City Council Votes to Rename Striker Field “Umso Park”

At the September 18 work session, the Eugene City Council voted unanimously in favor of renaming Striker Field to “Umso Park,” pronounced oom-SO. Umso is the Kalapuya word for “it is good.”

This decision comes after community engagement and consultation with representatives of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde and Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians.

“We are proud to honor the heritage of the Kalapuya people and to celebrate this vibrant community space,” Parks and Open Space Director Craig Carnagey said. “The renaming of the park is a reflection of both the community’s values and the City’s commitment to acknowledging and respecting Indigenous cultures.”

BACKGROUND

The name “Striker Field” was associated with a community sports field concept originally planned for the undeveloped park in Northeast Eugene; however, the vision changed with the increase in residential development surrounding the park. Parks and Open Space planning staff determined that a park focused on the recreational needs of the immediate neighborhood was more appropriate for the site.

Throughout the public design process, the desire to rename Striker Field to something more suitable for the new vision was shared by neighbors and community members alike. In November 2020, Parks and Open Space opened the re-naming process by asking the community for ideas. There was strong public support for a name that honors local Native American groups and languages.

City staff engaged with the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde and the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians in the spring and summer of 2024 to seek input and guidance on the park naming. The name Umso Park was selected based on this input and the preferences of the community.

Striker Field Park opened in September 2023. The park development was was funded with a combination of System Development Charge Funds and the 2018 Parks and Recreation Bond. As new bond projects are completed and transition to park operations stewardship, levy funds from the 2023 Parks and Recreation Levy provide for their maintenance.