Missing! Eugene, Oregon, is a great place to live, but today we're going to talk about Springfield, Oregon, Eugene’s Sister City and why it is a great choice as well. So, let's get started. My name is Lauri Howes and I am a realtor with United Real Estate Properties here in Eugene, Oregon, and Team Howes. And today we're going to take a tour of Springfield. I want to share with you my eight favorite things. CLICK TO WATCH



1) I just love Springfield. So, let's get started. Number one, the Willamette Lane Parks and Recreation District. It's an amazing district, the programs and the classes that they offer are absolutely tremendous. On Mohawk, in Springfield you can visit the Willamette Parks Swim Center, the skate park, and playgrounds, out Thurston is Splash, which is a great public pool for people of all ages along with a dog park and playgrounds. They also have forty-six parks and nature areas, many, many hiking/biking trails and just a lot of fun for everybody in the community.

You can also go miniature golfing at Camp Putt, which is over next door to Roaring Rapids Pizza, along the Willamette River. Enjoy a couple of rounds of golf then go have pizza and enjoy the Willamette River view. There's also the Less Schwab Sports Park, which has playgrounds and many, many soccer fields located at the Bob Keefer center where you’ll find a fitness center, all kinds of exercise classes, basketball, volleyball, and also there are some outdoor playgrounds for the kiddos.

2) Sacred Heart Medical Center at Riverbend is the largest hospital in Lane County and is located in Springfield. It is Springfield’s largest employer. Springfield also has the McKenzie Willamette Hospital. So, all of your medical needs are definitely met in Springfield.

3) Springfield has a vibrant downtown. There are many specialty shops along with eateries and a brewery. It's just a really nice place to hang out, walk, have a cup of coffee, maybe a beer or two, and enjoy the sights and sounds of the small city.

There's also the Gateway Mall, which has all of your typical mall stores, Cabela's, Target, Ross, Hobby Lobby and a lot of places to eat around the Gateway Mall, along with Cinemark 17, where you can go and watch a movie.

4) The Rivers, the Willamette River and the McKenzie River. Flank Springfield. There are many, many boat ramps where you can launch a river boat. There’s kayaking, fishing and rafting on the rivers.

It's just a super cool place to hang out in the summertime. And one of my very favorite places to go is Clearwater Water Park. From Clearwater Park you can ride your bicycle, walk, jog all the way to downtown, eat, drink, be merry and head back to Clearwater Park.

5) If you love the outdoors, there are 94 miles of trails. You have bike/walking/jogging paths throughout Springfield.

You can literally ride your bike, walk, jog to almost every spot in Springfield from the trail system, not to mention the location. Springfield is located in the Willamette Valley and it's literally one hour to the Cascade Mountains, to the east and one hour west is the Oregon coast.

6) If you love history and historic homes, the Washburn neighborhood is the place for you. It is just absolutely beautiful and it’s only a couple of blocks from downtown Springfield.

There's also the historical train station. It was built back in the 1890s by the Southern Pacific Railroad and Springfield acquired the building in 1988. They refurbished the building and now is the location of the Chamber of Commerce building and there's several antique shops as well. It's worth a visit.

7) There is a farmer's market in Springfield but my favorite place to go because you can go almost every day is Herrick's farms. Herrick’s is at the far eastern end of Springfield, and you can find all of your fresh seasonal produce throughout the season. Right now is strawberry season so it’s worth the drive to Herricks to pick up a flat of bright red strawberries.

8) From the Washburne district to the high-end neighborhoods of Mountain Gate and The Heights, there are many housing opportunities. Right now, the median sales price in Springfield $398,000 which is a little less expensive than Eugene, which is $425,000.

We appreciate the time you take to view our vlogs. And I hope you all have a great week.