Bramblewood Park

Most motorists find themselves on Maxwell Road cutting from Highway 99 to River Road, as it boasts a bridge to bypass the trains and Northwest Expressway; they rush past peaceful neighborhoods on either side of the street without a second thought. However, if you take the time to turn on any of the narrow side streets off of Maxwell Road, you will find bunches of pedestrians, kids of all ages on skateboards and bicycles and dog-walkers out and about.

Bramblewood Park Eugene Oregon

For example, turn north on Labona Drive and hang a left onto Bramblewood Lane to find Bramblewood Park, a cozy, quiet haven we would otherwise miss. Here the road narrows and a playground sign reminds motorists to watch for children. Trees and natural undergrowth are abundant on both sides of the road and make for a blind corner, which also helps reduce traffic speeds past the park. A less-than-obvious and unmarked parking area curves out on the right side of the road, and the park sits to the left. About a dozen established trees welcome those entering the park and give way to a deep, flat lawn with a single bench at the far corner. The playground features typical equipment: a sand-filled arena with three slides, monkey bars, swings, and a single basketball hoop in a small, paved court. A group of six or seven kids were playing basketball without supervision here on a Friday afternoon, which implied that the neighborhood is safe and the park is a convenient hangout for its youth. A sidewalk permits access across the east side of the lovely lawn and abuts a natural, unmanaged area to the left, which is full of birdsong and the chirping of crickets.

The best way back to Maxwell Road is the way you came in: following Bramblewood will take you through twisting, low-speed neighborhoods of manufactured and single-family homes where your unfamiliar vehicle will surely stand out as lost. The park is open from 6am to 11pm.

Article and photos by Lauren L. Zavrel