Looking for something fun to do this Father’s Day Weekend? Try geocaching! Geocaching is a real-world outdoor treasure hunt using GPS-enabled devices like your smartphone or tablet. Try to find a ‘cache’ in Santa Clara or almost anywhere in Eugene and Springfield.
Caches in Santa Clara Parks (There are many others in Santa Clara)
Arrowhead Park
Awbrey Park
Filbert Meadows
Hileman Landing
Santa Clara Community Park (2)
Terra Linda Park
Wendover Park
How to begin:
Get the Geocaching app from your phone or tablet’s app store.
Open the app and review the various caches near you
Walk or drive to a spot near the cache.
Walk while following the blue dot on your device. The dot represents where the cache is. Satellite readings are accurate to about 15 feet.
Read the ‘Description’ and ‘Hint’ and look at any photos that have been posted.
If dad can’t find the cache, hand the phone to a kid or teenager
Things to know:
Caches come in various sizes and disguises. From micro at Terra Linda to irrigation looking systems on private property.
The blue dot will get you close; the description, hint, and photos should finish the job.
If you find the cache, you can mark it as found, and you’ll see a smiley face on your device. If you don’t find it, leave a message for the person who placed the cache. An animal might have dragged off the cache.
The image below is what the geocaching app looks like. Smiley faces are caches that have been found by the person with the smart phone or tablet.
The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for parts of the Willamette Valley, including Eugene, for June 14-16. Temperatures are expected to exceed 95 degrees.
Community members are encouraged to stay hydrated with water when the temperature is so high. All water fountains and splash pads in Eugene are turned on for summer. Splash pads are on seven days a week, including holidays, from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. at:
Downtown Riverfront Park (701 E. 8th Ave.)
Fairmount Park (E. 15th Ave. and Fairmount Blvd.)
Oakmont Park (2295 Oakmont Way)
Skinner Butte Park (248 Cheshire Ave.)
Umso Park (Grand Cayman and Antigua drives)
Washington Park (2025 Washington St.)
Pools
Amazon Pool is open every day for drop-in Lap Swims. Rec Swims and Family Swims beginning June 15. A complete schedule is available on the Amazon Pool webpage.
Echo Hollow Pool & Fitness Center offers drop-in Lap Swims and Rec Swims every day but is closed Sunday. A complete schedule is available on the Echo Hollow Pool webpage.
Sheldon Pool & Fitness Center offers drop-in Lap Swims and Rec Swims every day but is closed Saturday. A complete schedule is available on the Sheldon Pool webpage.
Cooling Centers
The Downtown Library is a designated cooling site and is open 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday, Friday and Saturday; 9:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday; and 1-5 p.m. Sunday. The Bethel and Sheldon branches are open 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Thursday; noon-8 p.m. Tuesday; and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Hilyard Community Center is a designated cooling site and is open 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. Because of ongoing programming, there is a limited capacity in the lobby.
Community Centers are open for regular hours:
Amazon Community Center 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday.
Campbell Community Center 8:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday; 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Tuesday-Friday.
Hilyard Community Center 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday.
Petersen Barn Community Center 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday.
Sheldon Community Center 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday.
With a great number of people seeking relief at one of Lane County’s many waterways, our Lane County first responders would like to urge community members to use extreme caution when recreating. Use a life jacket and beware that many bodies of water remain cold despite the hot temperatures. If boating or swimming, beware of submerged hazards.
Human heatstroke symptoms can include high body temperature, a fast, strong pulse, headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion and loss of consciousness. If you notice someone experiencing these symptoms, call 911 right away — heatstroke is a medical emergency. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offer tips for preventing heat stroke-related illness. City staff may be seen taking breaks in shaded areas or air-conditioned vehicles following guidance to prevent heat-related illnesses.
It is extremely important to remember these safety tips to keep your furry family members safe:
Leave pets at home when running errands. Leaving your animal in a parked car, even for just a few minutes, can easily cause heat stroke or brain damage. On an 85-degree day, a car’s interior temperature can climb to 104 degrees in 10 minutes, even with the windows slightly open. Dogs are especially vulnerable to heat stress because they do not sweat in the way that humans do; they release body heat by panting.
Dogs should not ride in uncovered pickup truck beds. The hot metal truck bed can burn your pet’s paw pads.
Keep pets inside during the heat of the day; do not leave them outside unattended.
Make sure pets have access to water bowls full of cool, fresh water.
When pets are outside, be sure to provide shaded areas for them to rest in and invest in a misting hose or kiddie pool for a cool place for your pets to play.
Limit or skip on exercise and time at the dog park during the heat of the day.
Always test the pavement or sand with your hand before setting out (too hot to touch is too hot for your pet), walk early in the morning or late at night when it’s cooler, carry water and take frequent breaks in shady spots. If you suspect your pet’s paws have been burned, contact your vet immediately.
Animal heatstroke symptoms can include restlessness, excessive thirst, heavy panting, lethargy, lack of appetite, dark tongue, vomiting and lack of coordination. If your animal is overcome by heat exhaustion, consult your veterinarian right away. If you notice an animal in distress or unresponsive in a parked car, first try and locate the pet’s owner and alert them to the animal’s condition. If you cannot find the animal’s owner, call 911.
If you notice an animal in distress or unresponsive in a parked car, call 911. If an animal is not in distress and it is quicker to locate the owner, you may consider that in addition to calling for help.
Looking for things to do in Santa Clara this summer. Board Member Matt Vohs has compiled a large list for you – especially if you have kids. Some of the locations with activities include:
Eugene Library Story Time at several parks, including Awbrey Park River Road – Santa Clara Volunteer Library Open House and other activities St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church Weekday Play Area and other activities Eugene Rec Movies in the Park throughout Eugene. – not Santa Clara this year. 4th Annual Concert at Awbrey Park put on by the Santa Clar Community Organization Emeral Park Concerts, including the Sugar Beets and Satin Love Orchestra Family Games in the Park – Arrowhead and Wendover Parks July 18th – Santa Clara Park Grand Opening
And lots of other activities at the Fairgrounds and other venues.
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