Page 42 - Clackamas County Watertourism Strategic Plan. Final.v3

STRATEGIC PLAN FOR WATER-BASED TOURISM IN CLACKAMAS COUNTY, OREGON THE WATER
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Milwaukie
The City of Milwaukie is the northern most municipality of the Clackamas County on the eastern shore of the Willamette River before
entering Portland. The City has made a concerted effort to connect its waterfront with the adjacent downtown area only a few blocks
away. McLoughlin Boulevard is the eastern edge of the waterfront and effectively separates it from the downtown area. The Milwaukie
Downtown Riverfront Framework Plan created Jefferson Street Boat Ramp and Riverfront Park. This framework plan is a blueprint to
make Milwaukie and its downtown a vital, livable and sustainable community. A primary focus of the City’s economic revitalization is the
removal of the Kellogg Sewage Treatment Plant on the southern border of the city's waterfront. The property currently occupied by the
plant was identified in the framework plan as a prime opportunity for a "catalyst" project such as a hotel and marina complex. The Trimet
mass transit system provides convenient access to the boat ramp and riverfront park and was used by this author to complete a shuttle
after a river trip from Oregon City to Milwaukie. It is a unique feature for water-based tourism that can be used to attract Portland
residents and out of state visitors.

Lake Oswego
Until the mid-1800s, Lake Oswego was a sleepy assembly of homesteads and
farms between the Willamette and Tualatin Rivers in Oregon. Residential
development around the perimeter of Oswego Lake in the 1940s and '50s
combined with the annexation of Lake Grove in the 1960, the name of the
city was changed to Lake Oswego. Lake Oswego is now considered one of the finest residential communities in
Oregon. In both 1998 and 2002, citizens passed park bonds to purchase open space and initiate capital
improvements to park facilities. Development of parks along the Willamette River has been central focus of this
effort and has resulted in the following public access points on the Willamette:
1. Foothills Park, a new 10-acre riverside site features excellent views, hiking trails, day use areas, and event
space. This is also the home of the Lake Oswego Community Rowing Center at the Charles Brown Boathouse. The
LOCR Center is the only boathouse in the Portland area to offer Learn-to-Row, Experienced, and Competitive
programs for both Youth (Junior) and Masters.
2. George Rogers Park has 26 acres of riverfront, including an accessible pathway and boardwalk, natural areas,
view corridors and picnic/barbeque area.
3. Roehr City Park has a small amphitheater and viewing dolphin that allows excellent views of and access to the
river. It is very popular for private events