Parks & Trails
South Waterfront Greenway UPDATE
November 14, 2008
We received an update for the South Waterfront Greenway this week – here is the latest:
November 2008 Update
The Greenway Project Team is working to obtain the necessary permits for the Central District Greenway from state and federal natural resource agencies. Key features of the riverbank design are being updated to enhance natural conditions along the
Improved Riverbank Design
Changes to the design concept have been developed through conversations with the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) in order to secure a federal permit.
The improved design includes:
- A gradually sloping, softened riverbank in the area between Whitaker and Pennoyer Streets will provide better habitat for fish and wildlife. This new design features a gravel and sand beach, more shallow water area, and space for native plants and trees. The previous design relied on large rocks, called rip-rap, to stabilize the steeper bank and protect against erosion.
- Trails and other public spaces will be placed above the ordinary high water level (about 18 feet) and held in place using a sheet-pile wall. The face of the wall will be vegetated and screened by willows, trees and other native plants. Careful placement of trees above and below the wall will balance habitat needs with the desire for views along the greenway. Â
Contaminants Testing
Concerns about the presence of in-water contamination from past industrial uses will require additional testing this fall. Test results will help ensure that construction of the park also manages any remaining risk from past industrial activity.
A plan to gather sediment samples from the river bottom in the Central Greenway District was recently reviewed by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). Samples will be gathered in November and then tested to ensure public health and the environment are protected before, during and after construction of the Greenway.
Future Updates
The project team will continue to send periodic updates with news of progress to complete the Central District Greenway. For more information about the project, contact Patty Freeman, project manager at 503-823-5592, pkpatty@ci.portland.or.us, or visit www.portlandparks.org.
Barbara Hart
Community Engagement & Public Involvement Manager
To stay informed, please visit the South Waterfront Greenway page on the PP&R website: http://www.portlandonline.com/oni/index.cfm?c=29377&a=217758
This entry was posted on Friday, November 14th, 2008 at 12:00 pm and is filed under Parks & Trails. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
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Anatoliy (Toliy) Ioffe is a long-time Pacific Northwest resident with a love for the outdoors. He is thrilled to live next to the river, whose valley has been described as Oregon's Garden of Eden.
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