Alton Baker Park facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Alton Baker Park
View across the duck pond with scale model Sun to the left, Willamette River, Peter DeFazio Bridge, Ya-Po-Ah Terrace and Skinner Butte in background
Location	Eugene, Oregon, Oregon
Status	Open all year

Alton Baker Park is a large and popular park in Eugene, Oregon, United States. It's located close to Autzen Stadium. The park was named after Alton F. Baker, Sr., who was the owner of a local newspaper called The Guard.

This park offers many fun activities and features. You can explore its peaceful duck ponds or ride your bike on its many bicycle trails. There's also a special dog park for your furry friends and a disc golf course. The park is right next to the Ferry Street Bridge, which crosses the beautiful Willamette River.

Another cool spot in the park is the Cuthbert Amphitheater. This is an outdoor stage where you can watch live music and plays. The amphitheater is named after Fred Cuthbert, who was the person who designed the park.

Whilamut Natural Area: A Special Place

One of the boulders engraved with Kalapuyan words along the paths of east Alton Baker Park, this one is next to the Willamette River: "Whilamut" "Where the river ripples and runs fast"

The eastern part of Alton Baker Park is less developed and is known as the Whilamut Natural Area. This area connects to Springfield's Eastgate Woodlands through bike paths and open spaces.

The name "Whilamut" comes from the Kalapuya people. It means "where the river ripples and runs fast." A special ceremony was held on September 7, 2002, to officially rename this part of the park. It included a traditional naming ceremony by the Kalapuya people.

The Nobel Peace Park: Honoring Peacemakers

In April 2013, a unique section opened inside Alton Baker Park. It's called the Nobel Peace Park. This one-acre area celebrates people from the United States who have won the Nobel Peace Prize. The Nobel Peace Prize is a very important award given to people who have done amazing things to promote peace in the world.

This park within a park is the very first Nobel Peace Park in the United States. It honors many important individuals and groups.

Here are some of the Nobel Peace Prize winners honored in the park: