SPRINGFIELD CHAMBER PARTNERS TO HONOR RUNNER’S LEGACY
Springfield, OR (August 17, 2021) — The Springfield community will soon have another recreational opportunity with an 800-meter (half mile) running trail.
The trail is being made possible, in part, by a family foundation grant from the Shana Thomas Barr Memorial Fund, established in memory of the former Springfield High School track athlete, Shana Thomas, who passed away in 2010 at age 35 from cervical cancer. Her mark in the triple jump remains SHS’s school record. She went on to compete for Central Michigan University on a track scholarship.
Starting at the parking lot at the east end of Willamalane Pool, “Shana’s Trail” will run north along Mohawk Blvd., west along I Street, south along the Silke Field baseball diamonds, and back to the southern side of the swale behind the pool to connect the loop. It will be composed using a “Pre’s Trail” mixture of specially applied aggregate and bark.
To complete the project, several community participants have joined together.
WIllamalane Park District heads this project with construction and infrastructure support from the City of Springfield and Springfield Utility Board. Eric Adams with Willamalane is the Project Manager and Simon Daws of Willamalane provided the trail map. Additional gratitude to James March, the SHS XC Coach, for getting this project off the ground.
“To date we have financial, in-kind, or other contributions from Springfield Rotary, City of Springfield, McKenzie Willamette Medical Center, Rexius Forest Products, Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, Springfield School District, Springfield Utility Board (SUB), and the Wildish Companies. The Springfield Rotary Club made “Shana’s Trail” their 2021 signature project,” said Shana’s father and project spokesperson John Thomas. “We also have carry-over contributions from the Springfield Educational Foundation which has served as a conduit for Shana’s memorial funds that were first established 11 years ago.”
Thomas said the project is on schedule to begin construction this fall. The family’s hope is that a second phase will include perimeter lighting, several cardio workout stations, and information kiosks along the trail listing contributors, offering workout advice, and telling users Shana’s story and the history of the memorial.
“It’s exciting to see so many Chamber members and other entities coming together for a major project which will benefit the community and honor one of our own,” said Vonnie Mikkelsen, president and CEO of the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce. “We’re here to convene leaders and network the resources that raise Springfield’s profile and bring further economic development to improve the community. We invite further individual and corporate sponsorship for the phase-two amenities.”
“We’re here to convene leaders and network the resources that raise Springfield’s profile and bring further economic development to improve the community.“
Family members report that over the last ten years, $35,000 from the memorial fund has benefitted the SHS High School track and field program.
“Funds have been distributed annually to SHS track athletes through a grant application process,” explains Shana’s sister, Heather Van Buskirk.
“Grants were awarded on a financial needs basis. We have been able to approve every application that we received over the years. The items most often purchased for the applicants were running shoes, track-specific spikes, and other track and field gear that the athletes and team, needed but were unable to obtain. We were also able to provide pole vault equipment, new long jump and triple jump runway mats, and a new high jump pit and pit cover,” she added.
“It is our families’ dream that the grant fund could conclude with some kind of permanent way to remember Shana,” said Van Buskirk.
“It is our families’ dream that the grant fund could conclude with some kind of permanent way to remember Shana.”
“Our hearts are so grateful for every entity that has contributed so far,” added Van Buskirk.
To learn more about Shana’s Trail contact Simon Daws (simond@willamalane.org).
About the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce
The Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce is a 501 (c) 6 non-profit association comprised of private, public, and non-profit organizations in the Springfield, Eugene, and surrounding communities. The Chamber offers programs and services to strengthen, represent, and promote business throughout the region. For more information about how to join or volunteer for the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, visit www.springfield-chamber.org or call 541-746-1651.
