Nestled in the Willamette Valley between the breathtaking scenery of the Cascade Mountains and the Oregon Coast Range, Eugene is often referred to as “The Emerald City.” Douglas fir forests border Eugene on three sides and account for its past reputation as a lumber town. The city of Eugene is often named one of America’s most livable cities and it’s not hard to see why. It is home to the University of Oregon, has renowned cultural activities, abundant recreational opportunities and enjoys a beautiful setting and mild climate. The area is so pleasant the Kalapuya people, the first inhabitants of the Willamette Valley, are thought to have occupied the area for centuries. However, by the mid-1800s settlers were displacing the Kalapuya. Eugene Franklin Skinner built the first cabin in the area in 1846. It was used as a trading post and officially designated as a post office in 1850. In another two years, Skinner and a local judge had Eugene City laid out. After heavy rains proved their first location to be rather soggy (the site became known as “Skinner’s Mudhole”), they moved the town site to higher ground. Settlers kept arriving in the fertile region. Several sawmills were built to process nearby timber, and by 1858 there were more than 500 people in Eugene City. In 1862, the city was finally incorporated and two years later changed its name to City of Eugene. Eugene is now home to more than 150,000 people, and with its neighbor Springfield, makes up the third largest metropolitan area in Oregon, after Portland and Salem. It is located 426 feet above sea level and covers approximately 36 square miles. But statistics do little to describe Eugene. It is a vibrant community, the quintessential college town, full of active people who make it a point to enjoy their surroundings and the arts. A favorite spot to congregate is along the banks of the peaceful Willamette River, which meanders through the city. Miles of biking and running trails line the river in Alton Baker Park. Canoes and kayaks can be rented for leisurely boating. Summer temperatures can reach the 80s and 90s and the cool grass along the river is perfect for outdoor concerts, fairs and festivals. Additional cycling is available on more than 300 miles of bike paths in Eugene and Springfield, most of them flat. Whitewater rafting and kayaking are popular on the nearby McKenzie, Rogue and Umpqua Rivers. Flower-lovers will want to visit the renowned Rhododendron Garden at Hendrick’s Park. This 12-acre garden contains more than 6,000 rhododendrons, azaleas, magnolias, viburnums and other plants. Paths wander through the garden to secluded seating areas. The rhodies bloom from February through July, with peak flowering in April and May. Another flower-lover’s mecca is the Owen Rose Garden in Skinner Butte Park where 4,500 roses scent the air. The park is where city founder Eugene Skinner built his cabin in 1846. In all, Eugene has 133 diverse city parks that encompass more than 3,000 acres.