Riverwalk

The riverwalk will welcome people from all walks of life to experience the power and beauty of Willamette Falls.

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A new riverwalk that connects historic downtown Oregon City to Willamette Falls was first identified in a community visioning process which began in 2013. Thousands of Oregonians gave their input into this project, providing comments and insight into the project’s values and scope.

For the first time in more than 150 years, we hope to welcome visitors to experience Willamette Falls up close. By building the riverwalk and working with our many partners, the abandoned industrial site at the base of Willamette Falls, can be turned into a community gathering space and an exciting opportunity for redevelopment.

This project has been supported by passionate people who care about this amazing place and we hope that by recreating this Oregon landmark, it’ll capture all that is special about Willamette Falls for the people who have lived, worked, fished, celebrated, paddled, and dreamed there across many generations.

Riverwalk Design

The Willamette Falls Legacy Project has worked thoughtfully toward designing and building the future riverwalk. The process has included determining the character and public access alignment of the riverwalk, placement of viewing overlooks, selection of materials, areas of habitat enhancement and development of an overall site plan. The design of the riverwalk aims to incorporate the following:

PROGRAMMING PLAN Programming ensures a complete visitor experience and will keep the riverwalk active and lively. The programming plan will identify opportunities to “activate” the site’s public spaces in ways that create a unique visitor experience and encourage healthy economic development and investment in the area.

INTERPRETIVE FRAMEWORK  Interpretive opportunities planning will identify how and where the site’s history and culture can be highlighted on the riverwalk and surrounding area. This could include artwork, digital storytelling, programming, and interim access during construction.

PHASING PLAN The phasing plan will allow the riverwalk to be built over time as funds become available.

PARKING AND TRANSPORTATION PLAN This plan will ensure that visitors to the area can access the site and that the impacts of traffic and parking to the surrounding commercial and residential areas will be mitigated where possible. Programs could include: increased transit access, shuttles, expansion of permit parking areas, use of nearby private commercial parking during non-business hours, increased signage, construction of structured parking and incorporation of other best practices and actionable steps through an adopted and community supported plan.

 

Some history on the riverwalk design:

Explore the Willamette Falls Riverwalk Design

JUN 3 Willamette Falls Riverwalk Design Celebration

Watch video updates on the riverwalk design process

See the results of our design concepts survey and event workshops

Riverwalk Design Alternatives Presentation and Community Event – November 17, 2016

Riverwalk Opportunities Report Now Available

Riverwalk seasonal activities

Ideas and inspiration from riverwalk Open House

A cascade of support for the riverwalk

Riverwalk kickoff event attracts people far and wide

 

Riverwalk Opportunities Photo Gallery

The riverwalk concept was first identified in the community visioning process which began in 2013. Thousands of Oregonians gave their input into this project, providing comments and insight into the project’s values and scope.

This project has been supported by passionate people who care about this amazing place and we look forward to creating an Oregon landmark that captures all that is special about Willamette Falls for the people who have lived, worked, fished, celebrated, paddled, and dreamed there across many generations.

Download Vision Document
Download Riverwalk Information Boards

In 2015, the Oregon Heritage Commission designated Willamette Falls as the first ever State Heritage Area