filbert orchards at Dorris Ranch and see active orchards in the Game Fram and Hayden Bridge Neighborhoods and see them featured in many local gardens.
Favorite Local Restaurants:
Plank Town Brewery
Addie’s Cafe
The Washburne Cafe
The Public House
Top rated Parks:
Springfield offers robust options for parks and trails. Some of the top rated parks are Dorris Ranch Park, Willamalane Park, Island Park, Kelly Butte Park & Overlook, Wallace M Ruff Jr Memorial Park, Willamette Heights Park, Quartz Park, Thurston Hills Natural Area & Jasper Road Trailhead. For an up to date list of all 45 local parks managed by Willamalanes be sure to check out the Park Directory.
Dog Park:
Jack B Lively Memorial Park
Walkability Scores:
Although many neighborhoods in Springfield rank higher on walk ability scores, Springfield as a whole is considered a car dependent city. For more details on the current walkability scores visit https://www.walkscore.com/score/springfield-oregon
Neighborhoods:
Hayden Bridge
Game Farm Neighborhood
North Springfield
Washburne Historic District
Thurston
Schools:
SPSonline
Willamette Leadership Academy
Academy of Arts & Academics (A3)
Gateways High School
Springfield High School
Thurston High School
Agnes Stewart Middle School
Briggs Middle School
Hamilton Middle School
Thurston Middle School
Centennial Elementary
Douglas Gardens
Elizabeth Page Elementary
Guy Lee Elementary
Maple Elementary
Mount Vernon Elementary
Ridgeview Elementary
Riverbend Elementary
Thurston Elementary School
Two Rivers-Dos Rios Elementary
Walterville Elementary School
Yolanda Elementary
