Page 40 - Clackamas County Watertourism Strategic Plan. Final.v3

STRATEGIC PLAN FOR WATER-BASED TOURISM IN CLACKAMAS COUNTY, OREGON THE WATER
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Oregon City

Located adjacent to the confluence of the Willamette and Clackamas rivers and the Willamette Falls,
Oregon City’s waterfront area is arguably the center of the greatest water-based tourism potential in the
county. Oregon City bursts with history in a most spectacular natural setting. For early settlers, it was
the last stop on the Oregon trail. In 1844 it became the first incorporated City west of the Rockies, the
Capital of the Oregon Territory and site of the mint for the territory’s independent currency, the Beaver
Coins. Dr. John McLoughlin, “Father of Oregon” founded the city because of the power of the falls,
which was the source of the nation’s first long distance power transmission travelling 14 miles to
Portland. The original hydroelectric structure and associated components are still intact. The
Willamette Falls powered many mills at this site, the last being the Blue Heron Paper Mill that was
shuttered in 2011.

Tourism and recreation opportunities are provided along the river at several locations:
1. Sportcraft Marina: Owned by Oregon City provides excellent river access and is the closest to the
Falls.
2. Jon Storm Park: A linear park adjacent and downstream to the Marina and extends to
Clackamette Park.
3. Clackamette Park: a city owned park at the confluence of the Clackamas and Willamette Rivers
that provides RV camping, boat access, fishing, and day use recreation.
4. Willamette River Promenade: gives visitors the best view of the Falls from any perspective except
from a boat.
Oregon City is also the site of the only Willamette River crossing outside the Canby Ferry and I-5 in Wilsonville. The Oregon City Bridge is a historic and architectural marvel that
connects West Linn to downtown Oregon City. The I-205 bridge gives large volumes of traffic immediate access to the City’s marina and the two riverside parks. The Willamette
Falls Legacy Project is a new planning effort to revitalize the waterfront at the falls and provide public access along the river, honor historic and cultural values, improve economic
redevelopment opportunities, and ensure a healthy natural habitat.

Gladstone

Gladstone is primarily a residential city with 12,000 residents with a commercial strip on McLaughlin Boulevard running through town. The city sits at the confluence of the
Clackamas River and Willamette River just downstream of Oregon City. Gladstone’s Dahl Park is exactly on the confluence and is a popular fishing location. Half a mile
downstream is Meldrum Bar Park that provides boat access and a popular day use area.