History

Stay current on Willamette Falls

Check here for the latest updates on project design and construction, recaps of public meetings, and the latest news and events.

Willamette Falls Legacy Project update

Thu 9 Apr 20

Willamette Falls Legacy Project officials met April 8 to discuss the future of the riverwalk at Willamette Falls. The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde presented an alternative riverfront concept they’ve developed for the first phase of the riverwalk. The alternate design seeks to support the Willamette Falls Legacy Project’s four core values, the riverwalk conceptual design, and meets Grand Ronde’s site cleanup and development goals.

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Grand Ronde planning to purchase Blue Heron site

Fri 14 Jun 19

We are excited about carrying out the community’s vision for a public riverwalk along Willamette Falls – a commitment that remains in place, even if the landowner changes. Construction is slated to begin in spring 2020.

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“Stories have to be told or they die…”

Fri 6 Apr 18

Stories have to be told or they die, and when they die, we can’t remember who we are or why we’re here.
-Sue Monk Kidd, The Secret Life of Bees

Do you have a Willamette Falls story to tell? This winter and spring, Clackamas Community College, Rediscover the Falls and the Willamette Falls Legacy Project invite you join one of two three-day digital storytelling workshops dedicated to stories about the Falls.

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End of an era through a pioneer’s eyes

Thu 9 Mar 17

A profile of Janet Malloch, the first woman technician and shift supervisor, who worked at Blue Heron Paper Company from 1977 until its closing in 2011. During that time, she paved the way for women to work in mills, moving up the ranks from technician to board member.

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WFLP site interpretive design

Mon 6 Mar 17

As one of our four core values, historic and cultural interpretation has been at the heart of project planning from the beginning and will be incorporated into each phase of riverwalk development.

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Continuous Commerce: Willamette Falls

Wed 1 Mar 17

Focusing on the project’s core value of Economic Redevelopment, we’ve reflected on the falls’ past, present and future as an economic and industry engine for Oregon City and the state.

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Exploring the site: the Pipe Tunnel

Mon 10 Oct 16

Our design team is investigating ways to reuse, enhance, or re-purpose structures and elements from the old mill and PGE dam. One of them is the Pipe Tunnel, a hollow concrete tunnel structure on the edge of the site, right along the banks of the Willamette.

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Tribes mark the beginning of Riverwalk design

Wed 10 Jun 15

Photo: Representatives of the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs join the Oregon Governor for the announcement of the Willamette Falls schematic design team. From left to right, Evaline Patt, Tribal Council Vice-Chair, Governor Kate Brown and Eugene Greene Jr., Tribal Council Chairman. Native Americans have been fishing, gathering and trading at Willamette Falls for

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