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About North Douglas herald. (Drain Or) 2023-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 1, 2024)
December 2024 FREE Vol #2 Issue #12 Introducing the Willamette Valley Motoplex Experience Story & Photos by Rusty Savage You can’t miss the site of the Harley-Davidson and Indian dealerships on the south side of Eugene/ Springfield, as you approach on I-5N. The Indian Dealer is relatively new but the Harley-Davidson store has been there since the ‘90s and now the dealership includes the, historic, Royal Enfield line of motorcycles. Since it opened at that location, The Hughes Flying Boat Now Latest Oregon Entry in the National Register of Historic Places Story by Milo Banks Oregon’s State Advisory Committee on Historic Preservation recommended the property’s nomination at their October 2023 meeting. The National Park Service, which maintains the National Register, accepted the nomination on October 15, 2024. The Hughes Flying Boat (H-4 Hercules), often referred to as the “Spruce Goose”, is nationally significant for its association with Howard R. Hughes, Jr., one of the most influential figures in American aviation history, and for the seaplane’s service as a research and testing platform for innovative mechanically Continued on Page 7 there have been a number of different owners and I want to introduce you to the newest owner and general manager, Joshua Sklaroff. Josh is not new to motorcycles or Harley-Davidson motorcycles, specifically. “I’ve always had a passion for motorcycles since I was a kid ever since seeing my Dad on his Harley when he retired from the military. So I started Continued on Page 5 Pass Creek Park Closure Controversy Story and Photos by Rusty Savage It came as quite a surprise to many people when Douglas County announced the permanent closure of Pass Creek Park last September, citing low occupancy rates and not enough revenue to cover operating costs. The Douglas County Board of Commisioners (BOC) has been accused of not playing fair in it’s continued efforts to close, sell and privatize the Park in spite of local opposition. Pass Creek County Park and Campground is located right off of Interstate 5 in Curtin, about 12 miles south of Cottage Grove. 22 acres in size, it has a day-use park, pavilion, playground, a pond, and 30 full hook-up campsites, restrooms, and showers. “Pass Creek County Park simply does not generate enough revenue to cover the annual costs to operate the park or to support additional investments,” said Mark Wall, director of the Douglas County Parks Department. “The Parks Department is intentionally managed to be financially self-sustaining. Therefore, as a department that operates without any general fund support, it is imperative that we make fiscally responsible, and Continued on Page 13
