Page 135 - Clackamas County Watertourism Strategic Plan. Final.v3

STRATEGIC PLAN FOR WATER-BASED TOURISM IN CLACKAMAS COUNTY, OREGON THE OPPORTUNITIES
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complicated by the array of stakeholders from a public utility, to private sector investors, and all levels of government. The findings in this Community
report are clear that the Willamette Falls has excellent tourism potential. However, trying to replace lost jobs should be (and probably is) the Involvement
number one priority for the City. A merger of modern industrial uses with tourism is possible at this site and, in fact, the West Linn Paper Mill
was considering tourism as a secondary revenue source. Tourism and industry are not mutually exclusive at this site. The City needs to engage
in a comprehensive strategic planning process with the key stakeholders at this site.
Oregon City
Oregon City has the potential of becoming the center of the water world for Clackamas County. The City lies at the confluence of the two most popular
rivers in the county and in northwestern Oregon. It has a mile of riverfront is bursting with Oregon’s history, a promenade overlooking the Willamette
Falls, and acres of waterfront parks. The city provides excellent recreation opportunities for all three of the major water-based recreation groups:
anglers; motorboaters; and non-motorized boaters. Few other municipalities can boast this claim. There are three public and private boat launches. The fishing can be
excellent for a wide range of species in all four seasons. Paddlers can enjoy relaxing flatwater trips with a wide diversity of aesthetics from wildlife to historically significant
industrial structures and architecture, to the base of the Willamette Falls. This all occurs within walking distance to a vibrant Main Street bustling with shops and restaurants.
The City has the opportunity to leverage river assets to attract visitors far more that is has or does. A visitor walking down main street might not know the river is two blocks
away or a visitor to Jon Storm Park might ask why it is so empty. Oregon City would benefit greatly from establishing a solid Urban/River Interface where visitors know they are
in a river city and residents are remined of its roots. It is beyond the scope of this report to go into the details of how this is done but a few brief ideas are presented for future
discussion during a water tourism workshop:

Clackamette Park: The RV Park should be upgraded. The author spent many nights in campground throughout the county, including Clackamette Park on several occasions, and
on a comparative basis this Park has much more potential. RV parks in the county generally offer more comfortable amenities. This Park provides almost no shade nor grass in
stark contrast to the adjacent day-use areas. The Park has riverfront access, great views, and a boat launch. Upgrading this area to county standards would likely attract more
water-based tourists.
Waterfront festivals: In addition to creating Oregon’s largest river festival (see below), Oregon City has many opportunities for smaller events that take advantage of the river
including: fishing derbies; triathlons; water ski competitions; and Willamette River heritage festivals.