About this time last year, about 800 people attended an opening celebration for what was then called “Striker Field Park.”
The park is now open and has become Eugene’s newest community park. But it also has a new name.
After further local community engagement and cultural consultation with representatives of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde and Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, “Striker Field Park” has become “Umso Park.”
The new name, pronounced “oom-SO”, was approved by the City Council during its most recent Wednesday work session. Umso is the Kalapuya word for “it is good,” and, as Carolyn Burke, Eugene parks and natural resource planning manager, said during the work session, it really is a good park.
“Umso, it’s unique,” Burke said. “I think it does describe the park in a way. It is good and there’s a lot of positive energy in that word and in that place.”
Jennifer Yeh, Ward 4 city councilor, shared her thanks for the countless individuals and hours of effort that supported the project of establishing the park space. She said the feedback and input of the Northeast Neighbors, a neighborhood association spanning Wards 4 and 5, were integral to the success of this project.